Sports games released every year often face the same problem of acting like an update to the previous year’s installment instead of being a brand new experience. There are rare instances where an entry overhauls features significantly or adds something that breathes fresh life into the series, such as the surprisingly fresh FIFA 23. Unfortunately, Studio Mate’s NHL 23 falls victim to the genre’s annual release cycle.
Fast Facts: NHL 23
Release date: October 14, 2022
platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One
Developer: EA Vancouver
the publisher: EA Sports
I’m not saying NHL 23 is bad. itselfThe improvements have definitely improved the gameplay on ice, making it the most fun game we’ve had in years. There’s always been something zen about hopping between teammates to set up good one-timers and decking around opponents, but the new Last Chance Pack move makes it even more addictive .
Previously, contact temporarily knocked the character off track, resulting in strong defensive play, but interrupted the flow of the game in an overall unrealistic and frustrating way. You can now keep control of the puck even if you stumble on the ice after being bumped or pushed. He can also dive behind his puck loose, which leads to some grisly moments like barely banking a pass or scoring a goal while crashing into the ice. These new animations help every match maintain both the right amount of realism and momentum.
feminine touch
The biggest change for NHL 23 is the inclusion of IIHF female players in Ultimate Team’s unlockable roster of athletes. A long-awaited addition, but still a welcome one, and being able to have a gender-mixed lineup offers even more ways to customize your dream team and create tighter synergies between players. This comes with the caveat of dealing with HUT microtransactions. HUTs are not necessarily pay-to-win, they offer the opportunity to earn packs through gameplay. hockey star.
Be A Pro remains a missed opportunity, especially compared to the single-player campaigns that FIFA and NBA games offer. The dialogue is haughty, awkward, and completely silent. RPG-lite alternatives are offered, but cutscenes are separate from them. I pissed off my teammates for refusing to go bowling the night before the game because I didn’t want to gobble up sodas and hot dogs.
I love the idea of starting as an underdog and becoming an iconic hockey star over the years, but Be A Pro’s weak structure makes it less fun. This is the third year in a row since the Be A Pro revamp, and it’s functionally the same. No improvement in writing, mechanics, or presentation. This mode continues to come across as an afterthought rather than the main attraction, which is a real shame for anyone trying to live their NHL fantasy.
World Of Chel is largely unchanged except for the addition of crossplay, which isn’t available at launch, but is expected to reduce lengthy matchmaking times. It has been. An Xbox Series X player can only play against his PS5 player, and the Xbox One and his PS4 player vice versa. Also, you can’t team up with friends on other consoles, instead you’re limited to playing against them. Not being able to play with a friend on another console to avoid teaming up with a bad Landos is a big sickness.
packing frustration
So far, online play has had various problems, such as frequent failures to connect to the server, disconnections during matches, etc. However, this game has technical problems even in offline mode. . There have been too many instances where the screen suddenly went completely black when loading into a Be a Pro match, forcing the game to restart. The whole game froze after the match. Players are still stuck inside each other, and sometimes have severe leg cramps.
Bugs can always be patched, but the main core of NHL 23’s downside is familiarity. Last Chance’s puck moves and long-awaited inclusion of female players in HUT are great, but they don’t change the core gameplay to be significantly different from NHL 22. In particular, IIHF’s new star has no interest in doing HUT.
I am torn by my feelings about the whole NHL 23. Gaming is definitely a fun time, but it’s also a time that feels a little lacking. It’s easy to recommend to newcomers and those who skipped the last few entries in the series, but returning players won’t lose anything by skipping. It’s been a while, but instead of taking the necessary steps, the NHL has stepped firmly into the past.
NHL 23 was reviewed on PS5 using code provided by the publisher.
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