EA Sports NHL 26 Review – Finally A Pro

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As a gamer, I admit I wasn’t holding my breath for another iteration of the NHL series. Frankly, it’s been spinning its wheels for close to a decade with minor adjustments instead of major overhauls. Last year, they made impressive strides in AI and graphics, but the game modes were woefully outdated. So you can imagine my shock when Be A Pro mode got a facelift in NHL 26. And This year’s NHL game is a significant improvement, let’s dive into the on-ice action first.

Improvements in on-ice gameplay this year feel smoother and more impactful compared to last season, even though the difference isn’t enormous. This enhancement can likely be attributed to the incorporation of NHL EDGE data. For years, real-life NHL has been using EDGE data to analyze intricate tendencies and statistics that are tough to quantify. EA Sports sought to incorporate this data into their game as well, resulting in a more sophisticated AI system. Although the improvements may seem subtle, they are indeed noticeable. While I could delve into every detail that EDGE tracks within the game, it primarily focuses on two crucial aspects on the ice: puck movement and player behavior patterns.

“Gameplay feels more authentic thanks to real-life NHL EDGE data.”

In simpler terms, different players in the game exhibit subtly distinct behaviors that aren’t solely determined by their stats. These almost unnoticeable traits, like playing faster near the net or being more precise with hidden shots from corners, can now be quantified. These nuances might go unnoticed for casual gamers, but they add a layer of novelty to gameplay over long hours, preventing the game from feeling repetitive and predictable.

For avid NHL fans, the updated player ratings, which are more data-driven this time around, are likely to be appreciated, even though the overall goalie ratings might appear low.

However, take it easy, the changes to this year’s title’s goalie setup shouldn’t cause too much concern. The standout improvement I noticed when suiting up and stepping between the pipes is the ability to skip animations, or “animation-cancel.” This allows for quick saves without delay before making another move, like the butterfly slide. Plus, it’s said that over 80 new goalie animations have been added compared to last year. This results in more agile and adaptable goalies, whether controlled by AI or players – a significant upgrade, indeed!

“The goalie overhaul has rendered them much more adaptable and perceptive.”

Although I appreciate the advancements in the new goalie system, I have a concern: it feels overly automated. It’s possible to play as the goalie without direct input from the controller, and the AI will automatically perform glove saves or move the pad to block stray pucks. While the enhanced goalie AI is impressive, especially in terms of preemptive anticipation, it seems to strip the player of control when managing them. Although I still need to position myself near the puck to prevent an unintentional goal, the AI’s smart movements make goaltending less rewarding as a primary role. Regrettably, despite this year’s upgrades, goalies continue to be the most straightforward position to manage.

Instead of saying “On the other hand,” we could say “However.”

“Contrarily, the Pro mode has undergone impressive updates. Now, press conferences and interviews are voice-acted, and it’s astonishing that they sound authentic in their delivery – a rarity for modern EA Sports games. The interviewers seem realistic, pausing and hesitating as if they were actually nervous or pondering a question. Although the player character and coaches aren’t voiced, enhancing the media and press aspect of the game is commendable.

“Press conferences and interviews are voice-acted with convincing delivery”

The dialogue choices during these moments may not be as impactful as in many role-playing games, but they do align EA’s sports game series at least. Your responses can subtly influence factors like your social media image or locker room dynamics. Often, the outcome is hinted at with your response options, although not always. I appreciate the new abilities linked to dialogue as well. Although straightforward, they create a sense of character development, offering non-traditional stat improvements for your player beyond the usual boosts.

In this year’s Be A Pro, there’s a significant new element: the focus on non-NHL aspects. Your custom player now experiences a more comprehensive journey to the NHL compared to past versions. I found it engaging to progress through a complete minor league playoff while striving to impress NHL scouts. However, once in the NHL, complacency isn’t an option or else you risk being demoted back to the minor leagues. A subpar performance in the big leagues means a quick return to the AHL. This year’s Be A Pro offers more immersive character development arcs and increases the tension in a rewarding manner.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’d like to share my excitement about the latest addition to our gaming tools – the Form Score Tracker. This fantastic tool charts my progress and fluctuations in performance, game by game, offering me valuable insights into my improvements and potential areas for growth. It’s like having a personal coach, always keeping tabs on my performance!

The new chapter structure makes keeping tabs on your progress more straightforward than ever. If you want to dive straight into the heart of an NHL season, simply move on to the next chapter and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the regular season. For gamers with busy schedules, the ability to jump over weeks and even entire months to reach your next milestone is a handy feature.

Another new addition I appreciate is the Form Score tracker. It’s a useful tool that monitors a player’s improvements and setbacks on a game-by-game basis, providing real-time insights into player development. However, there was a persistent background noise from the Form Score tracker that never stopped; hopefully, this bug has been fixed as it can be quite bothersome and annoying.

One aspect that’s easy on the ears is the soundtrack in this game. The licensed music features a blend of popular rock and alternative bands, but it’s the unique Be A Pro soundtrack that truly stands out. If you’re a fan of mellow lounge music, imagine a touch of rich, low-fi tunes layered on top – a combination that results in a very original sports mode atmosphere. It’s quite refreshing considering many EA Sports titles tend to follow trends for guaranteed yearly profits and originality can sometimes take a back seat. To quote the current generation, the Be A Pro mode menus have a great vibe to them. Plus, they load faster than last year, which is an added bonus.

The menus now load faster and appear more attractive, however, there’s still some lag when navigating player ratings or using online features. What doesn’t seem sluggish is the game-day presentation. During games, the IQ statistics look smooth and well-integrated. Relevant percentages and stats dynamically appear on the ice during transitions without being overly distracting. This contextual information overlay provides a helpful element to quickly check between all the action. The commentary booth features the familiar Cybulski/Pounder duo, but this time their conversations seem more seamless.

As a hockey enthusiast, I find the game even more engaging when relevant percentages and stats elegantly appear on the ice during transition moments, never taking away from the excitement of the match.

I’ve played and reviewed three sports games this year, but one special commentary moment from a particular game stood out among the rest. During another match, my virtual player scored the winning goal in overtime, and surprisingly, the commentators mentioned it several games later, casually referring to how cautious the opposing team should be because of my recent overtime goal. This subtle nod made the game feel more interactive and responsive. Additionally, the commentary includes seasonal stats, player habits, and game highlights, all of which are delivered in a natural and smooth manner.

Not only does the commentary seem genuine, but also the crowd and broadcast presentation have noticeably improved compared to last year. The crowd builds up to a thunderous roar during tense moments, reaching its peak when the game is tied in the third period or during overtime. There were instances where I had to lower the volume due to the intense crowd noise – a sign of an enthusiastic audience.

“The presentation is far more cinematic and interesting than prior years.”

This time, the long-awaited triumphs of past teams get their due recognition. Winning either the AHL Calder Cup or the prestigious Stanley Cup in the NHL carries weight. As the trophy is passed among team members amidst the crowd’s applause, it’s a moment to savor. Some teams this year have distinct entrance routines and mascots that I hope will become standard for every team soon. Moreover, this year’s NHL title excels in its cinematics throughout the Be A Pro career mode, enhancing the overall presentation.

The HUT feature has been refined and slightly adjusted as well. For those who prefer offline gaming, the latest Cup Chase mode offers an engaging experience. In this mode, players can showcase their team-building abilities across various seasons, with unique rewards exclusive to it that make it enticing for HUT enthusiasts. On the online front, HUT has implemented a new ranked system to cater to competitive content that was previously missing.

Another exciting feature in HUT is the player combinations, which enhance team setups by providing bonuses. This mechanism boosts lines with similar traits, such as nationality or real-life teams, introducing an intriguing twist. However, this can lead to imbalanced situations when players prioritize matching their lineup a certain way to get the bonuses, potentially restricting creative team-building freedom.

One aspect I appreciate about HUT is the inclusion of hero and icon players who can join your team. Including legendary figures like Sergei Fedorov among contemporary players adds a touch of personality and nostalgia to the gameplay experience.

“Line Combinations add bonuses to teams based on shared features among the players.”

My experience with NHL 26 is much the same as last year, with Franchise and other modes remaining consistent. However, this year introduces several significant improvements that enhance the overall gaming experience in a positive way. While I didn’t notice a big difference with the addition of NHL EDGE data, it certainly adds an element of authenticity for hardcore sports enthusiasts. To my surprise, Be A Pro has been significantly improved, and the presentation has been polished across all aspects. In essence, NHL 26 is a notable improvement over last year’s version and is worth checking out for most players.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-09-08 15:43