Enough is enough, and that's the bottom line.
Personally, I've been a fan, gamer, admirer, and player of this series, since NHLPA '93 for the SNES. Yeah, that's over 30 years of iterations, simulations, renditions, and currently, I'm unsure of what it is exactly that I'm playing. Is this supposed to be a version hockey video gaming? From where I sit, NOPE.
I mean, sure, it somewhat represents a hockey video game: NHL (insert year). But does that title actually represent the game of hockey? For the untrained eyes, it is a hockey video game. But then again, for those of us that are "veterans" of this series, I'm not exactly sure of what I'm actually doing my to best to compete with. And what am I actually competing with? Is it the mechanics that change almost every year, since NHL '15? How about the controller scheme that gets reworked because of (insert excuse)? Is it the online ping? Maybe it's the complete lack of competence to keep this game simple, playable, enjoyable, fun, and rewarding. Consumers shouldn't be punished for the former, right? That goes without mentioning.
You know, at this point, I'm not exactly sure what or whom this game is (currently) targeting. From where I sit, instant gratification isn't at all why I've played this game. And yet, go play online, and there's 21 goals scored in an EASHL 6vs6 game. All offence, no defence, penalties for everything (maybe ping related), and goaltending that resembles Swiss cheese. Where is the fun in that? EASHL used to be a fun mode to engage in, aside from the last couple of years.
And in referring to modes, is it really necessary to water down this series any more than you've made it? I play mostly EASHL 6vs6 and NHL Threes. The former, as with the latter, is against couch potatoes, while the team that I'm on are randoms. That's trash matchmaking. No surprise there. But my "teammates" refuse to pass, usually the other game system (I'm on PS5) and somehow believe that playing like they're in Ones either gives them more RP, and/or playing a hockey video game doesn't require them to engage in a team sport. I end up getting punished for their purposeful and spiteful indecisions. And while I'm on the topic of matchmaking, I can't stand cross play. Before cross play, I had very few issues matchmaking with PlayStation players. Turn on cross play, and a majority of my team mates aren't actual hockey players: solo, as if golfing or bowling, and they're wasting my time doing everything they can to lose the game. Turn off cross play, and it takes a lot of time to find a game, then eventually getting paired with someone that just got the game, and against a team with a stupid mascot name whilst getting out-pinged and railroaded. How's that rewarding?
Even more personally, I am tired of the ridiculous player names, naming mascots disrespectfully, some team names that are unnecessary, and just an overall disregard and disrespectful behaviour towards the best sport on ice: hockey. The roots and authentication are gone. And just because you're behind a screen, and haven't reached the second decade of your life, that doesn't mean creating a hockey video game character of whatever colour that's available is "cool" and a "hey everyone, look a me" attitude. It's childish, and ridiculous. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is partially why NHL '14 is the last best game of this series: authentic, and genuine.
Bottom line, and in a permanent closing, I have had enough of this series. You know, maybe it's the teenager in me, that's long passed, but I used to get really excited for the newest installment of the EA Sports NHL series. And that was the case for many years, long after my teenager years. But even then, I still had a lot of respect for the developing, programming, etc. In this series' current state, with warewolves, cyborgs, skeletons, further ping equals you having a trash-like online experience, EASHL lobby flashing while displaying the opposing team's lineup, the on-ice center ice flashing/stroboscopic effect, being paired with golfers and bowlers, Battle Pass, too many unexpected errors, ridiculous loading times to access the menu, and a long list of so ons. This is my Swansong and "retirement" from this series, and final post at EA Sports.
