Didn't buy

EA's business isn't failing. There's a very vocal minority of players who get dopamine kicks from the validation they get online for complaining about things. Real, actual feedback gets drowned out by people who insist everyone needs to agree with them that everything is rigged.

This has to be the most boring game of all time. I have no idea how they make one of the fastest and most exciting sports on earth such a boring repetitive pile of trash. It doesnt matter what game mode you play, every single game plays the exact same. You have to do the exact same stuff a billion times over.

World of Hell : glitch goals and cheese builds with terribly inconsistent game quality in every regard
Be a Pro : mentally challenged teammates that want the entire offense to be carried by a 67 overall with hands like feet and the speed of a 95 year old grandmother
Franchise Mode : when it's not broken and you can entirely change the sliders for the slightest bit of realism its okay, until the AI decides they're not losing the puck so they pass it back 200 feet, they're not getting hit so they turn away from you on a dime, or they're scoring and there's nothing you can do about it and it ruins your game anyways which luckily only happens in the 3rd period of every single close game.

I just want to play hockey but the AI forces me to do the same stuff, over and over and over and over. The flow of this game is non existent. I get the urge to play a hockey game and within 3 games I'm reminded why I don't like this game. It's boring.

WildeBEAST32 wrote:

It doesnt matter what game mode you play, every single game plays the exact same. You have to do the exact same stuff a billion times over.

That's on you though. If you make the decision to keep trying the same tactics, how's that EA's fault? There's so much freedom in this game to create plays any way you want and some just choose the tried and true because they're not creative enough or they're convinced EA handcuffs them from doing anything different. The reality is most who have this complaint are unwilling to try something new because if they aren't successful with it right away, it 'doesn't work'. So, they stick with trying to force cross creases all day. 

WildeBEAST32 wrote:

World of Hell : glitch goals and cheese builds with terribly inconsistent game quality in every regard

Provide some evidence. Show us a 'glitch goal'. What do you mean 'inconsistent game quality'? I'd wager you think a game is 'low quality' because your opponent gets some bounces and controls the play. That's hockey. 

WildeBEAST32 wrote:

I just want to play hockey but the AI forces me to do the same stuff, over and over and over and over.

Again, that's on you. There are lots of ways to make plays, generate offense, etc. Sticking to tried and true methods that work for you without taking the time to master other methods of generating offense will make you feel stifled. It's up to you to expand your horizons. 

I think it's to each their own.  For myself who solely plays offline, the slower paced gameplay is actually closer to simulated hockey, which to myself is more fun. This is the most enjoyable time I have had with it since NHL 21. 

The games prior were too fast and arcady to have fun with them. Now I do understand that slower more strategy based gameplay isn't enjoyable for all and also doesn't always suit all the modes (3v3 and 5v5) but that isn't also directly a hockey experience either. 

I have played well over 200 games (franchise mode) and none of mine have been the same. I have to fight and struggles for my goals and wins. Games stats are on level. I actually have goalies having closer to realistic player stats, skaters or hit and miss (scoring a bit too much in the sim for me). 

I have learned to play along with the AI and find that for the most part it is an upgrade over NHL 24. It's not perfect but any means but at it's more consistent. 

I agree with be a pro being a mode they just gave up on and forgot about. Sadly, I can't see this mode being touched for a long time due to what EA factors into the needs of the game (mind you this was EA's own doing). 

I haven't found any repetitive gameplay outside of playing a more realistic hockey experience. 

I just get bored of the player controlled skater feeling like the only one doing anything meaningful the entire time, even when passing and setting stuff up - I just wish the AI would give you more options that aren't only the most basic hockey plays, getting open for a shot or to get the puck is one thing but it's annoying they aren't getting ready to do something too (bring back custom plays). If they would try to pull defenders out of the way or get in their way, get in space to snap it back to the dman or rim it around. I feel like the AI just gets ready for an open one timer or a net front shot, wish they had more hockey IQ in all areas - when I chip it in, the AI should be ready to battle their life away to get to the puck instead of lazily chasing a loose puck.

I do predominantly play BaP and WOC because I like to control the game with just 1 player and I wish it wasnt such a headache to get the AI involved. Constantly feels like 1v5.

For playing franchise I do have times where the AI will get lose from the defender or even get lost behind the defense who is double covering my the user controlled player for a wide open shot/goal. I have seen so many different types of goals this year that I can't say I only use one option or two (like how it was in 22, 23 and 24).

I do feel and have felt for a while that the AI doesn't work as well when using player lock or in the BAP experience. It's like the aspects they changed for the AI isn't build for it. It's the same content if you live SIM games; you see flashes of good but then you see a skater randomly skate into the boards with the puck for no reason or not shoot with open chances and decide to do a random back pass (especially on breakaways). It also struggles 3 v 3 live simming cause the AI still tries to play 5 v 5.