Okay, so we know that this year’s NHL season is already come and gone thanks to COVID. However, there’s still excitement in the air for NHL 21, especially considering how well last year’s hockey game went.
And we’re happy to report that this year’s game continues to keep up that vibrant energy. Some new additions, along with the same great gameplay we’ve come to expect from EA, should keep fans beaming until the season (maybe) returns to normal next year.
Bring On the New Mode
This year with EA’s most recent instalment of their much- anticipated NHL series, we have been introduced to the brand-new mode Hut Rush. This mode is encompassed with the beloved Hockey Ultimate team series.
In this game mode you will have the opportunity to not only use mascots from your favorite NHL teams but also old times legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
The brand-new hut mode will pit you versus another online player using your very own dream teams in a 5v5 action packed 5-minute game with a point system that greatly incentives flashy goals and monster hits. This is a great addition to the game that provides a rather fresh feeling t something that has not really been changed much in the past few years.
Bring on the dirty “dangles”
With this year’s NHL game, EA has introduced a variety of new dekes to add to your repertoire with the most notable being:
The Michigan – a rather lacrosse style goal which involves the player wrapping around the net and hoisting the puck onto their stick and sneaking the puck over the goalie’s shoulder resulting in a humiliating goal for the opponent.
The Kucherov/no deke – This deke is another challenging yet impressive once pulled off move where your player fakes to one side then the next without touching the puck leaving it to slide right through the goalies legs if done successfully.
The Crosby – Finally this deke will not exactly result in a goal but can be quite shifty when attempting to get around a defender, whilst skating behind the net your player can stop on a dime and do a complete 180 in order to ultimately stun your defender in Crosby-esque style.
The graphics should likely be the least of your concerns. With updated player scans and more attention to detail regarding the fans and appearance of the arena you will be rather impressed by the look of this year’s game opposed to last years in stunning 4K.
Here’s what’s adjusted
Eashl – Big tuner updates for the AI enabling them to be more comprehensive of real users behavior the AI is constantly adapting.
They are also noticeably better creating larger skill gap in an over saturated game mode that was much harder for new players to get into during previous years. The brand-new ability to precisely to a tee decides how your pro moves from how long your player skates’ mid stride to how agile they are while turning this provides a never seen control of your player.
Ah, but there’s a catch. This year EA still greatly incentives microtransactions in their most popular game mode hockey ultimate team, in order to have as good of a team as your competition and not play 7 days a week you will be looking at spending upwards of $200. This will be vital as with a $33 pack you will not even be guaranteed a top tier player.
Slap the Puck
Microtransactions aside, NHL 21 continues a fine tradition for the sport of hockey, especially when it comes to the fine-tuned feeling of the game and the overall changes.
Fans will feel right at home here. But the real question is – next-gen when? I mean, we’re overdue here, riiiiight?
