NHL 25 Review - The Final Verdict

NHL 25 feels a lot like the past five games in the series, but at least it’s got a renewed visual flair thanks to its current-gen exclusivity this time around. The game’s Franchise and Be A Pro modes feel particularly stale, with very little changes since NHL 20.
The gameplay gets the most improvement, with a revamped AI system that enhances reaction times and intelligence in positioning. The host of gameplay settings allows you to tune the AI any way you want, allowing for a more arcade experience where passes are automated or the more sim-like direction the series has been trending.
While the modes feel the same as past entries, NHL 25 still supplies a fun time in the rink. The improved character animations and subtle incremental sim elements add up to a deep and rewarding hockey game, even if they’re packed in a five-year old skin.
I’d recommend picking NHL 25 up when it releases on October 4th if you’ve skipped out on the last few entries, but if you’ve played the last couple, you’re not missing out on much.

[@ericmacgillivray537]

Not buying this until dirt cheap so bored of this series

[@jordankenney6943]

Good for you

[@ericmacgillivray537]

@@jordankenney6943 dude if you want to spend your money on the same game as last year I ain't judging you lol

[@jasonjohnston4766]

I’m just waiting for the squad to get it. It’s fun to play together but its like you said the same game every year

[@TillTheThrill19]

It’ll be half price on Boxing Day and Black Friday here in Canada

[@xBREDD]

Don’t buy it at all? Even better.

[@acerock013]

i'll be skipping NHL this year.

[@maxencelavigne5406]

What a shameful game series

[@SteveEagles]

It’s EA

[@brettdavidson3866]

Ea What is shame ?

[@jacobchurchill5373]

😂😂😂

[@bank_kid4f]

To be honest I don’t even see the difference in the graphic since nhl 22

[@noslipups3657]

That’s because they are using a 10 year old engine instead of creation a new one

[@tomk8972]

There is no reason sports games should have yearly releases

[@michelep9825]

The only franchise I can say does it well is NBA2k. You can tell they are trying to evolve each year. Same years aren't as good as others, but that game is miles ahead of this crap

[@seanbarnes1151]

Roster updates, new uniforms, those could just be updates. But then ea would just charge big bucks for those dlcs.

[@bgleason22]

Take out vision control, put back in 3 years later - LOOK AT THE NEW FEATURES!!! What a joke.

[@jasonsmith530]

A decade ago we had the Wayne Gretzky of video games--NHL 14 the 360s swan song

[@jordangamble3515]

I still play nhl legacy aka nhl 14 with updated rosters

[@seanbarnes1151]

Yup. And the original Xbox swan song was nhl 06. That one had the cameras following the players out onto the ice while my extensive custom soundtrack played. I ripped all of my cds onto that thing and had different playlists for each arena. Then it red ringed probably from all the cds I ripped onto it. 🎉

[@HT-sm9dm]

NHL 09-11 was the peak of the series. Never had so much fun playing a video game before or since. EASHL was absolutely lit. You could find crazy 6v6 games just in drop in alone. Battles. Oh man what happened to this franchise?

[@patrickbenjamin1385]

EA NEEDS TO LOSE THE RIGHTS TO ALL SPORTS AND 2K NEEDS TO TAKE OVER

[@jorssu13]

2K ain't much better. NBA 2K is arguably even worse with microtransactions than anything EA puts out. 2K takes over completely, the situation remains exactly the same as it is now. Monopoly is the issue. Lack of competition kills progress. The rights should be open to everyone, but that'll never happen.

[@patrickbenjamin1385]

@@jorssu13 true, but they're games aren't nearly as glitched out and just aesthetically bad as EA. 2K5 is still one of the best football games and the basketball games are pretty good as well

[@jorssu13]

@@patrickbenjamin1385 Maybe. Also buying these games every year is dumb to begin with. There's so many other games to play out there that, unless you make a living by playing a certain game, there's no point in buying these sports games every year. Like for example, I get a new NHL game every 4-5 years unless I happen to get one with psplus or something. That way playing these games is a pretty enjoyable experience for me most of the time.

[@marc-antoinemarcoux697]

​@@patrickbenjamin1385you didnt play them recently Top Spin 25 is a scam there is nothing and barely anything appealing. WWE sucks too and if youre basing yourself only on NBA 2k you should know its the same if you compared to EA FC who receives way more funding than NHL and Madden.

[@heathclark318]

@@jorssu13 Stop. Just fcking stop... The Franchise options are not EVEN FREAKING CLOSE... FFS. Just stop with this dumb as arguement against 2k or SDS making a hockey game... ONE WORD -------- ERA's

[@murderdollsfan222]

Honestly this being the first “next gen” edition of EA’s NHL and it being almost indistinguishable from the last gen is the biggest slap in the face considering the full asking price..

[@noslipups3657]

I think the new dev team is trying but not hard enough fast enough or good enough so if I was you I’d skip the next 2-3 years like I am hopefully then we see real changes but I’ve been playing 25 for free with the EA Play trial it’s not worth it bro

[@jasonkirk384]

looks slow and boring. Hasn’t been good for a decade or more

[@FakeNews953]

I don't mind slower gameplay, as that is more realistic. It's been an arcadey sprint fest for the last several years. However simply slowing the game down without improving on other areas such as boardplay, faceoffs, battles in front of the net and dump and chase, leaves a lot to be desired

[@jasonkirk384]

@@FakeNews953 agreed

[@WayneGretzky-]

I agree, it feels like you are skating at a walking pace if you aren't bashing L3 to hustle. And if you decide to use the L3 to hustle, you lose all of your stamina and cannot backcheck after going for a scoring rush.

[@jasonkirk384]

@@WayneGretzky- agreed. It’s terrible. The passing and one timers have no speed or flare to them as well! So boring to watch and play

[@chrisewing1881]

So slow. My eyes protest

[@brelanarchy8023]

Your video clips should match the specific part of the game you are reviewing. For instance, you were talking about the new vision control (LT/L2) and the video clips were not showcasing the vision control at all, and you were talking about wrist shots, but clips weren't of you attempting wrist shots, and lastly you were talking about Wild Card mode in HUT, but the video was of you opening a HUT starter pack rather than showing Wildcard mode.

[@shoji-josuzuki1641]

I was just watching this and wondering if they were only allowed to show specific content provided by EA. The video is terrible, I feel like I'm just watching a demo with the CPU controlling both teams. I keep trying to look for what the reviewer is talking about but it's not being shown. Might as well be looking at the box art!

[@rick6699ca]

EA has no competition so no change only pack updates

[@myronmosley2167]

The worst part about all of the NHL is that they literally changed NOTHING about be a pro. Who thought that was a good idea? Whoever that is needs to be fired.

[@mdemartino71]

I'm still playing and will keep playing nhl 19. Always liked how they show the real announcers pregame talking about the game. Nhl 19 is last year they had this I think

[@Hummels_83]

NHL 19 is my favorite! I love the commentary and intros from NBC sports! 👍

[@andyn6053]

Same gas as nhl 20, 21, 22, 23, 24......

[@lesexpos4469]

This time, ot nsure to notice the diffference betwen 2024 ? Graphic are the same ?

[@seanbarnes1151]

Still no ray ferraro 😢

[@lesexpos4469]

This time, not sure to notice the diffference betwen 2024 ? Graphic are the same ?

[@midnightcaptain8344]

EA is sad as hell. Letting the NHL series rot while they invest all time in HUT.

[@andyn6053]

Im not buying any new NHL game until the renew franschise mode! Its such a scam selling the same game over and over with roster updates and charging 70 bucks!!!

[@Kevin-x7f]

NHL and Madden need competition! It was great when multiple companies made hockey and football games they actually had to be on their A game to out do the other company for best game of the year.

[@brettdavidson3866]

True but the license is too much

[@baguetteboden]

"is build from the ground up for current gen consoles" I don't think they build it from the ground up.

[@noslipups3657]

lol not with a 10 year old engine it’s not

[@bafelix89]

It's built from the ground up the same way landlords renovate by just covering everything in paint

[@noslipups3657]

@@bafelix89 exactly thank you

[@michaelferguson9167]

Can we bring up how the be a pro for the last 4 years has made your player be a 16 year old nhl draft pick 😂 and atleast give us the ability to either be sent back to juniors or play in the ahl /ECHL for development

[@DeadVoivod]

Yes, I would like that. Let me play a whole season in AHL/ECHL, upgrade my player, and after that be drafted properly.

[@loopymofo]

Piss off with that 7 rating. Maybe a 4 at best. Not even close to a 7. These dumb rating is why this game feels like a roster update every year. Call it as it is already. Stop pandering to EA and tell them how much the game is not a 7/10 rating at all.

[@DeadVoivod]

What really makes me angry is that since over 5 years they're not able to change and update the Be A Pro mode, because they're probably not interested in doing so. It's HUT, HUT, HUT.

[@noslipups3657]

That’s why I stopped buying this bull shh 2 years ago

[@theeggheadog]

I mean their using Frostbite 3 which is literally 10 years old now...

[@cow4094]

The fact people are still saying next gen and not current gen after all these years...

[@noslipups3657]

This is how you know EA is buying positive reviews. This mf just said EA made very little changes and you still this shh a 7 out of 10 how is that even possible? This game is a 4 out of 10 at best and that’s only because gameplay does look cleaner this year far from perfect but better but still not worth a $70 price tag especially since they didn’t do anything to be a pro I mean dam u could of at least removed the pricey pound hockey cut scene

[@serenitynow6513]

I miss drop in being in a arena with real nhl teams instead of this crappy jeans and toque wearing game mode. It’s gimmicky and stupid.

[@legniak1]

Chel is f**king garbage. Playing outdoors is a sad joke along with the stupid clothing options. I played with a guy in a mascot uni 😡

[@justin4364]

Saying franchise mode is virtually unchanged is just disingenuous when it's the biggest update they've had in a decade. The only feature you mention is the one about changing positions? What about the new contract negotiation mechanic? Organizational and contract interest meters? No movement clauses? Overalls being affected by player type? Pre-set lines? Box score and full season stat tracking for all teams and players? I am usually the first one to get annoyed with how little EA does, but sorry, I can't really trust this review if you only played the game for a few minutes at a surface level.

[@noslipups3657]

That's not even a upgrade because it should of already been in the game

[@GMMXX80]

This is exactly why hockey fans need to grow up in a huge uproar against the Chairman of the NHL bombarded with emails to kill off the exclusivity deal with EA and open the options back up to Visual Concepts (2K Sports) to jump back in. When there's no competition, this is what you get. Mediocre attempts from lazy teams to work three months out of the year and take the other nine months off to do who knows what. OR, maybe it's time to go to the Games as a Service for Sports games. You paid your $69.99 for NHL 25? Next year you're only paying $10, at most for minor updates as they're not even worth that. Seriously, this has got to stop, and if EA and other big three want to continue to push for digital only and kill physical media, then the Games as a Service model is perfect so, you want kill physical media, this is what you'll get, $10 every year. Still, I think hockey fans need to lead the way into pushing Chairman into creating more options, it doesn't cost them anything, they're making all the money on the royalties along with NHLPA. Then football fans will get what they're looking for as well. Really, this has got to stop and you vote with your wallet. This guy's just trying, really digging for something nice to say about it but every time he does, he counters or back peddles and just can't do it. It's gotta stop. Being back Visual Concepts (2K Sports). The NHL is in the business of competition so they should understand, basically a monopoly doesn't promote a best in class experience l, it instead promotes mediocrity and embarrassment to your franchise. Competition generates drive and motivation to outdo the next guy but EA has no next guy so either bring in the competition or demand a Games as a Service business model and I really hope it's not the latter.....

[@caleob9725]

I didn’t play last years game but what is up with that pressure field thing? Can I switch that off?

[@youngslyy4516]

WHERE IS THE PC VERSION EA Vancouver?? Where? That's what pisses me off. I became a console gamer by force around 2010 (ps3) because of this. I Love the game of Hockey and ea stopped making NHL on PC so I bought a PS3 to play my favorite sport. At least back then Online multiplayer was free and didn't cost almost $100 annually just to play with friends/strangers online. Straight robbery at this point.

[@SuperbowlJoel]

@@youngslyy4516 EA only cares about maximizing profit, nothing else.

[@brelanarchy8023]

PC games open the whole player base to more cheating/hacking. I don't think that's why they don't open it up to PC, but that is my reason for excluding PC users from console games.

[@itsAlzatron]

@@brelanarchy8023 That's a very backwards excuse considering EA's biggest title, Apex Legends, is on PC with crossplay across all platforms

[@brelanarchy8023]

@@itsAlzatron lol, you didn't even read what I wrote then. Cool story. When you read it again, then tell me where I said that that was EA's reason, because I specifically said it wasn't.

[@itsAlzatron]

@@brelanarchy8023 It doesn't matter whose reason it is, it makes no logical sense regardless.

[@sickgamerrage1532]

Game isn’t bad. Still no good presentation like how nhl 14 intro was for goalie stats or showing goalie or pregame talk.

[@rickbeezer34]

I know many, many people asked for one SIMPLE thing to have again and that was full presenation. But nope!! EA once again ignores that request. Its just as rushed as ever. Its like we the fans/buyers of these games say left and EA will go right.. We ask for up and EA says down! its the same regurgitated bullshit year after year!! How about something like maybe like an old NHL2K games used to have and that was being able to clean the ice with the zamboni.. Like a mini little inteactive game in between periods?? Just something a little different! something fun! but nope!!!!. Im so done with the same old crap! whatever we ask for we never get..

[@michelep9825]

I played a trial of 24 and shut it off after 5 mins. Scoring the same goals every year, same core gameplay Heavily lacking physical collision system(Puck battles etc.) Character uniqueness and body types Neutral zone play Puck dynamics Presentation This franchise is just putting the same style of gameplay out every year. No vision

[@njdevseddie741]

I skipped NHL 24 so I don’t know if this isn’t the first year with new hitting, but playing defense now is fucking awful, you feel handicapped the whole time

[@Jan_von_Gratschoff]

Worth for a FULL PRICE? hell no. Buying NHL games is best done in 5 year intervals.

[@PiMpiNx187]

This franchise is cooked thanks modern gaming

[@mjdub1013]

Garbage company. Garbage game. Sports games are a rip off.

[@drgreenthumb234]

The wristt shot is easy. What are you talking about? If you're left-handed, it's a quarter circle movement up. Not that hard at all

[@DinocoBlue5]

Judging by the gameplay, I think this guy just sucks at this game and is looking for an excuse to

[@Thecraftingman99]

​@@DinocoBlue5 Crazy how someone so bad at the game can make a review and push people away from the game I'm not even trying to sound rude it's just him being so bad he didn't show any new features 😭

[@DinocoBlue5]

@@Thecraftingman99 and to call franchise mode “the exact same as previous years” is crazy. They revamped the entire menu, added no movement and no trade clauses, added proper discussions with players/coaches. Sure it isn’t “game changing” by any means but to say it barely changed is just wrong. As someone who only plays franchise mode, I was very happy with the 10 hours of EA play early access I got.

[@Thecraftingman99]

@@DinocoBlue5 I bought the 98 euros édition so I've been playing the last few days I love the game slower pace and everything and yeah franchise mode is definitely the most changed out of all the modes. Guy probably played a few hours and made a review and that's stupid for a channel with 1.6 million subs.

[@Only1SamRaw]

If this was the last game they ever make, i don't think ppl will complain. Rather have nothing than this b.s year after year

[@jorssu13]

I buy NHL games about every 5 years or so. The last one i bought was NHL 20 so it's time to jump back in this year. From what I've seen the game looks fine. Definitely looking forward to playing franchise mode and turning my Florida Panthers into the next dynasty now that they finally got their first Cup.

[@FPOPGaming]

The one thing that still bothers me is how laggy and unresponsive the menus are. Especially when editing lines. It’s embarrassing. There’s no excuse for a game menu on a next gen console should be lagging severely.

[@AndreasNater81]

Hi Gamingbolt. Can you deactivate the PRESSURE SYMBOL on ice? (when yes where in the system)

[@omarpr1982]

Haven’t played NHL game in years. I literally can’t remember the time anybody had anything good to say about a NHL game

[@thatguyinthechat66]

Nothing will ever beat NHL 99. Tbh nothing ever really changes in their games, maybe better graphics once in a while and a few minor tweaks. I'll get this when it's free on the ps store

[@charlescross4842]

I haven’t played in the last three years so this will be refreshing to me I’ll give it a shot

[@DudeSweet317]

Don't buy ?? Hmm

[@brianbradley5273]

Did you actually try franchise mode? I feel like in that part has had plenty of updates to it, with game stats for all prior games including AI games, player stats for each in game and split stats, NTC/NMC, taxes, conversations and I can go on. Did you actually try the mode or just assume there was no changes outside of the menu/UI? Please give some insight into this.

[@sonavagun9283]

I quit this game years ago. Because it's almost impossible to get a game going with team play. Has that changed at least??????

[@curtisharvey5579]

I gave up trying to play NHL 24 very quickly purely from how slow and laggy the menu navigation was. Pretty disappointing they didn't improve that with it being only next gen

[@jamese.1042]

One of the most full of s____ reviews I’ve seen from them. A 7 for a copy and paste is someone scared they won’t get exclusives from EA.

[@baustin612]

Vision control as you described has been a thing for a really time no?

[@SciFi-WiFi]

I'll pick it up for $30 on black friday like usual.

[@noslipups3657]

or wait until it's free on ea play in march

[@SkitzoBenjamin]

@@noslipups3657how do you know March? Honestly asking? I almost just sent $70 to this company. lol

[@Srmigsy90]

This game is absolutely fuckn crap. I want my money back

[@scroogemcduck3446]

Same as 24 which is the same as 23 and so on

[@v3nomhulk]

SHOULD HAVE JUST BEEN AN UPDATE, NO WAY IM PAYING FULL PRICE TO THESE LEFTYS

[@eddmarsh]

Is it just me or that review sound more "PAID and WRITTEN by EA" than a real review?

[@mjonasb]

Agree, it's a good game, but still NHL 25 feels like EA is just updating the rosters, a few tweaks and calling it a day. It’s been 10 years since NHL 15 made a real impact with the new-gen consoles - we’re overdue for another big update, let's take some risks EA! Or offer new versions as updates, not new games.

[@Oharaboxing]

Translation: The graphics are a little better. The scoreboard is a little different. The crowd reacts a little more. Everything else is virtually untouched. Frostbite is not an engine designed for sports games, but first-person shooters. This is not a good game...

[@avadakedavra69]

Is the hitting still nerfed?

[@MBF120]

Man when will we get a new be a pro😂

[@frenchlasagna8138]

Nah man,we want the pricey pond hockey.

[@Tumbledust93]

Do not buy this game. Just had a glitch in franchise mode in year 2 where if you exit draft interviews before doing all 3 it skipped the draft, no teams drafted any players and those players were all pushed into next years draft, losing all your draft picks in the process.....WTFFF!

[@TevyaSmolka]

So basically this game like madden is also a dud why am I not surprised

[@BOBBYdigital31]

Vision control was a feature we had for years, then they removed it a couple of iterations ago, and now brought it back touting it as a new feature lmao

[@SaintJ92]

The wrist shot complaint is pretty strange. You’re mimicking the motion of the hockey stick. It makes a ton of sense.

[@dilloncady35]

Bring back NHL ‘14

[@STUPDASOL]

Still have ice tilt though?

[@JCJMC21]

I didn’t believe it existed until the last 2 years.

[@noslipups3657]

That’s all the pressure system is

[@STUPDASOL]

@JCJMC21 I have been playing for years and I noticed it alot in nhl 18, my buddy and I would be playing and one of us could be winning then it's like we don't know how to play at all lol... I also went a whole game with out even touching stick for face offs and I won more then he did and he was trying lol!

[@maxrates]

They need to release a game every 2 years from now on. There's not enough time to improve the game in 1 year.

[@noslipups3657]

Don’t give them the leeway into believing that. EA isn’t a small mom and pop company with 4/5 employees slaving to make these games they are a billion dollar corporation they could snap a finger and double , triple or quadruple the amount of people used to make this game better if they really wanted too

[@adamc-sv2tp]

Skipping this game. Tried the trial and after two drafts I was still getting top prospects who are black guys with grey handle bar mustaches from Japan….. Unlike most hockey people I am 100% for diversity in the draft pools. I love the idea of different races in my little nhl universe. But make them legit. The problem isn’t the player is black, it’s that he Japanese and is a 17 year old with grey hair. Or at least let us edit. EA is flat out lazy. They only put dev time into pay to win. These sports leagues need to stop with exclusive licensing. NHL was better when there was 2k games. Madden was better when there was 4 other nfl games. Nbk 2k has suffered since nba live ended. We need competition something fierce. I did buy college football this year, but I won’t be buying any other ea sports games until they make significant upgrades to the stale modes. I’m not paying full price for a roster and menu update. I wish others would stop buying as well.

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

I rather play ESPN NHL 2K5 on my Xbox Series X instead of this boring Hockey 🏒 game 🗑️

[@Srmigsy90]

1000% that was the best hockey game

[@jealousbeanbag5636]

how do you play that on series x?

[@langenbrunner1]

NHL 2k5, 2k6 and 2k7 were so awesome!

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

@@langenbrunner1 Fact Bro got them all emulated on my Xbox Series X 😎

[@forchyforchy5456]

ive never found wrist shots hard to do, but understand how some could.

[@tommylanham9287]

Still some pricey pond hockey. EA, sell the license to someone who actually likes hockey and video games. Release it on pc, at least, so the people that do like hockey and gaming can fix your game for you! I've been playing the NHL series since NHL 97, and 24 and 25 are the only ones I haven't coughed up for. LISTEN TO YOUR FANS, they pay your bills.

[@Anonymous71892]

Even the skating is off. They slowed everything down to where you're agonizing slow unless you bash L3 but the legs move at same speed as last year when you were flying. Shameful

[@sgmultimediadesign]

I wish someone else could make a competitive hockey game and force EA to do more to make their current game better. Like the 2k days. So disappointed about this game, glad I didn't preorder or purchase it. I cannot act surprised though, this has been EA's treatment of the NHL series for a long time now.

[@Cgod87]

I got xbox, can I play my friend 1on1 if he has ps5 or can we only play WOC again

[@mika_prodzisgoated]

Only buying Becasue me and my friends play together

[@mattysims4323]

Warhammer 40k hockey or dungeons and dragons hockey would be better than another ea title. Mortal kombat hockey would be fun.

[@mreichard838]

You're absolutely insane giving this game a 7. Its a 5 at absolute best and probably lower.

[@johndoe-fz2ly]

An exact copy over the last few years woth fuck all updates and you give it a 7? Madness

[@heathclark318]

The experience is still hot garbage. Expensive for a few moments or as they say that is some pricey pond hockey Please 2k or SDS make a hockey game!

[@mynameismud-qd9vu]

Franchise saw its biggest improvements in years and yet the reviewer says it's virtually unchanged? The trade clauses, conversation system during contract negotiations and more, really add to the realism and immersion. Sure, the conversation aspect needs fleshed out a bit more, but still a step in the right direction.

[@killerplane1136]

Dude no one plays franchise mode to sit there playing super realistically to the point where we're sitting there talking to all our players or coaches, that's such a waste of fucking time. How about the simulating speed? Why does it feel SLOWER this year than it ever has? It's like they "added" some of these changes, but then didn't bother to make it faster to sim, didn't bother to allow us to edit players ages, attributes, ANYTHING like that. Didn't bring us ACTUAL coaches that OTHER SPORTS GAMES HAVE! Literally, who even gives a flying fuck over a majority of these changes?!

[@mynameismud-qd9vu]

@@killerplane1136 A lot of people, because it's the most significant changes the mode has seen in years. Yes, the conversation feature can get tedious if you use it for every player, but most that I see use it for the important players. You can still edit attributes, but no ages.

[@Thecraftingman99]

@@killerplane1136 there's a lot more people that make videos on ultimate team and franchise mode.

[@loungo35]

I’ll just do what I do every year and wait until it appears on game pass 😅

[@kylerobison1425]

2K on the original Xbox was my favorite. I’m not going buy it this year besides PlayStation gave us 24 for free. They also gave us MLB 24.

[@hzafary]

I skipped the last 5 NHL games, so I’m really excited to play!

[@SuperbowlJoel]

@hzafary not to crap on your excitement, but prepare to feel disappointed. If you enjoy gambling for best players with real money, you might enjoy it.

[@Michaelholt32]

I like the improvements first off players not as fast as each other anymore that’s good they overhauled franchise mode that’s good they improved the skating that’s good not every shot is going in that’s good this is a good start they can improve upon nhl 25 for nhl 26 I give it a 7.2 out of 10 it is better than the th last 5 games combined I really like nhl 25 for me this is the best one since nhl 14

[@noslipups3657]

You definitely work for ea get off your knees n wipe your mouth

[@itsAlzatron]

And still no PC release

[@youngslyy4516]

That's what pisses me off. I became a console gamer by force around 2010 (ps3) because of this.

[@jorssu13]

And there will never be a pc release unless something massive happens. If it was viable, they would've made one already.

[@michelep9825]

Garbage company....people who support this game deserve to see it on sale in a month

[@michelep9825]

I hope people are boycotting this franchise.

[@Thewayfehrer]

Can’t wait to hurry home and not buy this

[@KrisOO17]

Do I need an EA Sports game pass to play this online?

[@PlexMan79]

EA Sports is a fucking joke lol

[@WhoDatTigahs]

EA is a disgrace. Thank god college football didnt flop but im sure in a few years it'll be just as bad as FIFA, MADDEN AND NHL

[@universalglitch]

I'm still waiting for this to come back to PC.

[@evolancer211]

No you are incorrect. The snapshot has become more prevalent in the NHL, than the wristshot

[@ROB-cc5nv]

Nothing has changed - haven't bought one since 99 the beat IMO

[@Raiders-wm5kb]

hey it's that ice DLC🥱

[@adamrobert7578]

If I wanted to hear color commentary from a woman during a man's sport, I'd watch tennis or the WNBA.

[@wrongbeach35]

3rd year in a row I refuse to buy it….I win

[@LucieOne]

People always complain about sports games not being any different from the previous game but you watch hockey this year, it'll look exactly like it did last year.

[@13Gangland]

Maybe so, but definitely doesn't look like it did last decade, or the 00s, or 90s, or 80s, and so on.. The point I'm trying to make is if a game comes out every freaking year, it won't look as different if it came out, say, every 3-5 years.

[@de132]

People who say this either don't understand the issues with sports games or don't understand sports. The issues with the NHL series is a lack of mode depth (I can think of dozens of ways to improve franchise mode, and Be a Pro for example), presentation, and control issues (context hitting, wrist shot, snap shot, glitch goals). There's so much outside of gameplay that could've been improved and the gameplay itself needs tweaks. If this game was as perfect as it could be, you'd be right but ultimately you're a fool for making this point. There is so much more they can do that they haven't even put the time and resources into because of their focus on Hockey Ultimate Team and how small this dev team is.

[@LucieOne]

@@de132 Well thank you for being so cordial 😆. I don't have the same concerns that you do because the sports games that I play, I buy them every three years, as I've come to notice that it takes three years worth of minimal changes to add up to a different experience, for me. Also, I got tired of being that person whining every year about 'oooh it's just like it was last year' or thinking that I had all the answers to make it a better game. And it's just my opinion but I don't think any game is "as perfect as it could be". Someone, somewhere has an idea that could improve literally everything.

[@andyn6053]

I dont mind if the gameplay is the same, but they could still add more features to franschise mode like AI generated player faces, stats, summaries and recaps of key moments etc

[@collinosborne3638]

@@de132not to mention the winter classic mode

[@Tyekiller115]

Franchise mode has updated contracts