Didn't buy

It's a good thing you didn't. It's total trash. 

Next year I will wait until the game is 50% off in Nov, if I even decide to play again. The quality control is, let alone the innovation or improvements, is abysmal. The game has been out for more than 2 months and I still have to lower the volume on the Dual Sense controller every time I start the game or get blasted with irritatingly loud goal music and effects in my face. The controller volume resets to 10/10 every time you close the game and open it again. The menus are slow and sloppy, which has been that way since NHL 15. 

My div 10 team gets matched with Div 1 teams constantly, so its impossible to get better at the game when you just get clapped by teams loaded with diamond, elite players every game. The skill gap in this game is brutal, and getting matched against elite players 8 out of 10 games is demoralizing and just ensures that mid to low skill people like me just go do something else that has a higher dopamine to time ratio. It seems like EA have just prioritized matching people to any game over matching people to games that are more competitive for their skill level. I don't even understand why there are divisions if it has no impact on the teams you play against. Teams with really poor morals will reset their team constantly to try and improve their chances of getting lower skilled opponents. There should be a cooldown for teams/players that disband/leave club. Club members should not be able to play in drop-ins, and if they do there should be no RP gain/penalty to them/opponent to make it less profitable. The whole RP farming is really killing this mode. All of this leads to a poor experience overall in EASHL.

I stopped playing HUT because of the HUT Champs reward structure burning an entire week of my time and I only got 6 wins, which meant I got basically nothing. I hadn't really played online up to that point and the experience was brutal. All the games were chasing down or setting up D2D one timers and I was bad at both. Last year you could win 6 games and still earn some collectibles that you could store up for a future future reward. This year it's win 10 games or better luck next time. This makes people who are unable to get 10 wins reliably just abstain from HUT Champs. Maybe that's what they wanted? If so, congrats. I won't be wasting a week of my time to qualify for Champs and then play 20 games. It was a substantial time investment for me with an extremely low ROI. Is it a skill issue? Mostly. I acknowledge that. There is not a single game in my library that wastes my time as much as HUT.  I choose to avoid the entire mode of HUT, because it's clear they only cater to 2 players in that mode, the people who play like bots, or the people who run up large credit card balances for digital content. I am neither of those people.

I didn't really leave the game, the game left me.

Hi there. Thanks for the constructive feedback. It's absolutely appreciated. 

I can see you're mentioning the issues you're noticing. You're unhappy with the lack of changes, but haven't mentioned what changes you'd like to see with the game. What would you add/modify to make future games more fun for you?

I feel I've made a lot of points the last 5 years.. that being said I'll just reiterate the biggest one's that I believe would immensely improve the game..

Gameplay: dynamic/RNG/ editable goalie behavior. Currently goalies react and move the same ways.. this is why every year people find the "glitch" goals and use them the rest of the year. If goalies changed through the game based on where shooters are taking their chances, or if the game had an RNG window for how quickly or slowly they would react to movements it would help keep the longevity of the game. Editable goalie behavior could have us give attributes for how long they hold the post, their tendency to watch the puck carrier or their tendency to watch the other threats and stop the 1T. This would allow clubs to have their own goalie tendencies and position themselves best defensively to assist their goalie.

I think having more goalie training systems within the game and goalie rewards would also be very good for the game. In EASHL it's hard to find goalies and even harder to find good goalies. It's a thankless job! 

I would also re introduce the training camp so new players can learn the game. No clue why this was removed..

Defense should feel more rewarding. I usually feel like the best defense is just positioning myself correctly and not pressing anything and I win. Typically the more I try to get involved using my stick and stuff the less I feel rewarded. Defense also just feels far worse than forwards. Forwards recieve T2T passes w/o looking while skating up the ice but a defensive player can be looking at that same pass and watch it go between his legs. Or just to the side of him. If he doesn't look (like the forward) it definitely goes by him. Why? The vision control on defense needs to be boosted. I would also suggest having more of an auto adjustment for DSS if we're slightly off when trying to knock the puck or bump a pass. Allow his defensive awareness to auto trigger a slight correction so that I don't feel using the DSS is such a risk when playing defense on a 2v1.

I've not played this game but from what I hear D to D 1T is rather broken.. probably needs fixed. Last year the hip check was pretty broken.. I'm not sure if this has been balanced at all?

Menus: these are SO slow. Loading into EASHL is slower than loading up a dynasty in NCAA on ps2. That is simply outrageous for a PS5. No other game (that I'm aware of) have menus this slow.

Lobbies: we keep hearing these are improved from the devs, but every year the player base rather unanimously disagrees..

Depth: WoC could add so much to keep the game interesting through the year.. first I would add a "career mode" within themode and get rid of ProAm. It would not have to be as in depth as 2K but let us build our guy and improve him. I would have seasonal caps. Season 1 you can get to 70ovr season 2 maybe 78. I would also have a player performance card. This would have lots of info on a player such as teammate grade(other humans he has played with can rate him), coach grade (the game rates his performance) whether or not they're in a club or if they're looking. Their tendencies, position, stats. This could help clubs identify guys and help players see what they can improve on. Couple this system with hockey training camp so it can suggest reviewing specific trainings.  EASHL drop in should not have ranks or give XP, it should be used to have players find clubs. Club members should be able to spectate drop lobbies to find players. Threes should have club uniforms and should allow human goalies. This would be a far less stress free game mode for humans who want to learn to play goalie as so many goals go in anyway.

WoC career mode.. as mentioned before imagine this.. the mode opens up, you're out on the pond. The game asks you simple questions such as your preferred position hight/ weight/ name/ etc. you have to complete a small training. Next the game based on how you play what you should invest attributes in/ your zone abilities and stuff. You can then select these abilities and place your starting attributes. After this your trainer leaves and a scout talks to you. He was out at the pond looking at someone else (this could be a future teammate or rival) and he is with (your favorite team) you're an unknown player playing pond hockey but this scout will talk to the GM about signing you. You go to training camp and based on performance you go to ahl or NHL. You can play this mode to build your attributes up or play PVP. There does not need to be a big story.. maybe allow us to also control the moves our team makes similar to 2k. Maybe allow PVP mode to have a +1 ovr (or something) to our player for good play each season so that there is a reason to play each season and also people can't JUST max their guy playing offline. Maybe that +1 overall each season is only done by winning so many games or winning a cup with the team. It can be earned in ANY pvp mode. By game end a player could be a 90-95 or something but a player who plays all year could get to 99 or something.. or base this on attributes only and instead of the +1 ovr. It's just "X" attribute points. I would prefer all players come with the same faceoff attribute maybe a 85. This would allow centers to build their guy how they want w/o feeling they need to throw on that stat but also allow anyone to play center if a club's center isn't on. 

Franchise should be online.. I know this has been discussed but we're still waiting. 

HUT is not something I typically play but it seems people are quite bored with it. Maybe change up the system some? Start us with more options in the beginning, training cards from Madden were great to boost through the year, have salary cap modes for pvp so that were not all looking for the exact same cards and facing the same exact players every game.. the training cards in the game could just have season caps. Cards becoming worthless is a turn off.. lemme get a 68 ovr Steve Yzerman and through the year I can build him. Even if I have to sacrifice some cards for training points or w/e I need to do. I'd love to get the players I want/ like quickly and slowly build them. I just want my time in game to feel it was worth it, I don't play this mode because of how often I feel I wasted my time or how few guys I have any care for on my team..

This would be a great start.. I'm sure I could add a lot more.. 

What happened to 2K hockey last one I played with my buddy we played at constantly was like 2K10 and it was fantastic on a disc on Xbox One never had any of these issues nothing needing fixed I just don't understand why these games constantly need fixed for the amount of money we have to pay for them I don't understand that. I don't understand why they're made available to us and without being perfect just don't understand that and I agree I'm 51 and technology it's slowly passing me by but it's a lot of money to spend for a game that it's got to be fixed and patched and constantly making every mode there's something about it that's unrealistic every single mode shouldn't have to pay that much money for that. Miss 2K hockey and I don't know why they don't come back because they could bury EA hockey if they wanted to I'm sure there's a reason why they don't have it anymore but it was so much better than this

More or less a lack of competition means little work goes into the game. Little work goes into the game means little demand for the game. Little demand for the game means little competition. 2K currently doesn't see the advantage of competing in a small market. NHL doesn't bring in the same numbers as a Madden. That being said 2K is planning on rolling out a soccer game and with EA soccer being their biggest money maker if 2k pushes them the same way they pushed out EA in NBA it will only be a matter of time before we see the same in the NFL and NHL markets. The way EA has treated its customers I don't think many fans are going to stick with EA if there's another option. I'd say most NHL fans feel pretty disgusted with how we're treated, how slow they are to roll out with the same technology that other titles are getting. I hate basketball but I'm quick to admit NBA 2K is by far the best sports game available. People complain about the money you put into it for your character and whatnot but I'd gladly pay $150 every year if the game had all the bells and whistles that 2k has. 2K fans complain that their city isn't updated enough.. NHL we complain that the menu is as slow as ps1/ ps2 days and that doesn't even load a whole city.. 2K is decades ahead of NHL. I understand NHL gets less money but if 2K can make a whole new story, a new city, a new player archetype builder, new animations, etc. EVERY year.. do we see that level of changes even after 10 years in NHL? How much does NHL make in 10 years vs NBA 2K in 1? If it's close then 2k is STILL doing far better. NHL has made some significant changes in the last 10 years, DSS comes to mind as the biggest change but also lots of changes weren't asked for, were worthless, were already removed or debuffed. Lots of development time was rendered worthless. Their vision and direction seem poor. They need a better council/ development focus. 

2K does do a lot of fan service and attention to detail I think this is a big reason people tend to choose 2K over EA through the years. I go into the NBA city that they made and I can walk into any store and buy clothes, I can go to play diff modes, I can go to the coaches office and look at the game plan, I can go to practice, I can look at my trophy room, I can see and customize shoes.  What could all this look like in a hockey game? 

Even just customizing goalie masks and having a trophy room/ a crib or something would go a long way with fans. Having a crib/ locker room to go to in WoC would be cool. Having more options in practice mode for your club so you can practice 2 on 1s and stuff. There are a lot of things this game COULD add to show they care.. instead I just feel like every game gives us the bare minimum. Just enough to throw some features on the back cover to warrant $70. I used to think EA didn't give everything fans wanted so that they wouldn't run out of ideas for future games but with the mountain of things that were seeing in other games that are lacking in this game.. it just seems they just don't want to work on much. Again, I'm not in the room.. idk what all goes into this but it truly seems like they work on each game for about a month out of the year, and call it. Dunno how many there are.. of they get paid for the whole year or how it all works but the lack of development between each game just seems outrageous even factoring in the smaller player base. Work on the game and the player base grows. Add as few features as possible and it continues to dwindle. I would think k as hockey grows in popularity the game would sell itself and if EA invested a decent amount of money into the game just for a couple years they would make all that mo ey back and more.. fans would return and new fans would come. Bugs being in the game for years and years is NOT how you sell games and it makes fans feel they're not heard. 

Well I couldn't have asked for a better response than that right there I was very well said You seem to have a lot of knowledge around it I just know that 2K hockey is playability it was the **bleep** and it was 15 years ago last when I played I wish they'd get I wish they'd get back in it but I understand why they probably don't so is basketball the only sports game 2K is making except for the soccer game you mentioned it's going to be coming out? They did I remember they did a football and it was awesome too and it got squashed right away like I'm sure EA bought it That's where it went but it wasn't around very long because they did not want that competing with Madden and Madden is the **bleep** Don't get me wrong we all know that but that football game 2K came out with was right there with it in my opinion they just get playability and stuff a lot better it seems like but anyway thanks again for your answer we should all somehow not try to pressure but try to convince 2K that they need to get back in it they could get by the sounds of the people in this forum 75% at least of all of us they could get the money that's available for people who buy hockey because this isn't very good and I won't buy another one I know that

Thanks for all the constructive, detailed feedback.

Gameplay: dynamic/RNG/ editable goalie behavior. Currently goalies react and move the same ways.. this is why every year people find the "glitch" goals and use them the rest of the year. If goalies changed through the game based on where shooters are taking their chances, or if the game had an RNG window for how quickly or slowly they would react to movements it would help keep the longevity of the game. Editable goalie behavior could have us give attributes for how long they hold the post, their tendency to watch the puck carrier or their tendency to watch the other threats and stop the 1T. This would allow clubs to have their own goalie tendencies and position themselves best defensively to assist their goalie.

If we did this, people would figure out what they needed to do to get goalies to behave a certain way so they can be easier to score on. For example, you could essentially manipulate a goalie so that they're giving up one side more. I'm not saying it's impossible though. 

Defense should feel more rewarding. I usually feel like the best defense is just positioning myself correctly and not pressing anything and I win. Typically the more I try to get involved using my stick and stuff the less I feel rewarded. Defense also just feels far worse than forwards. Forwards recieve T2T passes w/o looking while skating up the ice but a defensive player can be looking at that same pass and watch it go between his legs. Or just to the side of him. If he doesn't look (like the forward) it definitely goes by him. Why? The vision control on defense needs to be boosted. I would also suggest having more of an auto adjustment for DSS if we're slightly off when trying to knock the puck or bump a pass. Allow his defensive awareness to auto trigger a slight correction so that I don't feel using the DSS is such a risk when playing defense on a 2v1.

I feel like this could be more subjective. For example, I play D pretty much exclusively. It feels rewarding when I'm using the given tools and not just getting in position. My poke checks work well, most of the time. Of course, there's the instances where the carrier gets the puck back. That's due to positioning and ratings.

I also haven't noticed passes being any more difficult on D, but I play a PMD with high passing so that's going to help. You're always welcome to get video of the passes that you feel should be connecting. 

I haven't noticed any risk using DSS. Not when it's used as intended at least. What is your issue with it?
Edit: Never mind. I see you don't actually play NHL 25.

I've not played this game but from what I hear D to D 1T is rather broken.. probably needs fixed. Last year the hip check was pretty broken.. I'm not sure if this has been balanced at all?

D2D 1Ts aren't broken. Are they OP? Maybe. Then again, if you're constantly giving up the points, you're gonna get scored on. We've been used to one style of D. Collapse in front of the net. Now, forwards need to be more conscious of the threat from points. This also adds diversity to scoring. If a club is constantly getting beat by these, they need to defend them better.

Menus: these are SO slow. Loading into EASHL is slower than loading up a dynasty in NCAA on ps2. That is simply outrageous for a PS5. No other game (that I'm aware of) have menus this slow.

Lobbies: we keep hearing these are improved from the devs, but every year the player base rather unanimously disagrees..

The menus in 25 are significantly faster than previous years. Of course, we'd all like to see them improve. If it were that easy, it would have been done.

The intent was to improve matchmaking. Obviously, that's not the case for everyone. My club has very little issue with finding matches, but we also aren't playing 6s with a human goalie. That sounds pretty frustrating.

Everything else you mentioned is more of a suggestion. Thanks for those.

Make the game more balance for the defense and goalies.

What would balance out defense and goalies better for you?