NHL 25 review

October 7, 2024

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When it comes to yearly sports titles, expectations for change are high. With NHL 25, EA Vancouver aims to deliver an overhaul of the popular hockey franchise. The game features fresh gameplay mechanics, improved visuals, and deeper modes. But does this new entry truly deliver on the ice? Or, does it feel more like a minor update dressed up as something bigger? Let’s lace up our skates, grab the stick, and take a deep dive into NHL 25.

NHL 25 details

Platform(s): PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
Developer(s): EA Vancouver
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

The first period: Gameplay

NHL 25 brings several gameplay enhancements that make it stand out from NHL 24. One of the biggest is the ICE-Q system. This new animation technology allows for more realistic player movements on the ice. Next-Gen Vision Control is another key gameplay addition in this year’s game. It helps you make better decisions on the ice, whether you’re passing or shooting. The Empowered AI system makes both your teammates and opponents much smarter than in last year’s game. This means they react more realistically to game situations, which leads to more dynamic and organic matches.

Another key addition to gameplay in NHL 25 are Reactive Actions. These new animations allow players to respond quickly during critical moments. Players now act with urgency, which can change the outcome of a play. Skill-based one-timers are also improved, allowing you to execute powerful shots with better timing. Checking has been refined, making it easier to disrupt opponents without getting penalized. Finally, goaltenders are now more aware. This means that goalies will react more effectively to shots and passes. This adds a level of realism that makes each game feel unique.

The ICE-Q system contributes positively to overall gameplay

Overall, I found the ICE-Q system to be a legitimate and beneficial addition to NHL 25. Holding the LT button enable me to line up my player with the puck carrier, which not only helped me keep tighter defensive gaps but also made it easier to intercept passes. This also allowed for smooth and easy transitions between offense and defense. This means I could easily read the ice and pass to my open teammates during crucial moments. This is something which I had a problem with in NHL 24. In the end, the blend of Next-Gen Vision Control and Skill-Based One-Timers made scoring feel truly rewarding. I can now easily time my shots just right, and there is nothing quite like the thrill of watching the puck hit the back of the net.

The second period: Game Modes

NHL 25 has many of the series’ staple modes, including Franchise, Be a Pro, Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), and World of Chel. Let’s take a look at each of these modes to see what’s new in NHL 25.

Franchise

Franchise Mode has received a facelift with an updated user interface and more control over team operations. EA has added more customization options for managing your franchise, including more in-depth scouting, contract negotiations, and the ability to customize your team’s branding. While these changes are welcome, I really don’t feel like they a huge leap forward. If you are like me, who has been hoping for a deeper and more engaging experience, you’ll still find this mode lacking compared to other EA sports games.

Be a Pro

Be a Pro Mode, the single-player career mode, follows the typical format, allowing you to create a player and rise through the ranks from minor leagues to the NHL. The decision-making and off-ice interactions are similar to past games. This year, there are more cinematic moments that make gameplay feel more real and enjoyable. But, that’s about it. While these presentation updates add to the entertainment value, the lack of any significant gameplay changes is severely disappointing.

Hockey Ultimate Team

Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) returns with the familiar card-based format, where you build teams by collecting cards through packs or the auction house. One of the key new features in this is the Wildcard Mode. This introduces different rules that keep you on your toes and requires you to change your strategy on the fly. Additionally, all the experience points you earn from modes like Squad Battles and Rivals are now combined into one progression path, making it easier for you to keep track of your progress and rewards.

Oddly enough, some features have been removed from HUT. For example, you can no longer view individual highlights at the end of games. In last year’s game, I used this feature to look at how I was doing and see where I could improve. Now, I can’t do that. Seeing that it isn’t in NHL 25 is puzzling and also a big letdown.

Overall, the core of HUT remains the same with some missing features. If you love building fantasy teams and competing online, HUT continues to be one of the major reasons to play.

World of Chel

The World of Chel, one of my favourite modes, returns with some updates designed to improve the player experience. This mode focuses on upgrading your player and customizing their appearance. The structure of Live Events has been updated, along with a new playlist system and competitive tournaments, which adds more variety to the gameplay.

While World of Chel offers a fun arcade-style hockey experience, it doesn’t introduce significant changes compared to previous iterations. You can still practice, play in versus mode both online and offline, and play in NHL Threes with NHL teams. The online matches are as chaotic and fast-paced as ever. One of my most memorable moments in this year’s World of Chel was playing with another friend online and scoring a game-winning goal in the final seconds. The excitement of celebrating such a close game made it a truly memorable experience.

The third period: Graphics and presentation

First impressions matter, and NHL 25’s graphics don’t disappoint, for the most part. EA Vancouver has clearly focused on making a better looking game than NHL 24. The game is built exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, which allows for smoother animations and finer attention to detail. Top NHL players are more lifelike, capturing the nuances of each athlete. The sweat, facial expressions, and jersey physics make it feel authentic.

One standout feature of NHL 25’s presentation is the improved crowd animations. Fans no longer feel like stiff cutouts glued to the stands. Instead, they react dynamically to the action on the ice—whether it’s cheering wildly after a goal or collectively groaning after a missed opportunity.

However, NHL 25’s presentation does have its problems. While the overall presentation has been improved, it still feels rushed and not on the same level as other sports games from EA. The lesser known players and coaches don’t get the same visual treatment as the top stars in the game. Not as much care has been given to recreating their likenesses and result in much lower quality player models. Also, the menus in the game feel laggy and often require you to press the button multiple times to go where I wanted to get to. Hopefully some of these issues can be fixed in future updates to the game.

The Final Buzzer: NHL 25 is a solid entry in the series that lacks game changing updates

So, is NHL 25 worth the price of admission? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a longtime fan of the series, you’ll appreciate the visual upgrades, the ICE-Q system, and the improvements to the skating and puck physics. These tweaks, while subtle, do make the on-ice action feel more realistic and rewarding. However, if you were hoping for significant overhauls to game modes like Be a Pro or Franchise, you might feel like the changes are too minor to justify another purchase.

That being said, NHL 25 is still the best hockey simulation out there, and for those who live and breathe the sport, there’s enough here to enjoy, even if it doesn’t quite score a hat trick. So grab your controller, hit the ice, and get ready for another season of virtual hockey madness.

Pros	Cons
ICE-Q system enhances player movements, making gameplay feel more realistic and fluid.	Lesser known players and coaches don’t look as good as the top players.
Improved graphics and player likenesses.	Many game modes, including Franchise and Be a Pro, feel almost identical to their NHL 24 counterparts, lacking significant improvements.
The Empowered AI system leads to smarter teammate and opponent behaviors, resulting in more dynamic and organic matches.	The removal of features like individual highlights in Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) is a puzzling and disappointing change.
Next-Gen Vision Control helps you position yourself more effectively and make smarter decisions on the ice, which really elevates the overall strategy of the game.