NHL 18 Reviews
I'm glad that, in NHL 18, EA continues to seek out new players for the NHL series with smart upgrades to the training system and the exciting and accessible NHL Threes mode. Those are positive strides, but the rest of the modes and features are starting to feel too familiar.
Whether you want to play on the couch with buddies, grind for cards in Hockey Ultimate Team, compete online, or build a new dynasty in Franchise mode, NHL 18 mostly delivers
EA Sports NHL 18 is quite possibly the most accessible sports game on the market, as well as being a load of fun.
Although EA Vancouver planned a three-year rejuvenation of their hockey series, NHL 18 seems like it's on the downside of generational sports games. While Threes adds some zest and significant features, that's the only notable addition to the game. When the introduction menu pops up and “What's New” offers only three choices (one being a tutorial), 2017 is not a good year. NHL 18 is (as always for this series) more than competent, but for the first time in a while, it's a “wait for next year” revision.
EA Sports delivers a great hockey game that evolves to be more and more realistic every year. NHL 18 is entertaining, fun and a must-buy for all the hockey fans.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NHL 18 is another strong entry from an underrated sports gaming franchise. EA has delivered a more rewarding franchise mode, added new ways to play, while at the minimum, sustaining itself in other modes. That's a formula for success, but the lack of progress in customization, single-player modes and presentation keep it from being a monumental step for the franchise.
Big wins outscore annoying misses, and overall NHL 18 is a step in the right direction.
It's still a great hockey game, and NHL Threes is a great addition, but beyond that it's very much the same game as last year's.
Threes is definitely the star of the show in NHL 18 with only marginal improvements made to the rest of the franchise's modes.
EA Sports builds upon the existing tried and true base for NHL 18, bringing with it a spectacular new mode called Threes and a much-needed gameplay retool.
NHL 18 has some well needed upgrades, but overall this is far from a perfect hockey game. The main problem is the physics, that is in need of a big improvement.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
NHL 18 will satisfy hockey fans; that goes without saying. Its real achievement though is in its design, which will seamlessly teach and assist a player who knows nothing about hockey. They're likely to stick around too, because as it turns out, hockey is a blast in videogame form.
With a bunch of new features and more ways to play online than ever before, NHL 18 is sure to make both returning veterans and newbies happy.
While NHL 18 still features that pristine, refined gameplay with plenty of game modes to jump into, it still needs that special something to keep itself relevant with the changing times. Despite that, NHL 18 has enough to keep any hockey fan enthused for months.
We will puck you: NHL 18 is the best NHL game of the past years.
Review in German | Read full review
I have a feeling that NHL 18 suffers from its lack of competition. While, as always, its gameplay is strong, its presentation is pretty much perfect from in-game to the menus, and there is plenty of enjoyable modes for all standards of players to sink their teeth into, the lack of substantial new features and innovation mean that it is a step behind even some of EA's other marquee sports titles.
NHL 18 builds on the foundation of the last few games while adding a fun and fast-paced 3-on-3 mode as well as a much welcome training mode for new or rusty players. Admittedly, the changes might not be enough to shake off that “been-there, done-that” feeling for some veteran players of the series who are looking for more. If you’re a new player or someone returning to the series after a long absence, however, NHL 18 serves as the perfect entry point.
NHL 18 does enough to keep the lights on at the rink, but its lack of a full-blown story mode leaves the series on thin ice.
NHL 18 takes an awkward step forward, exposing the series' longstanding issues.
NHL 18 is a nice step forward for the NHL series. New modes and options like NHL Threes, 3-on-3 hockey in EASHL, or creating the 32nd franchise in the NHL are fun additions that give the series a serious shot in the arm. Some minor issues from previous games continue to crop up, and I wish the customization options were deeper, but overall NHL 18 is a must have for any hockey fan.