NHL 20 Reviews
NHL 20 makes strides on the ice with its improved shot, but makes some curious decisions off it.
NHL 20 again leads the way for pro sports on PS4 and Xbox One, strengthened this year by shooting improvements and presentation upgrades.
NHL 20 gives hockey fans plenty of ways to have fun and invest their time, but there are a few disappointments along the way
NHL 20's controls are fantastic, and its various modes are abundant and robust.
Having said that, I've once again spent the bulk of my time playing World of Chel. That's because my favorite mode, offline Be a Pro, hasn't changed since NHL 19 (and it's not like EA Vancouver gave the mode much love last year, mind you). I understand the realities of making these multifaceted games on an annual schedule — resources are limited, and it's simply not possible for the developers to overhaul everything every year. However, Be a Pro has been sidelined for ages, and it looks even more stale in light of the experimentation we've seen recently in single-player career modes from Madden, FIFA, and NBA 2K.
NHL 20 isn't a huge update over last year's version, and its graphics continue to lag behind the competition. Still, it brings with it plenty of solid refinements, and its franchise mode continues to stand out as a strength. Returning players may be disappointed by this year's features, but if you're a hockey fan who hasn't picked up the series in a while, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
NHL 20 is an enjoyable hockey game with great core fundamentals and new player movement to fall back on, but it’s definitely not a must-buy entry if you are currently happy with the version you own.
If you’re a sports gamer who isn’t necessarily into hockey video games, you may be missing out on a title that has produced a rapidly improving product over the past two years. NHL 20 is my favorite edition of the series since NHL 13, and one of the best in franchise history.
NHL 20 is close to the best video game hockey experience ever made, and that should be celebrated.
While game mode improvements are definitely minimal this year, the new gameplay mechanics definitely tip the scale towards making NHL 20 one that you probably will not want to skip.
NHL 20 is a nice addition to the NHL franchise, with engaging gameplay and great visuals. The multitude of game modes will keep you occupied, even if several are very similar to one another. It gets as repetitive as the typical sports game, but that can be good or bad depending on your interests.
In the case of NHL 20, there are enough new features to recommend it for longtime fans and a ton to do for anyone who has lapsed for multiple seasons. Whatever NHL 21 has in store for the next PlayStation and Xbox machines will be flashier, but it probably won't be better than this right away.
NHL 20 sees Franchise mode take a welcome step forward, while other areas have either remained the same or actually gone backwards. The new commentary makes it clear that different does not mean better, and all the slick new animations in the world can't hide poor AI. We feel like a broken record saying this, but the NHL series is in sore need of a comprehensive revamp.
If you’ve ever enjoyed playing a hockey game, it’s worth checking this one out. If you love the sport, it’s pretty much a must buy.
NHL 20 balances out the fun with the competitive better than any previous entry. It has some excellent modes in Ones and Threes, a staggering amount of content, and a solid set of mechanics. It does feel like multiplayer has received the lion's share of the attention, but there's still something enjoyable for all sorts of hockey fans.
I’m excited about the future of the NHL series. Over the past five or six years, the series became incredibly stagnant, and desperately needed a shot of life to continue to hold players’ attention. NHL 20 is just what the doctor ordered. It’s more fun than I’ve had with the series in a very long time, and it’s plethora of modes, and unlockable gear will surely keep me busy until NHL 21.
NHL 20 delivers fast, fluid, and frequent action on the ice, offering the best core gameplay mechanics seen on this console generation.
As usual, EA Sports tries mostly to upgrade the previous edition instead of trying to revolutionize. NHL 20 has some strong new animations, a new visual identity, game modes that feel better than ever and the whole feels smoother. It's solid but lacks some unforgettable feature to be a true star.
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NHL 20 doesn't try to fix what wasn't broken and instead added new modes, features, and gameplay tweaks to make one of the best sports games on the market even better.
As I've attempted to pound home several times at this point, none of these enhancements should really be classified as true game-changers. If you made the plunge last year and you're looking for NHL 20's one marquee feature that makes this a must-buy, there really isn't an overarching reason to upgrade. Pure and simple. That said, this year's outing has plenty of incremental improvements that deliver a superior experience to what you would've played twelve months ago. Allow your level of fandom to dictate if this purchase is right for you. Ultimately, regardless of where you land, you won't be disappointed.