NHL 20

NHL 20 is a sports simulation game developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports. It’s the 29^th installment in the series dedicated to ice hockey games. NHL 20 features revamped gameplay mechanics, placing focus on the faithful representation of the player’s behavior in the rink, new presentation style, making it similar to the sports TV broadcasts, as well as many other changes and improvements, which provide the best hockey experience imaginable. The game received favorable initial reviews from the critics, who praised changes introduced to the gameplay and presentation.

New gameplay mechanics

Key feature of NHL 20 are the improved gameplay mechanics, which put emphasis on the most realistic depiction of the intense sport that is ice hockey. Thanks to the implementation of RPM Tech, the players in the rink behave just like their real-life counterparts. Hockey stars from various teams have their signature plays and shooting styles, which had been recreated in the game. Other elements of the action in the rink improved by RPM Tech are deke shots, loose and possessed puck shots, transitions, and many more.

Goaltender A.I. improvements

Implementation of RPM Tech is not the only change introduced in this installment of EA’s hockey series. The A.I. of the goaltender has been completely revamped, giving the player more control over the way the goalie behaves. Now, defending the shot carries less risk of the puck rebounding, with goalie using his statistics to prevent the rival skater from scoring a goal. Goaltenders will now apply their entire body to the defending process, stopping the puck with their chests, midsections, or gloved hand. The ai-controlled goalie will have increased awareness of the situation developing around them and will respond accordingly to the threat of losing a point.

Changes in presentation

NHL 20 aims to make the game the player participates as realistic as possible, which includes the broadcast and presentation of the match. The play-by-play commentary in NHL 20 is more energetic thanks to the new commentating crew, with veteran hockey expert James Cybulski. New main color commentator Ray Ferraro adds his 20 years of experience in the rink, providing expert analysis to the play-by-play commentary. The graphics package has also been remodeled, to mimic those of the TV broadcasts, increasing the player’s immersion even further.  

Ultimate multiplayer

Like many other games from EA Sports’ stable, NHL 20 features a multiplayer mode where players online can compete using the official teams or try their luck in Hockey Ultimate Team mode. The latter offers the player a chance to create their own team of NHL stars which will compete against the teams made by other players. The newest installment of the series offers a new mode, Squad Battles, where players compete offline for attractive rewards, as well as the Eliminator mode, where players take on opponents solo or in teams of three in a survival-like match mode.