As the summer months progress, anticipation builds throughout the entire sports gaming community as new titles are announced ahead of their autumn release dates.
NHL 25 marks the 34th annual ice hockey game under the EA banner, and whilst each year comes with updated rosters, jerseys and small gameplay improvements, the general feel amongst most ice hockey gaming fans is that things are getting slightly stale and may have them looking at other XBOX games coming to PS5 to get their gaming fix this winter.
However, with improvements to the gameplay, are these reviews mere overreactions, and is there still excitement around the release of the new game in October?
NHL 24 saw EA focus on bringing in more realistic gaming mechanics, such as the Exhaust Engine and improved body-checking system. While game developers can receive negativity for almost re-releasing the same game with new rosters and shinier beads of sweat, last year’s title saw an attempt to improve players’ experiences.
Last year also saw the introduction of HUT Moments, a new game mode that allowed players to relive iconic moments from the current season as well as seasons gone by.
The new modes and unique match engines show a lot of promise. However “most of the returning game modes remain nearly untouched from the last couple of years,” wrote IGN, when reviewing the latest NHL game.
From various player reviews, the similarities in the menu design, lack of improvement to offline game modes and the long queue times to get into online games brings the enjoyment of the game down.
NHL 24’s Be a Pro is miles behind what many expect from a career mode. A lack of compelling story and no voice acting places it miles away from EA’s counterparts at 2K, and it’s even more frustrating for players given that EA have included such features in ‘The Journey,’ their career mode in the old FIFA titles, 17, 18 and 19.
Online game mode EASHL has its perks. Making your own player and then playing with your friends against other created sides is always entertaining.
However, a battle pass system to upgrade your gear, plus long wait times to get into games, can dissociate most from dedicating time into playing that game mode.
Although, not every game is perfect. And if EA can strike a balance between improving the gameplay as well as keeping game modes fresh, there’s no reason why gamers can’t look forward to NHL 25.
EA are currently in the good books amongst American sport gamers at the moment. Given the immense pressure on EA’s shoulders to deliver the first College Football game in 11 years, they’ve done well to release a game that many enjoy.
Many ice hockey fans will be hoping that their efforts haven’t solely been on American football this summer. With the NHL 25 trailer set to be released next month, here’s hoping that the latest game in the ice hockey franchise can be as well received.
