mitch wilkins

The gameplay is slow, too slow. Gabe Newell made a point to say that too much realism makes games unfun... he was right. The added "realism" is not realistic, and it is unenjoyable. The player AI is exceptionally bad this year, to the point where they skate across the ice and trip the other AI, which gets you a penalty.... this happens wayyy too frequently to the point where the game is sometimes unplayable (your AI should not get you penalties). Not only is your AI goalie bad in every rendition of this game, but the opposing AI goalie makes insane saves that are super unrealistic just like in NHL 23 (they also nerfed wrap around goals in this game) Then, this year, your AI goalie will decide to make the most unnecessary dives and get out of position by sliding out of the crease frequently, causing the opposing AI to score goals that should not normally happen. Hitting is also extremely hard in this game even though they give you "total control," causing the need to poke check more frequently, but one mistimed poke check is an immediate penalty. Listen, Frostbite was designed for first-person shooters, NOT sports games. EA needs to remake a sports engine cause all of these scripted events and terrible mechanics just aren't cutting it anymore. Yes, the graphics are good, but that's all the games got. Sadly, this will be the one year I do not grind HUT because the AI and mechanics make me want to bash my head through a wall.