Madden has been one of the most successful sports video games in its 28-year run, spanning multiple generations of gamers. This years iteration, Madden 18, released on Aug. 25th.

The jawdropping graphics are one of the first improvements noticed in Madden 18. This is a result of the game running on EA’s blockbuster graphics engine, the Frostbite, which for several years has been the engine for the popular FIFA series. Now, faces are clearer than ever and the game runs  smoothly. This is a good sign for players, even though it doesn’t drastically change gameplay.

The only real negative to the game is the new iteration of the popular mode Madden Ultimate Team, or MUT. MUT is a team-building mode for favorite NFL athletes. New “card” releases and an ever-rotating selection of challenges have kept this mode fresh for several years. This year, EA Sports wanted to change up the formula with upgrade-able cards, amateur tournaments, and odd currency types. This makes Madden‘s flagship mode hard to break into for new players, and particularly frustrating for veterans of the series.

Arguably, the headlining feature for this years release is a new story mode called Longshot, chronicling the journey of a fictional former Texas QB Devin Wade from his quiet hometown to the bright lights of the NFL. The story had a surprising amount of heart, being described as a “playable movie” by  developers. Some may think of the story as too short for a traditional single player game, but the six-hour journey with Devin wraps up nicely without feeling rushed or conversely drawn out.

Overall, Madden 18 provides a variety of fun experiences. With updates every few days, incredible graphics, and all-new modes, Madden 18 will excite long into the offseason.

Madden 18 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.