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Huntingwhale · 07-09-2021, 06:33 AM

I hate to say it but I'm going to say it anyways and feel dirty saying it; NHL 21 is actually pretty good.

Haven't really enjoyed any installation since the late 00's. But I play most years anyways just to get a couple games in with the updated rosters and whatever, get my hockey fix. But I know it's going to make me angry at some point and than I'll never return to it. I also never pay for a copy. Just wait for the gamepass version which inevitably comes out.

Fired this one up and started out in HUT mode after getting my ass beat in a couple online games as per usual. Was never really a fan of HUT and the online kind of sucks when everyone gets superstar players and I'm stuck with Mikael Backlund as my best player. But the 3 vs 3 is pretty fun.

Than I decided to try Be A Pro. Wow. Can honestly say it lives up to the BAP mode of other sports' games. So much more depth and little details that add up to make it a ton of fun. Previous BAPs were meh. But this one is a big step forward and gives me hope for what the next-gen BAP modes can be going forward.

I cranked up the sliders for hitting, aggression and open ice hits and turned down penalties except for the most extreme cases. So much fun. Reminds me of the greatness of NHL 01 on PS2 back in the day. Made my 6'3" female playmaking TWF a hitting machine who crushes players and headhunts all over the ice.

Never thought I'd see the day I give a shoutout to the NHL series for finally doing something right. The PowerPoint menus still suck, as does some of the cheapness in online play. But ignoring those, the BAP mode is well worth getting into if you need a good hockey fix. The AI is never going to be perfect. But getting the sliders just right makes for a pretty good game overall. I've found myself swearing at the AI significantly less than past years.

07-09-2021, 06:33 AM	#4188
Huntingwhale Franchise Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Exp:	I hate to say it but I'm going to say it anyways and feel dirty saying it; NHL 21 is actually pretty good. Haven't really enjoyed any installation since the late 00's. But I play most years anyways just to get a couple games in with the updated rosters and whatever, get my hockey fix. But I know it's going to make me angry at some point and than I'll never return to it. I also never pay for a copy. Just wait for the gamepass version which inevitably comes out. Fired this one up and started out in HUT mode after getting my ass beat in a couple online games as per usual. Was never really a fan of HUT and the online kind of sucks when everyone gets superstar players and I'm stuck with Mikael Backlund as my best player. But the 3 vs 3 is pretty fun. Than I decided to try Be A Pro. Wow. Can honestly say it lives up to the BAP mode of other sports' games. So much more depth and little details that add up to make it a ton of fun. Previous BAPs were meh. But this one is a big step forward and gives me hope for what the next-gen BAP modes can be going forward. I cranked up the sliders for hitting, aggression and open ice hits and turned down penalties except for the most extreme cases. So much fun. Reminds me of the greatness of NHL 01 on PS2 back in the day. Made my 6'3" female playmaking TWF a hitting machine who crushes players and headhunts all over the ice. Never thought I'd see the day I give a shoutout to the NHL series for finally doing something right. The PowerPoint menus still suck, as does some of the cheapness in online play. But ignoring those, the BAP mode is well worth getting into if you need a good hockey fix. The AI is never going to be perfect. But getting the sliders just right makes for a pretty good game overall. I've found myself swearing at the AI significantly less than past years. Last edited by Huntingwhale; 07-09-2021 at 06:38 AM.