NHL 14

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 99
  3. Negative: 28 out of 99
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  1. X3R1
    Nov 24, 2013
    5
    The hitting is fun. You can also hit people quite well. Oh, also: The hitting engine looks really sweet.
    Yeah, that's about it. It gets a 5/10 just for that though, not kidding about the hitting.
  2. Mattyice
    Sep 23, 2013
    5
    I don't know why EA is not releasing a next-gen Hockey game. This one impressed me a bit when I rented it, but if you are going next-gen, this game is not worth your money. The gameplay is fine like usual, the new physics engine is cool, and the graphics are still good, even if many stadiums have gone un-updated since NHL 10. It's nothing special. It's certainly better than NHL 13, but ifI don't know why EA is not releasing a next-gen Hockey game. This one impressed me a bit when I rented it, but if you are going next-gen, this game is not worth your money. The gameplay is fine like usual, the new physics engine is cool, and the graphics are still good, even if many stadiums have gone un-updated since NHL 10. It's nothing special. It's certainly better than NHL 13, but if you are going to go next-gen, I would not suggest buying this game, unless you are a die hard NHL fan and need to play a fully updated hockey game.… Expand
  3. Krispy
    Sep 11, 2013
    6
    Played the demo of this game. The reason this game is rated so high is because it is built upon the previous NHL versions, which are better than this. The gameplay is slow, faceoffs are now much harder to win, and the new fighting mechanic can ruin the game experience. Lay a hit on a player? Looks like you are forced into a fight, meaning that player is now out 5 minutes for fighting. LongPlayed the demo of this game. The reason this game is rated so high is because it is built upon the previous NHL versions, which are better than this. The gameplay is slow, faceoffs are now much harder to win, and the new fighting mechanic can ruin the game experience. Lay a hit on a player? Looks like you are forced into a fight, meaning that player is now out 5 minutes for fighting. Long story short- Get the older NHL games if you want the best experience.… Expand
  4. igotproblems
    Nov 11, 2013
    7
    nhl 2014.... or should I say fight night on ice, either way its a fast and hard hitting annual installment.(almost too fast and too hard hitting on high impact) You'll enjoy this game the most sitting on the couch next to a buddy, intensity ramps up if you play for the cup or tournament. The soundtrack is less then special, the only aspect not as good or better the nhl13.. New skating,nhl 2014.... or should I say fight night on ice, either way its a fast and hard hitting annual installment.(almost too fast and too hard hitting on high impact) You'll enjoy this game the most sitting on the couch next to a buddy, intensity ramps up if you play for the cup or tournament. The soundtrack is less then special, the only aspect not as good or better the nhl13.. New skating, dekeing, and hitting mechanics improve an all ready solid game, a added bonus is that I find it puts my girlfriend to sleep almost immediately, by far the best feature I found...NHL14 year isnt a giant leap forward but it keeps moving in right direction..… Expand
  5. HanselTW
    Dec 8, 2013
    7
    This game is the best NHL game there is, but at the same time it feels bit of lazy effort. New hitting and fighting engines are by far the best improvements in this iteration, however, there seem to be lot of content in the game that seems quite pointless and shallow, such as the Live the Life mode. I have never understood the point of Hockey Ultimate Team mode as anything else than anThis game is the best NHL game there is, but at the same time it feels bit of lazy effort. New hitting and fighting engines are by far the best improvements in this iteration, however, there seem to be lot of content in the game that seems quite pointless and shallow, such as the Live the Life mode. I have never understood the point of Hockey Ultimate Team mode as anything else than an attempt to grab more money from people who have purchased the game. There also silly graphical mistakes that are still in the game from the previous iterations, seeing your players switching places at the bench in fast robotic fashion kills the immersion of reality quickly. Also, why does Teemu Selanne carry that silly helmet (which he does not use in RL) from one NHL game to another? The way how the developers have assigned attributes to new players seems completely wrong as well, as this is true for every NHL game release so far. Being a rookie in the NHL does not mean that you are automatically a worse player than every NHL veteran. I'm keen to see the next-gen iterations of this great franchise, I just hope that some common sense would be applied to microtransactions and the game modes that seem to revolve around grabbing more money from people who paid the full price for a video game.… Expand
  6. Mnwild
    Dec 21, 2013
    6
    I like the game but the star protection mode is the worst par to the game. You can't hit anyone cause someone is going to end up fighting you. Change that and it would be a good game
  7. etb444
    Dec 27, 2013
    5
    Honestly, I am a huge NHL fan. From what I have played and seen, it is really just NHL 13 but with a roster update, better hitting, and third-person fighting. The NHL 94 anniversary mode is disappointing just like the real game. If you are looking to get it, don't, just stick with NHL 13 and wait another year or two.
  8. ByrdeMan
    Feb 6, 2014
    5
    I wouldn't go as far as saying its the worse game in the world but for some reason I expected much more from EA this year than the following years.
    The enforcer engine is pretty cool at the start. But it does get annoying after a while especially when your playing HUT and your best player lays a hit and gets into a fight over it. It gets annoying there should be an option where you can    I wouldn't go as far as saying its the worse game in the world but for some reason I expected much more from EA this year than the following years.
    The enforcer engine is pretty cool at the start. But it does get annoying after a while especially when your playing HUT and your best player lays a hit and gets into a fight over it. It gets annoying there should be an option where you can opt out of a fight but instead you get jumped.
    HUT and Be A GM has been by far my favorite, its what keeps me playing the NHL games.
    Live the Life, played 40ish games, and I got bored. Not really much to do. Every now and then you get interviews which get boring to do since there are only like 20 different questions you get asked.
    EASHL is the same as NHL 13. Can't really complain or praise.
    NHL 94, good addition gives that arcadey feel to the game.
    The game speed is also a bit slow for my liking but that can be adjusted with sliders.
    All in All this game gets a solid 5.    … Expand
  9. lukechristiansc
    Mar 5, 2014
    5
    im gonna miss nhl 13 but this has a whole new level of fun but the fighting is 99% good . i love this game it rocks . but i love nhl 13 fighting better but better graphics.
  10. mCelsus
    Apr 3, 2014
    6
    I am someone who routinely rips on the EASports franchises as I feel they are some of the most pathetically developed games out there. I must admit however that NHL14 at it's core is a pretty solid game.

    The gameplay mechanics are simply well done and a testament to the 7 years this game has been developed for. They are accurate without being overly tedious. Collision detection - while    I am someone who routinely rips on the EASports franchises as I feel they are some of the most pathetically developed games out there. I must admit however that NHL14 at it's core is a pretty solid game.

    The gameplay mechanics are simply well done and a testament to the 7 years this game has been developed for. They are accurate without being overly tedious. Collision detection - while not perfect - is vastly improved to previous iterations. The hitting engine is lots of fun; perhaps not truly realistic but certainly enjoyable game after game.

    There are some issues of course. Games still disconnect a lot at the start (before puck drop). The lobby systems, while vastly improved, still leave something to be desired. Quitters still routinely ruin good games as the AI is typically either too good or too bad, rarely balanced.

    It is a solid game overall and I'd give it something like 7.5/10 if it wasn't released 6 times already in an incomplete form (NHL08-13).

    Definitely a must play for all you goons out there. Likely somewhat less enjoyable for non-goons but still a solid hockey game.    … Expand
  11. Hi_Im_Game
    Apr 20, 2014
    7
    I have been playing EA NHL games since 08. I mainly only play online team play (with some HUT). My review is based on that.

    This game bugs the hell out of me starting with the AI defenders. They make bad passes, don't step up on defense while in our zone, don't make ANY smart decisions while in the offense zone and make you scratch your head (or punch your TV) 90% of the time. Example,    I have been playing EA NHL games since 08. I mainly only play online team play (with some HUT). My review is based on that.

    This game bugs the hell out of me starting with the AI defenders. They make bad passes, don't step up on defense while in our zone, don't make ANY smart decisions while in the offense zone and make you scratch your head (or punch your TV) 90% of the time. Example, 10 feet away from the computer skating into the offense zone with no one around me, I need to call for the puck because the computer won't pass and then they make a horrible pass and turn it over while there is nobody on them. Really? That's the kind of crap that turns off people from a video game.

    People have learned that you can just skate through people like they aren't there and then use the skate right, shoot left glitch goal (or vice versa) on the computer goalie. That is pretty much the only way people score now especially if you play twos.

    If you play with 6 (or 5 and one computer goalie) this game really shines in OTP. Even just having one user defender makes this game MUCH better.

    Alas, this game is like a drug. You will get pissed off but you will come back for more because it shines at times. Even with all it's inconsistencies, it is the best sports team game money can buy. If they can fix some of the main issues in the next game, the next game could potentially be one of the best of the series (especially if they make a next-gen version). Skating, shooting, and passing are phenomenal. Still rough around the edges but there is always next year.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2013
45
#45 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2013
62
#62 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Level7.nu
    Dec 12, 2013
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  2. GameOver.gr
    Nov 1, 2013
    85
    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.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 24, 2013
    60
    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]
See all critic reviews »