NHL 27 is shaping up to be one of the least convincing entries in the series, with critics calling out its lack of meaningful innovation, stale modes, frustrating gameplay issues, and outdated presentation. Despite some solid improvements, the consensus is clear: this feels far more like an NHL 26 update than a new game.
5.7
Average Score (adjusted)
Confidence: High
Divisive
Reviews: 7
Top Review: Hardcore Gamer (7.0)
Spread: 2.5
â 6 / 10
IGN concludes that NHL 27 remains enjoyable because the core hockey action is still strong, but the series continues to stagnate with very little substantial improvement. The main pros include the fun and refined on-ice gameplay, the addition of team-specific playbooks that add strategic depth, and authentic arena details and a fittingly curated music selection. However, the cons are significant: there are no new modes, the graphics and character models look outdated, commentary and Be a Pro mode are repetitive and largely unchanged from last year, and the overall presentation feels stuck in the past.
â 4.5 / 10
But Why Tho? concludes that NHL 27 feels like a tired and frustrating entry, especially for casual players. The main cons include gameplay that feels ornery with a noticeable difficulty spike, poor quality of life with long load times and slow pacing between whistles, and unreliable passing and puck control. The same old modes feel stale, and even the new playbook system fails to make teams feel distinct. The only pros mentioned are that defense feels tighter and scoring a goal remains satisfying, but these are overshadowed by the game's overall lack of improvement and frustrating experience.
â 5 / 10
DualShockers concludes that NHL 27 is a massively underwhelming and frustrating experience that is not worth a full-price purchase. The main pros include that Franchise and Be A Pro modes are the most enjoyable, the commentary upgrade is a nice touch despite being repetitive, and the gameplay can flow well when it works. However, the cons are severe: the gameplay is unnecessarily complicated and off-putting with poor accessibility and no proper training, there is a complete lack of polish throughout with graphical and UI glitches, and the overall value is insufficient, leading to a recommendation to wait for a sale.
â 3.5 / 5
Hardcore Gamer concludes that NHL 27 does not move the needle much for the series. The main pros include a welcome television-style broadcast presentation with dynamic replays, arena-specific atmospheres, and stellar audio, alongside satisfying core gameplay that feels like the best in a few years. However, the cons are significant: Connected Franchise is a big miss with severe limitations, offensive playbooks fail to differentiate teams noticeably, passing logic is atrocious and faceoffs are outdated, visuals still look last-gen compared to other EA titles, and there are no new modes or major changes for returning players, making it a package mainly for newcomers.
â 60 / 100
COGconnected concludes that NHL 27 is all polish with little progress, offering a slick aesthetic package but failing to deliver meaningful gameplay evolution. The main pros include a massive visual upgrade, snappy menus, a strong soundtrack, and fantastic new goaltender animations. However, the cons are severe: the Connected Franchise mode is absolutely embarrassing with no AI backfill for missing human players, the new playbooks change nothing and make every team feel the same, Be a Pro is boring with a limp narrative, and the on-ice action still suffers from jerky physics and animation jank, essentially making it NHL 26 dressed up with better lighting.
â 6 / 10
Shacknews concludes that NHL 27 is an update, not a new game, where the list of what has gotten worse overshadows any improvements, giving it a 6 out of 10. The main pros include authentic NHL arenas with goal songs, the return of GM Connected, slightly better gameplay with more dump and chase, and the best soundtrack in the series. However, the cons are substantial: the new commentary team of John Buccigross and Darren Pang is poor and lacks energy, playbooks are dismissed as snake oil that do not change AI behavior, there is a lack of PWHL representation at launch, the price is too high for the minimal changes, and the game still fails to address long-standing issues while treating dedicated fans as uneducated.
â 6 / 10
Gamereactor concludes that NHL 27 is a good and ambitious ice hockey game with plenty of content, but it struggles to feel like a truly new entry. The main pros include better graphics, attractive and personalized stadiums, a wonderfully flexible Connected Franchise mode, plenty of content, entertaining matches, and welcome arcade-style elements. However, the cons are significant: the AI still makes strange decisions on the ice, the control system has a steep learning curve, and the gameplay feels overall underdeveloped, leaving the impression that despite all the polish, you are essentially playing the same version of ice hockey.