As the summer months progress, anticipation builds across the sports gaming community as new games are announced ahead of their fall release dates.

NHL 25 is the 34th annual ice hockey game under the EA banner, and while it comes with updated rosters, uniforms, and minor gameplay improvements each year, the general feeling among most ice hockey game fans is that things have gotten a little boring and they should move on to other games. XBOX games coming to PS5 To satisfy the need to play this winter.

But given the improvements made to the gameplay, are these reviews just hype and is there still excitement for the new game due to be released in October?

NHL 24 saw EA focus on bringing in more realistic gameplay mechanics like the Exhaust Engine and an improved body control system. While the game developers may receive negative criticism for re-releasing nearly the same game with new rosters and shinier sweat drops, last year’s game saw an attempt to improve players’ experiences.

Last year also saw the introduction of HUT Moments, a new game mode that allows players to relive iconic moments from both the current season and past seasons.

The new modes and unique match engines show a lot of promise, but IGN wrote in their review of the latest NHL game that “most of the returning game modes have remained virtually untouched for the past few years.”

As can be seen from various player comments, the similarities in menu design, the lack of improvements in offline game modes, and waiting in long queues to enter online games reduce your gaming enjoyment.

NHL 24’s Be a Pro falls far short of what many people expect from a career mode. The lack of a compelling story and voice acting distances it from its EA counterpart from 2K, and it’s even more frustrating for players that EA added such features to ‘The Journey’, the career mode in past FIFA games 17, 18 and 19.

The online game mode EASHL has its advantages. It is always fun to create your own player and then play against other created teams with your friends.

However, a battle pass system to upgrade your gear and long wait times to get into games may deter many from taking the time to play that game mode.

Not every game is perfect, though, and if EA can strike a balance between improving gameplay and keeping game modes fresh, there’s no reason why players shouldn’t look forward to NHL 25.

EA is currently in a good place among American sports gamers, and considering the immense pressure on EA to release their first College Football game in 11 years, it’s a good thing they’re releasing a game that so many people enjoy.

Many ice hockey fans are hoping that their efforts this summer won’t be limited to American football. With the NHL 25 trailer set to drop next month, we’re hoping that the latest installment in the ice hockey series will be just as well-received.