NHL 25

There’s no denying that the action on the ice looks better than ever in NHL 25, and it’s nice to see Franchise Mode get some welcome changes that help it feel more authentic for those interested in the sim experience. But when I look at this year's entry as a whole it's quite lackluster.

NHL 25 isn't great. While there are welcome changes this time, almost all of them are cosmetic, or menu-oriented. Ultimately, that's what this iteration amounts to: a hyper-fixation on presentational components. Where are the new game modes? Improvements to the controls? Sure the game looks great, but wouldn't it be awesome if it played great as well?

NHL 25 leaves the previous generation behind and opening the doors on changes and improvements the series is in need of.

NHL 25 brings some welcome changes to gameplay, particularly in AI and match realism, but as a whole, it feels more like a cautious step forward than a revolution. While the graphics and gameplay have improved, the game still lags behind the competition. The biggest disappointment remains the stagnation of game modes, especially Be A Pro, which has been crying out for a significant overhaul for years. Overall, NHL 25 will please fans on the ice, but much remains unfinished off the ice.

The abandonment of the older-generation console versions does allow NHL 25 to be more fluid in terms of gameplay. The reactive actions are a good idea and add a little more realism, although they still need to be balanced. Overall, and despite the additions to the franchise world, the experience remains rather similar to last year's edition. Which is not always a fault. Certain details can, however, be quickly implemented without requiring several weeks of development (such as the ability to switch cinematics to Be a Pro mode). All of which would really improve the series. All in all, I'd recommend the purchase to those who may have skipped the last opus in the franchise, or if you love managing your team.

For being the first current-gen game in the NHL series, the result is bittersweet: there have been undeniable steps forward in both graphics, simulation and gameplay, but the same cannot be said on the content and mode side. EA Vancouver probably needed more courage and time to come up with something new: for now, NHL 25 still remains a prisoner of its glorious past.

EA SPORTS NHL 25 is a great example of how a franchise can reinvent itself without losing its essence, while still being challenging and fun. Balancing innovation with respect for tradition, the game offers a complete and immersive experience, whether for those looking for a deep hockey simulation or for those who prefer more casual and fast-paced games, something that appeals to all types of players. The gameplay improvements, new modes, and attention to visual and audio details make this edition wonderful and immersive.

NHL 25 makes some minor strides to improve on last year's game, but will mostly appeal to those interested in team management and being a superstar forward. As a franchise, it continues to wait for a top draft pick that can turn things around in a meaningful way.

EA Sports NHL 25 fails to deliver on the promises it sets in the new features that EA swears are improvements. It's another example of an entry into an annualized sports game series that doesn't feel like it's doing anything differently from the last year, but at least in this case last year's (and by default this years) game is fun to play.

With NHL 25, EA Sports delivers a really solid ice hockey game this year, which has made noticeable progress in some important areas. It's not just the much better structured franchise career, which is now also more interactive thanks to the player conversations. The visual presentation has also improved by more than just one percentage point and is finally closing the gap on other sports simulations from EA, such as EA Sports FC or Madden NFL. There are also noticeable improvements on the ice, which are due to the new ICE-Q AI system and ensure that the games simply feel more dynamic and human, as the CPU players position themselves better or move more realistically thanks to new animations. We also liked the rival system with its special presentation, as well as the optimized display of replays. Apart from the franchise, however, little to nothing has happened in the other game modes, meaning that the game is largely the same as last year. Unfortunately, nothing has changed in the sequences in Be-a-Pro mode, some of which still have no sound. Nonetheless, NHL 25 is a very good sports game overall, which scores particularly well in the core element, namely the performance on the ice.