X
- E10+
- Electronic Arts
- E10+
- Electronic Arts
- E10+
- Electronic Arts
- E10+
- Electronic Arts
NHL 21
Released On: Oct 13, 2020
72
2.4
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
72
56% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
38% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 32 Critic Reviews
72
56% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
38% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Thanks to an insane number of hours spent playing previous NHL games over the last several months, I do know what a good hockey game looks like, and NHL 21 definitely fits the bill. The on-ice product is as fast-paced and free-flowing as the real thing, and there are enough options here to keep you occupied for months on end — which, given the circumstances, is exactly what you may need right now.
NHL 21 is a brilliant hockey game combining excellent controls, an engaging Be A Pro story mode and the quickfire HUT Rush arcade mode - as well as the opportunity to engage in the odd scrap to let off steam. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to Ice Hockey, NHL 21 will most certainly tick all the boxes.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 165 User Ratings
2.4
14% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
8% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
78% Negative
128 Ratings
128 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 165 User Ratings
2.4
14% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
8% Mixed
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
78% Negative
128 Ratings
128 Ratings
This is the same game as last year with Playstation 3 graphics. It's getting embarrassing and ridiculous EA. Fix and change the game.
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PlayStation 4
The game is an improvement. Unlike Madden Chel is listening to their fans. I love the trade deadline mini game. Be a pro has a much needed overhaul.
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PlayStation 4
NHL 21 has taken the best of what has been offered this generation in the series and sprinkled goodness on top. Be A Pro is a much-needed change and is the first innovative offline mode since implementing the expansion draft. It’s deep enough and feels fresh and could rejuvenate buzz into the series. HUT remains HUT with just more ways to grind for cards. Franchise Mode’s new coaching options are a good update for the league, but it’s only a surface change. The NHL series can no doubt benefit the most from a next-gen overhaul, but there’s enough here for yearly NHL players or those that have skipped a few years. Also, it’s worth mentioning EA is adding NHL 94 for those that pre-ordered later this month.
For now, NHL 21 gets the job done, especially if you want to play a fancier, flashier game. I still had plenty of fun, and when you consider that it’s the only way to experience the NHL until the real league gets back on the ice in January, it’s not a bad way to get your hockey fix.
As the final entry on the current console generation, NHL 21 underwhelms. It plays a decent game of hockey, but with very few changes on the ice, and the new Be a Pro leaving something to be desired, it doesn't offer much to be excited about for returning fans.
The NHL series hasn’t drastically changed the formula for fifteen years, so why would I expect NHL 21 to be any different? I certainly appreciate that Be a Pro has been fleshed out, but I’d trade it in a heartbeat for a game that looked and felt like an NHL broadcast. I stand by that it plays as well as it ever has. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a proper representation of the sport. And most of the changes that have been implemented haven’t translated in the way I hoped they would. The defense is still sporadic, your teammate AI is still clueless, and goalies still get beat by the same exploit goals. If EA Vancouver ever hopes to stand alongside the giants of the genre - NBA 2K and MLB The Show - they’ll need to rethink what simulation hockey really means.
While NHL 21 brings with it some exciting minor features, the game has not made any significant quality of life improvements with these new changes. In NHL 21, there is no soul, and the franchise needs to stop putting out features and create a new NHL game where changing the on-ice product is what sells the product. Dreams of making solid passes that are accurate, no more 55 minute games on the penalty kill, and no more glitch goals remain dreams - but that shouldn't be the case any long, and hopefully NHL 22 is a top-down restructuring of a series that sorely needs it.
Love the controls and HUT Rush is a blast. Don’t do Career but heard some good things.
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PlayStation 4
In my opinion there were nothing but downgrades this year in gameplay compared to 20. Be a pro is cool but its broken.
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PlayStation 4
First game i played in the series. Enjoyed playing against my dad that has been playing NHL for a long time, he thought it was pretty good. The score i give it is mostly because i had alot of fun playing with my dad. For my part playing alone i had fun and got realy hyped up everytime i hit a good goal.
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PlayStation 4
The game comes with the worst gameplay sliders ever. You have to play with these when playing against people. So the online is a 0/10
Franchise mode is solid once you adjust all the gameplay sliders. Franchise mode is all I play and give it a solid 8/10. Check youtube for gameplay slider videos
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PlayStation 4
I always play the NHL games for whatever stupid reason I can't even figure out. I just love hockey too much and EA is holding the entire fambase hostage by not allowing anyone else make a different game like 2k. I cannot tell you how many times the AI will get away with interference or tripping while I just played a game where I got no PPs and the opposing team was given 15. **** FIFTEEN. It doesn't matter how good your goalie is, if you're winning they will let in 6 out of 15 shots while you score 4 on 40+ I want franchise mode to be good again and this just isn't it. Stop supporting HUT, all it does is tell EA to only focus on that and **** over the literal entire rest of the game. Its still a game that you can turn your brain off and play though so I'll give it that. **** EA
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PlayStation 4
Summary Gameplay in NHL 21 has gotten smarter, faster and a whole lot flashier. With innovative moves and massive improvements on both sides of the puck, players have more options than ever before to take control of the game and impose their playstyle on opponents. Recognize Revolutionary with Gameplay in NHL 21. A brand new Be A Pro experience ...
Rated E +10
for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X
Initial Release Date: Oct 13, 2020
Developer:
- Electronic Arts
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genres:
