NHL 21

 PlayStation 4
User Score
2.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 159
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 159
  3. Negative: 126 out of 159
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  1. Heliotay
    Dec 5, 2020
    7
    First game i played in the series. Enjoyed playing against my dad that has been playing NHL for a long time, he thought it was pretty good. The score i give it is mostly because i had alot of fun playing with my dad. For my part playing alone i had fun and got realy hyped up everytime i hit a good goal.
  2. ileGTi
    Oct 15, 2020
    5
    EA has no shame, but as a game developer, EA Sports should really start to get a grip here. I understand the ultimate teams are the cash grab, but in the single player modes, are you even trying? Franchise mode. Yes, a few improvements with multiple positions etc. And the trade deadline that seems actually quite good! But for some reason i cannot lock my positions in my lines and stillEA has no shame, but as a game developer, EA Sports should really start to get a grip here. I understand the ultimate teams are the cash grab, but in the single player modes, are you even trying? Franchise mode. Yes, a few improvements with multiple positions etc. And the trade deadline that seems actually quite good! But for some reason i cannot lock my positions in my lines and still have to make do with the best lines option OR manually change things when trading or having injuries. The simplest of things have been forgotten here.

    Aaaand still you can't share rosters with other players. It would be horrible for EA that someone made a better job of the rosters.

    The overall clunkyness and slowness of the menus. Why? Every other game makes simple menus that actually work like a charm, not like the Internet Explorer from 90's (RIP). I mean, yeah there is a lot of stuff in the menus, but it should not be a problem as big as it seems to be.

    Be a pro. I'm just gonna say yay. Thanks coach, scored 4 but not a performance worthy of a top line. Sorry. You must have been in a different game, but i'll take the hit. Maybe some updates are necessary there, so i really can't criticize it that much.

    Online all the same with a few new tricks that everybody can do if you just learn the button prompts. So... wow... skill.

    EA, shame on you. This is a 35€ product at the most.    … Expand
  3. Jaredc324
    Aug 16, 2022
    5
    I would say the game has some saving graces (it's playable and enjoyable to an extent), but if I want to start a gm or play a real NHL game I'll go back to their PS3, Xbox 360 models they had back in 2013/2014. The much more embodied the look, the feel and overall gameplay of modern NHL hockey.

    BUt NHL 21 is focussing on the wrong things. It's all about trying to be a superstar, and    I would say the game has some saving graces (it's playable and enjoyable to an extent), but if I want to start a gm or play a real NHL game I'll go back to their PS3, Xbox 360 models they had back in 2013/2014. The much more embodied the look, the feel and overall gameplay of modern NHL hockey.

    BUt NHL 21 is focussing on the wrong things. It's all about trying to be a superstar, and every player and every play is something out of Mario Lemieux's highlight reel. Unrealistic. The online feature is great, and the game does the job. But it's arcade level compared to what EA NHL used to be.    … Expand
  4. leakthis
    Jan 9, 2021
    7
    In my opinion there were nothing but downgrades this year in gameplay compared to 20. Be a pro is cool but its broken.
  5. finnman
    Dec 3, 2020
    5
    Gameplay still arcadey and mostly based off the rush and 1Ts. Still way too much of the gameplay feels decided by puck luck or poor goaltending but the base gameplay is fine. CPU AI is better but still wonky in some areas most notably off the puck in transition. Franchise mode is still the best mode in the game. New Be A Pro makes isn’t perfect but it’s a major step from last year andGameplay still arcadey and mostly based off the rush and 1Ts. Still way too much of the gameplay feels decided by puck luck or poor goaltending but the base gameplay is fine. CPU AI is better but still wonky in some areas most notably off the puck in transition. Franchise mode is still the best mode in the game. New Be A Pro makes isn’t perfect but it’s a major step from last year and worth playing. New presentation stuff isn’t groundbreaking but pretty cool… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 15, 2020
    80
    It looks fantastic, with animation delivering the TV-standard realism EA always aims for2 while offering gaming cues for eagle-eyed players to spot; using the stick skills to shuffle keepers out of position for a slap shot will leave you wide-eyed and fist-punching the air. See, that Nicolas Cage opener paid off. [Issue#182, p.160]
  2. GAMINGbible
    Nov 9, 2020
    80
    NHL 21 is a brilliant hockey game combining excellent controls, an engaging Be A Pro story mode and the quickfire HUT Rush arcade mode - as well as the opportunity to engage in the odd scrap to let off steam. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to Ice Hockey, NHL 21 will most certainly tick all the boxes.
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  3. PLAY! Zine
    Nov 4, 2020
    45
    NHL 21 is almost the same game like NHL 20, with few added additional features to few of its modes. Absolute cash-grab for a yearly roster update and another microtransaction filled unsatisfactory experience.
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