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
Buy Now
Buy on

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. steesh
    Oct 16, 2020
    10
    Love the controls and HUT Rush is a blast. Don’t do Career but heard some good things.
  2. NoFilter5445
    Oct 15, 2020
    10
    The core of this game belongs to EASHL. The community is small, but devoted and strong. The upgraded Be a Pro is a welcome addition but is plagued by annoying filler found in other EA titles. It's an experience you cannot find in other titles as FIFA and 2K's team modes lack a hardcore teamplay element.
  3. Hockeyislife90
    Oct 16, 2020
    10
    The game is an improvement. Unlike Madden Chel is listening to their fans. I love the trade deadline mini game. Be a pro has a much needed overhaul.
  4. mikerich1
    Jan 10, 2021
    10
    This is the same game as last year with Playstation 3 graphics. It's getting embarrassing and ridiculous EA. Fix and change the game.
  5. MinePlay512
    Oct 14, 2020
    9
    Hockey has never been this better. The new Career Mode is awesome and the gameplay has been great. Now, I am not much of a hockey fan, but this is a great hockey game.
  6. epicndeed
    Oct 16, 2020
    9
    Don't understand the hate. Unlike most of these disgruntled people who are unhappy with this game, I haven't played a hockey game in a few years. So while they are mad that the only major changes are in create a pro (my favorite mode in sports games) I just see a really fun all around game. The skating and animations are silky smooth. The commentary is the best in a sports game even if itDon't understand the hate. Unlike most of these disgruntled people who are unhappy with this game, I haven't played a hockey game in a few years. So while they are mad that the only major changes are in create a pro (my favorite mode in sports games) I just see a really fun all around game. The skating and animations are silky smooth. The commentary is the best in a sports game even if it does get repetitive. There are only so many ways to say things after all. EA really seems to have found a perfect balance of speed, scoring and defense. If the only reason people are giving this game bad is because its getting stale NHL fans have been really lucky the past few years.… Expand
  7. Mattyice
    Oct 16, 2020
    8
    From the very start of this generation of consoles, the NHL series had a lot of catching up to do. NHL 21 finally feels like a complete, well-rounded package. While many modes, including World of Chel and HUT, go mostly untouched, the complete overhaul of Be-A-Pro is a great and welcome edition that provides a great experience in the present and one that can be built upon in the future.From the very start of this generation of consoles, the NHL series had a lot of catching up to do. NHL 21 finally feels like a complete, well-rounded package. While many modes, including World of Chel and HUT, go mostly untouched, the complete overhaul of Be-A-Pro is a great and welcome edition that provides a great experience in the present and one that can be built upon in the future. Franchise mode's new trade deadline features and notably faster sim times, combined with the massive amount of customization and depth still present, are awesome as well. NHL's gameplay has been pretty solid since the start of the generation and feels eerily similar to NHL 20 in this game, aside from a few minor tweaks. There are still things that need to be fixed (namely poke checking), but NHL 21 plays just as well as any other sports game and, unless you're not a big Be-A-Pro player, is worth picking up.… Expand
  8. mikas
    Nov 13, 2020
    8
    I do not get all the bad reviews here. NHL 21 is not bad. Maybe you will be surprised by the new feel of classic modes like single player and online matches, because the feel of game is little bit different and maybe the games are more difficult now. Chel is more or less the same, but there are reworked specialisations. In the whole game goalies seems to be more clever. in Chel there is noI do not get all the bad reviews here. NHL 21 is not bad. Maybe you will be surprised by the new feel of classic modes like single player and online matches, because the feel of game is little bit different and maybe the games are more difficult now. Chel is more or less the same, but there are reworked specialisations. In the whole game goalies seems to be more clever. in Chel there is no goals like in NHL 98 (frozen goalie) . But players found quite similar trick how to score. Also penalties were rebuild. There is less tripping. Menu is much prettier and what was good in game years ago is still here. This is good game, do not be pushed down by lots of bad reviews, most of them are really meaningless.… Expand
  9. Ken85
    Oct 21, 2020
    8
    Way better then NHL 20. Nice flow to the game. Only thing that is a bit sad is that the cutscenes in be a pro could have gotten voiced overs. Seems like all guys complaining is the ones without any type of hockeysense. The game is more realistic now then ever, guess that takes away the lucky wins for guys with no playmaking skills :D
  10. Halupa22
    Oct 14, 2020
    8
    I’m actually really enjoying this one. The gameplay is tweaked enough to where it’s an improvement, and I’m having a blast with be a pro mode. I’m sure an overhaul for next year with next gen will happen but this game for now is definitely acceptable.
  11. Mickelraven
    Oct 15, 2020
    8
    This game is fantastic for players who have waited for a solid player career for an ice hockey game for a long time! The wait for the improved Be A Pro was worth it, but there are a few things that are holding this game back.

    While the new Be A Pro is a great NHL player career mode (when comparing it to the past 5 years), it still lacks a proper experience in the Canadian Juniors and    This game is fantastic for players who have waited for a solid player career for an ice hockey game for a long time! The wait for the improved Be A Pro was worth it, but there are a few things that are holding this game back.

    While the new Be A Pro is a great NHL player career mode (when comparing it to the past 5 years), it still lacks a proper experience in the Canadian Juniors and all the European leagues that are in the game. Sure you can play in the Memorial Cup and the Champions Hockey League, but that's pretty much it. In the past you could play up to 4 years (I believe) in the Canadian junior hockey leagues before you move on to the NHL and AHL. They should bring that back, and expand upon it by adding all the European leagues in there too. While most European players play in Europe before they move on to NHL (just like the Canadian juniors), they should have the privilege to stay in Europe, or when the do go to NHL/AHL, they should also have the option to go back to Europe. Because this is how the hockey world works! Not like when you're 18, you're stuck in America. This is how NHL Be A Pro has been like since it's introduction in NHL 09. But now that EA has given Be A Pro attention this year, just like how they expand Franchise mode every year, they should expand Be A Pro for NHL 22 where we have the option to play continuously in Europe. Not just CHL, but all the leagues that exist in the game. Like pre-season, regular season, play-offs and rinse and repeat.

    Another thing holding this game back, like every year, the menu soundtrack is still mediocre at best, and EA needs to reconsider what hockey sounds like to gamers. There are tons of NHL 21 soundtrack wishlists out there, and not a single song from any soundtrack wishlist made it in the final game. The soundtrack should be something like what NHL 11's soundtrack was. It was a mix of both old and new. Have old hockey anthem classics or forgotten classics in general to introduce younger players to various artists they might've never known if it wasn't for NHL. While give newer faces a shoutout so older fans get to know new artists they might've never known. And limit the soundtrack to only rock, punk and metal, with maybe one or two EDM and rap songs sprinkled in there. And make the soundtrack length to at least 30 songs. Pop music is one of the main reasons why so many players mute the menu soundtracks. Why bother licensing music if people are gonna mute it anyways? The music licenses should be worth it!

    All in all, NHL 21 is still a blast to play! The new gameplay additions (like all the new slips, banks and chips, the Kucherov deke and the Michigan) make NHL 21 much more exciting to play, and not every match will be the same. The NHL franchise seems to head in the right direction (in terms of gameplay, Franchise mode and Be A Pro) after the flop that was NHL 15. EA Vancouver seems to start taking this dying sports franchise a bit more seriously, after the introduction of more reporting features in World Of CHEL, and practice mode in EASHL. We do still get unnecessary modes like HUT Rush, which is gonna be quickly forgotten after being played for the first week. But let's just hope for the future, EA Vancouver puts more focus on modes people actually like to play (e.g. Be A Pro, Franchise Mode, EASHL). As we're about to move to a new console generation next year, I just hope EA will able to port over everything necessary (most notably basic features like Play Now, Shootout, Season, Playoffs. And Be A Pro, Franchise Mode, EASHL and Player and Team customization) unlike NHL 15 when the franchise moved to PS4 and XBOX ONE.

    What I would love to see for the future is roster sharing. When NHL 21 launched, it didn't come with any of this year's off-season free agent signings (e.g. Markstrom in Calgary, Holtby in Vancouver, Lundqvist in Washington etc.). So we should have the option to share our up-to-date rosters before EA publishes their own roster updates.

    Another thing is online franchise mode (AKA GM Connected). I'm not a franchise player, but I do see a lot NHL players play franchise mode. So I don't understand why EA really likes to focus on online modes, but not add an online version of the popular franchise mode.

    And like I said earlier, Be A Pro is already much better, but needs more variety. I don't want to play for an NHL or AHL team all the time. I want to grow in the juniors or Europe before the draft. And after the draft, I'd like to have the option to stay in Europe. Or go to America, but later have the option to go back.

    The current customization options we have are great, but EA needs to separate the faces and skin colors in create a player. And a goalie mask creator. Team creation is also already great, but we should be able to upload custom logos.

    And last but not least, EA should reconsider the soundtrack, and should start listening to what the audience wants! #MakeNHLSoundtracksGreatAgain    … Expand
  12. SnipeCity
    Oct 19, 2020
    8
    It’s a good game even though it’s not as great as it should be but the way I’m looking at it It’s way better than both madden 21 and FIFA 21. Luckily it doesn’t have a transaction or greed issue like madden but sometimes (HUT) it can be pay to win. Franchise mode I meh similar to last year but added tease deadline. Be a pro mode is awesome and great the best Be A Pro since NHL 14. GameplayIt’s a good game even though it’s not as great as it should be but the way I’m looking at it It’s way better than both madden 21 and FIFA 21. Luckily it doesn’t have a transaction or greed issue like madden but sometimes (HUT) it can be pay to win. Franchise mode I meh similar to last year but added tease deadline. Be a pro mode is awesome and great the best Be A Pro since NHL 14. Gameplay has it’s issues and it’s pros like the goalies are WAY better but the defense AI kinda sucks still. World of Chel is pretty good with their new ranking system and EASHL add on. Overall this is a good game and since NHL 21 this game has been going in the right direction and it is starting to look like NHL 14 again. Game is 8/10… Expand
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. FTProtocal
    Oct 26, 2020
    4
    I can't give it a 0, and it certainly doesn't deserve anything higher than a 6 ... I flipped back and forth between a 4 and a 5, and it's a 4 for me. It's essentially a copy paste of NHL 20, BUT ... that doesn't make it a 0, either, as they have done a bit of work on it, but nothing to write home about, and there are still critical flaws in the game that haven't been touched (and theI can't give it a 0, and it certainly doesn't deserve anything higher than a 6 ... I flipped back and forth between a 4 and a 5, and it's a 4 for me. It's essentially a copy paste of NHL 20, BUT ... that doesn't make it a 0, either, as they have done a bit of work on it, but nothing to write home about, and there are still critical flaws in the game that haven't been touched (and the removed Draft Champions!!!).

    It's like putting makeup on a pig at this point, it's still a pig, it's just a slightly nicer looking one.

    The Be a Pro mode presentation is nice and it's about time they added this. But ultimately, the gameplay itself is still garbage. You are literally being asked to carry your team and be the Superstar; playing actual positional hockey with and as a TEAM ... forget about it, it's literally the exact same garbage AI as previous years. They will consistently make (and not make) the most asinine plays they possibly can. There are literally too many issues to mention, and the root cause, let's be honest, is because EA simply does not know how to program the AI to properly play with a human player; the opponent AI is ALWAYS remarkably better than your own AI, even on 'Pro' difficulty you'll essentially be carrying your team as they bumble about, attempting to make what can only be described as ages 3-5 'Peanuts' level hockey plays. Just one silly example: a 3 on 0 down low in front of the net has developed, AI has the puck behind the net, I'm Center and our LW is (remarkably) where he should be. The RW skates out from behind the net, has two CLEAR options for a pass, the LW is a simple tap in ... the RW instead opts to slam the puck directly into the goalie's pads as if that was clearly the best possible option at that moment - good job.

    The new moves are fun, and I've yet to see anyone successfully complete any of them outside of the more practical 'bank' and 'self pass' (behind the net), and slip deke (near boards) moves. But ... those are useful and props to EA for adding those in!

    The game does feel better overall, especially when picking up the puck and making a quick move in the other direction, it's more 'fluid'.

    CHEL ... all I can say is, at least they didn't put a pond back in with shadows that effectively ruin the entire game experience ... in the words of the Angry Video Game Nerd "what were they thinking?!?" last year. there's a new sync feature prior to puck drop, that seems to have helped with the 'games not counting' bug that's been plaguing CHEL since ... forever ... I can't say for certain if that entirely resolved, however, as I do believe of the 30 or so games I've played, at least one of them did not count.

    I haven't and do not play HUT, so my 4/10 has nothing to do with that mode and does not factor into my rating whatsoever. We all play NHL for our own reasons and modes.

    The goalies are just as ... whatever as they have been in previous years. They do seem to be slightly better 1v1, but the cross-crease passes, omg ... ez. So yeah, as a lot of people have mentioned, this game needs an overhaul of sort from the ground up, the AI as a whole needs to be redesigned, and they should start with goalies. Admittedly, it must be very difficult to program AI, but at this point it needs to be better, as a whole.    … Expand
  19. BradD94
    Oct 17, 2020
    4
    Improvements to Be a Pro are welcome but long overdue. Still a large gap between NHL 21’s career mode and a game like NBA 2K or FIFA. Still plenty of bugs and kinks that need to be worked out there Other modes feel bare without any improvement from NHL 20. For offline and specifically franchise, there is still no roster share which is a staple of every sports game. The rosters the devImprovements to Be a Pro are welcome but long overdue. Still a large gap between NHL 21’s career mode and a game like NBA 2K or FIFA. Still plenty of bugs and kinks that need to be worked out there Other modes feel bare without any improvement from NHL 20. For offline and specifically franchise, there is still no roster share which is a staple of every sports game. The rosters the dev team have put out are not very good and many prospects are missing due the team not having the NCAA and KHL licenses. If a user wants to have a realistic franchise, they must edit the rosters and create the players themselves. Still missing the All Star Game and Winter Classic. The latter is confusing because there is outdoor gameplay in other modes and the Winter Classic was in the game last gen.

    Online modes haven’t really been touched and need some depth. The new ranking system for WoC really isn’t a major upgrade on what we had in CR, both seem like they don’t accurately depict a players performance and go too much off wins and losses. Community is still plagued by trolls, no kick feature to remove them from the game    … Expand
  20. DrummBumm
    Oct 29, 2020
    4
    Unfortunately, this is one of the games I keep coming back to, simply because I'm decent at it and have fun when on an aware/unselfish team. It's too bad that rarely happens. If you play this game for EASHL drop-ins, it can be torturous. Selfish a$$holes constantly calling for the puck if a CPU has the puck for .01 seconds, while they're double covered, leading to turnovers and frustratingUnfortunately, this is one of the games I keep coming back to, simply because I'm decent at it and have fun when on an aware/unselfish team. It's too bad that rarely happens. If you play this game for EASHL drop-ins, it can be torturous. Selfish a$$holes constantly calling for the puck if a CPU has the puck for .01 seconds, while they're double covered, leading to turnovers and frustrating goals against. Most of the people you get teamed up with don't care about winning or passing, just getting their touches in which typically leads to a neutral zone turnover. Most people have no issues embarassing themselves, which is pretty sad. I would really like to see these people in real life so I can laugh at how pathetic they are overall. Anyways, other than that, the game is very similar to last years with a few new moves added along with an upgrade in Be a pro. Certainly not worth the $60 price tag. My advice is only get this game if you're in a good club that plays often. If you're relying on an enjoyable experience with randoms in drop-ins, then get ready for an anuersym because the stupidity of anonymous players is incomprehensible and downright scary.… Expand
  21. ty92
    Jan 15, 2021
    4
    The game comes with the worst gameplay sliders ever. You have to play with these when playing against people. So the online is a 0/10
    Franchise mode is solid once you adjust all the gameplay sliders. Franchise mode is all I play and give it a solid 8/10. Check youtube for gameplay slider videos
  22. Maplexo
    Oct 14, 2020
    4
    It's unfortunate, honestly. The hype seemed to be there at first for this game, but it still feels like most NHL games from the past, like I could play NHL 20 or even NHL 19 and be satisfied with that, even with new BAP or Franchise Mode features. Not really worth buying, and HUT is still pay to win.
  23. Gremn
    Oct 15, 2020
    4
    Basically NHL 20 but with broken features. Game is already out and the roster hasn't yet been updated. Be a pro has been improved but is far from perfect. EA will surely fix the issues it has eventually but I'd expect the game to be fine at launch. See you at NHL 22?
  24. jclark1448
    Dec 18, 2020
    4
    I always play the NHL games for whatever stupid reason I can't even figure out. I just love hockey too much and EA is holding the entire fambase hostage by not allowing anyone else make a different game like 2k. I cannot tell you how many times the AI will get away with interference or tripping while I just played a game where I got no PPs and the opposing team was given 15. **** FIFTEEN.I always play the NHL games for whatever stupid reason I can't even figure out. I just love hockey too much and EA is holding the entire fambase hostage by not allowing anyone else make a different game like 2k. I cannot tell you how many times the AI will get away with interference or tripping while I just played a game where I got no PPs and the opposing team was given 15. **** FIFTEEN. It doesn't matter how good your goalie is, if you're winning they will let in 6 out of 15 shots while you score 4 on 40+ I want franchise mode to be good again and this just isn't it. Stop supporting HUT, all it does is tell EA to only focus on that and **** over the literal entire rest of the game. Its still a game that you can turn your brain off and play though so I'll give it that. **** EA… Expand
  25. Warlok9
    Jan 10, 2021
    3
    As a fan of NHL games since the original NHL on Sega Genesis, I have mainly enjoyed this franchise over the years until the 2010's and beyond. It's around then that some very glaring gameplay issues began. Im going to base these findings on leaving the AI and Difficulty at the level that matches the online experience, because that is the default way the game SHOULD be played.

    I will not    As a fan of NHL games since the original NHL on Sega Genesis, I have mainly enjoyed this franchise over the years until the 2010's and beyond. It's around then that some very glaring gameplay issues began. Im going to base these findings on leaving the AI and Difficulty at the level that matches the online experience, because that is the default way the game SHOULD be played.

    I will not get into all the different gameplay modes here. My focus will be entirely on the gameplay experience itself in a standard match against the computer or online PVP. The huge issue with this game is the AI controlled players (especially defenders) are able to perform a plethora of actions that are simply not available to the human controlled players.

    Here is a list of those actions:
    1. grabbing (open ice)
    2. clutching (open Ice)
    3. Using one hand to grab the jersey from behind and the other to poke check the puck away from a player that was clearly a step or two ahead and accelerating away
    4. Recover from poke checks, body checks, stick lifts, board play in ways that are unavailable to human players
    5. The ability to chain these "unavailable" actions together in extremely quick succession

    The other annoying thing is the way in which AI controlled players perform actions the human players can also perform. Let me give an example. If you poke check or stick lift in this game you will get a penalty called more than half the time, even if you time the use nearly perfectly and use it only when there is zero chance of hitting the opposing players skates, such as head on or right in stride with them (as instructed to do in the tutorial).

    When the AI uses the stick lift or poke check, they can do it with uncanny accuracy, and from any position, even when chasing from behind by a step or more. And the effectiveness and range of those poke checks is insane. You can be a full two body lengths away from an AI defender and they perform what I call a "ghost check" where they were clearly out of range of the puck but the puck just magically is magnetically drawn away from your stick to theirs.

    Body checking is another area where AI controlled players can land crushing or extremely effective checks on you with little regard for momentum or direction. Even when you control an elite level player at full speed the AI grunt can catch you from behind, grab your player somehow, then body check the puck away, and take possession of the puck going the other way all in one swift maneuver.

    What I've described is barely scratching the surface of the issues, but to me these are the most frustrating, bang your head against the wall issues with the game. And its been this way for like a decade now!

    Its is EXTREMELY frustrating watching AI controlled players perform game altering actions that you cannot!    … Expand
  26. GamingMess
    Feb 15, 2021
    3
    A copy and paste version of NHL 2020 with a few annoying changes. The most annoying of these changes is the AI and the way it spams poke checks. Regardless of the AI position relative to your position, including behind you, the AI will always manage to steal the puck from you! It's as if the AI has sticky hockey sticks. This becomes old very fast and draws no penalties either when thereA copy and paste version of NHL 2020 with a few annoying changes. The most annoying of these changes is the AI and the way it spams poke checks. Regardless of the AI position relative to your position, including behind you, the AI will always manage to steal the puck from you! It's as if the AI has sticky hockey sticks. This becomes old very fast and draws no penalties either when there should be a tripping penalty when it's done in this manner. Speaking of penalties, every time the AI goes on a power play they are almost guaranteed a goal against you. This was on Pro difficulty which translates to about medium difficulty.
    I own NHL 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Save your money and get NHL 2020 if you want a better experience because NHL 2021 is inferior in so many ways. The only things NHL 2021 has to offer are new moves, updated roster, crappy music and player modes that don't qualify for a brand new game, but rather an update for an already existing one. I definitely regret buying this game and WILL NOT be buying anymore EA NHL games until they put in new actual content and rework the gameplay. Until then I'm stuck with a digital copy of a game that I don't even want. What a complete disappointment as I should have listened to the negative reviews.    … Expand
  27. Jt9711
    Oct 16, 2020
    3
    What a waste of money. I've bought every NHL game since 1994 and this will be the last. Franchise mode is broken. Unless you go in and manually set region and players your scouts will not evaluate players leaving you with zero information for the draft

    Be a pro, for all they added within 30 minutes it's already repetitive and boring. HUT is the same as always. You spend the game    What a waste of money. I've bought every NHL game since 1994 and this will be the last. Franchise mode is broken. Unless you go in and manually set region and players your scouts will not evaluate players leaving you with zero information for the draft

    Be a pro, for all they added within 30 minutes it's already repetitive and boring.

    HUT is the same as always. You spend the game defending one timers and odd man rushes. No resemblance of real hockey to be found.

    Chel-seems okay, not my thing.    … Expand
  28. Deathmetalhippy
    May 19, 2021
    3
    They really should do is release the game and then you could spend 9.99 for a yearly upgrade.

    But there is no upgrade. This game has actually gotten worse. Yeah they added a couple dekes for the kids to Master, but the game is just trash. I think NHL 94 was better. 2019 was smoother. People float around like they are on stilts. The goaltending is absolutely horrendous . Most of the    They really should do is release the game and then you could spend 9.99 for a yearly upgrade.

    But there is no upgrade. This game has actually gotten worse. Yeah they added a couple dekes for the kids to Master, but the game is just trash. I think NHL 94 was better. 2019 was smoother. People float around like they are on stilts. The goaltending is absolutely horrendous . Most of the games score is 8 to 7 game or 9 to 8. If you don’t use a human control goaltender the game isn’t even worth playing because the goalies are so stupid. They have no rebound control the same exact goal scores every single time. LOL even within the same game they don’t learn. You can score of the same go for or five times in a row. Even when you win it’s boring. The goalie doesn’t learn from his mistakes within the same game! I don’t know how a game actually gets worse year after year but somehow they managed to do it.

    Yeah let’s just make the computer ridiculously stupid so humans have to play. This game is worth 9.99 at best    … Expand
  29. Dsteve2
    Sep 17, 2021
    3
    Same old bouncing puck. Same old clueless defensemen. Same old “Chel”. This game is fun to pick up and then quickly put back down.
  30. Samzig
    Oct 22, 2020
    2
    It's exactly the same as 3 years ago. On top of that they removed features like international games.
    What do the devs even do with their time?
  31. CanuckZero
    Oct 15, 2020
    2
    Its a poke check, cross crease onetimer spam fest. Everything feels so arcadey, The fancy boy dekes can be performed by any player, which is dumb. Who would have thought Wendel Clark can score Michigan style. NHL 20 is way better IMO. HUT is such a grind as per usual. Feels like work. No fun to be had here.
  32. Zeitgeistler
    Apr 23, 2021
    2
    Somehow they manage to copy the same game they released previously whilst still making it worse..kudos not an easy feat. Announcers make me want to play on mute, and gameplay "additions" are garbage. I'm done, won't buy another NHL game until it's noy produced by EA.not
  33. MedxIn
    Oct 14, 2020
    2
    They deserve a 2 Just because they revamp the be a pro and that it... Garbage game! #NHLdropEA
  34. Latinorakastaja
    Oct 24, 2020
    2
    Just a roster update. They should change the online-game matchmaking system. Why would i like to play opponent with bad connection, or against same team. But, there is no another hockey game in the world, and that's why this game is same every year.
  35. ChuckB3430
    Oct 26, 2020
    2
    I have never felt compelled to write a review before. I have become the snob I hate. But this game is absolutely trash. The gameplay is virtually the same with a few noticeable tweaks. Players still take passes while skating backwards, goalies are still the dumbest player on the ice(with the exception of defensemen in some situations), and coaching doesn't affect anything.

    I don't play    I have never felt compelled to write a review before. I have become the snob I hate. But this game is absolutely trash. The gameplay is virtually the same with a few noticeable tweaks. Players still take passes while skating backwards, goalies are still the dumbest player on the ice(with the exception of defensemen in some situations), and coaching doesn't affect anything.

    I don't play HUT or EASHL because I don't want to pay money for packs and hopefully get a decent card that way. Micro-transactions are what is killing gaming and killing what makes them fun. EA Sports is the king of this crap, and it needs to stop. I mainly play offline modes like Franchise and Be A Pro. People like me get the short end of the stick every year because we don't want to spend more money than we already have buying the game. This review is mainly about franchise and be a pro, which again, come up short this year.

    Franchise:
    -Once again, the Stanley Cup presentation is the exact same thing as years past. Love seeing the Cup being passed to random 3rd liners that didn't contribute to anything. Let us actually lift the Cup, not see 3 people do it and call it a day. Please revamp this.
    -Trade values are off, I was able to trade a top 6 exact defenseman at 79 overall for a 1st round pick and a medium elite prospect. Trade values need to be fixed. Overall's need to be fixed to. Drew Doughty being a 91 overall player while Erik Cernak being a low top 6 78 overall player just proves that no one at EA watches hockey and goes off what they did last year. It's an incomplete roster update, which is the only thing new sports games are usually bought for.
    -The sim engine is terrible again. I love winning the presidents trophy 4 years in a row and losing in the first round every year. What is the point of building an unstoppable team for 82 games and then all of a sudden they don't know what goal is which.
    -Speaking of playoffs, can you make it seem like a bigger deal than currently presented?
    -Record book is bugged. 3 years in some random goalie(most of the time Jordan Binnington) becomes the all time leader is goalie games played as well as overall games played. Goalie stats are always terrible in the sim engine, and now the goalie stat bugs carry over into the record book.
    -Still no all star game. EA Sports makes a huge deal of NHL Three's and you can't add a 3-3 All-Star game? Joke.
    -Trade logic is still off. Teams still signing free agents and offering them to you in a trade 3 days later. Smart A.I.
    -Trade deadline is pretty cool. However, free agency is still the same. You can add a Free Agent Frenzy mode, copy and paste the trade deadline mini game and tweak it to free agency. Still not able to rescind offers or even see if the player is interested in signing with you. You just have to offer and hope. All other sports games show you player interest. Let us have a try-out option for some free agents as well. Something that happens in the real world that has never been added to a video game before. EA loves copying and pasting, why not do it for something actually cool.
    -The Draft is still the same. Make it seem like the draft is a bigger deal than it actually is.
    -Coaching and chemistry are the same and was an okay add last year.
    -Let us see other teams jersey's and captains. We could do that on old gen, but can't this time. An entire generation of console didn't have half the small features that made last gen fun.

    Be a Pro:
    -You all realize this is NHL14's Live the Life but this time with animations, right? It took EA an entire console generation to just get back to the last game used on old gen. It's a joke.
    -It gets repetitive, lack of things to do, same in-game situations over and over. It isn't fun anymore by the time you get to year 3.
    -Speaking of year 3, you get to become a free agent. Yay! It's the same thing as the last few years! You can be the best player since Gretzky, be a free agent and you'll get 2 teams offering you 1 or 2 year deals. Are you kidding me? Change it! Make it seem like you give a crap! And don't lecture me on how "they revamped the whole mode! of course they care!" They don't. Like I said, its the same as NHL14 but with animations. That's it.
    -You can buy a luxury car though and get a stat boost, that's cool I guess.
    -Still can't see any other team. Just yours. Can't see team jersey numbers or choose yours. It's just the same every single year and its disheartening.

    Random side note: soundtrack sucks. Again. NHL used to have the best soundtracks ever. Now on natural instinct I go to the settings and change it to the menu music.

    To close, sorry for ranting. But I needed to say it. EA Sports just takes and takes. When they "add" its only repackaged old game modes presented as new and revolutionary. Its just sad at this point. I don't have any faith in this game franchise or the company to give hockey fans a genuinely good product. I hope they prove us all wrong.    … Expand
  36. JayMall
    Dec 27, 2020
    2
    I've never been compelled to review an NHL series game before, but EA has forced my hand. There are countless things wrong with this game, and as is tradition, EA remains staunch in doing absolutely nothing to remedy the issues that plague this series. I've purchased NHL every single year since 2011, and this is by far the worst instalment I've ever played.

    1. AI: Despite EA's marketing    I've never been compelled to review an NHL series game before, but EA has forced my hand. There are countless things wrong with this game, and as is tradition, EA remains staunch in doing absolutely nothing to remedy the issues that plague this series. I've purchased NHL every single year since 2011, and this is by far the worst instalment I've ever played.

    1. AI: Despite EA's marketing of all new improved AI, the CPU controlled players are seemingly worse than ever. Unrealistic routes, complete lack of awareness on changes (frequent changes while playing defence on the rush as well as your own offensive players changing right before you make a pass in transition), no ability to pick up sticks or bodies in front or off face-offs, and a total lack of ability to enter intelligent, supportive positions in the offensive zone.

    2. Goaltending: Again, despite EA's assurance that the goaltending is all-new and improved, goalies still get beat by the same 3 shots: cross-creases/back doors, the 'scoop shot' (skate to middle and shoot back across the grain), and off rebounds.

    3. HUT: Typically the reason I buy the game every year, HUT is an absolute disaster. Player and team synergies have completely limited the amount of roster creativity or freedom players are accustomed to in HUT. Certain synergies (distributor, howitzer, spark etc.) have also artificially inflated the prices of players who aren't worth anywhere near their market value. HUT rush is gimmicky and the rewards are never worth the time required to move up the ranks. The removal of seasons in favour of rivals and champs has made all 5v5 online play a sweaty, non-relaxing playing experience; there simply isn't an option for casual online play with your actual team anymore.

    4. Gameplay: The "new and improved" skating mechanics feel sloppier than ever. Transition skating is still broken, vision control doesn't have the impact it should. Online gameplay is a combination of cross-creases, ragging (players skating around their own zone once they're winning), and every player employing a trap that completely nullifies offence. Games often end up something along the lines of 7-6 with only ~15-20 shots per team. Ice tilt is also beyond obvious this year.

    5. Online Servers: Don't even get me started. EA servers are an absolute joke and I'm in a highly populated eastern time zone. Regularly have 150download and 70+ upload speeds and still experience hitching, lagging and error messages resulting in being removed from the game.

    6. Horrible player likeness: EA, as is tradition, refuses to actually put any semblance of effort into player likeness. William Nylander has looked like the same generic nobody for 5 years. They only make a few dozen players actually look like their real-life counterpart. They don't care whatsoever about making prospects accurate or player ratings reflect their previous season. It's an $80 roster update. As usual.

    7. Menus: Menus haven't changed since NHL 18. Still beyond slow.

    8. Music: Music is a collection of artists nobody has ever heard of besides the Arkells. No awareness of their crowd.

    Won't be buying NHL 22 right away for the first time in any edition since 2011. EA has a ton of work to do to make next year's edition remotely worth buying.    … Expand
  37. HappyTendy
    Feb 5, 2021
    2
    I've played every single NHL since the late 1990s and they've always had the same issue since online was a thing, I'll give you an example. I've been buying some packs, and playing quite a bit and I haven't had much luck in getting good cards my best player is an 87 McDavid and 87 Crosby everyone else is under 87 and when I try and matchmake I'm always paired up with these 1995 overallI've played every single NHL since the late 1990s and they've always had the same issue since online was a thing, I'll give you an example. I've been buying some packs, and playing quite a bit and I haven't had much luck in getting good cards my best player is an 87 McDavid and 87 Crosby everyone else is under 87 and when I try and matchmake I'm always paired up with these 1995 overall teams it's not fair with 90 overall Gretzky's and every line has a 90 how is that fair when they're skating around you. This game needs to work on matchmaking and take your overall team rating and pair it against another team with the same overall it's not fair when I'm an 85 overall against the 93 overall team

    And the easel has its own problems the big glitch goals the one-timers crashing the net there's no way you can stop the puck even when I'm Square some rest shots from the point are so slow but when you're the goalie you can't even catch it and make a save even when you're Square doesn't make sense it's like you're a minor league player in the NHL they need to strengthen goalies.

    The gameplay is fun and I'll probably continue to play it but not competitively because it's just not fun when I got to play against a Gretzky and all these vintage superstars on my team isn't there yet but yet the matchmaking puts me against these guys not fun.    … Expand
  38. Makaveli
    Oct 27, 2020
    1
    I skipped out on NHL 20 and bought this one and I'm disappointed and this is coming from someone who mainly plays BaP. Yes they changed BaP but it gets super repetitive very quickly and you cant even play in the juniors for a full season. When on Ice coach will basically ask you to do 1 thing and you have a choice to score a goal or keep the pressure. It actually gets to the point whereI skipped out on NHL 20 and bought this one and I'm disappointed and this is coming from someone who mainly plays BaP. Yes they changed BaP but it gets super repetitive very quickly and you cant even play in the juniors for a full season. When on Ice coach will basically ask you to do 1 thing and you have a choice to score a goal or keep the pressure. It actually gets to the point where the new feature gets annoying because you get the same questions from coach, the same from media and eventually you'll be pressing buttons to try and skip these but you cant skip them. These games dont deserve good scores, they do the most rudimentary things and since people who buy this series are used to mediocrity they think it's good because for once they change a tiny thing, eventually they will get rid of features and then bring them back again in 10 years and call it "new"... I just wish other companies were allowed to make NHL games because EA sucks.

    here's an example of a "glitch" I found too. I had to play Boston and I made a promise to score against "a very hot Tuuka Rask" but Boston didnt use Tuuka Rask in the game so I got penalized for not scoring on Rask....

    EA doesn't deserve our money.    … Expand
  39. Acoomoo
    Jan 2, 2021
    1
    Five years ago, I started an account on Metacritic to defend EA's NHL Series. I gave the game a 10, praising it's fun factor and rewarding gameplay.

    Fast forward to today...every element of fun has been sucked out of this franchise. I play it, and question my sanity. People just want to have fun, right EA?! What have you done to the game I've loved since 1994? The answer is, you've    Five years ago, I started an account on Metacritic to defend EA's NHL Series. I gave the game a 10, praising it's fun factor and rewarding gameplay.

    Fast forward to today...every element of fun has been sucked out of this franchise. I play it, and question my sanity. People just want to have fun, right EA?! What have you done to the game I've loved since 1994? The answer is, you've ruined it. I'm sorry for my unforgiving stance, but those that are responsible for this mind sucker know what they've done.

    Long review short... 5 years ago -- 10/10
    Today. -- 1/10 *Just look at the user score!    … Expand
  40. majesticsquid
    Nov 17, 2020
    1
    The discrepancy between the "Metascore" and the "user" score is quite telling.

    I decided to post a review because NHL 21 is the worst NHL game for playstation I have ever played and I wanted to add some feedback. The other users clearly agree with me becauase the game is sitting at a generous 2.6 rating (it's trash and not even worth that) No effort goes into the NHL franchise anymore,    The discrepancy between the "Metascore" and the "user" score is quite telling.

    I decided to post a review because NHL 21 is the worst NHL game for playstation I have ever played and I wanted to add some feedback. The other users clearly agree with me becauase the game is sitting at a generous 2.6 rating (it's trash and not even worth that) No effort goes into the NHL franchise anymore, and the rating reflects this.

    NHL 21 is a bad game. Plain and simple.

    The Metascore however is frighteningly high (at a 72 right now) I've bought more than a dozen NHL games over the years and this version is a 2 or 3 out of 10. A grade of 30% would be generous for NHL 21. The Metascore's are truly pathetic, and they must be getting paid to inflate this terrible games sad rating.

    Personally EA couldn't pay me enough to PRETEND like this game is a 72/100, or even average. NHL 21 sucks, this game just really sucks.    … Expand
  41. Joe1927
    Dec 26, 2020
    1
    This game is a carbon copy of NHL 20. They really put the least amount of effort in this game to change it in any way. I wasted $60 on this game, so I will be returning it. The menu system is confusing and the same as the last one. They did nothing to change anything, and it shows with the lack of quality.
  42. BriscoeG
    Oct 24, 2020
    1
    Please change the next game. Everything needs an overhaul. It's just so so bad! Either improve the sim, or make it arcade style.
  43. SammyDelicious
    Nov 17, 2020
    1
    I have bought every NHL game since 1999.

    This one was the worst. NHL 21 is not fun. I recommend buying an older version instead. (Preferably on sale, because NHL 20 isn't great either) Better yet just don't support EA by purchasing their games anymore. If EA can't and won't respect their customers then why should their neglected customers keep buying their games they put no effort and    I have bought every NHL game since 1999.

    This one was the worst.

    NHL 21 is not fun. I recommend buying an older version instead. (Preferably on sale, because NHL 20 isn't great either)

    Better yet just don't support EA by purchasing their games anymore. If EA can't and won't respect their customers then why should their neglected customers keep buying their games they put no effort and no care into?

    This game is proof EA doesn't care about their fanbase. And definitely doesn't care about making their NHL franchise a better, or fun playing experience.

    WARNING ⚠️ DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!    … Expand
  44. Gregmynin
    Oct 18, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Copy and paste copy and paste copy and paste. That's pretty much all EA does with patch notes for a full game price. Finally people are starting to wake up… Expand
  45. jackwm
    Oct 16, 2020
    1
    I learned the hard way today that you can't return games you've already downloaded on the Ps4. It's the same exact game you've seen years in years past from EA. And frankly, it's a polished turd. The gameplay is absolutely horrid as usual. The board play is awful, shot blocking system is awful, you get bumped off the puck too easily along the boards, AI goalies still act the way they didI learned the hard way today that you can't return games you've already downloaded on the Ps4. It's the same exact game you've seen years in years past from EA. And frankly, it's a polished turd. The gameplay is absolutely horrid as usual. The board play is awful, shot blocking system is awful, you get bumped off the puck too easily along the boards, AI goalies still act the way they did in past iterations, the list goes on. Goal horns are still inaccurate, when players score you see the same stupid double fist pump celebration, and player likenesses are still completely unacceptable. I played NHL 2k10 recently and it's honestly still a better game than anything EA has made in the last 10 years.… Expand
  46. Tipex
    Oct 18, 2020
    1
    Imagine failing to do a copy paste job...
    Everthing new is purely cosmetic. The BAP mode is ruined, sure toy can start in Euro but hey it's only for the playoffs.... Which is as most 5 games. They removed the whole mode of being able to play in the juniors.... You don't "earn" the right to be drafted 1st overall. The coach keeps bugging me mid game about "challenges" and teammates keeps    Imagine failing to do a copy paste job...
    Everthing new is purely cosmetic. The BAP mode is ruined, sure toy can start in Euro but hey it's only for the playoffs.... Which is as most 5 games. They removed the whole mode of being able to play in the juniors.... You don't "earn" the right to be drafted 1st overall. The coach keeps bugging me mid game about "challenges" and teammates keeps bugging me with stupid things like going bowling.... And it's all purely text based.

    Franchise mode is the same, although they managed to have glitches in it... D-men's chemistry is shown as forwards. The 3 on 5 PK is screwed because the left D position is supposed to be a Center and vice versa.
    The new trade deadline is kinda cool, but still flawed.
    And the AI as usual is still bad
    Only thing they care about is Hut.

    NHL is generations behind other games such as MLB, NBA and even Fifa    … Expand
  47. Trigg
    Oct 25, 2020
    1
    Not being a fan of any of the Hut modes or online, the main thing I’m a fan of is the franchise, and it’s still essentially the same thing repackaged for the last few years. Not worth it for an updated roster basically.
  48. OskarW
    Nov 3, 2020
    1
    The only thing good with this game is the music. The ai is "smarter" meaning its actually worse than in nhl 20.
  49. Ab_tfl34
    Nov 10, 2020
    1
    I have played this game for over a decade. this might have the worst AI of any nhl game in history. No matter which settings/pressures/strategies you use the defense refuse to cover the pass or play the body. It is worse than having a pylon on the ice because at least a pylon might have a puck hit off it every once in a while; these AI defenders let it go right through their sticks andI have played this game for over a decade. this might have the worst AI of any nhl game in history. No matter which settings/pressures/strategies you use the defense refuse to cover the pass or play the body. It is worse than having a pylon on the ice because at least a pylon might have a puck hit off it every once in a while; these AI defenders let it go right through their sticks and skates.. it loses people games constantly. Fix it.… Expand
  50. normandguerin
    Nov 21, 2020
    1
    Well NHL21 new game same garbage. I give it a one rating cause the graphics are amazing. Thats it. Thats all. The gameplay is ok but the icetilt is ever.so present. And if you have never experienced it, it's because you are just not good enough for EA to sabotage your game. Go look at studio81 on youtube. Or beter yet just join our team 70s Born Legends. I promise you, you willWell NHL21 new game same garbage. I give it a one rating cause the graphics are amazing. Thats it. Thats all. The gameplay is ok but the icetilt is ever.so present. And if you have never experienced it, it's because you are just not good enough for EA to sabotage your game. Go look at studio81 on youtube. Or beter yet just join our team 70s Born Legends. I promise you, you will experience it first hand.… Expand
  51. VALCAT97
    Jan 11, 2021
    1
    Надо было постараться сделать такое *****... Вратарём из года в год играть нельзя...вы пытаетесь убить интерес игроков к карьере за разных игроков? У вас получилось,лично я больше покупать ваше...не буду,спасибо,что открыли глаза :-) Вратарь сквозной,иногда бестелесный,бывает,что-то случайно ловит,при чём,на любом уровне сложности играть за вратаря невозможно...вместо того,чтобы помочьНадо было постараться сделать такое *****... Вратарём из года в год играть нельзя...вы пытаетесь убить интерес игроков к карьере за разных игроков? У вас получилось,лично я больше покупать ваше...не буду,спасибо,что открыли глаза :-) Вратарь сквозной,иногда бестелесный,бывает,что-то случайно ловит,при чём,на любом уровне сложности играть за вратаря невозможно...вместо того,чтобы помочь игроку с карьерой вратаря,разрабы-дегенераты усложнили ботов нападающих,ещё и скрипт,который не даёт играть,то шайба сквозь лежачего вратаря проползает,то вратарь просто стоит и не реагирует,то ловушку не поднимает.. за нападающего каждый дурак умеет играть,а за вратаря разрабы не дадут...
    С другой стороны,я рад,что такие классные оценки на сайте,надеюсь,вы все в своём офисе с голоду сдохните из-за отсутствия продаж ;-)    … Expand
  52. mjf80
    Feb 1, 2021
    1
    I have taken 2 years buffer between each purchase of NHL games due to obvious reasons* (*EA sells rehashed donkey dung every year). Previous one was 19. NHL 21 is shortly put....utter horror boxed inside a horse manure casing and coding done by legally retarded monkeys with learning disabilities. EA has gone so wrong with this series, I don't even know where to begin. But, here's my takeI have taken 2 years buffer between each purchase of NHL games due to obvious reasons* (*EA sells rehashed donkey dung every year). Previous one was 19. NHL 21 is shortly put....utter horror boxed inside a horse manure casing and coding done by legally retarded monkeys with learning disabilities. EA has gone so wrong with this series, I don't even know where to begin. But, here's my take on this turd EA has the nerve to call "hockey simulation" (*pffft* simlation, yeah right..):
    1. This game caters fully and solely to ringette lovers (a.k.a no-contact lady hockey)
    2. The controls have gone abysmal compared to 2 years prior (NHL 19)
    3. AI has more control over the game now than ever, meaning, DDA [dynamic difficulty adjustment] (which EA has a patent on, google it if you don't believe me) balances the game against you at every turn possible. Most obviously this becomes apparent during defensive situations (previously stated ringette style hockey, no-contact) where you end up hurling your controller against the wall in utter rage for not responding to buttons you thought were supposed to work in this...'game'.
    4. Changing difficulty is a pain in the ass. Go with rookie and you score at least 20 goals...in a 3 min/period game... Oh how realistic... Up the ante and put Pro, and it still gets surprisingly easy, cashing in on roughly 10-15 goals during same game time (3 min periods). But...here's the really retarded part...go up a notch to All-Star and start praying to God that you'll get one puck behind the goalies since the game goes from all-out-goal-fest to haha-you-never-gonna-score-now mode.

    Whoever makes these executive programming decisions at EA is apparently someone with very low IQ imo. And has zero knowledge about the sport of ice hockey. Sadly, this is not a simulation as advertized by Enema Ape Sports, but, in fact, an arcade ringette-simulator dedicated to all EA apologists & worshipers who eat all of HUTs and whatever-crap-modes they toss at them.

    This will be the last EA NHL game for me. Makes me wish 2K was still making hockey games, those guys knew what hockey was about..... Not ringette, I can tell you that much!    … Expand
  53. Frank_Ginsberg
    Feb 10, 2021
    1
    I created an account here just so I can write this review for this highly disappointing game.

    First off, I would advise against buying this game if you have any previous edition since 2013. If for some reason you need to buy NHL 21, please don't pay extra for the premium versions that include HUT packs. I decided to pay $5 extra for the Great 8 Edition since it was on sale. This edition    I created an account here just so I can write this review for this highly disappointing game.

    First off, I would advise against buying this game if you have any previous edition since 2013. If for some reason you need to buy NHL 21, please don't pay extra for the premium versions that include HUT packs. I decided to pay $5 extra for the Great 8 Edition since it was on sale. This edition was supposed to include 16 premium packs to help me kickstart my HUT experience, however it's been over a week and I still got nothing. Because of this, I have now discovered that the only thing more frustrating than NHL 21's gameplay is dealing with EA's customer service. They can't give a straight answer and no one wants to fix this issue. It now looks like I will never get these packs due to a "bug".

    The silver lining is that I don't think I'll actually need these packs since I'm pretty much done with the online gameplay of NHL 21. I've been playing EA NHL games since 2001 and I used to love this franchise. Win or lose, the online games were fun. Fast forward to 2021 and the only way to score a goal online is by using the one-timer. It's almost impossible to win a game without abusing one-timers.... where's the fun in that? It's to the point where players will brake on a a clear breakaway just to wait until there's an opportunity to pass and shoot. Oh and remember when you can lay out a huge body check on the opponent? Nope! That's 2 minutes for charging. Why would there be so many charging calls in a video game?

    I'll be sticking to offline versions of this game, include Franchise Mode and Be A Pro. These game modes aren't perfect, but they manage to kill time. That's the only reason why I'm giving this game a 1 instead of a 0. I will not be buying another EA game until this franchise is fixed.    … Expand
  54. rusreh
    Feb 14, 2021
    1
    I've bought every EA NHL entry since sometime around 2002, but no more. I've deleted the game and won't be returning until some things are fixed that have plagued the game for far too long.
    I played this game mainly for versus and eashl. Good luck finding a game where players aren't trying cross crease one timers all game long. And if you do, good luck with your goalie making basic    I've bought every EA NHL entry since sometime around 2002, but no more. I've deleted the game and won't be returning until some things are fixed that have plagued the game for far too long.
    I played this game mainly for versus and eashl. Good luck finding a game where players aren't trying cross crease one timers all game long. And if you do, good luck with your goalie making basic saves. Also, don't dare pass to a player going to the bench, because the AI will just ignore you. Also, don't expect to be able to switch goalies between periods, you need to burn your only timeout to do that.
    I think this is my first ever game review, but this game is just infuriating. They keep adding new dekes and fancy skating animations. Avoid until it has it's real problems addressed.    … Expand
  55. KJG1135
    Feb 16, 2021
    1
    Terrible addition to the EA NHL series. I've been playing this series since NHL 94. The game has been progressively getting crappier. The game designers are more focused on ridiculous goal celebrations and terrible music tracks instead of making the game better and more like an actual NHL game. The commentators are annoying as well. I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone, very disappointed.
  56. Bauer66
    Apr 1, 2021
    1
    Ive been playing nhl since 2010 and this game, is getting worse and worse by the years.
    Scripted, ice tilt, call it what you want. This game is trash, not going to buy nhl22 thats for sure
  57. theAlah
    Jan 5, 2021
    0
    Same game next year, old graphic, old engine. EA pls! You can make good games.
  58. SuomiSoldat
    Nov 21, 2020
    0
    **** pile of horse **** What ever you do, do not buy it. You will be disappointed no matter how low your expectations are. Play against the AI is more broken than ever.
  59. SunPraiser
    Oct 17, 2020
    0
    Same copy and paste as previous games, but still full priced game. The only real improvement is Be a Pro, but it gets old fast. Barely anything improved or added to CHEL. Not even worth my time writing anything more than that. If you want to play NHL 21 for dirt cheap, then buy NHL 20.
  60. MachineGunniner
    Oct 17, 2020
    0
    They've really outdone themselves. Again, the worst NHL game to date. DO NOT BUY!!! it's beyond terrible in every way.
  61. wapakalypse
    Oct 16, 2020
    0
    LOL once again, incompetent developers and corrupt executives have ruined a great series. The devs can’t even make the menus run smoothly, what makes anyone think that the devs could possibly make the game run better ? Haha they can’t. They are soy boy beta cucks who have probably never played hockey. It shows in their product. Stop copy and pasting the previous years release. Only buyLOL once again, incompetent developers and corrupt executives have ruined a great series. The devs can’t even make the menus run smoothly, what makes anyone think that the devs could possibly make the game run better ? Haha they can’t. They are soy boy beta cucks who have probably never played hockey. It shows in their product. Stop copy and pasting the previous years release. Only buy this game if it costs 10$ and only buy it second hand.… Expand
  62. scotmachi
    Nov 10, 2020
    0
    NHL 19 was the last EA NHL I bought and can never ever see myself ever buying any future installments. Just played it on EA Play 10hr trial, SHOCKED! by how bad the gameplay was and can't see myself fulfilling the 10hrs, games are suppose to be fun not intensely stressful. Do they even ever play the game other than develop it. Played NHL 14 around a year ago (PS3), now that was fun! NHLNHL 19 was the last EA NHL I bought and can never ever see myself ever buying any future installments. Just played it on EA Play 10hr trial, SHOCKED! by how bad the gameplay was and can't see myself fulfilling the 10hrs, games are suppose to be fun not intensely stressful. Do they even ever play the game other than develop it. Played NHL 14 around a year ago (PS3), now that was fun! NHL 11-14 2k8-10 are far superior to this, WTF are they thinking, are they sabotaging they're own game because of EA underpaying and abusing they're past efforts? TOTAL REGRESSION! VERY SAD and MISERABLE!… Expand
  63. CrazedDuck
    Nov 10, 2020
    0
    Last year the user score was above 4 (4.6?) around April and had dropped to 3.6 which was really good compared to Fifa, Madden, NBA2K (not many play NHL compared to these sports games). Not a fan of this franchise because gameplay blows, but 18, 19 and 20 were meh... but 21!!! Yikes! Didn't buy it since 19 and won't until I play EA Play 10hr trial each year, and if its great then I'll buyLast year the user score was above 4 (4.6?) around April and had dropped to 3.6 which was really good compared to Fifa, Madden, NBA2K (not many play NHL compared to these sports games). Not a fan of this franchise because gameplay blows, but 18, 19 and 20 were meh... but 21!!! Yikes! Didn't buy it since 19 and won't until I play EA Play 10hr trial each year, and if its great then I'll buy it! I don't feel that I will ever want to buy it, a millionaire wouldn't want to spend on this garbage. Please start from scratch with a true new gen game NHL22. EA's NHL, Fifa, Madden, 2K's NBA2K, WWE2K, the gameplay has been horrible on all these franchises for years! will any of them ever change and excel far and beyond expectations?… Expand
  64. Lumic
    Mar 3, 2022
    0
    don't mix politics and games, how do you treat us the way we treat you, now I know what kind of company you are and how you deal with players, I will never buy your games again
  65. Thebrah
    Oct 27, 2020
    0
    Trash gameplay, they haven't even fixed issues that plagued the past. Franchise mode is still a shell of itself and hut is just a money grab from ea, not to mention players with the highest speed on a breakaway can be caught with someone with one of the worst speeds in the game with ease. Just save your money .
  66. PapaJo
    Nov 21, 2020
    0
    I bought this for 80$ canadian and it won't let me access the main menu. I'm stuck at 65% game installation at the main screen. This is the only game I've ever bought that won't let me play it from the title screen. Good job EA, you useless sack of ****
  67. Capitals2018
    Mar 9, 2021
    0
    This is the worst f**king game I’ve ever played. The AI just stands around 90% of the time being absolutely useless. Half the time, the AI has the skill of a U6 pee-wee hockey team. They have no idea where the puck is, and literally just stand there waiting to get the puck passed to them instead of being useful. Also, the goaltender sometimes also doesn’t know where the puck is, and justThis is the worst f**king game I’ve ever played. The AI just stands around 90% of the time being absolutely useless. Half the time, the AI has the skill of a U6 pee-wee hockey team. They have no idea where the puck is, and literally just stand there waiting to get the puck passed to them instead of being useful. Also, the goaltender sometimes also doesn’t know where the puck is, and just stands there like he’s asking himself if he left the stove on. There is no way in hell I’m buying NHL 22, unless it’s discounted for $1, and then maybe I’ll consider buying.… Expand
  68. VlueStar
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    The same terrible gameplay from nhl 19. I didn’t buy last year out of the hopes that they would’ve at least evolved a tiny bit but this isn’t the case. Cross creases and point shots are still the easiest ways to score and online play is just people abusing the games poor gameplay mechanics. It’s kind of remarkable that a hockey game ceases to look anything like hockey, the people at eaThe same terrible gameplay from nhl 19. I didn’t buy last year out of the hopes that they would’ve at least evolved a tiny bit but this isn’t the case. Cross creases and point shots are still the easiest ways to score and online play is just people abusing the games poor gameplay mechanics. It’s kind of remarkable that a hockey game ceases to look anything like hockey, the people at ea once again proven how little of an effort they will put into this series and it shows. But then again, did I expect anything less at this point.… Expand
  69. Gav612
    Nov 25, 2020
    0
    The core game mechanics are worse from last year. Their inability to program a smart AI has resorted to the AI just cheating. The content around HUT has improved but the gameplay is broken. I don't even care that it's pay to win - i'ts frustrating to play.
  70. Philay92
    Oct 20, 2020
    0
    70$ for a roster update and a couple minor changes. Same bugs, same terrible ai, same lag when playing online
  71. ccspence33
    Oct 26, 2020
    0
    This franchise has gone off the deep end... please someone else make a hockey video game. This is the same game as NHL 20 and the physics are still broken... try to pick up a loose puck? Good luck... half the time passes don’t go where they’re supposed to. 50/50 pucks are an absolute joke... the EASHL function feels as if the controls got slower, if that’s even possible from how slow theyThis franchise has gone off the deep end... please someone else make a hockey video game. This is the same game as NHL 20 and the physics are still broken... try to pick up a loose puck? Good luck... half the time passes don’t go where they’re supposed to. 50/50 pucks are an absolute joke... the EASHL function feels as if the controls got slower, if that’s even possible from how slow they already have been in previous years. This game frustrates me more than any other game I play. If you’re actually a hockey person, good luck trying to actually defend in this game, it’s impossible as sometimes players fly at the speed of light, sometimes your poke checks turn phantom through pucks, and trying to rub people off the puck as an offensively minded class is nearly impossible. There’s soooo many holes in the physics of this game, it’s laughable really...… Expand
  72. fleshgakker
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    So EA did it again. same ol' piece of junk with all the bugs we loved so much in nhl 19, 20 and counting. Nothing new. Literally. Cmon.
  73. BroCody
    Jan 21, 2021
    0
    Gets a zero for not having a PC version. You make Madden and FIFA for it so why not add NHL? Just seems lazy. Then again didn't really expect EA not to be.
  74. SlamMan
    Oct 22, 2020
    0
    Absolutely garbage game along with NHL 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11!!!!! That's right! It sucks royal anus. Once again EA puts out a cash grab game. Fix the damm GAMEPLAY! NHL 94 was voted the best nhl game ever for a reason! it was simple...we had just three buttons, HIT, PASS, SHOOT! Goalies where easy to control also so I suggest that EA should come out with an NHL gameAbsolutely garbage game along with NHL 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11!!!!! That's right! It sucks royal anus. Once again EA puts out a cash grab game. Fix the damm GAMEPLAY! NHL 94 was voted the best nhl game ever for a reason! it was simple...we had just three buttons, HIT, PASS, SHOOT! Goalies where easy to control also so I suggest that EA should come out with an NHL game similar to NHL 94 in which made this product grow since they can't even get simulation close to being realistic! we would love this! Only two ways NHL will ever get better is if EA Producer Sean "Rammer" Ramjagsingh steps down cause this game has been utter crap since he took over YEARS AGO to bring in a whole new development team or bring in a new Challenger to compete and force EA to put a little effort into their games for example 2K Sports (Even though I didn't care for the games as I do own them. However it does have better game features. Most positive reviews are clearly FAKE. Just like other EA Sports games, it's easy to tell how garbage this game will be as Fifa is sitting at 0.8 while Madden is at 0.2!

    World of CHEL - Garbage hockey, I've seen better novice six year old house league hockey then I've seen playing this crap. One team is superhuman while other team is legit garbage! (Icetilt). If you enjoy wonky puck physics (Pucks clearly going completely into wrong directions and when you can get 8-9 players from both teams to skate into one direction for that loose puck however it bounces the other way! You know there are problems), awful passing (Completely ruined this game for the past 6 installments), Ai either super human or just completely retarded, Constant trip penalties, No defensive hockey once so ever since THERE IS NO WAY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM TO INTERCEPT A PASS FROM A PASSING LANE, horrible clunky player collisions once again, When tilt is against you the other team will scoop loose pucks up from an where with mega supersonic speed, pucks always going to opponents sticks, user skaters constantly skating in wrong directions, One team is faster then the other by a long shot rather then EA just making a fun balance fair game, Pucks bouncing off boards like INDIAN RUBBER BALLS, GOALIES are garbage, PLAYERS CANT PICK UP LOOSE PUCKS!!! and there are way too many DEAD PUCKS in this game (For those who don't know what dead pucks are, its meens puck just stopping on a dime, happens way too much in this game. could be 100mph shot...it'll hit a stick and just stop). If you think its fun to play with DINGBATS ruining games on purpose, goal sucks who forget that there are other teammates, Guys trying to score on own goal, blah blah blah, THEN THIS IS THE GAME MODE JUST FOR YOU!

    Offline mode - If you enjoy playing computer that will have %98 - %100 pass accuracy, perfect poke checks every time, robots that skate about 15-20 feet near you like a magnet with no effort at all however scoops puck everytime, perfect body checks, perfect plays, scoring on wil NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO THE SLIDERS OR THE LEVEL YOU ARE PLAYING then this will be the mode for you!

    Menu's - Once again I feel like I'm playing something from the old Commadore 64 pc loading internet dial up days from the 90's! It's clunky, it's slow, unresponsive clicks and just flat out horrible! Just way too many clicks and unneeded options for example in WORLD OF CHEL. Once I finally get everything set I shouldn't have to click on any other buttons after the one that says READY! All EA did was change buttons around for example click square instead of start to find a match! This is something id expect to see playing 1942 (Classic war plane game) on my commadore 64!    … Expand
  75. Megatron49
    Oct 17, 2020
    0
    One step forward and 3 back as per usual with NHL. The new BaP mode is really cool except for the actual on ice. Your AI still has no clue what to do and the way it judges your performance is comical. You pretty much have to be a sniper too for any of the star stuff to make sense. It's the only hockey game so I'll keep buying these games but they are full of glitches l and made by peopleOne step forward and 3 back as per usual with NHL. The new BaP mode is really cool except for the actual on ice. Your AI still has no clue what to do and the way it judges your performance is comical. You pretty much have to be a sniper too for any of the star stuff to make sense. It's the only hockey game so I'll keep buying these games but they are full of glitches l and made by people who apparently have never played hockey. Please 2k make a hockey game again competition woud be good for ea. Stop adding 3 features, getting 15 bad songs and changing the menu colour while charging $80. I would say it's an expensive roster update but they didn't even have that done for launch! Pathetic… Expand
  76. BD9919
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    Absolutely terrible. Same game as last year with a poke check tuner. They need to cancel franchise or let someone else take it over.
  77. Smokestrom91
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nothing but turnovers **** AI teammates. Until EA finally decides that ridiculously tiny snipers are OP and make that more realistic CHEL will be nothing but garbage.… Expand
  78. shaiza12
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    trash company, trash game, trash life
    trash company, trash game, trash life
  79. Millw00d80
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Most would say it's a recycled game patched with a roster update and 2-3 new stupid dekes. It's even worst than that. Trying to play defense was already a struggle , it's now completely impossible.
    XxXSniperXxX will be able to reach 37472747377474 goals in the first month of play. Congrats EA    … Expand
  80. Mulio35
    Oct 21, 2020
    0
    Copy and paste.................................................................
  81. jaket663
    Oct 24, 2020
    0
    The same old stuff every year. The game is extremely bad, same thing every year. What they changed and added from NHL 20 to 21 could easily be a small dlc to NHL 20. Don’t buy this game, all that’s really changed is essentially the rosters.
  82. Oneill212321
    Oct 28, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Awful. Same thing as last year but you cpu player is even worst when playin gm 3v3 world of Chel. Absolutely awful. The menus are slow per usual. Forced to watch highlights. In be a pro mode you have to talk to the coach during the game after the game, all this stuff that could be done so much faster. A couple new dekes, new hits and dumber cpu players. Waste of money… Expand
  83. MrShava97
    May 30, 2021
    0
    Та же самая 20. Ничего нового. Те же проблемы. Ea - этим все сказано.
  84. Peteide
    Nov 22, 2020
    0
    I want a refund. I wonder how it is possible to make a worse game over and over and over again?! wtf! Yeah maybe that is has more be a pro features but that does not make up for the bad **** and bugs that are on the ice! And how about talking to some real goalies and try to get an AI with somewhat of an IQ above room-temperature jezz!
  85. jimmyjoe1
    Nov 25, 2020
    0
    Do not buy this game. Not only do you have to deal with the figure skating cross crease exploiters online, every game you are also fighting against your own mouth breathing AI teammates. Win or lose, every game ends in frustration. I was a long time NHL player who decided to give it another shot this year and boy do I regret it. This is easily the worst NHL game I have ever played. If youDo not buy this game. Not only do you have to deal with the figure skating cross crease exploiters online, every game you are also fighting against your own mouth breathing AI teammates. Win or lose, every game ends in frustration. I was a long time NHL player who decided to give it another shot this year and boy do I regret it. This is easily the worst NHL game I have ever played. If you are on the fence about getting this game even if it is on sale, do not do it.… Expand
  86. Chingy
    Nov 24, 2020
    0
    If you spend a single penny on this game it is a penny more than it's worth. EA has no grip on anything other than making money off of those foolish enough to play HUT. Go read their forums. It's pathetic how they respond to their customers.
  87. Shamelessness
    Nov 27, 2020
    0
    Embarrassingly flawed. Do not buy if you are on the fence, it will disappoint. Same issues they have had for years, plus new ones!
  88. Oup
    Jan 9, 2021
    0
    So EA Waste just showed us how terribly they have on their customers' don't care mode. For many years the same problems, a better connection ending provides you with a boost in the game as if you were from another world, and the way to bypass the benefit by connection the favored opponent is to thoroughly learn glitching. Terrifying, online random win generator. Absolutely Worst customer servis
  89. Beinskaar
    Jan 9, 2021
    0
    The game is garbage. Be a pro goalie unplayable. Teammate AI stupid as hell. AI opponents scores anytime they want, no matter what you do against it. Lot of bugs.
  90. beertelescope
    Jan 19, 2021
    0
    Same game as the last 5+ years (but worse). Incredible lack of attention to detail. You could play a game that's Arizona vs. Florida in the preseason and the stands will be full (including a sea of visiting team fans) and the announcers will let you know that "the city has been buzzing all day." Some teams have specific goal horns, songs and chants while others just have a generic horn.Same game as the last 5+ years (but worse). Incredible lack of attention to detail. You could play a game that's Arizona vs. Florida in the preseason and the stands will be full (including a sea of visiting team fans) and the announcers will let you know that "the city has been buzzing all day." Some teams have specific goal horns, songs and chants while others just have a generic horn. Some players have accurate faces while others look like a generic mix of Be a Pro options. No clear way to set your captains in franchise mode. Difficulty settings leap from "win every game by ten goals" to "good luck having five seconds of puck possession" with nothing in between. Slow and clunky menus, even when playing on a PS5. The whole effort just feels lazy and recycled. Most regretted game purchase of the last several years.… Expand
  91. TiBander
    Jan 27, 2021
    0
    Straight garbage, always the same story; EA being lazy, players not looking like they do irl, boring robotic gameplay, ugly shapes and graphics. I would pay 5$ for this
  92. 1268
    Mar 12, 2021
    0
    This game is so bad that it can't even be described so you can imagine it. It's a random win generator, unless you become the master of the craft of using algorithmic errors in the online world. Of course, the connection to the server determines your winnings, and when you have a better connection, you win even if you are a total beginner. Nothing works there, the passings go to otherThis game is so bad that it can't even be described so you can imagine it. It's a random win generator, unless you become the master of the craft of using algorithmic errors in the online world. Of course, the connection to the server determines your winnings, and when you have a better connection, you win even if you are a total beginner. Nothing works there, the passings go to other sides than you aim. And the goalkeepers are probably there just for the fun of the rabbits.… Expand
  93. Indigo1022
    Apr 18, 2021
    0
    NHL is not a fun game. I decided to take a 2 year break from EA NHL since the games would put me in such a bad mood. I come back to NHL 21, and it is no different. Online play lacks any real hockey sense, and the single player AI goes from insanely easy (Rookie to Pro), all the way to "YOU WILL LOSE AND YOU WILL SCREAM" (All-star and Super-star).

    #1 - Where is the physicality of Hockey?    NHL is not a fun game. I decided to take a 2 year break from EA NHL since the games would put me in such a bad mood. I come back to NHL 21, and it is no different. Online play lacks any real hockey sense, and the single player AI goes from insanely easy (Rookie to Pro), all the way to "YOU WILL LOSE AND YOU WILL SCREAM" (All-star and Super-star).

    #1 - Where is the physicality of Hockey?
    Hockey is a unique sport. It involves full contact hitting, and also allows fighting. Why the EA team decided that hits mean nothing, and (if you're playing online) you can simply lean back during a fight to result in a "tie", is beyond me. I'm in an online game. Its 2-2 in the third. Most stats are pretty even...but then you notice the hits: 45-4 (and still their stamina is all in the GREEN). In any game of hockey where hitting is allowed, Bantam all the way to the NHL, if you outhit your opponent 10:1 you will win that game 95% of the time. in NHL 21, this is not the case. Not even slightly. Often times, you will obliterate a opposing skater, you will then attempt to skate to the puck, get tangled in the downed player, and somehow lose the race to the puck, despite nearly killing the opposing skater. Hitting has little to no impact on the game, which is why the top NHL 21 players average less than 5 hits a game. The only time hitting does impact the game in a major way, is when there is asinine charging penalty, which if you are a heavy hitter, will happen about twice a game. Hitting must be completely redesigned, and offer some sort of reward. Easiest way, each check the opposing team makes against you (and you them), your stamina will take a hit. This will greatly affect the 3rd period, and incentivize players to hit more.

    #2: The AI is incredibly flawed
    AI controlled teams, especially in HUT is down right broken. Play on Pro, you will win 6-1. Play on the next difficulty up, Super-star, and you will likely lose in heartbreaking 3rd period fashion, or get completely blown out 10-3. The AI for the computer is incredible (except when they are incredibly dumb, such as when they skate all the way back from center ice to behind their net if you are pursuing them), when the AI for your own team plays like 5 year old mite level hockey players. Friendly AI constantly gets in the way of the human controlled skaters, and rarely takes the most obvious route during a forecheck. The AI doesn't need to "charge up" their pass in order to ring it around the boards or make a high speed pass to a teammate. For obvious reasons, this really tilts the rink in favor of the AI. Numerous times throughout the game, there will be open ice scrums with 3 friendly AI players, and 1 opponent AI player. The opponent will come out of the mess with the puck 3/4 of the time. If you take control of one of these players and attempt to poke check the puck for possession, you will likely trip the opponent for a penalty.

    This bring me to my next point;
    #3 - Poke Checks in General
    When playing the AI at a Superstar+ difficulty there are 2 poke checking outcomes. They pokecheck it off your stick directly to their teammate, or you poke it off the AI's stick directly to their teammate.
    The spamming of pokechecks in online play is aggravating at best. As I said above, if physicality made more of an impact, pokechecking frequency would drop.

    #4 - Cross crease one timers
    I would estimate about 80% of all goals in NHL 21 are cross crease one timers. Sniping is rare (except for the AI).

    #5 - HUT Card Packs
    DO NOT spend your hard earned Puck Currency on packs. Purchase individual players in the auction, and only open reward packs. I have opened and purchased roughly 300 packs and my highest player rank has been an 83. Not sure if I am incredibly unlucky, but I am still waiting for my superstar player.

    #6 - This game is just not fun
    I used to play NHL and have a good time, win or lose (NHL 17 and prior). Since NHL 18, even when I do win, I am rarely in a good mood after. The expoitantions the AI and online players use to win the games plague every inch of HUT and online PvP. There is a reason this is one of EA's worst sports franchise, and why on average of only 1000 people in online matches. There must be a major overhaul to NHL for next year, and what a better time to do so then with this next console generation. It will likely just be another copy/paste since EA will make billions on all their other sport franchises.    … Expand
  94. vmiet
    May 1, 2021
    0
    First time writing a review to anything but I have to relief my frustration somewhere so here we go.

    I have tried most of the game modes and realized with HUT very briefly that it is unplayable again due to the pay-to-win scene but that was expected and that did not bother me that much. Next up was the career mode which was fun for a while but there are still so many annoying things    First time writing a review to anything but I have to relief my frustration somewhere so here we go.

    I have tried most of the game modes and realized with HUT very briefly that it is unplayable again due to the pay-to-win scene but that was expected and that did not bother me that much.

    Next up was the career mode which was fun for a while but there are still so many annoying things that haven't been fixed that ruin the game mode for me. For example the coaching system is still terrible. Be a pro was kind of fun for a while but seems unfinished and gets repetitive very quickly.

    My main problem with the game is the general gameplay and the AI. Both of which haven't seen major improvements since 2014. This is a subject that I could rant about for days but I'm guessing most of players of this series know what I'm talking about.

    Too bad there are no other options as I love hockey but EA won't probably never deliver a proper ice-hockey game for us to enjoy.    … Expand
  95. Jtcps4
    May 19, 2021
    0
    EA is a cancer to gaming, rinse and repeat is their motto and I've been dumb enough to buy in. They wouldn't know sports if it hit them in the face. Where most developers focus on realism, they focus on the opposite. They have a patent for dynamic difficulty adjustment. You get punished for trying to play real hockey. Top 500 in the game do the same thing....why? Cause it's broke.EA is a cancer to gaming, rinse and repeat is their motto and I've been dumb enough to buy in. They wouldn't know sports if it hit them in the face. Where most developers focus on realism, they focus on the opposite. They have a patent for dynamic difficulty adjustment. You get punished for trying to play real hockey. Top 500 in the game do the same thing....why? Cause it's broke. Cross creases are very unrealistic. I have to stop before I throw up, end of story, EA sucks!… Expand
  96. Tattednerd510
    May 19, 2021
    0
    I literally created an account just to rate this game. I have played every nhl game since '07 because I'm clearly a masochist. EA yet again proves that they could not care less about any sort of realism or playability. Every year is a copy/paste of last year with SLIGHTLY better shading and a roster update. At least this year I don't have to hear snoop Dogg regurgitate the same flaccidI literally created an account just to rate this game. I have played every nhl game since '07 because I'm clearly a masochist. EA yet again proves that they could not care less about any sort of realism or playability. Every year is a copy/paste of last year with SLIGHTLY better shading and a roster update. At least this year I don't have to hear snoop Dogg regurgitate the same flaccid lines every 3 games. I refuse to play hut or any of these other loot box forward money grabs that the game is very clearly designed around. I play for be a pro and franchise, and it's just more EA trash. Sim engine is at BEST nonsensical. How does my flawlessly designed team with +3 chemistry on all forward lines, an all elite defense, and two elite goalies get shutout for 5 games straight? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE EA. They won't, and never will. Because they know they don't have to. If literally any other company got the rights to making sports games we might get AN ACTUAL GAME. They don't care, and have never cared. It comes through pretty clearly. Don't be like me, avoid this game and any game by EA. Just stay at home and punch yourself In the face repeatedly, you'll get similar results.… Expand
  97. Swebber18
    Jul 27, 2021
    0
    Gameplay has not changed since 2015. Don’t bother buying if you’ve played since then
  98. Rct8787
    Jan 29, 2022
    0
    Please EA just release a PC version so the modding community can come up with a game that's worth a damn
  99. Aaronkloss
    Jul 4, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Garbage game if you like paying for same **** every year buy this garbage. NHl 22 will feature the same garbage as this garbagd… Expand
  100. reoJIor
    Sep 22, 2021
    0
    Игра не создает атмосферу игры она нацелена что бы ты постоянно психовал и тратил свои нервы. Одни и те же шайбы залетают ни какого разнообразия. Удивляет одно что кто то же покупает ее за полную стоимость. Удивляет что нет конкурентов по этой игре. Сыграл матчей 20 и удалил 19 NHL по интересней будет. Жалко что там уже в онлайн не кого не найти.Игра не создает атмосферу игры она нацелена что бы ты постоянно психовал и тратил свои нервы. Одни и те же шайбы залетают ни какого разнообразия. Удивляет одно что кто то же покупает ее за полную стоимость. Удивляет что нет конкурентов по этой игре. Сыграл матчей 20 и удалил 19 NHL по интересней будет. Жалко что там уже в онлайн не кого не найти.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »