Is NHL 21 Worth It?

NHL 21 is the latest release in the popular hockey video game franchise. But is it worth your hard-earned money? We break down the pros and cons to help you decide.

NHL 21 Review

NHL 21 is the newest release in the NHL series from EA Sports. It is available for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC. The game features new animations and improved game play. The game also has a new mode called “HUT Rush” which is a fast-paced, arcade-style game mode. So, is NHL 21 worth it?

Gameplay

NHL 21 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports. It is the 30th installment in the NHL series and was released worldwide on October 13, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The game includes several new features, such as the inclusion of the World of CHEL hockey franchise mode, which allows players to create their own custom character and play through a career in various hockey leagues. Additionally, NHL 21 introduces a new skating engine that simulates different outcomes based on a player’s weight, momentum and surface type.

Critics generally praised NHL 21 for its gameplay improvements and additions, but criticized its lack of innovation.

Graphics

NHL 21 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Vancouver and published by Electronic Arts. It is the 30th installment in the NHL series and features Boston Bruins forward David Pastrňák on the cover.

The game was released on October 13, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

NHL 21 introduces several new features, including an updated Be A Pro career mode, new animations and party mode. The game also features several returning modes from previous installments, such as Ultimate Team and Hockey Ultimate Team.

NHL 21 received generally positive reviews from critics upon release. However, the game was criticized for its microtransactions and lack of innovation.

Modes

NHL 21 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Vancouver and published by Electronic Arts. It was released on October 13, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One consoles. As with the previous games in the series, NHL 21 is developed under license from the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA).

The game features several game modes, including Be a Pro (simulating the real-life NHL season), Be a GM (managing an NHL team), EASHL (playing with friends online in cooperative mode), and Ones Eliminator (a new mode where up to 81 players compete in a 4v4 tournament).

NHL 21 Pros

NHL 21 is the most recent release in the NHL video game franchise by EA Sports. The game was released on October 13, 2020, for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. The game introduces a new feature called “Be A Pro”, which allows the player to create their own player and play through their career. NHL 21 also includes a new “Hut Rush” game mode and an updated “World of CHEL” mode.

Improved gameplay

NHL 21 is an improvement over previous versions in a number of ways. Players will find that the overall gameplay is more fluid and realistic, thanks to a number of new animations and improvements to the AI. In addition, the game’s physics have been updated to provide a more realistic experience. As a result, players will notice that puck movement and player interactions look and feel much more lifelike than in previous installments of the franchise.

Better graphics

NHL 21 is an overall better game than its predecessor, NHL 20. EA Vancouver has done an excellent job of continuing to improve the NHL franchise year after year. While the game isn’t perfect, it’s clear that a lot of work went into making this the best NHL game to date.

One of the most notable improvements in NHL 21 is the graphics. The game looks absolutely stunning on new-gen consoles and features some of the best character models and environment design in any sports game. The lighting and effects are particularly impressive and lend an extra layer of realism to the experience. It’s safe to say that NHL 21 is one of the best-looking sports games on the market.

More modes

NHL 21 has more game modes than ever before. There is the traditional Be a Pro mode where you create your own player and play through their entire career. In Be a GM mode, you manage an NHL team through everything from ticket prices to coaching staff. There is even an expansion draft if you want to add an 31st team to the NHL.

NHL 21 Cons

NHL 21 is not worth it because of the lack of new features, the same old game play, and the numerous bugs and glitches.

Lack of innovation

NHL 21 was released on October 13, 2020, and it is the 30th installment in the NHL series. Although it is a solid game, there are some significant negatives that hold it back from being great.

The first and most obvious con is the lack of innovation. NHL 21 looks and feels almost identical to NHL 20, with only minor changes and enhancements. This is disappointing given that it has been almost two years since the release of NHL 20. In that time, EA could have made much more significant changes and additions to the game.

Another significant negative is the number of bugs and glitches present in NHL 21. These range from small annoyances to major game-breaking bugs. Some players have reported being unable to play online due to connection issues, while others have had their progress reset after updating to a new patch. These issues are especially frustrating given that EA has had two years to fix them.

Finally, NHL 21 is simply too easy for experienced players. The AI is not challenging enough, and even on the highest difficulty setting, most players will be able to win most games without much trouble. This was also an issue in NHL 20, but EA has failed to address it in the latest installment.

Overall, while NHL 21 is a solid hockey game, it is held back by a lack of innovation, numerous bugs and glitches, and an easy difficulty setting.

Some bugs

Custom teams are still not in Be a GM mode, which is something that has been in every other EA Sports game for years now. Be a Pro is still as dead as it was last year with no one playing online and zero effort put into making changes or gameplay improvements.

NHL 21 Conclusion

After spending over 100 hours with NHL 21, I have come to a conclusion. This game is not worth your time or money. The game is buggy, the AI is terrible, and the community is toxic.

Worth it or not?

NHL 21 is a likeable enough game, but it’s not without its problems. The on-ice action is mostly great, but there are some noticeable AI issues that need to be addressed. The presentation also needs work, as there are too many bugs and visual oddities. Franchise mode is still the best reason to pick up the game, but even that has some issues that need to be fixed. Overall, NHL 21 is a decent game, but it’s not without its flaws.