NHL 26

"EA has delivered an edition that balances innovation with respect for the franchise&s;s essence. The gameplay is more realistic and fluid, the modes have received significant changes, and the audiovisual immersion is on a new level."

"Reviews aren’t the place to weigh in on how to fix things, so I won’t do that here. Deep down I hope the developers who are making this are kicking down Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson&s;s door asking for more …"

"As someone who’s taken a hiatus from sports titles in general the last few years, stepping back onto the virtual ice with ‘NHL 26’ was a daunting, yet great chance to find my love for the genre yet again."

"NHL 26 faces many of the same problems as EA Sports&s; other two sports series, such as pleasing both hardcore and casual fans by dividing its focus across multiple modes, but with the expected greater emphasis on the most profitable …"

"EA SPORTS NHL 26 is excellent in many ways. Whether you&s;re a newcomer to the rink or someone like me who hasn&s;t touched a title in the series since the first PlayStation, it won&s;t be difficult to adapt to the …"

"EA Sports NHL 26 has made some big improvements to gameplay that become more noticeable over time, with a new Be-A-Pro mode that is better than before."

"NHL 26 builds on last year&s;s overhaul with improved gameplay and a revamped Be a Pro mode, but legacy problems still hold it back."

"NHL 26 takes what NHL fans have seen in real-life NHL broadcasts and lets you experience it on your console. You get to feel the intensity of a Stanley Cup final while playing as some of the game&s;s best."

"NHL 26 is another enjoyable entry to the long lineage of EA’s flagship hockey franchise. There’s enough content to keep hardcore players hoooked and more game modes that you can shake a stick at. Whereas the game’s accessibility features can …"

"Overall, EA Sports NHL 26 delivers very well again this year. The optimizations on the ice with ICE-Q 2.0 and the individual tendencies of the stars are likely to be appreciated primarily by true NHL nerds, but the optimized goalies, …"

"NHL 26 is one of those games that will easily last you the year, working as a welcome return to the franchise. Whether you are a hockey fan or not, you’ll get thrills from the on-ice action, taking you back …"

"NHL 26 isn&s;t a massive overhaul by any means. The title fixates on a couple of key areas to improve upon, and unlike some previous entries, it succeeds. The new updates to Be A Pro, chiefly the World Juniors and …"

"NHL 26 finally brings a significant improvement over previous editions, mainly thanks to smoother gameplay, smarter AI, and greatly improved goalies. The most important new feature is the revamped Be a Pro mode, which now offers an authentic career experience, …"

"NHL 26 is a game for ice hockey fans in particular. The slightly more arcade-like modes make the game accessible even for beginners, but you still have to sink your teeth into it to truly enjoy it. Shooting isn&s;t simply …"

"EA Sports NHL 26 is a good base game with some decent improvements in their more niche modes. Players of those modes should be happy, but players looking for a larger leap in the game as a whole shouldn&s;t hold …"

"NHL 26 feels sharper on the ice with smarter goalies, smoother stick handling, and stars that actually stand out. Be A Pro finally shakes things up with draft pressure and career consequences, while Hockey Ultimate Team adds Cup Chase and …"

"NHL 26 brings new gameplay changes that bring hockey to life in a way that is better than ever. There are still some things to be ironed out, a typical issue for yearly sports releases, but there is a lot …"

"NHL 26 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, delivering a deeper and more realistic simulation. Thanks to the new ICE-Q 2.0 engine and the integration of real NHL data, gameplay feels more authentic. While minor technical issues persist, the …"

"NHL 26 continues what was started last year. Little by little, EA Sports developers are tackling the different modes while adjusting gameplay. This time around, it was Be a Pro mode&s;s turn for a makeover. It clearly stands out from …"

"NHL 26 is a fine take on the sport of hockey, but it largely fails to offer any significant jumps from last year’s game."

"With ICE-Q 2.0 at its core, NHL 26 delivers smarter AI, more authentic skating, and a Be A Pro mode that finally feels meaningful. While a few visual shortcomings remain, the combination of realism, depth, and pure hockey excitement makes …"

"NHL 26 is a game of ups and downs. It has its moments and can rely on a certain charm derived from a good pace and a fair amount of spectacle, but it continues to suffer from a whole series …"

"There&s;s a lot to love about this year&s;s NHL game. From the redesigned Be A Pro mode to the enhanced NHL EDGE authenticity, it&s;s a notable step up from previous years. NHL 26 has perhaps the best &s;superstar&s; mode of …"

"NHL 26 pushes authenticity forward with ICE-Q 2.0 and NHL EDGE data, offering more realistic player differentiation and broadcast-style presentation. While core modes like Be A Pro and HUT see meaningful refinements, the series still feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary."

"If you already own "NHL 25," you&s;ll get more of a fine-tuning here. Those who&s;ve taken a longer break, however, can look forward to a well-rounded, fun hockey experience. "NHL 26" is like a solid power-play goal: It&s;s fun, it …"

"NHL 26 is a strong step forward for hockey on PS5. Skaters and shooters feel sharper with ICE-Q 2.0, and the new goalie animations make each save exciting. Be A Pro finally adds stakes, Cup Chase gives offline HUT a …"

"NHL 26 doesn’t come close to reaching the heights of the series, but it isn’t terrible by any means."

"With a number of improvements such as a new goalie crease system and NHL EDGE data being used to enhance player behaviour, NHL 26 is undoubtedly a great hockey game. Be A Pro mode still has some issues, though, and …"

"NHL 26 is a terrific iteration of the series, bringing together immersive, in-depth gameplay thanks to the ICE-Q 2.0 AI system, terrific visuals and a huge roster of modes.. It&s;s puckin&s; great."

"Hockey is family. Hockey is life. Hockey is a source of joy. NHL 26, less so. For all the good it does, this is an off year; this is certainly no NHL 17. I hoped for more."

"NHL 26 is a fun game that does enough to bring hockey titles in line with the advancements seen in EA&s;s latest sports games. Both on the rink and in the modes, everything works well."

"The annual hockey update arrived a little earlier this year, but it still feels very much the same."

"While EA Sports NHL 26 successfully captures the realistic elements of the sport, there is still room for improvement. The game lacks arcade-style modes, and the overall gameplay feels monotonous. At times, it seems that the franchise gets overshadowed by …"