NHL 18 Reviews
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.
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.
NHL 18 is a great overall hockey game that improves on everything that NHL 17 brought to the rink. Certain features in franchise mode don't come together into a complete unified experience, but it's night and day improvement from last year.
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.
New players will have to work to get up to speed, as much as the game tries to help them out, but hardcore puck nuts will find themselves going deep into overtime with this one. The almost overwhelming numbers of ways that the game can be played means that it's one that will definitely keep you going way past the finals.
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.
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 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.
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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.
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.
Threes is definitely the star of the show in NHL 18 with only marginal improvements made to the rest of the franchise's modes.
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?
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.
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
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.
Overall this is a solid package for those getting their yearly fixed, players that want to return after awhile and general fans of the sport.
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.