NHL 20

 PlayStation 4
User Score
3.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 156
  3. Negative: 92 out of 156

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. kaitgamer
    Sep 13, 2019
    9
    The gameplay is MUCH smoother and much better than last year. It's difficult to see it when others are playing and the graphics in general are not improved. But when you play the game you can feel it.. Shooting and receiving passes are the most improved. It feels much more solid on the puck and there are a huge number of new animations that make the gameplay feel better than last year.The gameplay is MUCH smoother and much better than last year. It's difficult to see it when others are playing and the graphics in general are not improved. But when you play the game you can feel it.. Shooting and receiving passes are the most improved. It feels much more solid on the puck and there are a huge number of new animations that make the gameplay feel better than last year. The modes havent changed much. The CHEL mode is just as much fun and the HUT mode seems to give you more packs without spending actual money. Be a Pro mode is boring, and franchise mode is pretty dry too but its better than last year as trading is easier and you can see what other teams will do. The gameplay is the thing here and it plays a great game of hockey.… Expand
  2. JazzieJeff1975
    Sep 12, 2019
    10
    Gameplay is much improved compared to last year’s game. New announcers are far from perfect, but a nice change. If you play EA NHL yearly, you should enjoy this latest edition.
  3. SaydaNeen
    Sep 13, 2019
    8
    The additions to '20 are good. It's not a brand new game that's has been in development for 5 years but the additions they have added are noticeable.
    PROS
    - Franchise + Legends; A little love to for the offline community with the additions to Franchise and Alumni teams. They dug deep in to the coaches, brought back a line chemistry system and seeing former players behind the bench as a    The additions to '20 are good. It's not a brand new game that's has been in development for 5 years but the additions they have added are noticeable.
    PROS
    - Franchise + Legends; A little love to for the offline community with the additions to Franchise and Alumni teams. They dug deep in to the coaches, brought back a line chemistry system and seeing former players behind the bench as a coach is much more immersive.
    - Goalies are smarter with their rebounds, haven't seen much wrist shots from a straight angle go in much.
    - I also noticed AI has slightly been improved, especially defense. Defense no longer takes their time when retrieving the puck behind the net, moves the puck a bit faster to get it out of the zone.
    - Puck pickups are definitely smoother, and definitely have noticed winning loose puck battles with the AI.
    CONS
    - As i said the D AI is better at moving the puck, well the Offensive AI when in the neutral zone likes to hold on to the puck while there is a clear path in front.
    - Goalies still have trouble with keeping a good save%. In offline I've almost maxed the goalie sliders to combat the issue.
    - Penalties have also been very common, not much different from '19, 4min/period game saw 12 penalties.
    - End result 8/10
    All in all I'm pretty satisfied with NHL 20. Not perfect, more can always be added, but with the work on puck pickups, Defense AI working a little harder (big pet-peeve in '19), goalie rebound control, loose puck battles being more even (big pet-peeve for the past 5 years), new additions to Franchise and finally bringing in Alumni Teams even though on the majority of them they are missing key franchise players it's a decent game, and fun. A little less frustration towards AI. I can support EA Vancouver for the work they've done this year, but more to be done!    … Expand
  4. SScholder1
    Sep 12, 2019
    10
    I've played enough of this game to know that there is a rating that can be given for people who actually want to know how the game is. These people who have brains that allow only two ratings ruin it for everyone else who can think and use their brain in a way that makes them seem older than 2 years old. To balance out the zeroes it's necessary to say the game is perfect for now . ButI've played enough of this game to know that there is a rating that can be given for people who actually want to know how the game is. These people who have brains that allow only two ratings ruin it for everyone else who can think and use their brain in a way that makes them seem older than 2 years old. To balance out the zeroes it's necessary to say the game is perfect for now . But maybe some other people can give a real review instead of explaining to everyone that they are a low iq keyboard user.… Expand
  5. Holeinmysoul
    Sep 12, 2019
    10
    This is far from a perfect game, but It's better than 19. Gameplay has improved quite a lot if you have been playing every year. The 10 is to balance every a****le that wants to review bomb and destroy what this plataform used to be.
  6. Kover4
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    Giving a ten to offset all the zero and ones. Is the game perfect? No, but it has made enough improvements this year. Game seems faster, better presentation, better goalies, love but squad battles. I give it an 8.5
  7. DemonShadow00
    Oct 3, 2019
    10
    Easily the best Hockey video game of this generation and its not even close.. The animations make the feel so smooth and realistic, HUT is engaging this year with all type's if different offline gamemodes you can build your team off of, and various other gameplay mechanics that make the experience the best of the franchise
  8. avrahamdiallo
    Oct 28, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The gameplay is alot smoother than NHL 19. Franchise Mode got alot more fun. The presentation is better than it has ever been. This game is a must-play.… Expand
  9. MaxPayneIsGod
    Oct 22, 2020
    8
    A pretty good sports sim limited by precisely what it is, a sports sim.
    I enjoyed NHL 20, it has plenty of modes, I only dabbled in a couple of them.
    The constant need to release these games annually is hugely detrimental to them. Developers and gamers need to understand that there is only so much you can do simulating a sport. Maybe its time for these games to take a couple of years    A pretty good sports sim limited by precisely what it is, a sports sim.
    I enjoyed NHL 20, it has plenty of modes, I only dabbled in a couple of them.
    The constant need to release these games annually is hugely detrimental to them.
    Developers and gamers need to understand that there is only so much you can do simulating a sport.
    Maybe its time for these games to take a couple of years off so they can thoroughly refresh.
    I really enjoyed what I played of it, its easy to play, looks good and the controls are intuitive but its just a repetitive and kinda hollow experience after a while.
    I had to pick something to remove from my hard-drive and this was purged without a second thought.    … Expand
  10. Syl20
    Dec 27, 2019
    8
    I'd say the game is great about 80% of the time!
    Overall, I love the pace of the game, you have to play better, overall gameplay is a little slower but there's more turnovers so more "mid-ice" play, more blocked shot, more deflections to corners so your D man can catch it and begin a counter-attack!
    Entering the offensive zone seems harder and that is a good thing! You can't just blast    I'd say the game is great about 80% of the time!
    Overall, I love the pace of the game, you have to play better, overall gameplay is a little slower but there's more turnovers so more "mid-ice" play, more blocked shot, more deflections to corners so your D man can catch it and begin a counter-attack!
    Entering the offensive zone seems harder and that is a good thing!
    You can't just blast past every D man along the boards and cut to the net anymore.

    The only thing that pisses me off is that sometimes, despite the fact that you are extra careful with the direction of your passes, it will do a weak stupid pass to an AI forechecking forward will be which will intercept it and score 99% of the time.

    I first tought it was a bad play of mine but it happened so many times that I know it's bound to happen a lot.
    It seems like most of the goals the AI score against me are on glitch plays where controls don't do what I ask them to and it feels a bit cheap!    … Expand
  11. Kevin61987
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. NHL 20 has all of the things that I like about NHL video games okay so please raise the Playstation 4 Metacritic Score Of NHL 20 On The Playstation 4 higher than the XBOX Score Okay.… Expand
  12. 2KsniperStud
    Mar 9, 2021
    10
    The skating is flawless. The passing is precise and so much fun especially when pulling off successful one timers. I highly recommend this hockey game. I feel in complete control of my character. The game is well polished and I love the commentary. The Franchise mode is where this game shines and it is greatly well improved from Past NHL games. Checking and stick lifting are well timed.The skating is flawless. The passing is precise and so much fun especially when pulling off successful one timers. I highly recommend this hockey game. I feel in complete control of my character. The game is well polished and I love the commentary. The Franchise mode is where this game shines and it is greatly well improved from Past NHL games. Checking and stick lifting are well timed. The game flows like real hockey. The in game presentation is sweet they display career and season point totals. When a player scores 50 goals in a franchise home game the entire building goes ballistic the crowd erupts. I may not buy another hockey game in years this game is so good.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best PS4 Game of 2019
54
#54 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 28, 2020
    80
    Don’t expect a revolution. Yet, it is a very good episode with a lot of improvements, which will be noticed when playing regularly. Whether it's a better puck shooting model, a more detailed manager mode or arcade gaming in CHEL mode. [Issue#300]
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 25, 2019
    85
    In terms of technical achievements, the game is almost flawless. Animations are fluid and natural, without the small stutters from the NHL 19 edition. Nevertheless all the new modes and details are not a revolution or even major changes. [12/2019, p.69]
  3. 4P.de
    Oct 8, 2019
    70
    At its core this is still a good hockey game. But it is streamlined too much towards arcade-action while offering basically the same content as last year.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »