'NHL 27' is yet another yearly release of the same installment. The package and presentation are gorgeous and the in-game experience is super immersive. The introduction of Connected Franchise is a big win for players, and returning fans of Be a Pro will be satisfied. But if you are looking for a major overhaul, you'll be disappointed. By no means is this a bad game, in fact, this is a good game with certain aspects of greatness. This video game makes playing hockey feel entertaining and exhilarating, the atmospheres bring an authenticity and really that is all you can ask for.
As I am writing this, it is currently 95 degrees, and the NHL season doesn’t even start till the end of the month. Playing this game has been a cruel tease; hockey season is what I crave and I need it now. There is nothing more glorious than that crisp breeze in the air, putting your hockey sweater on and playing NHL with your homies. I have been a fan of these games my whole life. I remember being younger and playing them with my dad, specifically ’99 with Eric Lindros on the front. Some of my first gaming memories come from hockey video games, I can even still hear the stadium announcers from back in the day in my head. These days, it’s not usually a game I get to, with gaming time becoming more and more precious, so I was really grateful that I got to pick up the sticks again.
Right off the bat, I want to mention how pretty this game is. The overall package and presentation are beautiful. Often, sports video games have boring, soulless menus. ’27’s menus are clean and offer a lovely display. A player from your favorite team idles as you navigate, while the background exhibits graphics or highlights. This makes it really vibrant and inviting, like it’s putting you into a hype video. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a minor detail to talk about, but as I stated before, most sports games do the bare minimum. I play FIFA every year and the menus always look bland, so this is a nice change of pace.
The in-game graphics are the actual star of the show. The ice looks fantastic as always, and the player models have upped their quality. It’s only a nominal improvement from the past but still better. The general production provides an inviting atmosphere. There’s just nothing quite like hearing your team’s goal song blast after you score. The lighting around the arena just adds to the immersion.
A new mode has been added to this season of the game. You can now do franchise mode with friends via Connected Franchise. It works very similarly to other sports video games with online franchises. A commissioner sets up the league, then players join in and control their own team. This is a modet that I know people have wanted for a while. The only downside is that you need at least 3 people to play.
While you are in the game, actually playing hockey, controlling the stick, making hits, taking shots, moving the puck, it feels good. Really, it is all you can ask out of a sports game: for playing the sport to feel enjoyable. In ’27, it is fun to play hockey. The skating is crisp, yet fluid at the same time. You are able to glide easily along the ice while also being able to stop on a dime or get smashed into the boards. The physics in the game are noticeable, for sure. I was playing on the PS5 with a DualSense Edge and I loved the vibrations of skating. You feel slight vibrational pulses with the steps your player takes on the ice. It’s not a detail that is going to push the game to win an award, but it’s a very intricate touch that enhances the experience.
Unfortunately, there haven’t been many changes to Be a Pro mode. The mechanics still work the same, but now there is a heavy focus on leadership and getting your player to be captain. In theory, it’s a nice addition, but it really pigeonholes your player as to who they can become. Like, what if I would rather be an enforcer, or just role-play another way? The whole “pre-NHL” part of Be a Pro is fun and creative, but truly limited in its scope and its plot beats are the same as the previous year.
A large part of NHL 27 is its Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) mode. You will definitely see it, because it is heavily forced on you with pop-ups from the start. Even when you open the mode itself, it becomes very overwhelming with lots of information to take in immediately. Overall, HUT has added playbooks and coaches. This does add a new wrinkle into creating your team and building connections with players, giving a new layer of customization.
