As a long-time gamer and hockey enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when it comes to NHL games each year. Year after year, I find myself playing the same game with a fresh coat of paint and a few new features here and there. It’s like watching a favorite TV show that’s been on the air for too long – you love the characters, but the plot is starting to feel stale.
For Shacknews, my initial NHL review was on NHL 18, titled “Constructing a playoff-bound team.” Since then, I’ve reviewed every NHL video game, making this my eighth consecutive year evaluating the franchise. Regrettably, the mood of these reviews has worsened over time, as the series is increasingly associated with minor updates that don’t significantly advance it from one version to another. Despite NHL 25 being an improvement over NHL 24, it still grapples with the same issues that have affected recent releases in the series.
What’s new?
As a gamer, one aspect I truly appreciate when diving into a fresh NHL game is the array of snapshots EA presents to highlight the updates. It doesn’t necessarily spark excitement within me; instead, it lays out a checklist of aspects I need to contemplate during my review process. Simplifying my workload like that is always welcome!
Although bulleted lists are not usually found in reviews, it suits this situation quite well. Here’s a concise and user-friendly rundown of the fresh features Electronic Arts (EA) is showcasing for this year:
- World of Chel live events
- Changes to Franchise mode
- Hockey Ultimate Team XP system and Wildcard mode
- Infinite camera system
- Next-gen characters
- Grudge Match
- Skill based one-timers
- ICE-Q
There’s a considerable amount to discuss, and I can’t cover everything since many aspects are like saying “I put the toilet seat down” – it’s an expected part of the job, not something to boast about as if it’s a significant achievement or innovation. Some of these points aren’t unique features but rather enhancements to existing systems that permeate the gameplay regardless of the mode you choose.
At least I’m happy
This year sees a major transformation in Franchise mode, introducing intricate contract negotiations, an enhanced hub with streamlined access and a detailed layout, game statistics, and dialogues that provide greater control over your team’s alignment. Franchise mode is where I devote 95% of my time in any NHL game, making this update tailored just for me. I’m the one who sets prices for vendors, assigns every scout, updates the draft board, and invests countless hours trying to improve my fourth line through complex trades. All these changes this year seem to bring me closer to the ultimate goal of complete franchise involvement, but there’s still room for improvement. Why do the restrooms keep catching fire?
Beyond this, another game mode that garnered notice was none other than Hockey Ultimate Team. Kudos if you managed to guess that one! You’ve earned a Shacknews no-prize since this was the most straightforward prediction imaginable. Of course, the mode that invites credit card usage attracted attention, as it usually does! Now, HUT has streamlined XP progression where you can earn experience points regardless of where you play, and the new Wildcard mode which enables you to select your team based on unique conditions like salary caps or overall ratings. If you’re a fan of HUT, this could be interesting for you. Needless to say, it doesn’t appeal to me personally.
In the initial launch, most of the highlighted updates have been integrated into the game’s overall design. The next-gen characters show improvement, though they’re not flawless. The improved camera system offers some fantastic replay angles, kudos to EA Vancouver for that. Skill-based one-timers are neat, but they might be more of a technicality than a selling point. It seems more like an update than a standout feature, but it’s a step forward. The ICE-Q system introduces new responsive animations and a vision control overhaul, which I’ve noticed. I appreciate the ability to align with the puck anytime, as it opens up strategic possibilities in both offensive and defensive zones. However, I haven’t seen significant improvements in the AI during offline games.
What’s missing?
Year after year, I find myself grappling with the task of evaluating the upcoming NHL game, as I often come off sounding frustrated. While I am indeed frustrated, it’s not due to a desire to dislike or be overly critical, but rather because I have deep affection for this franchise and want it to succeed. I can see its potential, yet I also recognize that the publisher, EA (not to be confused with EA Vancouver), seems to underestimate its value, rarely mentioning it during their quarterly earnings calls. I challenge you to listen to Andrew Wilson, EA’s CEO, discuss their sports games. You won’t hear him talk about NHL, but rather Madden, College Football, and FIFA. These are larger franchises with significant user bases, but it’s crucial that NHL players understand that the trends they’ve observed for years aren’t likely to change. This is our reality.
Essentially, this update is not a full game but rather an addition or enhancement to an existing one, which accounts for about 75% of what a new game should have. This is much like what we often see each year. The price you’re paying might seem excessive for the changes you’re getting, and that’s the unfortunate truth. So, EA Vancouver is emphasizing skill-based one-timers in their marketing because there aren’t enough significant improvements to highlight otherwise. It’s similar to boasting about tasks like restocking soap or cleaning your keyboard when asked about daily accomplishments at work.
If you’re considering going deeper into the game, I must clarify that there aren’t any significant updates for the ‘Be a Pro’ mode this year. It’s the familiar mode requiring numerous hours of gameplay just to start seeing useful attributes. You guessed it – the same dialogues, glitches, and unfortunately, no carry-over from your progress in previous years. And if you thought you could spend a year in the CHL to get ready for the NHL, I’m sorry to disappoint, but you’ll be starting in the league at an overall rating of 73. It might not be a pleasant experience during the first 40 games, and yes, you’ll need to pay again this year for the same repetitive, problematic content.
It’s likely that the Be a Pro feature will be updated in NHL 26, given the development process of this game. The developers can’t invest enough each year to complete all necessary updates, so they work on a cycle where Franchise gets updated one year, Be a Pro the next, and so forth. Our next major Franchise mode update is projected for 2029. I’d say my guess isn’t far off the mark – it’s quite frightening to consider!
I can’t believe I’m saying this
The NHL team could significantly benefit from a live service model. For a monthly fee of around $7 USD, players can receive several significant updates annually, along with updated rosters, events, and new features like skill-based one-timers added at unexpected times, such as in November during routine updates to highlight their true value. Major improvements, like next-gen characters, would be incorporated into one of the larger annual updates. Does this idea make sense?
In an era where multiplayer games are frequently faltering, sports titles appear to be more rational choices. Frankly, I doubt we’ll ever reach a stage where any sports game justifies the $100-plus annual cost tag due to the fact that complete games can’t be developed within a year. Therefore, it’s time for a change in the system. Instead of demanding exorbitant yearly payments, consider relying on a consistent subscription model like EA prefers. However, avoid exploiting consumers who don’t have viable alternatives in ice hockey simulations. The question is, why wouldn’t this work? Well, consumers continue to pay EA, so why would they change their methods?
This review has certainly gone off the rails but, in my defense, it’s my eighth one and I’m shocked every year that I find a new way to say the same thing. Yes, everything that EA Vancouver added is cool or nice or awesome but, no, it’s not enough. I know it’s not the developer’s fault, and I genuinely feel bad for them. They seem like hockey nuts, like the rest of us, but it’s not my job to pat anyone on the back for delivering patch-sized video games at full price just because their boss sucks. It’s actually my job to call that out, but hopefully one of these years I get to gush over a fully updated, feature rich game that doesn’t pick one mode to care about each season.
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2024-10-04 23:57