NHL 21

 PlayStation 4
User Score
2.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 159
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 159
  3. Negative: 126 out of 159
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  1. 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?
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

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