Back On The Ice
For some of us here in the UK, ice hockey and the NHL are mostly known through video games. I remember a time, back in 1994, playing NHL on the SNES with a group of friends late at night after we’d been out to the pubs until 4 in the morning. We learnt about terms like ‘icing’, ‘face-off’ and ‘power play’, even though it took us a while to work out exactly what they meant. It was, however, the perfect game to play together and was easy to pick up.
Over the years, our time with the NHL franchise became less and less, and now, decades on, it feels much more like a complicated yet immersive experience. But does the latest refresh in NHL 27 scratch that 30-year-old itch once again?
I’ve recently talked about the yearly sports game cycle, particularly while playing and reviewing NBA 2K27. There’s a big question surrounding whether we really need to play and buy a new instalment every year, especially when the changes can sometimes feel minor. The thing is, we continue to splash the cash, and I think one of the reasons is that whenever you buy a new NHL game, EA FC or NBA game, you can be confident that you’ll get a whole year’s worth of play. That’s potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay for your money. If you’re addicted to sports games, then for some, it’s well worth buying each and every version.
Hockey Ultimate Team and Be a Pro
When you first load up NHL 27, you’re put straight into Hockey Ultimate Team, which is a little disconcerting before you’ve even reached the main menus. This mode is probably one of the most successful in these games, just as it is in EA’s FC titles. There aren’t any major changes to the mode this year, aside from the new gameplay elements, stadiums and rosters. There is a new addition in the form of Playbooks, which bring team-related tactics that can be used across the different modes. Coaches also add boosts and combinations to your team’s stats.
Be a Pro is back following its major update last year with NHL 26. This time around, you still embark on a story journey with your created character, who can be taken through an entire NHL career. You play in your preferred position and earn stats based on your performances, while games also give you objectives to complete. There are press conferences to attend, where your responses can earn experience towards your team or your brand. This is still my favourite mode in the game, even if there haven’t been any major changes this year.
World of Chel and Connected Franchise
World of Chel returns with its arcade-style 1v1 and 3v3 casual and competitive modes. There’s a battle pass system and plenty of character customisation, and again, it feels much the same as last year. There’s also the new Connected Franchise, which allows you and your friends to set up your own leagues with your own rules, all online with other players. There’s also an offline franchise mode where you take control of a team over multiple seasons, managing everything from salaries to scouting new talent.
After playing a lot of games and trying to remember how it felt to play last year’s version, it becomes difficult to pinpoint all the differences. There are changes, but for a layman like me, it can be hard to tell exactly what they are at times. I did notice that it was easier to knock players off the puck with a shoulder charge or tackle, which led to more interesting and dynamic gameplay. As mentioned earlier, the addition of Playbooks also brings a new tactical dimension, and players react well to the instructions you give them. Overall, I feel NHL 27 plays better than last year’s edition, with more variation in shooting and in the way players react as a team.
Improved Stadiums and Presentation
Visually, there has been a major improvement, with the NHL stadiums getting their own designs, small details, chants and crowd celebrations. The action on the ice looks much the same, but the character animations seem sharper. The menus look good too, and it’s a nicely put-together package overall.
Sound-wise, there’s a great soundtrack featuring rock artists such as Kiss and Nickelback. There’s also a new commentary team featuring fan favourite Darren Pang, who provides plenty of energetic and entertaining dialogue that helps make each game feel more dynamic and realistic. The effects and crowd noises have always been good, and this new game is no different.
Still Worth Hitting The Ice For
For a Brit trying to talk in detail about ice hockey and the NHL, you could say I’m probably the least qualified person to do so. But I’ve played a lot of these games over the years, and I can understand some of the criticism from die-hard fans when it comes to the franchise. That said, NHL 27 offers hundreds of hours of hockey action, and will be perfect if you love the sport, with a whole host of different modes and a great new franchise option to enjoy with your online friends.
It’s not a dramatic change from last year, but NHL 27 is still entertaining and enjoyable. For those who spend countless hours on the ice, that might be all the reason they need to lace up once again.
Important Links
NHL 27 Takes To The Ice On Xbox And PlayStation – https://www.thexboxhub.com/nhl-27-takes-to-the-ice-on-xbox-and-playstation/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/nhl-27-standard-edition-xbox-series-x-s/9nrcv7jx9l7q
There’s a Deluxe Edition too – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/nhl-27-deluxe-edition-xbox-series-xs/9p53rsbh6h4z
