NHL 21 is an exercise in consistency, providing the usual improvements to graphics, sound, gameplay, and features while having the usual hindrances. Be A Pro is the real All-Star of this game but like every pro on the ice, there was still room for improvement and falls short in some very easy to notice ways.
NHL 212020
NHL 21
2020 Electronic Arts58Mediocre
Playtime
LongIt typically takes about 40 hours to finish the game.
Playable on
Upcoming on
Game modes
- 2–6 players
- 2–4 players
- 2–6 players
- 2–12 players
Details
- Launch
- October 16, 2020
- Developer
- EA Vancouver
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Themes
- -
Overview
In NHL 21 it’s the most creative, inventive and fearless players that are worth celebrating. Carve your path to superstardom in an expanded "Be A Pro" mode and go down as one of the league’s greatest. On the ice, change up your attack with all new moves, dekes, dangles and evasive maneuvers, inspired by the league’s most groundbreaking innovators. Recognize creativity, recognize revolutionary, recognize future. Recognize greatness.
Screenshots
Reception
Press73
Players42
GoodBad- Metacritic72from 32 reviews
- OpenCritic73from 32 reviews
NHL 21 is the best hockey game around by default – but it seldom genuinely stands out from this generation's pack.
Whilst the gameplay changes and additions to the game modes are welcomed, NHL 21 feels more like an update than a brand new game.
In a year that likely not see any more hockey at the NHL level, it's nice to see that NHL 21 is allowing us to indulge our inner superstar. There may not be a ton of other huge innovations, but the enhanced take on Be A Pro alone makes this installment worth investing in. If you're looking to only dive into the season mode, this may be more of an off-year,...
NHL 21 is absolutely a step forward. We won't be able to see if this improvement is a one-time thing until next year, but as it stands, this final release of the generation is also its best in that span. With a long-overdue update to the Be a Pro mode, alongside the pretty fun HUT Rush and the changes to Franchise, the series took a bigger step forward...