NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

[Qb]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

The improved load times and menu responsiveness makes a world of difference with this game. Of course that's because the menus are clunky to begin with but better is better.

[NHLOilers]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I wasn't a fan of the game at all initially. At default settings it is not very good. If you get the right slider settings, the game can be excellent. I am really enjoying the game now, probably one of the best hockey games I have ever played with the current settings I have.

[SocialAssassin]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

Using Al Tito's sliders, I have produced the following results in my franchise:

4-2 W
3-2 W
3-2 L
3-2 OTW
3-1 W
7-3 W
3-1 L
2-1 OTL
5-4 L
3-1 L
2-0 W
5-4 OTW
4-1 W
3-1 W
3-0 L
6-5 OTW
3-2 OTW

11-5-1, third in the metro, 12th in GFPG, 3rd in GAPG, 1st on the PP, 24th on the PK. Al Tito's sliders work, have been having fun competitive games and good scores all around.

The game still has flaws, but they've done some good stuff. Hopefully skating feels a lot better in next gen with the use of the haptic feedback to really dig in on your skating.

[Gagnon39]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I used to play NHL religiously, from NHLPA '93 on the SEGA Genesis up until NHL 14 on the XBox 360. NHL 15 just didn't do it for me and I started a decline in interest for my beloved game. However, I bought my 12-year old son NHL 21 and played him the other day. It brought back so many good memories and I generally picked right back up where I left off, skill-wise. I enjoyed it so much I downloaded it on my own PlayStation (yes, we each have our own) and I've been playing some with Be A Pro and having moderate fun.

However, where my heart truly lies, as many of ours do, is in franchise mode. So I'm curious... since my 5-6 year absence, is this game worthwhile offline for franchise mode? Is the AI good and can we get a realistic, simulation style game of hockey out of EA's title. I've been completely out of the loop regarding NHL since NHL 14 and this is the first year I've even had mild interest. However, my concerns still remain after playing just a few games against my son, in which I dominated by the way.

The main problem I've always had with NHL is that it's impossible to play the game with 20 minute periods and get realistic stats. I get it that most people wouldn't want to play 20 minute periods but in reality, if there's still not realistic stats with 20 minute periods, something's off. What's been off in previous years is that passes are too accurate. There needs to be far, far more off-the-mark passes, passes that bounce of a players stick, that are deflected, etc. Basically, loose pucks need to be much more prevalent. Secondly, it's just too easy to get shots on net. Shots need to miss the net or hit bodies before the goalie much more often. Third, there needs to be much more board play and neutral zone play. If all these things happen then it would truly be much more of a simulation than it's ever been.

I'm curious without reading through hundreds of posts, is NHL 21 a good simulation for someone solely interested in offline franchise mode?

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I'm curious without reading through hundreds of posts, is NHL 21 a good simulation for someone solely interested in offline franchise mode?

No. Seriously.

And did you brag about dominating your own son in NHL?

[SocialAssassin]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I'm alright with that. Teach em young.

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I solely play offline franchise mode on basically AS defaults and have always played that way. I haven't played a game post patch 1.3 but my experience is NHL 21 has the best game play of the series.

20 minutes I don't believe works though.. like Madden, I have to lower the minutes (7M) quite a bit like I do with Madden to get realistic stats.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

I used to play NHL religiously, from NHLPA '93 on the SEGA Genesis up until NHL 14 on the XBox 360. NHL 15 just didn't do it for me and I started a decline in interest for my beloved game. However, I bought my 12-year old son NHL 21 and played him the other day. It brought back so many good memories and I generally picked right back up where I left off, skill-wise. I enjoyed it so much I downloaded it on my own PlayStation (yes, we each have our own) and I've been playing some with Be A Pro and having moderate fun.

However, where my heart truly lies, as many of ours do, is in franchise mode. So I'm curious... since my 5-6 year absence, is this game worthwhile offline for franchise mode? Is the AI good and can we get a realistic, simulation style game of hockey out of EA's title. I've been completely out of the loop regarding NHL since NHL 14 and this is the first year I've even had mild interest. However, my concerns still remain after playing just a few games against my son, in which I dominated by the way.

The main problem I've always had with NHL is that it's impossible to play the game with 20 minute periods and get realistic stats. I get it that most people wouldn't want to play 20 minute periods but in reality, if there's still not realistic stats with 20 minute periods, something's off. What's been off in previous years is that passes are too accurate. There needs to be far, far more off-the-mark passes, passes that bounce of a players stick, that are deflected, etc. Basically, loose pucks need to be much more prevalent. Secondly, it's just too easy to get shots on net. Shots need to miss the net or hit bodies before the goalie much more often. Third, there needs to be much more board play and neutral zone play. If all these things happen then it would truly be much more of a simulation than it's ever been.

I'm curious without reading through hundreds of posts, is NHL 21 a good simulation for someone solely interested in offline franchise mode?

Your history up until NHL14 is really similar to mine. Don't play with my kid though.


2KHS on PC was what brought me back to hockey gaming though. That game has a lot of bouncing pucks and what you mention but not modern graphics. You need a good computer to play it though (stable around 4GHz) since it runs through an emulator.


It's a fan made gameplay and graphics improved mod of NHL2K11.


You can look it up on youtube or here in the other hockey games forum if you're interested.

[Gagnon39]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

No. Seriously.

And did you brag about dominating your own son in NHL?

You're damn right I did. Haha.

[daflyboys]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

You're damn right I did. Haha.

"So you think you're better than me, huuuuuhhh?!?"

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

Lord knows I've tried to like NHL gaming (franchise) but I can't!
Gameplay (ai) is just a mess,doesn't matter which or how you set up your sliders,passing at 0, puck control at 0,doesn't matter,AI still strings passses without any body adjustments super fast.
Lately I've tried 18+19+20+21,they all have the same issues that can't be fixed,a little better than vanilla yes,but fixed and realistic nope!

Online and offline gameplay is way to close to each other,and online is where the EA heart wants it.

My only fix right now is to go back and play 13-14 on my 360.
Still so much better and realistic than this.
Shame on you EA

This can't be more wrong.

NHL 21 the best job they have done since NHL 14. (even NHL 20 was solid).

Slider issues with hyper speed after some games etc, does exist.

But with adjust sliders I can keep the CPU passing in the low to mid 60%. They miss passes to the point and out of the zone, bobble pucks etc.

Feel free and enjoy the older games, I still do, but to say this game is less realistic than 13 or 14 is 100% wrong.

[The EVHL]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

Passing is one area I think the old gen did better in terms of variety. I swear the puck used to hop/catch edges on long stretch passes sometimes and it just doesn't do that in the new games. Also found changing the angle of my release point to be better on the old gen as well. I like RPM skating way more than TPS though and goalies being able to deflect pucks, use the RVH, and catch/smother rebounds in better fashion really does make the next-gen a step up from old-gen games.

The CPU was breaking physics and passing like they do now back then as well, I don't think that's really changed. I have a Pro set I use (EVHL - 6 minutes) that's up in the slider section. Check it out and see if it does anything for you. I've found Pro gameplay a lot more enjoyable than AS/SS.

[The EVHL]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

Im agreeing on points there buddy,puck physics way better on old gen,current has other things being better.
But the passing is in my mind a strategy from EA and FUT/HUT,it's exactly the same on FIFA, ridiculous passing,and has been since at least -19.

Yeah I prefer PRO,problem is it gets a bit too easy after a while, CPU a bit too passive in attack.
I'll check your sliders out pal,also found jay ironhook's that looks promising.
Might even go broadcast cam to get a pro difficulty that's tough etc.
Thanks buddy

Yeah I don't simply play franchise/Season mode as one team so the CPU scoring difficulty doesn't affect me, but can definitely see why that's an issue. I've always wanted to play in broadcast cam but it really limits my stick movements and I don't want to lose that element haha.

[GetThePuckOut]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

A short Clip bout EA NHL 21 Gameplay, Physics, Animation...
if the custom sliders working...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0GAUyHw6RSU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Dirkk1974]

Re: NHL 21 Has Been Released - Share Your Impressions with the Community

Had a hard time adjusting to broadcast on 2k,but now that used to it,can't really go back.
Maybe I'll get used to it here as well,looks pretty darn good though

+1 ! My only complain about TB is : The Cam for the Colmbus Blue Jackets is way too far away.