Electronic Arts’ NHL video game series has held its position as the leading selection for individuals seeking a hockey simulation over the last several decades. The series originated in the early 1990s and has consistently grown in appeal, especially with the advancement of modern gaming consoles.
Since its initial release over three decades prior, the NHL video game collection has evolved to become progressively captivating and lifelike. It has undergone a significant transformation from its beginnings on Sega Genesis, now offering gameplay on Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The enhanced edition of NHL 26 showcases Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk, and former St. Louis Blues player Keith Tkachuk on the cover. The standard edition features Matthew Tkachuk on the cover.
The most notable enhancement to NHL 26 involves the utilization of ICE-Q 2.0, which is enhanced through NHL EDGE statistics. It represents an innovative gameplay intelligence mechanism designed to “improve in-game player actions and responses.” Moreover, it aims to deliver a “more true-to-life hockey atmosphere” for the user.
Alongside the incorporation of ICE-Q 2.0, numerous additional alterations complement the familiar gameplay that hockey enthusiasts have appreciated recently. A thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages in the latest iteration, experienced on Xbox Series X, of the timeless hockey simulation collection will follow.
What I liked
Refined goaltending behaviors: The current version of the NHL series presents a refinement of the goaltending dynamics, which has needed an improvement.
Regulating the area surrounding the goal is a novel feature included within the video game series in its latest iteration. Regulating the area surrounding the goal presents protect wall technology, enabling goalkeepers to intercept shots utilizing virtually every approach imaginable. Furthermore, goalkeepers are inclined to utilize poke checks with greater frequency and even defend the goalposts with heightened effectiveness compared to prior editions.
“They constitute the primary element within our simulation, tasked with preventing the puck from entering the net. This iteration introduces heightened intellect, increased awareness, and improved responsiveness,” stated Mike Englehart, the creative director for NHL 26, in a recent demonstration event.
In an effort to improve the goaltending component of NHL 26, the developers have integrated 81 distinct new animations for goaltenders which facilitate instantaneous reflexes. Additional animations are noticeable in the context of intercepting redirected shots.
Goalkeepers exhibit enhanced reactions to unfolding scenarios on the playing surface. For instance, a goalkeeper may show increased despondency or anger in the event of conceding a poor goal.
To put it simply, the goaltending facet within NHL 26 delivers a markedly heightened sense of authenticity relative to certain more recent releases of the simulation. Possessing responsiveness constitutes a pivotal characteristic a goalkeeper can possess on the playing surface, therefore witnessing its introduction within NHL 26 proved to be revitalizing.
“Be a Pro” mode: In the current state of virtual sports simulations, profession-based game modes attain substantial popularity, as manifested within titles like NBA 2K, MLB The Show, and NCAA Football. With respect to NHL 26, this inclination persists.
The “Be a Pro” mode empowers users to create unique players and progress through the entirety of the selection procedure and subsequent career phases. Upon the establishment of the player profile, the user initiates the experience by designating a WHL, OHL, or QMJHL team to represent. The era necessitating initial experiences involving recreational hockey prior to the commencement of “Be a Pro” mode no longer exists.
Subsequent to the selection of a team, which in my case was the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, participation commences during the semifinal stage of the IIHF U20 world junior tournament. Upon fulfillment of the tournament obligations, interviews are conducted leading up to the NHL Draft. Responses furnished during these exchanges exert influence over the eventual selection placement of the created player during the draft.
Subsequent to being drafted, engagement is undertaken in preseason activities, wherein particular milestones must be achieved to augment the likelihood of placement on the NHL roster. Should expectations remain unfulfilled, the potential exists for the initiation of the player’s trajectory within the American Hockey League.
Across the initial stages of “Be a Pro” mode, players engage in authentic dialogues with coaching personnel, general managers, and even incumbent NHL participants. This constitutes an opportunity to procure input pertaining to the anticipated performance standards of the player during the preseason engagements and beyond.
To summarize, “Be a Pro” mode remains unparalleled when considering the offerings of any sports simulation, and this status continues with NHL 26.
What I didn’t like
Inconsistencies in Performance Score: The most recent iteration of the NHL series presents improvements. However, one of the most unsatisfactory aspects of NHL 26 pertains to the evaluation of the created player’s execution.
The Performance Score constitutes a measure which can influence a player’s period of play, standing amongst team personnel, and the coaching staff’s confidence in the player. A suboptimal Performance Score during a given match may correlate to restricted time on the ice or even demotion to a secondary line assignment.
Analogously to real-world hockey dynamics, the attainment of flawless performance for a player during a match, irrespective of position, remains improbable. Scenarios encompassing inadequate shots or delayed defensive responses are expected. Such occurrences elicit irritation from coaching personnel, thereby emphasizing the significance of the Performance Score metric within a hockey simulation.
Within NHL 26, the assessment of specific shots introduces concerns in numerous instances. For instance, the created player, a larger winger capable of offensive drives, secured possession with an unobstructed shot within the slot but was nonetheless penalized for an “imprecisely aimed shot,” despite the puck nearly surpassing the goalkeeper’s reach.
Discrepancies also manifest from a defensive perspective. Though forwards are not the principal defensive bulwark, they retain responsibilities during backchecking maneuvers. The created player found proximity to the net within the offensive area when a teammate relinquished possession. Subsequently, the opposing team initiated a counterattack, and the player was penalized for neglecting defensive involvement in the scenario, notwithstanding the prompt commencement of defensive skating.
Undoubtedly, circumstances may emerge in which a player receives penalties for inconsistent engagements on the playing surface. However, these instances occurred frequently throughout the duration of play.
