NHL 27: A Shocking Backslide That Could Change the Game Forever

This has been a very, very good year in sports video games, with significant improvements being made to almost every marquee franchise. So, when NHL 27 boasted revamped presentation alongside the already solid gameplay of last year’s iteration, it fostered anticipation that it too would get an elite entry this year.

How utterly wrong I was.

Something is just off about NHL 27, as if something went horribly wrong during its development. There are so many small things that are wrong with this year’s entry that no one mistake is egregious enough to be a deal breaker, but in totality the entire experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

The good

There are some things to like about NHL 27. Attention to detail inside arenas, with a focus on introductions and real-world goal horns is extremely welcome and makes things feel alive. Instead of trying to build a soundtrack that evokes the spirit of hockey, EA Sports licensed some of the most iconic arena music of all time, which really makes goals feel alive.