Make NHL games great again (NHL 27 wishlist)
Although nhl 25 and 26 are good games, they arent necessarily at great level yet. these are some additions i would add to lean towards greatness again Gameplay: -Bring back + add presentation(...
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and 26 are good
That's certainly a take...26 is widely regarded as one of the worst releases in recent memory, probably since the release of 15 on then-next-gen consoles back in '15
26 is widely regarded as one of the worst releases in recent memory
Categorically untrue. Echo chambers built on riling up less-skilled players with nonstop negativity are not an accurate reflection of overall consumer sentiment.
Many 'issues' (please note how I didn't say all issues) raised by people are skill issues. Much of the feedback is "better physics" or "better presentation" which is fairly redundant considering that's always what the developers of the game are shooting for. Of course, I understand even that is a controversial opinion - but the people making this game are human beings and like many of us, they always want to put out the best product they can.
This is also Categorically untrue. If you want to determine "some" issues are player skill issues, then as a consumer I can use that context towards EA and development.
Example: NHL 25 had an issue where the CPU/AI in offline play (maybe online HUT) would not take penalties (when they did it was only 1 to 2 specific penalties). This issue was mainly resolved in a later patch for NHL 25 - however is an issue for NHL 26 on launch and still pending (being investigated).
Determining the "skill issue": This fall under the factor that due to their cycle of game creation they start with an release date coding for NHL 25 to try and mix and match codes + add new coding to make their next game. This issue here is that seemingly there is no communication between the team working on the new game and the team maintaining the current game - thus leading to previously resolved or "fixed" glitches or issues being present in their new game due to them not implementing their own fixes in the development process of the new game.
The affect: This now takes the team who maintains the current game away from fixing the new issues present in the game or ones they stated was fixed but was false (LT spam usage) and makes them fix an issue that was previously fixed. It also adds to the frustration on the player base that is compounded by new issues that new and continue to be an issue.
I full think and believe they want to put out the best game possible, however this does feel very counter productive.
NHL 25 had an issue where the CPU/AI in offline play (maybe online HUT) would not take penalties (when they did it was only 1 to 2 specific penalties). This issue was mainly resolved in a later patch for NHL 25 - however is an issue for NHL 26 on launch and still pending (being investigated).
The issue isn't that the CPU wouldn't take penalties then. The issue was that they weren't taking all penalties available in the game. Two separate 'issues' geared towards immersion and not gameplay.
Not saying it shouldn't be fixed, but I can understand how it's the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to 'issues' that need to be fixed.
Determining the "skill issue": This fall under the factor that due to their cycle of game creation they start with an release date coding for NHL 25 to try and mix and match codes + add new coding to make their next game. This issue here is that seemingly there is no communication between the team working on the new game and the team maintaining the current game - thus leading to previously resolved or "fixed" glitches or issues being present in their new game due to them not implementing their own fixes in the development process of the new game.
The issue isn’t that EA has two disconnected teams “forgetting” to copy fixes into the next NHL game. NHL is built on a single, evolving codebase where new systems, tuning changes, and engine updates can unintentionally break old fixes. When the foundation shifts each year, some regressions naturally reappear—not because of poor communication, but because, as you've alluded to, annual sports development is a constant cycle of adding, removing, and rewriting interconnected systems under tight timelines.
This now takes the team who maintains the current game away from fixing the new issues present in the game or ones they stated was fixed but was false (LT spam usage) and makes them fix an issue that was previously fixed. It also adds to the frustration on the player base that is compounded by new issues that new and continue to be an issue.
That assumes the live team is a separate unit that could simply “stay focused” on new issues if only old bugs didn’t resurface. But in reality, the same core systems underlie both the live game and the next year’s build, and the people maintaining those systems are already working across both branches. When a regression appears, it isn’t “taking time away” from fixing new issues—it’s part of the same continuous process of stabilizing a shared codebase.
And while it’s understandable that players feel frustrated, regressions aren’t proof of mismanagement, they’re a normal byproduct of iteration, especially when gameplay systems are redesigned every cycle. If you overhaul skating, defensive logic, animation timings, online desync rules, or collision thresholds, some previously fixed issues will resurface. The player base interprets this as “they said it was fixed but it wasn’t,” but often the fix was valid for last year’s mechanics and no longer applies after the new changes.
So no, I don't think this reflects a failure in priorities or communication. It reflects the inherent complexity of annual sports development, where stabilizing evolving systems naturally requires revisiting both old and new issues across the lifecycle of the game.
So whatever you may say, I and many more find this a poor version of the series and a step backwards from the fully patched nhl25. All that matters what I think and do I get value for the £62 I spent this year because this influences if I spend my my £68 next year.
Categorically untrue. Echo chambers built on riling up less-skilled players with nonstop negativity are not an accurate reflection of overall consumer sentiment.
The term "echo-chamber" is tossed about far too easily, to the point where it's become nothing more than a buzz-term or cliche to try and stem valid criticisms. It's bold to assume to majority of people who aren't speaking up are only staying silent because they are happy. It's more than likely they've just moved on, because that's what the casual gamer does: If a game is absolute horse$#it like 26 is, they just move on to the next one and don't bother with it anymore.
I will agree that less skilled players tend to be negative constantly...but to assume that everyone lodging their complaints is bad is just...myopic.
And I normally agree with a lot of your takes, and respect you and your opinions because they're rarely condescending, but educational at times as well...but I've played this game for over 25 years, been a top 500 WoC/EASHL player for the past 12...and aside from the PS4/XBone disaster that was '15, and maybe, '17...I've never seen a release get this much vitriol. I'm here because I love the game still, I do still find it fun (against my better judgment and concern for my own sanity)...but there's a lot of opinions out there, from top players that this game is one of the worst in the series in recent memory.To validate your last point. Sales are down 15% overall. And 13% for the nhl franchise. Any wonder why they decided to sell!
Now if wishes came true. Your last statement might materialize.
Categorically untrue. Echo chambers built on riling up less-skilled players with nonstop negativity are not an accurate reflection of overall consumer sentiment.
I suppose the lack of skill I have is the reason why, when I play in upstate NY, my 92 speed player is out skated by an 80 speed enforcer? No, I’m not gassed and out of energy. Yes I’m using the hustle button. Yes it’s still full energy bar. So I’m glad you solved the problem for me….im pushing forward on the stick like a rookie…everyone else knows how to properly push forward on the thumb stick with skill. Got it
That's the answer you get to everything here ”lack of skill”. I got run over by a giant enforcer yesterday, well that's how it is... but when I'm about to stand up he runs over me again so I get hurt, the referee raises his hand for a penalty and I think nice now we have a PP. Naaaaa my team mate got a penalty for something but not that caveman 🤦♂️🤦♂️
But I guess it's under investigation like everything else in this game 😒
No, I’m not gassed and out of energy.
Prove it then. Show us a video clip of your 92 SPD player being outskated by an 80 SPD ENF.
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