NHL 27

Out of nowhere, EA has produced the best version of NHL to date. A completely reworked physics system, excellent AI adjustments, and presentation authenticity combine to blow away NHL 26.

NHL 27 marks a step forward compared to its predecessor, striking an effective balance between the old and the new. With polished visuals in its peripheral elements and improved AI, it delivers entertaining matches—despite the occasional hiccup—and offers a solid overall experience. The game modes present an interesting scenario, with the addition of "Connected Franchise" standing out amidst a lineup of options that otherwise remains rooted in tradition.

NHL 27’s on-ice action may have become smarter, but the overall product has barely changed at all.

NHL games will always keep me coming back, but if EA Sports want to grow the series, they need to lower the barrier to entry and remove things that frustrate most players. A new player will try out these new modes, become frustrated like I did, and could easily be turned off from the game. I hope that NHL 27 is the start of a new beginning for the franchise, and 5 years from now, as more franchises do, it’ll be singing its praises.

It’s evident NHL 27 is a leap year for the franchise as it doesn’t innovate on the modes and immersion already present. Instead, it soft-launches patches that barely pass as a winter update. At its core, it’s a sequel that vicariously lives through fundamentals that have never felt better, despite the inaccurate face scans, generic creation systems, and how skaters of all ratings still prefer to receive passes on their backhand. It needs new ideas and a full day’s worth of polish just to offer something other than vibes when Hall & Oates cue up after a game-winning snipe.

This caps a full decade of me reviewing the NHL games, and while I believe the gameplay is better in NHL 27 than NHL 26, my position hasn’t changed. Harsh as it may sound, this is an update, not a new game. As long as the price tag remains on par with a new release like The Blood of Dawnwalker and the improvements and features come in light, I'm calling it out. NHL 27 should have come with Connected GM, an overhaul to the scouting in Franchise Mode, better progression for different play styles in Be a Pro, and for the sake of all that is holy how do we not get year-round roster updates (the last one for NHL 26 was after the trade deadline, but not after free agency)? As long as the people who have supported this franchise for years continue to be treated like uneducated hockey fans, I’m going to keep dropping the elbow from the top rope.

A mostly well-executed presentation overhaul will appeal to certain players, but for everyone else, NHL 27 has very little to offer. And no, Connected Franchise without the franchise and half-baked playbooks just aren't it.

yes, the game is VERY similar as the last installment... but i'm having fun. YES the connected franchise is lackluster missing a lot of features, YES they've made the start of WoC kinda pay to win.. but the biggest thing for me is that the gameplay feels better, it's similar as 26 but improved

This game is lacking passion. Hockey is all about teamwork, discipline, and accountability. EA captures none of that. This game is an individualistic pile of garbage. Skate as fast as you can and try the same things over and over. Trash. Stop giving this company money

Its a bit of a mess tbh. The AI is borderline ****. I've seen numerous opposing teams scoring some wild own goals, as if they were actually trying to do it on purpose. I've also seen the same players score ludicrous goals that had zero chance of going in. After restarting career mode, it decided to change the input for skating to the bench for no reason. It occassional sets my R2 trigger to full resistance from time to time, too. I have no idea what they've done to this game. But it needs a complete overhaul or simply retired.

Game play feels very close to last year, which felt close to the previous year. Glitches, freezing, stretched face glitches, etc. Terrible and repetitive AI commentary. Connected franchise is super limited and not at all what I was expecting. Goalies can still be exploited on the same ways we’ve been doing it for years. EASHL is basically pay to win now with the micro transactions. You can pay to unlock the stats and boosters that you would normally grind for. You can’t play very many modes with your friends, which seems ridiculous in today’s world. It’s a super expensive roster update. The gameplay is slightly better (like 5%), but nothing here warrants even paying $20 for it. Wait until it’s on game pass or at least until it’s half off or more. Or if you have NHL 26 or an earlier release you like, just stay there. Some how this game looks worse than it has in years. Do not recommend.

Essentially a reskinned NHL 26 with the same problems and more. The AI bots are worse than never like when you and your friend play as forwards and the bot Dman always becomes a winger losing his position. Or how about the goalie throwing the puck out for a penalty despite teammates being open for the pass. The ice tilt in the game happens almost every single game. The game is pretty much pay to win. Everyone is so slow. Game looks identical to previous year with all equipment being the same. Commentary is repetitive after 2 games. Goalie can barely mark the post or even catch pucks half the time. Game menus still take forever to navigate. been so slow for years now. Unsure what they even do anymore with this game as presentation updates are just not enough for a new game. Only playing it as it is the only hockey game to play. Don't know how EA can mess up the same hockey game and make it worse every year. NHL 27 should be a $20 update patch at best. Definitely not worth the current price tag