NHL 27 Review

This year has been quite remarkable for sports video games, with noticeable enhancements across many leading franchises. So, when NHL 27 came out with improved presentation and refined gameplay from the previous year, expectations were understandably high for another top-tier release.

However, there’s something just not quite right about NHL 27. It feels as if something went awry during its development. There are numerous minor issues throughout this year’s version; while none stand out as game-breaking, collectively, they really impacted my overall experience in a negative way.

On a positive note, there are aspects of NHL 27 that are commendable. The attention to detail within the arenas—particularly during player introductions and the incorporation of real-world goal horns—is great and makes the environment feel lively. Instead of trying to create a soundtrack that captures the essence of hockey, EA Sports went for licensing some of the most memorable arena music, which indeed adds to the excitement of scoring.

Yet, even the standout new features lack polish. While the focus on goal celebrations is appreciated, the same blocky, generic fans—who look like they’re stuck in a bygone era—really detract from what could be an immersive moment.

This revamped presentation feels haphazard. Some teams represent their real-world counterparts fairly well, while others don’t seem to receive the same treatment. As a Carolina Hurricanes fan, I can speak to that disappointment firsthand. Sure, it’s fun to hear Petey Pablo’s Raise Up every time the team scores, but EA Sports completely overlooked a much bigger team tradition: the siren and Rock You Like a Hurricane intro.

Ultimately, it feels as if the team behind NHL 27 had limited resources and were rushed to include new content. The intros and goal horns are nice touches but feel more like last-minute additions rather than significant enhancements for a new installment in the franchise.

When it comes to on-ice gameplay, NHL 27 largely resembles last year’s version. However, there are some odd AI behaviors that detract from the experience, with noticeable changes that feel off compared to previous versions.

For instance, during penalty kills, the AI doesn’t effectively clear the puck anymore. Even in 5-on-3 situations, you sometimes see defenders trying to carry the puck out of their zone, which just disrupts the flow of power plays. It’s frustrating because now many power play goals come from defenders being careless rather than any smart play being made.

In a curious twist, John Buccigross is providing commentary for the game alongside EA Sports using generative AI for additional lines. The intention behind this doesn’t bother me—more commentary diversity would be a win. But the reality is, the commentary in NHL 27 feels disjointed and, frankly, repetitive. You find yourself hearing the same line about a low-scoring game, “the tradition of thanking the fans,” regardless of the matchup or context. Previous games managed to tailor comments to individual fanbases, making it less monotonous.

What’s even more frustrating is that often the commentary misses the mark. I’ve had instances where I poke checked the puck and the call incorrectly stated that the puck carrier did it. During a Hurricanes home game, Buccigross made comments about the empty seats, claiming the franchise struggles to fill the arena, which was inaccurate given they’ve sold out all home games since the 2021-22 season.

Now, let’s touch on the player models, which have been the subject of much ridicule online since the game’s launch. To be fair, the face scans aren’t as terrible as some might say—most players look decent enough. But some are simply awful.

Regardless of the quality of the scans, all the athletes tend to morph into bizarre caricatures when they celebrate or react to plays. It’s quite jarring to see them turn into exaggerated figures whenever they show emotion.

In terms of the on-ice action, NHL 27 mostly holds up. Though changes have been made to puck handling and deking, it still feels behind compared to last year’s offering. The music and arena atmosphere have seen improvement, which is great, but these advancements don’t overshadow the new problems that have emerged.

It’s clear that the developers of the NHL series are passionate about hockey, yet it seems they’re battling against resource limitations. While hockey may be a niche sport and will never rival the budgets of titles like Madden, it certainly deserves better than it’s currently receiving. I genuinely hope that EA Sports understands that fans view this installment as a low point for the series and works to rejuvenate the franchise moving forward.