NHL 26 WOC is now pay to win
To start off, I have loved playing NHL for years on xbox. I've taken a break from playing since NHL 24, which was an absolutely great time. My favorite game mode was WOC since it was so much fun to create players and play with friends. However, I started playing NHL 26 recently and noticed people with Xfactors that were far above the limit with their builds. After doing some digging, I discovered that most people are using the preset builds that they are buying from the store that have far greater stats and Xfactor abilities than any of the generic builds that you can make yourself. I'm not anything too crazy as far as skill but I definitely wasn't bad. Overall, this game mode is absolutely unplayable with the pay to win aspect giving other players such an advantage over others. I refuse to spend extra money on a game that already is full price. Not surprised that EA would ruin NHL with a petty cash grab like every other game, but this is extremely disappointing. To say the least, the pay to win aspect has ruined the experience for me and I will be uninstalling and vaulting the game for good.NHL 26 Be A Pro Mode Feedback
Wanna start off by saying some of the new additions since NHL 25 have been great. I have some negligible gripes with the VA work, but muting works great. However, some things have stuck out to me as either "immersion breaking" or "confusions not necessarily tied to user issue." I'll detail what I can. Story & Progression Path Story-wise, having put a few months into it, I can say I do like some of the depth options available early on in the game. However, it seems to be missing an ability to go undrafted if you truly wanted to work from the bottom up in that way, which I found disappointing. The path from World Juniors → chosen championship → NHL is a nice addition to the overall setup of your player's story, but it felt lacking. The "late addition" of your player could've been influenced or discarded by playing a few games up to the World Juniors break. However, this is still far inferior to previous years being able to play at least a season with your junior team prior to the NHL. That would allow you to personalize your player's growth in the direction you want. If you opt to simulate between the Chosen Championship and the draft/NHL season, there is no minimum expected growth. This instead incentivizes you to advance day-by-day to gain and spend the energy (which can result in missing out on 10+ trait points and multiple X-factor points). Simming that gap could at least yield 2-3 points each and a little boost to brand likeability. Learning the Game & Coaching Feedback There should be some optional way for the player to learn how the team's system/strategy operates. The game having the ability to practice different scenarios (breakout/rush/OZone) could actually help them learn how to play their position aside from reading positive/negative feedback checklists from the bench and looking for positional aids or player coverage indicators. Coaching feedback/grading does not always line up logically and sometimes it's laughably off-base. For example, if you're playing LD and they blow by your partner on the outside right boards while you're covering your check for a passing lane, you get marked for the odd-man rush and bad line defense if they score as though that's no longer your partners assignment, but the game dings you for missing your assignment. If you block several shots on a play leading to the opposition scoring, you also shouldn't get marked for "bad line defense." I'll accept and actually praise the game for realistically wiping my energy to 0 for blocking a shot with my face, but them scoring after should not negatively reflect on me for making consistent effort. I should have teammates offering me ice cream after the game if anything. Challenges, Dialogue & Playstyle Challenges have generally poor functionality. My agent gave me a 3-assist challenge in 1 game, so I saved prior to and replayed that game 30 times with 3-5 assists and never once did it work, so taking the "brand hit" on that felt discouraging. Dialogue options often don't line up with intended results. If you want an easy and quick example, start a Be A Pro and compare the responses for role selection of Defensive and 2-Way Defensemen — they're flipped. Playstyle of player is not very relevant to how a coach grades your performance. You're still expected to put up offensive metrics in order to maintain solid performance. I think at most, it might change requirements for challenges? Lastly for dialogue, let the player exhibit some character, let them give some pushback, If I get healthy scratched while on a point streak, I should be able to tell the coach it was a dumb move. Or holdout on the team that drafted you if you wanted an random draft but didnt like the team. ELC negotiation/calder win/finalist bonus negotiation. Some "star" type responses from previous games already showed some capacity for being allowed to be a bit of a **bleep**, so this doesnt seem too far of a stretch. Setup, Rosters & Simulation Realism The initial "setup settings" for Be A Pro prior to starting the career should have roster options. Current or default roster options would be a nice starting point, but it would be cool if roster updates also added scripted trades for Be A Pro when players move throughout the year. For example, if you were a Wild or Canuck in December, you'd see the switch to/from Quinn Hughes from/to Marco Rossi/Zeev Buium/Liam Ohgren respectively. If any of the modes should have an ability to tout "Full Hockey Simulator" as its sale point, it should be Be A Pro. But even with the same slider presets across multiple games AI will still randomly pop in 8 goals in the first period or 5 in between your shifts 2 mins apart (maybe add a franchise-like shot/goal frequency simulation setting?). Let me play some dump n chase without losing XP for the goalie grabbing it behind the net. Instead, it feels like the only playstyle the game tries to reward is "The Next Gretzky" where points/goals/assists are all that matter. It should focus on rewarding smart/well-played hockey. An A+ performance from a Defensive Defenseman or Enforcer looks dramatically different from 1st/2nd line franchise tier forwards, and getting dropped down the lineup for not producing to the same level is absurd.Goaltending.
Anyone else find this game borderline unplayable online because of how terrible the goaltending is? It’s absolutely atrocious and takes away from the game so much. There’s so many things wrong with this franchise but holy the goaltender rating system may as well not even exist. 89ovr goalies letting in backhand floaters from top of circles with no screen, then 82ovr goalies making back to back to back saves on X factor players 20 seconds later??
Sick and tired of glitches and computers not doing anything.
Players skating around like they're having an epileptic seizure (I have epilepsy, so don't think for a second I'm making fun of people with it) or LTing. You cover your opponent and pinch them along the boards. Only for your computer to skate up to them and do nothing. No stick check. No body check. Nothing. So they pass the puck along the boards to the blue line to try and set up one timers. I set my strategies to tight point and staggered. I'm covering the passing lane and pinch my opponent again. What happens? My computer again comes close to take the puck away with me. No stick check, no body check. Nothing. It's like a flip a coin simulator to see if your team performs at all. Some games your players forecheck, body check, stick check, intercept passes. The next game. Nothing. You literally have to switch players constantly and do everything on your own because your computers are useless. There is ZERO consistency in the game. It doesn't matter if you're playing HUT, WoC, Online Versus. The computer is useless. You'll send your forwards to leave the zone early to get a two on one situation. Good idea, right? Nope. You have the two on one and 1 of 6 things will happen. Your winger will skate to the blueline slow down and curl off for no reason. Your winger will stop up at the hash marks and curl away for no reason. Your winger will set up for the one timer but hold on to the puck for just enough time for your opponent's goalie to get into position THEN shoot. Your winger won't be in position and will follow you to the same side for no reason. Your winger will completely over skate the play and end up behind the net and miss the one timer completely. Your winger will be in position and score a one timer. The defensive side of things can be quite similar. You want to protect a lead? Set up the NZT? Your computer will collapse into the NZ. When your opponent gets their breakout pass. Your computer dman won't pinch the player. They will skate towards the middle of the ice and your opponent easily blows past them. That has been a problem for YEARS. Some games it works but when it's a 1 goal game and I have 30-9 shots on net versus my opponent. Don't count on your computer to make any clutch plays. And before you try to break down what I'm doing wrong. I can assure you I don't make many mistakes. I understand the game mechanics and how people take advantage of them to pull of cheesy wins. When I am forced to move like figure skater Yuna Kim and use the same boring backhand / forehand goal every time to beat the goalie. It gets old, real quick. But when I deke around my opponent and toe drag short side or shoot through screens. Their goalie plays like a they've just won a Vezina trophy. This is constructive criticism but it seems over the past few years. It's fallen on deaf ears and it's extremely disappointing. We don't expect perfection, we expect consistency.NHL 27 Ideas WOC MODE UPDATE
EA_Aljo I am not here to complain or be rude or tell people how to make the game i am just here to help and give great ideas hopefully there a lot of things i think that would really help make the game in a better direction *World of chel woc is a big part of the community i know Hut is very popular but world of chel is up there too and there a lot of changes that would be amazing to see i just wanna give my opinion what ive seen in the past few nhl ive played. *Traits I think the trait thing is cool but i also think your giving us traits that make it where everyone is using the same thing there is really no variety its really just meta at this point i feel all builds should equally be meta you know. i think like having 1 main trait and then 2 boost would really make people have to build a build that truly fits there style if you wanna be a goal scorer then you should get to use 1 shooting trait and 2 boost that are not super overpowered you know or if you wanna be a playmaker you can use elite edges and 2 boost make it where people have to really choose cause its like you have to choose what you really want because it makes it where people cant have edges , warrior and quick release make it were they can only choose one. this comes to make next category *Skill points i think this should be done a little bit different i think allowing people to tank stats makes it really easy for everyone to use the same thing example tanking ur wrist shot power and slap to have endurance and puck control up or tanking ur accuracy to have high balance and speed and agility i think you should only be able to go -3 down instead of 10 so it really makes people think where they really wanna put the stats at you know. and it makes where people truly have to think what they want in a build. *Build Caps I think the game should have a certain type of speed and and agility and balance in my opinion should not be 97 speed or 90 plus balance or or 97 agility i think the game should have a cap of 94 in speed and agility and cap of balance of 83 or 86 you will know why in my next thing thing why im saying this *LT i get it LT can be one of those thing people say "why dont you just hit him then its not the LT its you" well here is the problem with that you ur constantly LT and going in circles like a figure skater its not even hockey at that point if you look at real like hockey yeah they turn there back a little but there NOT DOING IT EVERY PLAY it gets so boring to watch because even when you try to hit the LT just make it where game mechanics does not let you hit or play defense towards the LT i think any type of LT is ridiculous lol. it looks goofy no offense. *Gameplay Mechanics Defense lacks big time this year so does shooting and goalies not being able to save a cross crease but can save tough shots but let in bad ones lol needs to be the other way goalies should get sniped if you take a great shot and there no in postion or make a great play bur they should save the bad bounces at least sometimes *Last ask is customization let it be more things new stuff new things to arenas / gear / presentation and more / new modes in world of chel and new competition ways BRING BACK CR thank you
Desired Things To Add In NHL 27
I think many players, people who play NHL series regularly, are disappointed with the NHL in terms of changes. So, speaking as a major part of the player base, there are a few things that would make the game better and fulfill our desires. Be A Pro international tournaments - EA did one step ahead to make the NHL better, and that's they added the Junior World Championship. But it's just one step to make the NHL better. As I read some forums or discussions, everyone wants, and I am not an exception. WE want IIHF and Olympic Games in Be a Pro mode. You know, GM or Coach calling you if you want to be a part of the national team at the World Championship or Olympic Games. BUT of course, you need to do something for it, so you get challenges to get in there. Winter Games - Everyone wants it back, and I agree with this. I think this makes the NHL look good and makes it look alive. Rookie Laps - I think this is just a detail to add, to be more realistic. I think this is the least EA can do. More realistic fans and crowds at the game - I would LOVE to see fans act more realistically. You know, they really do something, not just sit, move with head, and when I shoot goal, they just stand, sit, or jump from their seats and clap their hands. You know, this seems so unrealistically and it destroys the atmosphere in the arena. More joy from the goals. Make Be a Pro more realistic - Yes, I know. EA did something in Be a Pro mode, but you know, it's good. But we would love to see more things, you know, do you know what BAP is about? Play two games at WJC, a few games in the league, get drafted, and get the same challenges over and over again. That's just boring. Active Social Media - I think this feature is in FIFA, too. Fans posting opinions on the last game, or photos, your team publishing your photos or clips of your greatest moments in the game. More Animations - More animations. Before your first game, or at the start of the play-offs, clip from the changing room, capturing you getting ready for the match, or your teammates. Off-ice animations, and more animations on the bench, after you score a goal, your players on the bench just stand up and begin to wave, the animation is on loop. Better Presentation - Okay, this is the most desired and disappointing thing in the NHL. Look at NHL 19. This was maybe the last good NHL game, no, actually the last GREAT AND MOST REALISTIC NHL game. The presentation is exceptional. Compared to the current presentation, it's gross, really, sorry, but it is true. New Commentators - Listening to the same commentator over and over again, it's boring, repeating everything every single match. James Cibulski is boring in the NHL now, really. More Goal Celebrations - This is just a detail. But it's not great to watch every single game, the boring celebration, it looks like the players don't enjoy the moments. Everyone just lifts their hands in the air and skates slowly after the player that shot the goal. Why can't they celebrate the goal more properly, more simulated, so it looks like they really enjoy the moment and show the joy from it? Just a quick sentence about all of this. Why is EA spending more and more money on the FIFA series, instead they could try to spend more on the NHL series? I think FIFA and the NHL are on the same page in terms of popularity, and the NHL, compared to FIFA, looks incomplete and undeveloped, like a game that existed 10 years ago when developers were too lazy to work on the game. So why not make the NHL better and make it look as good as FIFA? Thank you if you at least read it! But PLEASE EA, I beg you, and I will give you all the money if you do this. Everyone is excited to experience the new era of the NHL.
