NHL 17

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 132
  3. Negative: 45 out of 132
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  1. Pikesburgh
    Sep 15, 2016
    10
    This is the best NHL game yet. Right off the bat, the new sliders are terrific. They offer so many different types of game play opportunities. You can have a sloppy, physical, grind it out type game, or a flashy, fast, high scoring one. Online, (I've only played EASHL) is awesome. Players can no longer deke through the entire team. You have to PASS the puck to win in EASHL. I got so tiredThis is the best NHL game yet. Right off the bat, the new sliders are terrific. They offer so many different types of game play opportunities. You can have a sloppy, physical, grind it out type game, or a flashy, fast, high scoring one. Online, (I've only played EASHL) is awesome. Players can no longer deke through the entire team. You have to PASS the puck to win in EASHL. I got so tired of the little selfish idiots who held onto the puck nonstop and would glitch goal time and time again. Now, cycling, net front battles, screens, deflections, and rebounds all play a huge part in winning. This is a very quality game. Be a Pro gameplay is so fun as well. Definitely worth the $60.… Expand
  2. vieri32
    Sep 16, 2016
    10
    Franchise mode is awesome. The AI gameplay tweaks have done the trick. Career mode and create a team are huge, detailed features. This game is as close to perfect as you can come, in my opinion.
  3. CDannyZ
    Nov 22, 2019
    10
    Last NHL with International Championship. RIP IIHF in NHL series, they should revive it
  4. markjohnson2252
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    I am currently in season 6 of my "franchise mode". I love being able to play the farm team as well. In franchise mode, you must manage and balance the NHL Team, the minor league team (optional), salary cap, draft picks, and the arena. I find managing and maintaining the arena a frustrating part of the game. You can also change the difficulty level of the opponent. I love this game.I am currently in season 6 of my "franchise mode". I love being able to play the farm team as well. In franchise mode, you must manage and balance the NHL Team, the minor league team (optional), salary cap, draft picks, and the arena. I find managing and maintaining the arena a frustrating part of the game. You can also change the difficulty level of the opponent. I love this game. There is always a challenge.… Expand
  5. MADRICKY97
    Sep 13, 2016
    9
    For those who wait a long time for this game, time is up!

    I ve played all night and i can tell you this: graphics are almost the same, animation still the same, game play a little bit better and overall A.I. better than ever! EA took what was the best from NHL 16 and incorporate some more realistic (speed and pass timing)dimension to the game! So it s harder to put a pass on the    For those who wait a long time for this game, time is up!

    I ve played all night and i can tell you this:

    graphics are almost the same, animation still the same, game play a little bit better and overall A.I. better than ever!

    EA took what was the best from NHL 16 and incorporate some more realistic (speed and pass timing)dimension to the game! So it s harder to put a pass on the tape and easier to get a speed burst!

    Also i ve notice that the game in front of the goal is cleaver than ever , more easy to take a rebound and a lot more chances to score from this area in this situation!

    Overall i ll give it a nine for the more realistic hockey game ever made!

    bye, Ricky from QC    … Expand
  6. simondaustin
    Nov 28, 2016
    8
    I've had a some solid hours with this game and now can honestly say it is really good this year. EA is starting to get the hint that people want a customisable experience.... The gameplay sliders and custom team/player elements are much better. They still seem to keep some areas chained up ... like roster updates .. (why can't we share our own homemade rosters online?) .. or the inabilityI've had a some solid hours with this game and now can honestly say it is really good this year. EA is starting to get the hint that people want a customisable experience.... The gameplay sliders and custom team/player elements are much better. They still seem to keep some areas chained up ... like roster updates .. (why can't we share our own homemade rosters online?) .. or the inability to customise existing players looks.... I think if we pay the $$ we should be able to edit and share what we want. Most sport games are doing this already.… Expand
  7. Kyle_Katarn92
    Nov 15, 2016
    8
    As usual, the gameplay feels very smooth. The customisation options are great this year. Its still missing some features, such as the "international tournament".
  8. Zmetekk
    Jun 7, 2017
    8
    This is first nhl I played since nhl07, so I will not be comparing and rather say, that this is great hockey game with all features there is to offer, great and innovative control (skill sticks), good and quite stable multiplayer, decent singleplayer even though there is a bit unfairness when you are losing to opposing AI team. And at last and least a really bad soundtrack, I get thatThis is first nhl I played since nhl07, so I will not be comparing and rather say, that this is great hockey game with all features there is to offer, great and innovative control (skill sticks), good and quite stable multiplayer, decent singleplayer even though there is a bit unfairness when you are losing to opposing AI team. And at last and least a really bad soundtrack, I get that creators tried to pick music for everybody, but hockey is a quick game with lots of hits, so there should be pumped up music that makes your blood boil.

    Overall I think it is a must buy for all nhl fans and great sport game.    … Expand
  9. DanielStoffberg
    Dec 5, 2016
    8
    Big fan of the series, I own every edition of EA Sports NHL ever released. This one does seem to be the most frustrating of them all when playing against the AI, those long range shots the AI gets in are truly unbelievable and the AI players seems to never really lose the puck of their stick. Good thing is there are various settings, but it takes forever to get the settings just the wayBig fan of the series, I own every edition of EA Sports NHL ever released. This one does seem to be the most frustrating of them all when playing against the AI, those long range shots the AI gets in are truly unbelievable and the AI players seems to never really lose the puck of their stick. Good thing is there are various settings, but it takes forever to get the settings just the way you feel fair, but even then it tends to feel a bit empty. As for graphics, teams, tactics, running your team that is all great. If they can only work out this AI issue which seems to remain a problem this game could very well have been a 10.… Expand
  10. BooBooDaddy
    Jan 31, 2017
    8
    Firstly. Let us start off at the fact that the 2 major improvements easily noticeable are;
    1: The Main Screen and interface responsiveness.
    2: The AI, straight up. Compared to 15/16, where the AI would every time let you slip right on through, (Which killed the fun for me, Unless you prefer simple match-ups.) Especially against teams with a good defense. The team ratings are fairly    Firstly. Let us start off at the fact that the 2 major improvements easily noticeable are;
    1: The Main Screen and interface responsiveness.
    2: The AI, straight up. Compared to 15/16, where the AI would every time let you slip right on through, (Which killed the fun for me, Unless you prefer simple match-ups.) Especially against teams with a good defense.
    The team ratings are fairly accurate also, which can bring some sort of look into what type of team you'll be against, and which type of game-play you should insist on using.

    BE A PRO: The most loved feature just after HUT, which now is simply better than ever. Having your own goal celebration, to over 40 different hair styles and head shapes. How ever, playing as Goalie in Be a Pro, (Which is a whole load of fun!) Feels very heavy in NHL 17, by this I mean the movements feel very sluggish and slow compared to 15/16, and the Goalie movements are not solid.

    HOCKEY ULTIMATE TEAM: This loved mode is better than ever now. Especially with all these young stars in the League at the moment, such as McDavid, Eichel and Matthews, getting these guys in your team is killer! BUT, from my own experience, when getting enough in game currency to purchase a pack for your team, the ratio of players-to-contracts are scary. You run out of contracts way too quickly, and before you know it, you're resorting to your backup players which are probably terrible. (Let's be real.) And that is really the only downside to the mode!

    OTHERWISE, the game is brilliant. 8/10, and definitely one of the best NHL games I've ever played. Would recommend to players new to the NHL franchise.

    ~Peace. xo    … Expand
  11. camsnewtons
    May 27, 2017
    8
    This game is a decent surprisingly fun one. The be a pro mode is a pretty good one that should but doesn't have a good story to go along with it. The online mode is pretty good with the draft champions mode not being as good as madden. The new ESHL is a pretty fun game mode which like FIFA let's you stage your own championship bracket. The shootout mode is the best mode both offline andThis game is a decent surprisingly fun one. The be a pro mode is a pretty good one that should but doesn't have a good story to go along with it. The online mode is pretty good with the draft champions mode not being as good as madden. The new ESHL is a pretty fun game mode which like FIFA let's you stage your own championship bracket. The shootout mode is the best mode both offline and online. The players all look the same and so do the stadiums though. The main problems lie in the mechanics as the passing doesn't work and you get caught on your own teammates. Overall this game is a wait for sale.… Expand
  12. lizardking420
    Oct 13, 2016
    7
    Needs a otp kick vote for s*** like Jordanbrak. Eashl and online is where it's at. Sports game don't care gbghu8i66666666666666666666666666666666666666666788898862122i.
  13. son-of-serpico
    Oct 29, 2016
    7
    At first I was impressed with this game but I am changing my glowing initial review. The more I've played it, the more I've realized it is lacking in many areas. Career mode is bush league when you compare it to NBA 2K or even FIFA 17's career modes. There is no story involved and the story is what makes any game -- even a sports game -- great. The hockey action is decent, a little betterAt first I was impressed with this game but I am changing my glowing initial review. The more I've played it, the more I've realized it is lacking in many areas. Career mode is bush league when you compare it to NBA 2K or even FIFA 17's career modes. There is no story involved and the story is what makes any game -- even a sports game -- great. The hockey action is decent, a little better than the last instalment, but they need to put much more effort into career mode if they want to keep up with the best sports titles. RIght now EA's NHL franchise leaves you hoping 2K will jump in to develop a hockey game at long last. Don't get me wrong, it's hockey and it's fun to play but it could be so much better. I won't spend another 80 bucks on this game next year if they do not create a revamped and much improved career mode.… Expand
  14. inthecrease31
    Oct 4, 2016
    7
    Good game, but not great. Best NHL on next gen, but that's not saying much because 15 was awful and 16 was average. Still not as good as NHL 10-15 on last gen.

    EA continues to release unfinished NHL games with massive first day patches. Buy it used or when the price drops on Black Friday.
  15. SharkTankGamer
    Oct 5, 2016
    6
    Not good yet not bad. Extremely average. They didn't add much and just reuse assets from the last game. They did re-add create a team so that is a plus and everything else is just how it was before.
  16. Iggyshow4351
    Nov 23, 2017
    6
    Thumbs in the middle. Had a lot more fun in the ps3 days .6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666
  17. Nel
    Apr 17, 2017
    5
    There has been some advances, but I still don't understand why they can't keep up with the FIFA games when they are both made from the same company... I mean the be a pro mode in FIFA is miles better than this where you can't even get traded... It would be nice if they included a mode where you could play in different leagues (sweden,finland, russia, nhl) and national team games.. justThere has been some advances, but I still don't understand why they can't keep up with the FIFA games when they are both made from the same company... I mean the be a pro mode in FIFA is miles better than this where you can't even get traded... It would be nice if they included a mode where you could play in different leagues (sweden,finland, russia, nhl) and national team games.. just like FIFA. Would improve this game by a mile.… Expand
  18. elsiphono
    Sep 18, 2016
    5
    I can't give more than a 5 to that game. Why ? Let's start with the positive: good graphics and sound effect. The gameplay is good and they improved the hitting (like the hipcheck). The Franchise Mode allows to relocate and manage your team budget... Ok, they don't get any points for "bringing back" something that was in previous NHL games (managing the budget). Create a Team is back, butI can't give more than a 5 to that game. Why ? Let's start with the positive: good graphics and sound effect. The gameplay is good and they improved the hitting (like the hipcheck). The Franchise Mode allows to relocate and manage your team budget... Ok, they don't get any points for "bringing back" something that was in previous NHL games (managing the budget). Create a Team is back, but again, EA doesn't get any points for that because they were no reason to remove it in previous installment from the first place. But, they do get points for allowing us to customize the arena of our created team.

    Neutral: World Cup of Hockey. It's a tournament, but nothing special there. The Tournament mode in previous games let you create your own "world cup" in the past. So nothing new here.

    The Bad (please note that I use the Default Sliders of the game to review the game as shown by EA Sports and I play on Superstar difficulty): The soundtrack... the kind of music in menus are not the kind that you associated with hockey. Please, please remove the commentators from NBC ! They are just awful ! Bring back Jim Hughson. Still a buttload of problems from previous games that are still present in this game: if you do a lot of hitting in a game you will get a video at each stoppage of play showing the 3 last hits of the game all the time (gets on your nerve after the 3rd stoppage of play), unnatural AI (I'll get back on that), Tilted Ice system still present, players attributes still doesn't have a lot of effect against AI opponent, the goalies are worst than last year (especially yours) and LOTS of BS moments in game. For exemple, the opponent goalie makes a bad pass in the center of the ice (very slow pass that stays on the ice, easy to intercept), I put my player directly on top of the pass (stick, body and everything) the pass just goes right through your player 95% of the time (again, I'm playing against the AI here) ! I have Carey Price in my franchise (the best goalie in the NHL), I sim most of the games and play the important divisions one. I am mid-2nd year of the franchise and Price having difficulties putting an above .900 save percentage (which is ridiculous !), when a nobody like Marek Mazanec gets an above .930 save percentage (what the hell ?!?). In a non-sim game, he will allow some very bad goals all the time: unscreened wrist shots from the blue line, will get away from his post on wraparound, moves to the wrong side of the net (a shots goes on the right of the net he moves to the left) and the list goes on. Something I notice too, AI defenders can backskate as fast as your fastest skater, which gets extremely annoying because my team is build around a good mix of speedy scorer and power forward. Zdeno Chara can backskate as fast as Dylan Larkin in that game. On Superstar difficulty (I play that difficulty because All-Star is extremely easy), it is extremely difficult to pokecheck or lift the stick off the opponent. That's ok, but when you are clearly touching the puck with your stick on a pokecheck (I watch on Replay) and the AI just keeps going likes nothing happened, it gets frustrating. That goes with unrealistic puck physics. I'm going full speed ahead with a player, gets pushed in the back... where does the puck goes ? Does it follow your forward momentum like it should ? Nope. It stops dead in the ice or backspin behind to the opponent (still trying to comprehend the logic here). Same goes with pokecheck, you pokecheck an opponent from side, the puck should go sideway... Nope. The puck will: stay on the stick on the opponent like nothing happened or will go backward to another opponent or sideway only if an opponent is near (Tilted Ice ?). Others smalls annoying gameplay problems: quasi-impossible to one-time a puck on a rebound from the goalies (might get it one time out of ten) it seems more appropriate to try to deposit the puck gently in the net. The height and weight of your players doesn't have any effect. I have Brian Boyle in my team and he gets easily pushed around by players like Mats Zuccarello, David Desharnais and Tyler Ennis.

    I can go on and on with all the problems in the game. I can't give it something below 5, because it's still a decent game. But I cannot give it something over 5, because they are still a LOT of work to be done to get a GOOD NHL game and I don't think EA is the answer. I suggest waiting and buying it when the price drops under 20$. At full price, it's a ripoff... like most EA games oh snap ! (I'm glad my friend just give it to me for free because he had an extra copy).    … Expand
  19. lunaris76
    Sep 22, 2016
    5
    After 2 really horrible years (I use to play k's of game per year, and i'm buying it since the 1993 super nintendo version!! last 2 years I played like 100 total before I sent the game back to store. I even had pre-ordered and didnt opened like 20 packs of HUT... just to show how much I was disgusted), I decided to wait and finally borrowed a game from a friend to see what it worth.After 2 really horrible years (I use to play k's of game per year, and i'm buying it since the 1993 super nintendo version!! last 2 years I played like 100 total before I sent the game back to store. I even had pre-ordered and didnt opened like 20 packs of HUT... just to show how much I was disgusted), I decided to wait and finally borrowed a game from a friend to see what it worth.

    First of all, the good point. It's a huge step from last year. Dynamics feels more like real hockey.Goalies, who couldnt stop a beach ball last year, are way improved, They could still get better, esoecially ours who have tendencies to give soft goals.

    Hitting is back. And it's a good thing. You can again knock opponents off the puck. No more figure skating in opponent zone.

    The parts they didnt improved are still quite... unpleasant. Penalties taken from lifting the stick prevent anyone to ever try to use this option. We cant really control our sticks with the buttons. So please if you add an option, make it that players use it wisely and dont slam their stick in your opponent's face everytime. Same goes with poke check, who seems to too often makes opponent trip.

    Also, players ratings still doesnt mean that much. Whenever you play as Patrick Kane or an obscure junior 4th liner, the difference isnt really felt on ice. Which is quite sad.

    I havent tried all the other features to be honest. I just wanted to see how the game was played on ice. (New modes are always cool but if the on-ice play isnt good.. all worthless).

    My verdict is that even if the game is way better than last ones, keep your hands of from it. With a bit of luck, EA will listen to us and next year's version will worth the price. Or if you really wanna buy it, get a used copy (which are already sold ) or boxing day's rebates.    … Expand
  20. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    5
    What sport is it?

    Its a hockey game. Was it fun? No, huge disappointment. Are there any similar games? Yea, its like the other hockey games Would you play it again? I keep trying to play it and like it but I just don’t. Any complaints? Yes, I hate the skating engine in the game. Its like you’re skating in molasses, you can’t stop easily, it takes way too long to    What sport is it?

    Its a hockey game.

    Was it fun?

    No, huge disappointment.

    Are there any similar games?

    Yea, its like the other hockey games

    Would you play it again?

    I keep trying to play it and like it but I just don’t.

    Any complaints?

    Yes, I hate the skating engine in the game. Its like you’re skating in molasses, you can’t stop easily, it takes way too long to initially get moving and good luck turning.

    Now onto my next complaint, the passing. The passing engine doesn’t work well either. If you’re lucky, 70% of the passes go to the right person. Sometimes the passing, locks onto the wrong player and sometimes and does its own thing. What annoys me is that, I have turn assist off but its still obvious that it is still on.

    Finally, I hate the momentum based system. It makes come backs very difficult. A lot of fighting games have systems, to give the player a chance to come back with Marvel, “X” Factor or the V-Trigger system in Street Fighter V but with the NHL series, its difficult because you may not have given up but the players you’re controlling clearly have. They’re skating slower than before, they’re hitting their passes and often times the AI is just standing around and watching.    … Expand
  21. Oldtimer75
    Oct 7, 2016
    5
    Played all the NHL games since 91-92? Then follow me!

    This year's version is a mix of the original NHL game where you can out speed the goalie with lateral moves easily and NHL 2000 where the deflections were coming out of nowhere. Except this time, you will lose the puck for no reason, you will be poke checked and hooked and lose the puck without even seeing where it came from (no    Played all the NHL games since 91-92? Then follow me!

    This year's version is a mix of the original NHL game where you can out speed the goalie with lateral moves easily and NHL 2000 where the deflections were coming out of nowhere. Except this time, you will lose the puck for no reason, you will be poke checked and hooked and lose the puck without even seeing where it came from (no animation needed, just a 3 feet radius when the CPU is around and that's it).

    The animations are nice, game looks nice, but gameplay is far from the 93,94 and 98 versions of the game. If you dare play in the junior leagues on be a pro, be prepared to miss the net 4 out of 5 times, even on close range. The checking system is meh, the fights are the same as previous years (Mindscape Faceoff in the old PC days still have the best ones imo) and the contact physics are so buggy that you won't really have a chance to be creative on the powerplay.

    If you really want to invest 80$+ on a game, you should really consider NBA 2K instead.

    EA needs competition in the hockey market again, just like for Madden...    … Expand
  22. SellingBlahBlah
    Feb 4, 2017
    5
    On standard PS4.

    Be a pro mode is ridiculous now. I don't know why they felt like making the player suck by default but I was surprised to keep seeing a green good timing or well aimed shot only to be followed instantly by toss up or poorly aimed shot. It's like there is a new algorithm that says, "check player skill level" before it allows anything to happen. Giving all the ties to the    On standard PS4.

    Be a pro mode is ridiculous now. I don't know why they felt like making the player suck by default but I was surprised to keep seeing a green good timing or well aimed shot only to be followed instantly by toss up or poorly aimed shot. It's like there is a new algorithm that says, "check player skill level" before it allows anything to happen. Giving all the ties to the AI is annoying but what makes me angry is the minus skill points and the negative coach feedback. So the game is going to default everything to the AI and then punish my pro for it?

    Then there are the usual complaints from EA NHL games.

    The timing is way off on everything just a fraction of a second between hitting the button to when the player does what you want. By the time the action actually happens it's too late. Miss a lot of openings, shots, and passes just because it happens to slow after pressing the button.

    The AI on your team are stupid and therefore do stupid things like passing across the front of the net through traffic. Half the goals against are because the AI on your team did something stupid.

    The "Hit Stick" EA's favorite development in their sports game. I admit the hit stick was a good idea unfortunately, now they've begun mapping everything to that stupid stick. EA would be happy with a joystick and no buttons. If you nudge the stick at the wrong time you will screw yourself up by trying to body check, switch your grip, aim a shot, shoot, aim a pass, etc.

    Of course the worst thing about this and all EA games is the incredible, long, load times. EA requires everything you do to be tracked on their server and that adds to Playstation's already long load times.

    The few points I grant this game is that it's better than NHL 2015 which was truly the worst hockey game with no features. But 2016 fixed most of that stuff and was also better than 2017. I suggest picking up 2016 on the cheap if you want a better experience. Although, none of the last three years has been much fun because of all the problems the games have had.

    All this said. Storage space has become a commodity and while this game isn't awful it doesn't deserve the hard disk that it takes up.    … Expand
  23. Bradley2323
    Feb 16, 2017
    5
    I play Be a Pro, and am really frustrated by the developers lack of hockey knowledge. I think there should be a rule that they must have played the game, to be a developer for hockey video games. My first season, I was leading my team (Edmonton Oilers....I was drafted 32nd overall after leading the league in scoring in the Memorial Cup) in scoring, by 12 points. 6 games left in theI play Be a Pro, and am really frustrated by the developers lack of hockey knowledge. I think there should be a rule that they must have played the game, to be a developer for hockey video games. My first season, I was leading my team (Edmonton Oilers....I was drafted 32nd overall after leading the league in scoring in the Memorial Cup) in scoring, by 12 points. 6 games left in the regular season and I was dropped to the farm team in the AHL. I was heading for the Calder trophy, as I was also leading all other rookies in scoring by a long shot. How can the team's leading scorer be cut from the team just as they were heading into the playoffs? Also, EA sports is not getting the nuances of hockey. There is no punishment for getting off the ice while the play is in your own end. Actually, you are rewarded with a positive coaches comment about wise use of quick-changes! Every hockey player knows, you never get off the ice, changing on the fly, while the other team has the puck, let alone, the puck is in your own end! Also, I get chastised by the coach for every penalty. In hockey, there is such a thing as a good penalty. Real hockey players know what I mean. For example, stopping the other teams best player from scoring....or sending a message. I guess these things are too much to ask. I could go on and on about how they could improve the gameplay on NHL 17. Not recommended.… Expand
  24. jcortez84
    Oct 10, 2016
    4
    I can sum this game up in a very basic fashion, which is also the best way to describe the game. The problems are very amateur. The AI is unbelievably clumsy for the past 3 years this game has been a disappointment. The dynamics of the game are messy. The ice skating, and the overall timing of the movement is off. EA needs to let America get a crack at creating the NHL game. EA Canada hasI can sum this game up in a very basic fashion, which is also the best way to describe the game. The problems are very amateur. The AI is unbelievably clumsy for the past 3 years this game has been a disappointment. The dynamics of the game are messy. The ice skating, and the overall timing of the movement is off. EA needs to let America get a crack at creating the NHL game. EA Canada has already blown it, and stolen my money for three years straight. Every year I have high hopes, and I almost gave the game a solid month till I gave it a review. I really want to love this game cause I love hockey. The game modes are great, and getting better but what does it matter when game play sucks? Sure you can customize the AI, then wheres the challenge? The AI should already emulate that of a professional player. I feel like Im one passionate hard core player with a team of mentally challenged players.… Expand
  25. effeasports
    Oct 25, 2016
    4
    The puck drops, you win the faceoff and start skating down the ice. Time to make a simple pass, uh oh, the accuracy is abysmal. The player you were trying to pass to was right next to you, and you aimed the left analog stick right at them. It's not your fault, it's EA Sports' fault for making the puck go elsewhere, whether it be to the player directly behind you, or basically anywhere elseThe puck drops, you win the faceoff and start skating down the ice. Time to make a simple pass, uh oh, the accuracy is abysmal. The player you were trying to pass to was right next to you, and you aimed the left analog stick right at them. It's not your fault, it's EA Sports' fault for making the puck go elsewhere, whether it be to the player directly behind you, or basically anywhere else besides the player you were aiming directly at. About half of the passes do not go where they are intended to go. It is very frustrating. You work hard to get down the ice, and it should be an easy cross-crease one-timer goal, but the pass goes to the goalie as if you were trying to pass it to them for some reason and not the guy that is wide open and right next to you. So the passing is dreadful, but the shot accuracy is even worse. Yes, real NHL players cannot hit the same little corner every single time, but they also don't miss the net by five feet every single time. Besides the passing and shooting problems, a new aspect of the game is that your player will now lose the puck for absolutely no reason whatsoever. You're just skating down the ice, not even making a move or anything, and whoops, there goes the puck. To add on, the overall game does not react fast enough to any given controller input. When I press a button, I want it to happen that very instant. Your AI teammates are made to be drooling vegetables, but the opponent AI is perfect. Seriously, they are a mirror to your every move, at least on the superstar setting. Congratulations, the game is finally more difficult but in all the worst ways possible. This is not a fun game to play if you like having total control over the games you play. You might as well just watch the computer play itself. It's as if EA Sports programmed the game to be this way, because top game developers would not let any of this happen on accident. They made a bad game on purpose. This is a franchise game, it's not like they're starting from scratch.They do not care at all. They put zero effort into making a decent game, and then they profit. This company cannot be taken seriously. EA Sports needs competition, especially for hockey. You should only buy this game if you want to waste money supporting a deplorable corporation that knows most people are dumb enough to pay whatever for total crap just because it's the latest version. I had high expectations, but I've learned my lesson now: I should expect EA Sports to dish out pure junk next time. This is one of the worst games I've ever played. Don't let the decent graphics fool you.

    *aims both middle fingers at EA Sports headquarters*    … Expand
  26. hack921
    Nov 14, 2016
    4
    The good first:
    1: UI is good, its clean and relatively responsive and shows off your team nicely
    2: the modes that the game has are fun, the draft is my favorite mode by far, but the ability to pick where you start in my career mode is awesome and in total that mode is also good. And now the bad: 1: The ai in the game is horrible to game braking, I've been in online games that where    The good first:
    1: UI is good, its clean and relatively responsive and shows off your team nicely
    2: the modes that the game has are fun, the draft is my favorite mode by far, but the ability to pick where you start in my career mode is awesome and in total that mode is also good.

    And now the bad:
    1: The ai in the game is horrible to game braking, I've been in online games that where late in the third only for the ai to slash or trip some one behind the play. They are also seemingly oblivious of the game around them some times. From defencemen going behind the net instead of covering the person in front, wingers refusing to move to the middle of the ice even though the puck carrier is already going up there, to many more like players leaving people uncovered in front of the net, and not being able to complete and simple slap shot dump if they are moving at all.

    2: getting called for penalties on hits that you cant control like elbowing or crosschecking (these things can completely change the momentum of games)

    3: Goalies are just awful, like i cant even describe some of the goals that have gone in.

    4: The game feels off, the players dont handle like they should and do some strange things like spinning away from the puck. Also just the ability to play the puck is awful, players will just refuse to play some pucks and the hitting feels awful, some times just getting little bumps from big build ups, and vise-a-versa, or just not hitting the person like there is a bubble around them you cant go in.    … Expand
  27. hamyantti
    Apr 18, 2017
    4
    EA is making really good work on making a game you can't enjoy. Online games and against AI there's no way to win if it's not your turn. Bots start getting penalties. No way to control your players. Passes go straight to opponent or it's icing. Trying to kill penalty? Well %###%% you. Attackers can stop slap shots that are chest high with their sticks and continue attacking.
    Online games    EA is making really good work on making a game you can't enjoy. Online games and against AI there's no way to win if it's not your turn. Bots start getting penalties. No way to control your players. Passes go straight to opponent or it's icing. Trying to kill penalty? Well %###%% you. Attackers can stop slap shots that are chest high with their sticks and continue attacking.
    Online games are just awful.

    On the other hand. Games with friends in the same console it can be fun.    … Expand
  28. CReviews
    May 26, 2017
    4
    Welcome to EA Sports Rec Hockey 17! We have included many new and fancy features that make NHL players look like your drunken uncle playing in a pond hockey tournament.

    Key Features: To make the game realistic, we've made sure that over half your team will be unable to catch a pass or make a pass. They also won't know how to play positions and seemingly follow each other around playing    Welcome to EA Sports Rec Hockey 17! We have included many new and fancy features that make NHL players look like your drunken uncle playing in a pond hockey tournament.

    Key Features:
    To make the game realistic, we've made sure that over half your team will be unable to catch a pass or make a pass. They also won't know how to play positions and seemingly follow each other around playing herd hockey like children. Want more? Oh you got it. We've made the goalies this weird mix of inhuman god/blind grandmother. This way, it's easier to score shooting from the red line than completing a perfect cross ice one-timer on a 2 on 0. Like big hits? We sure don't. Many rec hockey leagues are none contact so we've followed suit by removing any hit power that NHL players would have. Don't forget to work out your pointer finger before playing the game as you'll spend more time spamming poke check than actually skating. Seriously, just skate around tapping R1 on defense. Or, don't even play defense and watch as your defenseman seemingly block every pass and shot regardless of skill level. However, our favorite new feature involves the addition of weird rubber-attracting magnets to each player's stick. In this way, the puck will randomly stick to the wrong player at all times. You'll never know where it's gonna go! Much exciting! So real!

    The good side:
    Many of the modes that were in past NHL games are now present again. The roster of players is quite comprehensive. Gameplay in this iteration is atrociously bad at times but more slider options have made it somewhat fixable in offline modes. That's unfortunately about it... I gave this game a 4 because it's at least playable and the offline modes can be fun. Seriously EA, please remove your heads from your buttholes and realize that this is the least accurate NHL game yet. Next Gen has not been kind to many EA sports franchises and NHL is no exception.    … Expand
  29. shaun8pickles
    Sep 16, 2016
    3
    What a disappointment... EA has proven, yet again, that it doesn't deserve to make hockey games. I've played NHL games for such a long time and it's sad to say that this is the worst entry in the series. It is the only NHL game I returned. There is no difference from last years version other than the new modes which don't offer anything fresh. The AI are dumb and don't know how to playWhat a disappointment... EA has proven, yet again, that it doesn't deserve to make hockey games. I've played NHL games for such a long time and it's sad to say that this is the worst entry in the series. It is the only NHL game I returned. There is no difference from last years version other than the new modes which don't offer anything fresh. The AI are dumb and don't know how to play defence, I had the AI team score on me 3 times in 3 shots all from the blue-line. It is so frustrating when you have 40 shots and 3 goals and the AI team has 10 shots and 3 goals. The faces in this game need to updated, we're going into the 4K era and players faces look horrible and barely look like the players in real life. I have passes that go astray so often as well, especially on two on ones. WCH is the same just with different jersey's. Franchise mode is alright, but it's not earth shattering stuff. I really hope that they can get back on track with these games, I want to enjoy an NHL game again. I rate this game a 4 based on the new things it offers because the rest of the game is a carbon copy of last year. It is mad that someone can playtest this and enjoy it. I am a hardcore hockey fan and no I don't suck at the game, let's just admit the series needs an revamp.… Expand
  30. heatonx23
    Oct 2, 2016
    3
    I have been giving EA the benefit of the doubt the past few years as they have adjusted to the new generation of consoles. But come on guys, enough is enough. The graphics are good, game modes are back to where they should be. But the AI is god awful.

    What NHL goalie lets a defenseman blast a snap shot from the blue line right by them with nobody in front of the net? No one. Every game    I have been giving EA the benefit of the doubt the past few years as they have adjusted to the new generation of consoles. But come on guys, enough is enough. The graphics are good, game modes are back to where they should be. But the AI is god awful.

    What NHL goalie lets a defenseman blast a snap shot from the blue line right by them with nobody in front of the net? No one. Every game my goalie is just flat out embarrassingly bad. This area of the game gets worse every year, and it's especially disappointing after EA supposedly revamped it for 17.

    And it appears like the AI players have magnets on their sticks. Go anywhere near them and the puck is off your stick magically without so much as a poke check or a stick life required. But of course your poke checks and stick lifts against them do nothing or knock the puck to their teammates 98% of the time.

    Because of the above, it's just not fun to play. I want a challenge but don't want to play against a cheating AI. I wish this weren't the only hockey game available.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best PS4 Game of 2016
69
#69 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
82
#82 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 21, 2016
    80
    NHL 17 plays and feels as great as always, but the improvements plateaued some years back and this year's gameplay tweaks...are welcome but largely inconsequential. [Dec 2016, p.80]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Nov 7, 2016
    60
    One is tempted to cut & paste last year's verdict, but while the last year was fixing the mess, this one just polishes the well-frozen ice. [Issue#267]
  3. NZGamer
    Nov 1, 2016
    81
    Functionary and solid.
    Read full review
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