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

[MizzouRah]

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

The last patch has been great. The goalies seem more beatable and the CPU on AS plays a more normal game, if that makes sense. I'm seeing much more goal variety as well.

14 games left in my Blues franchise and we are 2 point out of a playoff spot. Each game has been like a playoff game, especially against teams fighting for a playoff spot as well.

I haven't had this much fun with EA hockey in quite some time.

Let's GO Blues!

[mkharsh33]

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

On All-Star - if you lower certain skating & puck control sliders, and then raise others (knowing which do what) - you can create the sloppy, neutral zone, board play, having to dump-and-chase that us die hard simulation types have craved for years. And then you see those moments when the starts just shine. Guys also seem to do more of their attributes. Gotta admit - I'm having an absolute blast with this game. Look, we'll never have a "perfect" game - but this year is THE MOST realistic hockey game I've every played with EA.

[The EVHL]

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

On All-Star - if you lower certain skating & puck control sliders, and then raise others (knowing which do what) - you can create the sloppy, neutral zone, board play, having to dump-and-chase that us die hard simulation types have craved for years. And then you see those moments when the starts just shine. Guys also seem to do more of their attributes. Gotta admit - I'm having an absolute blast with this game. Look, we'll never have a "perfect" game - but this year is THE MOST realistic hockey game I've every played with EA.

Easily EA's best attempt at simulation hockey. 21 has been much more enjoyable than 20 due to many small improvements. It's at least a step in the right direction to close out what would've been an extremely disappointing generation for this series had 21 suffered the same lack of polish/execution that the other entries had during this gen. Still not a great generation overall, but 21 gave me some hope back which had all but faded with 15-20.

[Dirkk1974]

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

Yeah I'm going to give this game a proper try.
Any sliders on all star,with some sloppy and organic gameplay (not passing in hyper speed etc) you'd recommend?

Pretty much a pro gameplay but with a better defence and sharper (more shots) AI?
All help appreciated,thinking 7-8 Min periods,getting 25-35 shots per team and game

It depends enormously on the camera angle you play with. NHL 21 plays completely differently on True Broadcast than on Dynamic Low / Medium as an example. I play with default sliders on True Broadcast on Pro difficulty (AI-Pro-Skill-Level 4/6) and I love it. Everything looks pretty realistic.

[SocialAssassin]

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

Just got a Series X and installed NHL 21, had it previously on the One X, it definitely looks a lot sharper now. The HDR has made a big difference, and I do believe it's given me 4K resolution now. Would be neat if the team put in an update to unlock the framerate to 60fps. I think the game would look sensational. I'm excited to see what next gen raytracing will look like in a NHL game, cause I think it'll be drool worthy.

[The EVHL]

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

Just got a Series X and installed NHL 21, had it previously on the One X, it definitely looks a lot sharper now. The HDR has made a big difference, and I do believe it's given me 4K resolution now. Would be neat if the team put in an update to unlock the framerate to 60fps. I think the game would look sensational. I'm excited to see what next gen raytracing will look like in a NHL game, cause I think it'll be drool worthy.

Would love if they brought the game to PC for the graphical reasons. Also so I wouldn't have to buy a next-gen console lol.

[nikethebike]

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

Would love if they brought the game to PC for the graphical reasons. Also so I wouldn't have to buy a next-gen console lol.

And for the modding possibilities... :P

[SocialAssassin]

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

And for the modding possibilities... :P

Or if they just made the Xbox and PS5 open source FOR mods.

[The EVHL]

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

Any recommendations on tuners,really need a slow,sloppy and a fair amount of pens called each game.
Still shopping for sliders.
Looking in to Cycloniacs set

TNK's gameplay is pretty slow and based on realism while playing from the traditional video game camera angle. Cycloniac's is based on realism as well but is to be played from the broadcast camera. If you're going exclusively for realism, I'd pick one of those. Idk about Cyloniac's speed, but if you're wanting slower gameplay, I know TNK's definitely is. I'm sure both play great, can't go wrong!

[TomSellecksMustache]

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

I haven't touched this game in a few months. Have they fixed the auto scouting issue yet?

[Will I Am]

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

Can someone tell me if there is a way to change the "player your controlling" icon in single player mode to something other than red? I play as the Flames and well...all I can see is red, lol.

[Ac3way]

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

Bought the game couple days ago.

For me NHL 20 wasnt that good with any sliders. I just compared it this week to NHL 19, which i liked a lot. But oh boy, NHL 21 seems good game!

It has NHL 20 base, but there are so many things wich are better or fixed for offline gameplay. I like how whole line will pressure, help and try to get open for passes. It is much more team game now.

I mostly yet played with my brother Season Mode, but soon will start Be a Pro. Franchise Mode i have to wait, because i like to edit player attributes more realistic.

[Ac3way]

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

Some differences on NHL 21 versus NHL 20.

- Now CPU uses stick to defend and not just bump your body. Poke check and blocking passing lines with stick.

- If CPU bumps you, its not automatically loose puck.

- CPU can sometimes defend space and not just always try to get puck.

- Multiple players can battle for puck.

- CPU and your teammates is helping other players if they need support to battle for puck, forecheck or even try to skate open for pass support.

- CPU is much smarter when to pass or shoot at o-zone.

- CPU can try to shoot even from small angles, slaper or wrist. And not just try to throw it net, but actually try to snipe it.

- CPU uses dangles more and also penaltyshots is much better.

- Lots of NHL 20 issues are fixed, like too easy rebounds or shot animations is now more often right ones.

I havent yet found anything that is worse than NHL 20, but offcourse there is still legacy issues and things wich could be even better.

NHL 21 seems to be fine EA Hockey game, which you can have a lot of fun.

[FlamesFan13]

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

When I try and hold R2 for a cross crease pass it automatically passes and doesn't let me hold it on my stick, does anyone know why its doing this?

[Ac3way]

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

Be a Pro difficulty is disappointment, its way too easy. On NHL 21 i needed to up difficulty one level to Superstar, but even that one is enough. Tried different settings at attribute effect slider, lowering shooting sliders etc. Its not helping much.

AI learning and CPU Difficulty sliders make it more difficulty, but then your teammates cant do anything anymore. I dont want to do everything myself, i would like to be just one part of my line.

My career have just started (played 16 games at NHL), but i almost lead every stat on NHL with my 76 Ovr playmaker. Only assists and shooting% is where im not top2.

Fun game mode and better than before, but easier than previous years. Maybe i should started Career as D-man to make it more harder.