NHL 23 Reviews

NHL 23 is ranked in the 40th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Shacknews
Top Critic
6 / 10
Oct 13, 2022

As harsh as this may sound, I’ve lost faith in the NHL franchise. My first game was NHL 93, and although they haven’t all been good, it’s clear that this franchise has settled into an annual loop of delivering the bare minimum. There is zero justification for a full-game price tag when you consider that other games offer free updates larger than what’s on offer as new in the entirety of NHL 23. It’s mind boggling.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 14, 2022

NHL 23 looks great, is fun as hell, features a ton of modes, and will set you back $70 at the time of launch. If you’re a big fan of the sport, and especially if you’re into the Hockey Ultimate Team mode then this latest entry is worth getting. For others, especially on Xbox if you have Game Pass Ultimate, use your 10-hour trial and try before you buy.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 14, 2022

NHL 23 is a vast improvement from last year's entry, featuring better control on the ice, the inclusion of women in HUT, and so much more.

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Oct 14, 2022

If you're looking for something that makes you feel closer to the ice than ever before, NHL 23 is going to be your favorite game that you play this year. The electricity that oozes from this title is something that will bring me back to playing it over and over again, even if there are a few nagging problems that need to be addressed very shortly.

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Oct 14, 2022

All of this is good, but NHL 23 is simply that - good. It's a fine effort in a fine series that has continuously failed to successfully capture the feeling of ice hockey in a way that is as satisfying as soccer simulators, but it's not going to move the needle for anyone who wasn't already interested. It feels like NHL 23 is about as far as EA can go with the current system of gameplay modes and mechanics - it might be good for the sport's video games if some from-the-ground-up rebuilds were attempted, much in the same vein as teams that tanked for Shane Wright last year.

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Oct 14, 2022

NHL 23 is a step up for the NHL series as a whole, with changes to gameplay features resulting in a much more accessible experience. New inclusions to the game's Franchise Modes and online play also make it one of the best entries yet.

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B-
Oct 14, 2022

NHL 23 review for PlayStation, Xbox As solid as NHL 23 is, it's hardly a must-play game if you have any previous entries in the series. Given that year(s)-old sports games tend to be pretty inexpensive, that makes it hard to justify buying this one new when you?ll get basically the same experience buying a game from last year or the year before. Don?t get me wrong, you'll get a very well-made game if you do decide you need all the latest rosters and draft classes, but it's up to you to decide how badly you need those things.

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6 / 10.0
Oct 15, 2022

Ultimately, NHL 23 feels like NHL 22; it's just more of the same, better in spots and worse in others.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 15, 2022

EA Sports NHL 23 moves fast and hits hard with a ton of new features, a better look than ever and an overall more immersive experience. The gameplay was clean and the ability to get through games fast is ideal for every type of gamer.

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7.5 / 10.0
Oct 17, 2022

It’s a fair complaint to make that EA Sports’ NHL series has rested on its laurels and has little reason to innovate with no competition. However, EA Vancouver has made a number of small tweaks that make NHL 23 an improvement, even if fans are still waiting for a larger overhaul that takes advantage of the greater horsepower on modern systems.

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68 / 100
Oct 17, 2022

NHL 23 is packed with modes and content that should impress almost any hockey fan, even if some of the technical elements could use a sprucing up. But in a world where NHL 22 exists, there are just far too few additions and improvements to recommend this year's game for returning players.

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3 / 5.0
Oct 18, 2022

EA's NHL series feels like it's slowly distancing itself more and more from the NHL and going more of the FIFA route for a wide variety of hockey around the world.

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Oct 18, 2022

Despite the addition of women players in HUT and tweaked mechanics like last-chance puck movements, NHL 23 barely feels it's changed from last year's offering. It's a fun but all too familiar hockey experience.

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6 / 10.0
Oct 20, 2022

If you’re new to the EA SPORTS NHL series, then you’ll have fun with this, there is no denying that. There is a lot of joy to be had if you haven’t touched the series in years, but veteran players will feel significantly shortchanged by this year's title.

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GAMES.CH
Top Critic
85%
Oct 20, 2022

NHL 23 is another solid outing of EA Sports Hockey-Series. The gameplay sees minor improvements, that actually makes NHL 23 surpass ist predecessor. But overall the lack of real innovation is missing and therefore experienced players may give this one a pass.

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IGN
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Oct 20, 2022

A long-overdue audio-visual upgrade finally lets NHL 23 take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X so that the revamped franchise mode can look as good as it plays.

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7 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2022

New animations help NHL 23 make steps toward greater authenticity but the series still needs a major overhaul.

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Unscored
Oct 21, 2022

It would be easier to view NHL 23 favorably if it was merely a gameplay update of NHL 22, but as its own standalone release, whether intentionally or not, it serves as a good argument for implementing a subscription model rather than sticking with an annual release cycle that will produce something this similar. Everything that happens on the ice is a little slicker thanks to new animations and better physics, while the game's improved AI immediately boosts the appeal of playing franchise mode. World of Chel remains one of the best online sports experiences out there, especially if you have some friends to play with on a team together, and they've injected some variety into the kinds of players you can create. Delayed or missing features like cross-platform play, franchise strategies, and pregame presentation make for some major letdowns at launch. Integral modes like Be A Pro and Hockey Ultimate Team are prime examples of just how little has changed from NHL 22 to NHL 23.

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6.5 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2022

If you have never played NHL (or have a long time ago), getting NHL 23 can be a good idea. It’s a solid game, but not for the veterans of the series.

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7.2 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2022

EA Sports NHL 23 is the safest and most minimally upgraded entry they’ve ever done in the series.

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