An annualized video game franchise is tough to review some years, especially sports titles. While some years feel memorable, you’re often looking at small, iterative differences that either head in a direction you like or set its progress back. I think we’re at a bit of a standstill with EA’s NHL games. While I’ve reviewed this series for the better part of a decade, I have noticed a slowdown in the last few entries. In need of a huge burst of speed, NHL 27 simply does not have enough gas in the tank to keep this experience interesting. Here’s our review for NHL 27 on Xbox Series X.

EA Vancouver is the studio responsible for NHL games at EA. Two major headlines lead this year’s entry, and one of them does no favors to the issues I had in my NHL 26 review from last year. The first major improvement in this year’s game is authentic stadium experiences. All 32 NHL arenas are rebuilt with each teamʼs energy, traditions, and identity, from goal songs and chants to signature details. Here’s the issue: this is a great feature when the on-ice action feels engaging. It simply doesn’t after years of too-small improvements to the way it feels to play these games.

No matter the way a stadium lights up as teams take the ice, a hockey game has to feel good when you’re playing hockey. I think for a lot of diehards, it feels like EA Vancouver has used the same blueprint over and over, and we need a big swerve to separate the new entries from the old. Stadium authenticity is nice, but it only goes so far when the action feels stale.

The second major improvement is the creation of playbooks for all 32 teams. This is a great addition that does mimic how each team plays in real life. In particular, aggressive teams feel significantly bolder in their attacks and defense than the more calculated teams. Square off against the Boston Bruins and you’ll have a hard time feeling any control in the neutral zone, just like in real life. It’s a good way to emulate Madden NFL 27‘s approach to player uniqueness but on a larger scale. The concern comes back to too few improvements to the core gameplay. Tendencies, particularly for the AI, only go so far when the game feels a tad too stiff to enjoy in a way that emphasizes progress.

My major issue with the gameplay is that the core mechanics of skating, passing, and scoring have seen no real change in what seems like decades. No matter the control scheme, you are simply not rewarded for playing an authentic type of hockey you’d see on TV or in a stadium. I can live with a faster-paced game, but the inconsistencies in pass accuracy and the ways in which shots feel too limited to animations we’ve seen for years leave me in a perpetual Groundhog Day-style loop. I put hundreds of hours into NHL 24 and NHL 25. The last two entries just feel far too same-y for me to get anything out of them. I think that’d be the case for anyone who spends a good bit of time with this franchise.

Hockey Ultimate Team, World of Chel, and Be a Pro feel like carbon copies of last year. It’s just a shame we’re not seeing improvements in how the game is delivered if the on-ice feel isn’t improving either. It sort of leaves you in the space of making the age-old argument that beyond roster updates, you’re fine to keep last year’s game for the upcoming season. Even the new commentary team of ESPN play-by-play voice John Buccigross and former NHL goaltender Darren Pang somehow feels like a carry-over.

Connected Franchise is the only mode I saw noticeable change in, but it’s all in social connectivity. If you’re not playing a franchise with friends online, it feels the same as last year. While it is a nice touch that 32 people can control 32 teams and play out a real season, I just can’t imagine that use case will apply to 99% of people playing the game.

I hoped for a rebound year, and didn’t quite get that. In fact, I feel like I’m playing the same game I felt lukewarm about last year. I love this franchise, and I want to see a bigger swing in its gameplay next year. If not for me, then for the sake of a sport seemingly on the rise in the United States that deserves more love. Until then, I’m not sure how much more mileage I can get out of a game series I seemingly have seen every inch of over the years.

An Xbox Series X review copy of NHL 27 was provided by EA for this review.

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NHL 27

69.99

5

Score

5.0/10

Pros

• The same core game is here, and it's still relatively fun
• New stadium authenticity is a fine touch

Cons

• Little to no game mode improvements
• No major gameplay progress in how it feels to play this game
• NHL 27 looks as good as NHL 24, when the series decided to go current-gen only