NHL 18 Reviews
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.
Like most US-centric sports games NHL has a reputation as an acquired taste, but really it shouldn't be. It's a thrilling, accessible sim of a thrilling, accessible sport, with the varied online and offline modes you'd expect from an EA Sports game, plus a real slap shot to the back of the net in the form of Threes. Bring on the Frostbite engine and an equivalent to FIFA's Journey mode, and EA might have a classic sports game on its hands. As it is, it's still absorbing and a lot of fun.
NHL 18 continues to build on the success of last year's title by making subtle but impactful refinements throughout the game.
NHL 18 impresses with new teaching tools, sublime skating, updated dekes and defensive moves, new modes, and a lot of improvements. It isn't a perfect hockey game, but when it skates this well and looks this sharp, who cares?
Dene received a physical copy of NHL 18 from EA for review.
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.
As fun as NHL Threes might be, it definitely is not reason enough on its own. If you missed a couple of incarnations and your last game is NHL 15 or even an earlier one, then I can recommend NHL 18 without hesitation, as it delivers the whole package in a modern style. Lastly, if you want to play online and are the competitive type, there is probably anyway no way around it.
NHL 18 delivers the gameplay improvements, renewed rosters, and added content that are the expected additions in an annually updated EA Sports game. Not every mode fits comfortably in the menu screen, but there's enough variety to satisfy gamers who like to control every inch of their season and those who prefer a quick thrill.
NHL 18 has a ton of great features and modes for both hardcore enthusiasts and casual fans alike!
Well it has NHL Threes, new additions to the career modes and some nice cosmetic touches. Maybe next year there will be a story mode to help really connect with a new audience, but for now I am having a blast like it was 1993 all over again.
If you're new to the NHL series like myself then I would certainly recommend trying it out, and I'm also sure you will get your money's worth due to the unbelievable amount of content that will keep you busy with this game for a while.
NHL 18's gameplay is just as appealing as its predecessors, even more complete. But it also has as many issues as those before. The old and outdated graphics engine has lowered the graphic level of the game but still to be considered one of the most fun and enjoyable among the sports games. Doesn't matter if you're new to NHL or not, NHL 18 will entertain you for the most with it's fast paced gameplay and thrlling gameplay
Review in Persian | Read full review
Not all of NHL 18's additions are equally successful, with the expanded depth of Franchise Mode overshadowing the flashy but unrewarding NHL Threes. The series continues to offer a good hockey simulation, and while the hardcore and those who play online will be satisfied, there's probably not enough here to make it worth the upgrade for casual fans of last year's edition.
It may be surprising that it would take an "arcade" mode to round out a simulation-based product, but NHL Threes does just that for "NHL 18." While the series is still lacking in some aspects of gameplay and presentation this year, "NHL" achieved something important, by becoming the most appealing edition of the series for an audience that extends beyond just the fanatics of the sport in a very long time.
NHL 18 isn't a bad game by any means. EASHL, Ultimate Team, Franchise, and Threes all provide players with modes worth replaying. The problem is that there's nothing that really makes it considerably better than last year's installment. If you're hoping that the game provides a major step forward for the series, you're going to be disappointed. It's still fun to play, but with an old engine, a dry presentation and no major improvements, NHL 18 is teetering on the line of becoming a stale experience.
NHL 18 finds itself in a strange spot. On the one hand, there are significant changes to the gameplay modes and basic stick handling. This is especially true of Threes mode, which could've become a stand-alone, downloadable game due to the amount of content it possesses. On the other hand, the AI is flaky and undermines quite a few modes, especially Hockey Ultimate Team. NHL 18 remains a fun title and a good choice for those who are interested in the series but don't want a semi-arcade hockey mode.
NHL 18 doesn't do much to stand out from last year's entry, but it's still a great game.
NHL 18 has many new features, although many of them aren't significant. However, the overall game experience is considerably better than last year. Too bad that the developers didn't replace Ignite engine with Frostbite.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
There is certainly a lot of ways to play both alone and with friends on NHL 18 with jam packed online and offline modes. Although there is not a single player story campaign as seen in the recent Fifa and NBA games, EA is trying to appeal to new players by offering a new training system to enable them to learn the skills to enjoy the game. If you have followed the NHL series of games for a while you maybe a little disappointed in the latest offering as it will feel a little samey however the NHL Threes mode is exciting and different enough to possibly tempt you into a purchase. One thing is for sure, EA need to refresh their NHL franchise for next year if they want to keep their players interested as this years "what's new" is certainly light on the ground.
NHL 18 improves on the already fantastic formula. The new NHL Threes mode is a refreshing taste of hockey and keeps you entertained for several weeks at least. Everything else in the game also knows how to impress – as always –.
Review in German | Read full review