Introduction

Hockey fans rejoice! EA has swung the sticks one more time with NHL 25, the latest installment in a franchise that’s been around longer than some of its fans have. Released exclusively for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, NHL 25 aims to deliver a fresh spin on the ice skating simulation, now featuring the innovative 'ICE-Q Gameplay Intelligence System'—or as I prefer to call it, 'What did I just hit?' gameplay. With high hopes and hockey pucks in hand, let’s take the ice and find out if this game is a grand slam or a total flop.

Gameplay

The gameplay in NHL 25 is packed with new features, but at its heart, it feels like a classic. For starters, the introduction of official coaches has your favorite teams spitting flames and legends making head-scratching decisions like playing an enforcer in net. The addition of professional women’s hockey teams means you can now launch slapshots as players from the Professional Women's Hockey League, giving a whole new meaning to female empowerment—break the glass ceiling and the opposing goalie, folks! The 'ICE-Q Gameplay Intelligence System' brings a fresh level of realism, allowing players to experience on-the-fly decisions that give hockey a more varied and strategic feel. Your players will have the brains of a seasoned vet—imagine a squirrel with a hockey stick. The AI seems to better anticipate plays, and you’ll often find yourself yelling at the TV as one of your teammates decides to take a coffee break right as your opponent makes a breakaway. Multiplayer modes make a return, because what’s more fun than losing to your friends while they scream at you in real life? The options to play couch co-op or join a global online match mean you can experience the agony of defeat twice as fast. A valid complaint about previous installments was its tendency to be more of a button masher than a skill-based experience. NHL 25 shifts the balance back towards strategy, which may be welcome for the strategists in the audience or just a pain for those of us still figuring out the 'shoot' button.

Graphics

Visuals on NHL 25 are as slick as the ice players skate upon, with the Frostbite engine powering up all the glitz and glamour you’d expect from a ninth-generation console game. Player models look more realistic, so you can see the perspiration glint on their helmets as they struggle through an endless 80-game season filled with back-breaking travel and questionable chute selections. Crowds are lively, and the animations are dynamic, resulting in some jaw-dropping moments when your player swings and misses—because who doesn't love the feeling of making a fool of themselves on screen? The commentary hasn't gone untouched either. With an upgraded broadcaster system, you might actually feel like you’re watching a real game instead of a simulated roller coaster of injuries and penalties. You can even enjoy a thumping soundtrack that mixes uptempo rock and pop jams for your pre-game hype—because, of course, nothing says 'hockey' like bopping your head to Imagine Dragons while waiting for the next period to start.

Conclusion

NHL 25 might not be the Stanley Cup contender of video games, but it definitely has some solid elements—although don’t be surprised if you find yourself using a few choice words when your goalie decides to let in a goal that smells worse than last week’s leftovers. With its innovative features, realistic graphics, and an epic soundtrack, NHL 25 provides an enjoyable experience for both die-hard fans and casual gamers wanting to embrace their inner Wayne Gretzky. However, the mixed reviews reveal that it’s not perfect; like a missed shot at an open net, it’s close but can still leave a sour taste in your mouth. The gameplay improvements and the addition of women’s hockey help bolster its standing, but one can’t shake off the feeling that it still has some heavy skates to shed. For $59.99, NHL 25 offers enough entertainment to justify a purchase, but be warned: the AI might just frustrate you enough to send your controller through a wall. Still, if you’re looking for something to tide you over until NHL 26 comes along, grab your sticks and give it a whirl (but maybe keep those walls in mind).

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