NHL 23: What We Know and What We Want
NHL 23 is only a few months away, and I cannot wait. NHL 22 was not bad, in my opinion, given EA chose to listen to the community. Nevertheless, it’s the only simulation hockey game out, and hockey fans can make the most of it. Here are some of the features we already know and some that I want back in NHL 23.
What We Know
1. Release Date
EA is always known to be somewhat predictable in terms of this stuff. Regarding the release date, for the past 5 or so NHL games, they have been similar in a couple ways. First, there is always a new gameplay trailer near the beginning to end of August. This is usually highlighted by short clips of stars showing off their new abilities. Last year, the reveal trailer looked sweet, showing all the new X-Factors and new mechanics the game had to offer. In regard to the release date, the pattern has almost always been reveal trailer in August and release date mid-October. If EA follows suit, we can expect a release date around October 14, 2022.
Cover Athlete
The NHL 23 cover athlete could be anyone. We know it’s not going to be Auston Matthews, after getting it NHL 22 + 20. Other names that come to mind could be Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, or maybe someone else. Maybe Carey Price could grasp the cover before he calls it quits, making him the first goalie since Marty Brodeur in NHL 14. Whoever it ends up being, I think the crowd will be happy, unless Matthews finds his way on it again.
I highly doubt EA would change the mainstream of their game. So, I would safely assume HUT, EASHL, Franchise Mode and other modes would stay in barring any crazy changes.
Features Wanted
1. Cross Play
Listen, EA. It’s time to bottle up the excuses. Sports game players have been asking for cross-platform play for a while. Just about every major game has it, except for your company (yes, I know Apex has it as well, and they’re EA). You have the money to do so, and I don’t understand what the big issue is holding it back. MLB has it, and the servers work just fine. Non-sports games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Rocket League have it. Make the game cross-platform, so we can play with our friends on other systems, and add the game to PC, too. Get with the times, we’ve been asking for it for a while.
2. Revamped Be a Pro Mode
I will give you credit — the new Be a Pro from NHL 21-22 has some good things in it. Firstly, it’s got more of a storyline than in previous years, including press conferences, post-game interviews, teammate hangouts, money, etc. It’s a nice touch. However, build on that for NHL 23. You guys added the men’s and women’s world juniors, awesome. Now, let me play a tournament for the US National team, or go to the Olympics in Be a Pro. FIFA has it where you play for your home team and international tournaments — why doesn’t NHL? I think this would make fans more interested in the mode. If you could, do what Madden did, and get some licensed college teams to play in an NCAA tournament. I know it’s a long shot, but get creative with it.
3. Improved AI
It’s the same story every year in terms of AI. A new game comes, EA says they fix it, it plays well for a week, and then it’s broken for the rest of the year. They’ve improved on the offensive end, in terms of passing and what not. However, on the defensive end, they are atrocious. Countless times, I will be chasing someone from behind, and the computer will let them go by for a cross-crease goal. It’s like we are playing with toddlers the way they play defense in the game.
4. Older Game Modes Brought Back
Listen, I think we need a swap of game modes in NHL 23. 2 game modes I would remove are Championship Hockey (European hockey tournament) and NHL Threes Online (regular teams one, not EASHL). These modes are okay, but I think they are a little extravagant. The first mode is essentially tournament mode with worse teams, and the second one is decent, I guess. Nevertheless, I don’t play these modes, and wouldn’t notice if they were removed, frankly.
The game modes I would replace them with don’t come from previous EA games. But fans would love them.
First up, Pond Hockey. This was a mode in NHL 2K back in 2K10 where it was essentially 5v5 Blacktop from NBA 2K. You could pick up to 5 players on each team, from any team, and play off against your friends. This would be a great add to the game, because you could assemble crazy good lineups. Plus, it was played on an outdoor rink, so it’s more aesthetically pleasing to the fans.
Next is not necessarily a mode per se, but Drive the Zamboni. This is another fun NHL 2k feature, where in between periods, you got to clean the ice with the Zamboni. There was a timer, and you got to go anywhere — it was a fun time and would excite fans to play the game again.
Lastly, on a side note, bring back the goalie fights and trucking the goalie. Also, shattered glass and hits over the boards would be nice, too.
Do something different, EA. Please. Change the game, it’s been essentially the same product for the past 7 years with more cosmetic changes than actual gameplay fixes.
