![]() ![]() On top of the stats and description, each option displays a current player fitting that play-style in the fore-ground, and a well-blended veteran player who once fit that play-style in the background. You can choose between six different archetypes, essentially styles of play, with each option displaying a short explanation of that archetype followed by visually represented stats for that archetype. Something like this did exist in NHL 20, but it was not as emphasized. Upon creating a new player, and after a criminally long cutscene you’re forced to endure, you’ll be prompted to choose an archetype for your player. But the menu clean-up wasn’t the only change. In a nice transparent overlay in the top right corner is all the important information about your player: statistics, personality type, how likable you are, number of followers, any challenges you accept and where you sit on your team’s lineup. ![]() It has a new and more sleek menu that features your custom player sitting in their locker room. The most stark difference between NHL 20 and NHL 21 is certainly Be a Pro, which got almost completely rebuilt. But the real change came with the new modes of play, specifically Be a Pro. Other than the new dekes, there was little change between NHL 20 and NHL 21 in terms of direct, on-the-ice gameplay. This isn’t a bad thing though, as it’s easy to argue that moves in the NHL video game should at least try to mirror the real-life difficulty. Speaking of those dekes, specifically the Michigan spin, it’s extremely tricky to pull off, something that some people may find disappointing. What is a little disappointing, however, is that the AI does not use any of the new dekes. The meticulously modeled faces of stars and the solid and responsive controls and overall balanced mechanics have always been good. For the most part, the gameplay and the graphics stayed the same, which isn’t a fault. Also, holding down the left stick to navigate over multiple options has a really cumbersome delay.īut a poor menu doesn’t make the actual gameplay bad. And it doesn’t help that these options are uninspired boxes of ugly text that, when selected, are overlaid with a dull gradient and the occasional green swipe. This makes the game seem very packed and, in a way, messy. ![]() The menu consists of only a grid in which its cells serve as the options. But the issue I have with the menu screen of NHL 21 being virtually the same is that it looks clunky, and feels that way too. Introducing black as one of the main menu colors really creates the feel of a hockey rink hours before a big game, and the green seems to pair well with the black. Now, this color combination fits the game quite well. Except this time it was neon green and black instead of blue and orange. Upon loading up the game, I was greeted by the main menu. Personally, being a massive fan of hockey and thus the NHL series, I bought this game the same day it came out and played it pretty consistently for a few weeks. ![]() And while the new moves on their own generated a lot of excitement for NHL 21, it was multiplied with the announcement of a revamped Be a Pro mode, where the player could create a custom character and play through a simulated professional hockey career, which for years had been a great concept that was poorly executed. There would be several new dekes, or moves, the most notable of which being the legendary Michigan spin. This time, it looked like there would be monumental changes to the game’s core mechanics. 24th, EA Sports released the trailer for the latest installment of the NHL series, NHL 21. In other words, the NHL series has been EA’s malnourished cash-calf, and for a while now fans of the series have been slowly losing interest due to feeling as though they are buying the same game repeatedly. For many years, EA Sports’ NHL, or National Hockey League, video game series has proven to be nothing more than a traditional sports game that is overshadowed by the giants that are the Madden and NBA 2K games. ![]()
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