NHL 27 (2026) · Tastebuds

EA Sports NHL 27 brings the identity of every NHL team to life on the ice, in the arena, and through the broadcast. Experience Authentic Atmospheres across all 32 NHL arenas, each designed to capture the sound, spectacle, and identity of its home team. Real-world goal songs, new pregame introductions, and a fully overhauled crowd bring every building closer to its real-world counterpart.

Simulator Sport Non-fictionXbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5

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Character

Earnest, contemporary, plot-driven and grave.

earnestironic
contemporarynostalgic
character-ledplot-driven
gravecomic
classical in formformally daring

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From the critics

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CinelinxDustin SpinoSep 20269/10
Overall, NHL 27 delivers a solid and complete hockey experience by refining last year's mechanics, adding depth to existing Franchise Mode, and introducing smarter AI and playbooks. While it lacks revolutionary new modes or a dramatic visual leap, its polished on-ice gameplay, improved presentation, and rich feature set make it the definitive release of the current era.
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Press AttackBruno de Souza BomSep 20268.7/10
The main issue I had with NHL 27 comes from some of the small inconsistencies during matches. Puck pickup can still feel inaccurate, particularly in situations where you expect a more direct puck steal, and some AI decisions make you stop for a second and wonder why a player moved that way. The number of menus also makes some modes slower than they should be, especially Ultimate Team. These problems do not ruin the experience, but they are noticeable during gameplay and prevent everything from feeling as fluid as it could. I also really missed having a Brazilian Portuguese translation, especially to make it easier to dive deeper into modes that involve so many menus. On the other hand, the more time I spent playing, the more I enjoyed the possibilities offered by the mechanics. The initial accessibility of the controls combined with the difficulty of actually mastering every available tool creates a very interesting learning curve. Directional passing, plays involving the boards, teammate movement, and the variety of strategies can quickly turn a simple match into a sequence of decisions. The balance found in the movement of the AI controlled teammates was also one of the things I enjoyed the most, because there is a very satisfying feeling that the players are participating in the same play instead of simply following isolated commands. In the end, NHL 27 is an extremely fun game once you start mastering what it has to offer. The offline one on one experience was one of the things that stood out to me the most. The presentation is also at a very high level, with incredible looking arenas, an authentic atmosphere, a very well selected soundtrack, and a broadcast presentation that fits the sport. There is still a huge difference between knowing how to play and actually mastering NHL 27, but that depth is precisely one of the things that made me want to keep playing.
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Digital ChumpsSep 20267.9/10
'NHL 27' is yet another yearly release of the same installment. The package and presentation are gorgeous and the in-game experience is super immersive. The introduction of Connected Franchise is a big win for players, and returning fans of Be a Pro will be satisfied. But if you are looking for a major overhaul, you'll be disappointed. By no means is this a bad game, in fact, this is a good game with certain aspects of greatness. This video game makes playing hockey feel entertaining and exhilarating, the atmospheres bring an authenticity and really that is all you can ask for.
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DualShockersJake ValentineSep 20265/10
If you weren't able to tell by now, I'm not a fan of NHL 27 in the slightest. Normally, I can still find something that keeps me coming back to weaker sports games. I won't be doing the same with NHL 27.
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But Why Tho?Jason FlattSep 20264.5/10
NHL 27's same old modes feel tired, and the gameplay feels ornery.
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Snippets via OpenCritic, where 29% of critics recommend it.

About the game

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
Developer: EA Vancouver
Publisher: EA Sports
Released: September 11, 2026
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Perspective: Third person
Engine: Frostbite

IGDB rating 7.9/10 from 1 ratings.

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