This is the most ripped off I have felt with any game purchase ever and that includes broken games like Fallout 76 at launch, Cyberpunk at launch to name a couple.
Every year since the first game in 1992 I have purchased the game and in many years felt like it was a modest update that cost full price. This year, was so excited for presentation enhancements and the Custom Franchise mode.
The Presentation is just not there. Even if you do see the glow sticks or the VERY short end of anthem, it is on the screen for seconds then wipe screen with EA logo then face off. EA could say they delivered what they said as when you watch the presentation deep dive what they say they added is there it is just so rare and so brief...but they made it seem like it was all enhancing what we have had for years...replays, crowd celebrations, player goal celebrations, pre game goalie reports, etc...all that is gone. I understand that many people play HUT and online and not offiline but then have the presentation options available for all players as MANY of us prefer offline and still pay FULL price each year for a game that is merely and big patch update vs a brand new game.
In Custom Franchise, it was meant to seem like it would allow fantasy leagues of the past to be created. I guess, yep it can, with Wayne Gretzky wearing #98 because the RETIRED JERSEY option is missing from this mode.
Remember when Alumni players were added a few years ago and the first year you could only play them in HUT and Play Now. You couldn't play Alumni players and teams in Season/Franchise/Playoff mode until the next years game came out. This feels very similar to that in being led to believe we'd get what should be just expected in a full priced NHL hockey game but we have to fight for it and it will get sold to us a new feature next year.
Like many have posted, I too am not normally vocal or negative about games as things happen but this is really a big blow to dedicated fans that pay full price every year.
