Initial release date: September 27, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S
License: proprietary license
Genres: Sports video game, Simulation Game
Developer: EA Vancouver
Publishers: Electronic Arts, EA Sports
Series: NHL
It’s athletic season in the video game world, which means the typical run of EA releases as the firm upgrades its long-running titles for the next calendar year. EA has already delivered ostensibly “new” titles that feel more like downloaded upgrades than full-priced new games, particularly in the NHL.
NHL 25 deviates just enough from the norm to make it worthwhile if you enjoyed last year’s version and are a fan of the sport, which has been popular on home consoles since the 16-bit era. The main reasons for this are the gameplay mechanics themselves, as well as the overall graphics and presentation, which seem like this is the first NHL product that has been really created and grounded in this generation of super-powered technologies.
The weirdly dubbed Sapien technology is used to give the skate badasses the most realistic-looking character models ever seen in a video game. There is a new replay system that uses what EA calls the Infinity Camera system, which results in some of the most precise, sports broadcasting-style cuts I have ever seen. The character animations are lively and amazing, with players reacting to the impact of knocks and tackles, as well as bending and adapting their bodies while slaloming through the opponents. Some of these enhancements have been termed “Reactive Actions,” which is appropriate given that it feels more realistic and true-to-life than any previous installment in the series.
Another new addition to NHL 25 is ICE-Q, which Pulling the left trigger effectively positions the man you’re guiding toward the puck, which is useful in both defense and offense. As you might expect, this makes it much easier to mark opponents and launch quick counterattacks if you play your cards correctly. Hell, there are more flashy-sounding bells and whistles than you can handle. And I haven’t even discussed the Strand Hair Technology, which clearly shows sweat and hair.
EA has quite amusingly titled. This system promises more precise control and a more natural experience thanks to improved hitboxes and skate dynamics. Another recently added feature is Empowered AI, which implies that teammates’ and opponents’ behavior and general AI are smarter and more realistic than ever before. Another appealing new feature is the Next-Gen Vision system.
Some of the positive aspects from last year, such as ongoing player weariness and the Sustained Pressure system, remain. Essentially the hockey equivalent of a Pep Guardiola team passing someone to death, exerting offensive pressure close to the opposing goal can encourage attacking players to improve their performance and the opponents to crumble.
Unfortunately, the raft of mainly fantastic gameplay adjustments does not extend to the diversity of modes in NHL 25. First and first, consider the positives. I admit to not playing Hockey Ultimate Team much in the past, but there is a new Wildcard option that allows players to level up their roster offline by gaining XP, which can’t be a bad thing in my opinion. As always, you may pay cash for this, and as always, the prices of some of the packs and microtransactions available make me sad.
Aside from Wildcard, HUT appears to be largely unchanged from last year. There is an event hub called World of Chel, which is routinely updated with rotating content during the season. This seems like a lot of fun, and the live updates will be worth keeping an eye on. I’m especially excited to see what they accomplish with the upcoming NHL 94 event, which promises a great old-school tribute complete with suitably pixelated visuals and the warm vibe of a well-loved entry in the franchise.
And then comes the bad. Apart from some nice-looking graphic presentation modifications and – I admit – slightly more intuitive hubs, the Franchise and Be A Pro modes don’t appear to have enough new features to warrant a purchase only for this sort of gameplay.
However, the strength of this game, in my opinion, is on the ice, where players can experience a much-improved version of the sport. In fact, because to the truly novel technology and amazingly realistic visuals, I’ve had more fun with the basic gameplay than I have in years. Playing versus a friend remains the peak of the NHL experience, and it’s still really rewarding to throw a crushing hit or flick a cheeky wrist shot past the goaltender. Just keep in mind that if you’re looking for a huge makeover of the other single-player modes, NHL 25 doesn’t provide much more than its predecessor.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 83%
Controls: 85%
Aesthetics: 81%
Content: 79%
Accessibility: 80%
Value: 82%
Overall: 82%
VERY GOOD
Summary: “EA Sports NHL 25” continues to deliver a genuine hockey experience, with minor tweaks that long-time franchise fans will appreciate. The gameplay has been updated with improved AI and physics, making matches feel more realistic, although the game mostly follows the tried-and-true format of prior iterations. While there are new features and modes, they may not be enough to significantly alter the experience for those who have already played the series. Overall, it’s a strong entry that delivers on its fundamental promise, but some players may expect more innovation.