The NHL 21 closed technical test is out - feedback wanted!

After night one I finished the night 16-1 in versus - 4th overall on xbox.

I think the game definitely feels like an improvement overall. it feels similar to 20 but it also feels bit more fresh and refined compared to last year and the subtle bug fixes and tuning bring for a more pleasurable experience.

puck pickups seem a bit more seamless, the poke check seems more effective and less likely to draw a penalty. hitting feels more rewarding and useful.

I like the ability to evade checks and while I still am not the greatest I know they will add more depth to my game and bring me more chances to create offense. same goes with the bank off the back of the net. like using it just need to practice it more.

One timers still seem a bit too OP and find the majority of my goals are coming from cross crease passes. I feel like player height and weight make more of a difference in terms of speed and breaking out of the zone.

Overall I think it's a great step in the right direction and am excited to get some more game time in 1's as well as 6's as I only got to play 2 of those tonight.

EASHL/OTP

Right stick is awesome for goalies! Change nothing about it. it allows goalies to have the arcade level that EA has been trying to balance out . 50/50 arcade and simulation. We always ask what EA is trying to make a simulation or an arcade hockey game and the answer is always both. so Right stick allows goalies to be the arcade. and if you really want to add a bit more of a simulation make it so their is an actual energy bar so when you use the RS the goalie will lose energy. That way your team D does not have to rely on youR to save EVERY SINGLE cROSS cREASE.

 

Defenders need more awareness to stop the passes. Playing D as a whole.

 

CPU get's beat if you just straight line. bump up the difficulty level in EASHL and OTP for the computers