EA Sports NHL 21 needs a little luck

While we are moving forward in what has undoubtedly been the series of the most bizarre sports post-seasons to date, the developers of Electronic Arts have their eyes riveted on the release of NHL 21. In case you have missed my Cover of last year's match, I found myself excited. On the future of the franchise in difficulty for the first time in a decade. It seemed that the series took the necessary measures to start reproducing hockey-simulation. Of course, there was a long way to go. But at least the impression was that the team agreed on the direction in which to take things - to make the game feel real.

Unfortunately, NHL 21 does not fill me with this same optimism with shiny eyes. I would lie if I said that the first revelation I was lucky to be a part of me is not seriously concerned. There is no doubt that positive changes, which will surely appeal to fans, have been brought. I’m not trying to challenge this. Overall, however, I can't help but think that this year's iteration goes and goes without anything other than a groan.

I think a lot of people would agree that the "Be a Pro" mode works in steam. It's boring. It lacks the excitement to cross minors and to forge links with your teammates. Win your place in the entry project. And, finally, win the Stanley Cup. This year, however, everything changes. In what is by far the most exciting update of the NHL franchise in 2020, "Be a Pro" will now present hundreds of different history rhythms that bring you more closer to your future superstar. The way you interact with your teammates out of the ice is now as important as anything else. Do you have to jump this trip to the club where your line player invites you? Do it and you may get a boost of endurance, but your team's chemistry could decrease. There are interesting risk and reward systems that will be at stake here, and I am delighted to dive and see if you really have the impression of living life.

As much as I, and so many others, wanted improvements to the outside ice in the NHL series, that does nothing compared to what I want to see the product on ice. NHL 20 changed the way the game took place in a way that had not been felt for a long time. The authentic way that players recovered the washer transparently, halfway, changed the way you could attack through the neutral z1. And it was great because _fondamentally changed the way routine scenarios would take place. And I don’t feel like NHL 21 will change the way occasional fans approach a match. If anything, the multitude of new tips that have been included will help sow confusion among beginner players.

Being presented as new "hardcore technical movements", these dekes promise to give you control of the washer like never before. Special balloons have been put in place, like "Michigan", where the player, starting from behind the net, brings the washer off the ice and places it in the upper corner. Or the extremely qualified bank of Sidney Crosby who pretends to the back of the net for himself. Dozens of these movements have been added, and perhaps the most intriguing, you can continue as much as you can. The possibility of removing the puck from the boards is also included for the first time. The veterans of the series will be delighted with this news, because it is now possible to take advantage of the defenders with flat feet who have been surprised taking a nap.

I hate saying it, however, but that's it above all. The two important adjustments are to "be a pro", and the Deke system. Of course, minor changes will be made throughout the game here and there, but a large part of what EA often claims to be revolutionary does not translate to the average player. Hut will get a new mode, entitled "Rush", based on playing games quickly. World of Chel obtains classified rankings. Eashl sees changes in the functioning of the seasons, the championships being organized every six weeks approximately. And of course, I was given an overview of some of the layers behind the scenes. Additional defensive tools have been created to prevent things like your teammates from breaking down in zone D. But without seeing a real and not published gameplay, it is impossible to measure its effectiveness.

It's not that I don't like what I see in NHL 21. It's just that there is not much to chew for the moment. The COVID-19 pushed the teams beyond their limits, and it is difficult not to have the impression that a seriously disturbed development calendar affects this year's process.

We are also a few months before the next generation of consoles. Does EA simply buy her time with NHL 21, in the hope of returning to the game_ with the entry of the following year? We will have to wait and see.