NHL 14

One of the best hockey sims to date. A couple of minor adjustments are always needed, but this is as close as its going to get for you short of lacing up skates and donning pads yourself.

But overall, NHL 14 captures the spirit of that revolutionary 94 game. The gameplay is fast, the moves are sweet and the hits are thundering. It feels fun, like the very best wide-open hockey games, but it doesn’t sacrifice realism either.

EA Canada has smashed the puck right into the back of the net once again with NHL 14, providing masses of content, unparalleled gameplay and the usual superb presentation you expect from an EA Sports game. It's perhaps not as big a leap forward over NHL 13 as you'd hope, but regardless, NHL 14 is a winner once again.

I appreciate how the development team really understands the particulars of the real life game as it helps to deliver another great effort. With the advancements made to many aspects of the gameplay and aesthetics this year, both big and small, virtual hockey fans should rejoice as NHL 14 is yet another winner.

Delivers the most impressive hockey experience to date. [Nov 2013, p.75]

Even though NHL 14 isn't a huge step forward for the franchise it builds upon the steps that its predecessor has taken and delivers a satisfying ice hockey-experience, that is definitely enhanced by the new collision physics, which make NHL 14 a rather more visceral game.

Simplified controls. [Nov 2013, p.97]

I can’t say NHL ’14 is a perfect game, but its beauty is well-polished and fans of the sport can lean on EA’s version with a gleam of puppy love.

NHL 14 is, by far, the best hockey game on the market. At least on the actual ice.

The latest outing from Electronic Arts is as good as hockey games get. The action keeps getting better and deeper, but the game also manages to avoid becoming impenetrable and inaccessible. Developers have eschewed new feature overload this year and have instead concentrated on a few fun extras.

With four massive game modes to choose from that could all serve as standalone titles plus a strong core gameplay engine, NHL 14 is about as good as it gets.

EA continues to dominate the fields, whether they are made of grass or ice. The 2014 edition of NHL is one of the best that has come out and the addition of the NHL 94 arcade edition makes it even more valuable.

NHL 14 continues to improve since the series birth 20 years ago, allowing us to dress the part of real ice gladiators.

With a new physics engine, revamped career mode, and an excellent presentation, NHL 14 proves to be a must buy for hockey fans around the world.

There is plenty in NHL 14 that will satisfy each and every fan out there, and in the end that should be the ultimate goal.

Many long-standing complaints with the series have been addressed, though AI still needs work before it’ll stop embarrassing us on the ice. Between games, the new Live the Life additions give hardcore pro hockey players something to invest in, both online and off. Plus the NHL 94 Mode is a way better anniversary celebration than the weak loading-screen nostalgia of Madden NFL 25.

Ice hockey is a sport for Americans, and Canadians, but EA still delivers a great game with NHL, even for Europeans. The AI isn’t that good, as your teammates sometimes don’t understand what they should be doing. Still, NHL 14 is sensational and good as snack between all the other great games.

It’s been some time since I’ve enjoyed an NHL game as much as this one – regardless of your interest in hockey, you’ll find that NHL 14 is the best hockey simulator available and a blast to play.

It's all there, it's just not all that different than NHL 13.

If you missed out on NHL 13, NHL 14 comes recommended largely without caveat. If you did pick up 13, consider how badly you want to see improved hitting and an abundance of fighting before deciding if you need to drop another $60.

It's a confident entry in the series that makes tweaks in all the right places, but you feel that they're holding back--that they're saving their 1st rounders for a next-gen debut.

With its leaky goaltenders, heavy hitters, and eager fighters, NHL 14 may become the most popular hockey game of the generation for casual fans. However, the hardcore contingency looking for a deeper simulation experience may hang up their skates thanks to the arcade-leaning gameplay and dull game modes in desperate need of ­sharpening.

A lot of people complain that the big sports game series don't evolve enough over the years. But NHL 14 shows that they don't even have to do that. This entry in the series is riddled with bugs and the Hockey Ultimate Team mode has still not yet been figured out. Instead of a step forward it seems it chose to take two steps back.

It feels like the current gen is holding it back from greatness. [Issue#103, p.87]

Again, it's the best ice hockey simulation game under the sun. Comparing it to the last year's volume it brings just a few cosmetic changes that won't probably bring you home to it. However, if you missed it last year, then NHL 14 is the only option.

NHL 14 is a great game of hockey, and technically speaking its one of the best playing sports games on the market today. Sadly its foray into the new career mode, Live the Life, was extremely disappointing, and left me wanting more out of this year’s game. So if you’re looking for some great hockey this is a good choice, but there is still work to be done to improve the modes within it.

On the ice, NHL 14 is the best the series has ever been, and that alone will be enough for many returning fans. I love playing it and I'll keep playing it. Between the face-offs and outside of the rink, however, NHL 14 shows a laziness that is not befitting of a franchise that proudly touts its accolades on its sleeve.

If you've played any of the recent "seasons", no. 14 is just another small step towards making the game better. But if you're new to the game, you'll be head over heels for it. [Issue#234]