Make NHL games great again (NHL 27 wishlist)

slickster195263 wrote:

and many more find this a poor version of the series and a step backwards from the fully patched nhl25

You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion. Just remember that social media engagement isn’t the same as general consensus. People often assume a hot-take with upvotes/likes/etc  reflects widespread agreement, but high engagement doesn’t automatically mean people support the message.

trw1987 wrote:

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.

Whether you see “echo-chamber” as a buzzword or not, they’re very real. Just look at the replies to any EA Sports NHL tweet—an endless loop of people piling on. Reddit’s the same: anything remotely positive gets buried under a mountain of snark, downvotes, and performative dunks. The irony, of course, is that many of these folks claim to hate the game, yet spend an absurd amount of time living in the online spaces built around it. Perplexing, but I digress.

trw1987 wrote:

It's bold to assume to majority of people who aren't speaking up are only staying silent because they are happy. 

I don't think I assumed that anywhere in my posts. I've always maintained there are real issues plaguing this game and many people rightfully point these out all the time; matchmaking, stick lift, poke check, etc. 

trw1987 wrote:

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.

Again, I did not say that everyone who complains about this game is less skilled. 

trw1987 wrote:

.I've never seen a release get this much vitriol.

I think it's simply become trendy to dump on EA—especially in smaller communities like NHL. It’s similar to how legacy media outlets like CNN or MSNBC will claim “massive outrage” and then point to a handful of angry tweets as evidence.

Real outrage means people in the streets, not a few loud posts on social media.

Bringing it back to the game: if the supposed “vitriol” were truly widespread, online play would be dead. EASHL would be empty. HUT would be a wasteland. Instead, both modes are active and thriving. They have their flaws, sure—but if people log in every single day, then clearly something is working well enough to keep them engaged.

Your criticisms are valid; I’m not dismissing them. I just disagree with the idea that this year’s game was universally hated. The gameplay changes required a big shift in old habits, and some of the loudest voices simply refused to adapt.