EA Sports NHL 27 Review: Is This Hockey Game Worth Your Time?

If you have played an EA Sports hockey title over the last several years, you have essentially played them all. NHL 27 introduces a new multiplayer connected franchise mode and a playbook system designed to mimic real life team styles, but these additions fail to make a meaningful impact. The core experience feels stagnant and lacks the fresh excitement long time fans might be looking for.

Casual players may find this year particularly frustrating. The game features an unexpected difficulty spike that makes even lower settings feel like a chore. Furthermore, the pacing is bogged down by slow replays, long load times, and excessive dead time between whistles. Instead of a smooth and fun experience, the game often feels sluggish and tedious.

Gameplay also feels inconsistent. While defense has improved with more effective poke and body checks, scoring goals has become a difficult struggle. Passing feels inaccurate, and players frequently miss the puck during routine plays. These issues make the game feel like a grind rather than a rewarding sports simulation.

Ultimately, NHL 27 does little to address long standing quality of life complaints while introducing new annoyances. If you have not upgraded in several years, it might be an okay entry, but current players will likely feel disappointed. You can pick up the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S starting September 11, 2026.