I’ve always found the NHL series to be the unsung hero of EA Sports’ catalogue. While EA FC and Madden are the big two, so much effort goes into making each year better than the last. EA Sports NHL 26 might not seem like a lot has changed at first, but the longer you spend with it, those nuances in gameplay and presentation soon become apparent. When you step into online play, the inclusion of NHL Edge feels more obvious because actual fans of the sport know how to make use of each player on the ice.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t accessible to new players, though. It is probably one of the easiest sports titles to pick up and play. The fundamentals are enough to be able to get stuck in after thirty minutes or so; however, there’s a layered control system that allows those willing to sink time into it that offers plenty of freedom to play exactly how you want. NHL 26 has made some big improvements to realism that is more noticeable to fans of the real sport. NHL Edge manages to highlight specific traits of all players to give its most authentic experience yet.
EA Sports NHL 26 pays close attention to its stats to offer opportunities to make quick plays down the ice, get back to defend, and shoot with more precision depending on who you’re controlling. At times it feels like last year’s, but with more hours put into playing, there’s definitely a better feel of fluidity and opportunity as you begin to exploit various weaknesses in opposing players and make the most of your own player’s statistics. There’s a difficulty curve that comes with this, but riding that wave and finding the sweet spot feels so good.
Quicker reactions to what’s happening are needed much more than they ever were. Player AI is smarter, and getting back to defend quickly and smarter is a necessity. On the flipside, playing offence is exciting, too. Your teammates move into smarter positions, making certain passes feel so important. Every shot you take feels earned, and every pass you play gives you a real sense of accomplishment. That realism bleeds into every minute you spend on the ice, with every victory no longer a given if you’re not putting everything you know to good use.
The goalies react in different ways this year. They’re more versatile and responsive. This gives you more security when a fast break against you happen, but it also means the opponent goalie is smarter. If you’re used to scoring up close, goalies react quicker and have more chance of making a save. Their all-round awareness has improved, adding to that satisfaction of scoring. There were the odd occasions when goalies made more attempts at a save, but like real-life, players make mistakes. It’s just annoying when it happens to you.
ICE-Q 2.0 has made subtle yet obvious tweaks to its presentation. From the detail in the ice to player animations, there’s been substantial improvements to add to the authenticity of in-game action. Not only that, replays have been improved to feature new viewpoints, along with flurries of stats appearing at any opportunity to make it feel as though it’s real to you. Throughout the season, these stats change to reflect your performance, and watching my Maple Leafs get better and better was a big plus for me.
I’m a big single-player sports fan who rarely jumps online. Probably the biggest change in EA Sports NHL 26 is the Be-A-Pro mode. It’s had a complete overhaul to make it feel more realistic of an experience. There are press conferences where you choose responses that build or break relationships with your coach, fellow players, and the press, giving you boosts if the successful response is made. There are also interactions with voice acting, but in most instances, they feel wooden and emotionless. It’s good to see them in an NHL game, but I hope these are improved in future entries.
It feels like you’re on a real journey in Be-A-Pro. Moving through the ranks until you reach the NHL doesn’t take long, yet it is preserving your place through your actions as well as where you allocate your skills. Watching your player walk out the tunnel and onto the ice for big games you’ve fought to be a part of is one of most exciting aspects of NHL 26. It feels like a great stepping stone for future entries, and it’s appreciated that EA Vancouver has finally made that decision to change the mode for the better.
Much of the other modes remained relatively untouched bar a few minor changes. There’s a new mode in HUT called Cup Chase, allowing you to play through a mini-season offline against the computer. As someone who doesn’t spend a great deal of time online, it’s nice to see acknowledgement for those like me who want to get stuck into HUT without only really having multiplayer options. Franchise mode is pretty much the same. While it feels no different, it’s still the best franchise or career mode in any EA Sports title bar none.
The main changes in EA Sports NHL 26 are more noticeable if you’re willing to spend hours playing against every team multiple times or against real-world players. The implementation of NHL Edge becomes more apparent when you’re the most familiar with your team and get used to the nuances between every statistic. While on the surface it looks similar to last year, EA Vancouver has put a lot of time into improving many aspects of its gameplay, as well as laying the foundations of a Be-A-Pro mode that has the potential to be great going forward.
