Criticism of NHL 20: "Another great effort from the most consistent series of sports games"

You would have been forgiven for feeling a little disappointed when the NHL trailer was released in June. It virtually confirmed that the series was to avoid EA's Frostbite engine for another year – something that FIFA and Madden transformed years ago – when the apparent absence of major new features suggested an exit potentially silent series.

It turns out that all this worry was for nothing. The NHL 20's new features and subtle enhancements add to the formidable effort of the most consistent playoff series, with refined gameplay both on and off the ice, and a revamped presentation suite that infuses new sense of identity.

Eat my goal

The biggest change this year is filming. From slapshots to one-timers, all the benefits of a more responsive sensation – the result of various new animations, as well as improvements to the game's motion technology. The focus is increasingly on improving fluidity in all areas, with aspects such as skating and collecting pucks with increased flexibility, which could lead to very ambitious offensive games.

These improvements are even more obvious when the big stars of the NHL get involved. Auston Matthews, of Toronto, has always pulled wrists with incredible precision, while Alex Ovechkin can shoot brilliant slapshots as he falls to his knees. Various unique shooting animations are scattered throughout the game, which helps key players gain a true sense of individuality and makes them more enjoyable to use in the set.

Even goalies are getting an upgrade this year, even though they remain prone to big mistakes. It seems that we will never be able to deviate from slow and loopy deviations and our own clumsy goals, but at least AI will find more ways to fight them this time around. This is due in large part to hundreds of new animations, including new methods to cover the puck, as well as better reactions to rebounds. Much remains to be done, but these are undeniable improvements.

When everything goes off, NHL 20 is full of authenticity. You are challenged to use smart and creative hockey to gain space, and power games are more important than usual with the new offensive tools at your disposal. Balance adjustments on both the stick and the body control require you to apply a realistic defense in which positioning is paramount, while the ability to cut the firing lanes is more critical than ever.

Look good

EA Canada's series of puck strikes has been demanding for years a reshaped series of presentations and finally brings major changes to the NHL 20. Replacing the former couple of Doc Emerick and Eddie Olczyk in the Kiosk of the NHL. Announcer, James Cybulski and Ray Ferraro, both adopting an intense style of dramatic commentary. The chemistry between the two is reasonable, and Cybulski's passionate deliveries, though sometimes a bit excessive, can create a big player feel.

You can also forget the old NBC style presentation, which has been replaced by a series of more generic, but visually pleasing, colorful overlays. This includes a new dynamic dashboard, which is controversial at the bottom of the screen but easy to get used to. The majority of these graphic changes simply favor an alternative style rather than offering new major additions, but still make a worthy visual update of the series.

An exception to the rule is a brilliant new feature called Play of the Game (and Period), in which key objectives, important achievements and important backups are highlighted by an elegant and super slo-mo replay. This could be a minor addition in the grand scheme of things, but it definitely makes jokes go down, especially when you watch your team mate scramble with a huge check. It's the kind of star movie that's been missing from the NHL for far too long and is a welcome secondary attraction.

Back to the force

As is traditional, you can get started on the ice in many ways. Chel's world returns after successfully debuting in the NHL 19 and is a landmark event with its new Royal Battle style formats for its Ones and Threes modes. It's still the same principle as last year: winning four consecutive titles to be crowned champion, but now feels more like a competitive tournament, increasing the tension of each turn more effectively.

There are also improvements to be made to the Hockey Ultimate Team, which for the first time benefits from the popular FIFA Brigade Battles mode, while the Franchise mode seems to be a considerable upgrade, implementing various new features. and improvements. Coaches, whose specialties and specific systems now have a major impact on line chemistry, change their game. It is therefore important that you think more carefully about the players you hire and the personnel you recruit.

The disappointment still persists, with the continued stagnation of Be a Pro who is the worst responsible. Nevertheless, the considerable amount of new and improved content will not fail to occupy the veterans of the series. Casuals are also welcome, with Ones Now, which allows you to disconnect with last year's popular pond hockey mode. You can even play Gritty in Threes, the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, which makes nightmares creak and deserves almost a purchase on its own.

It's not a landmark edition then, but despite that, it's playing a smoother hockey style than ever, reinforced by improvements in skating and shooting – and removing the dated show from the NBC series looks like a puff of ice. air. The imminent presence of a new generation suggests that more substantial changes are to be expected, but until then, the NHL 20 served as the culmination of recent years.

Commented on PS4.