NHL 21
NHL 21 Gameplay Trailer, Details & Screenshots
EA has posted their official NHL 21 gameplay trailer today, featuring innovative moves and massive improvements on both sides of the puck. Players will have more options than ever before to take control of the game and impose their playstyle on opponents.
Gameplay adjustments affect all three areas of the ice, with more offensive zone creativity, smarter transitions through the neutral zone and active defense when protecting the net. From between-the-legs one timers, to desperation saves, NHL 21 adds a new array of innovations to create the most realistic gameplay to date.
- Offensive Gameplay – Inspired by the creativity of Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid and others, the team has added four groundbreaking new moves to the offensive arsenal – “no move” deke, behind the net bank, between-the-legs one timer and “The Michigan.” In addition to the highlight reel material, a multitude of slips, banks and chips help maintain speed and aggression when moving into the offensive zone.
- Neutral Zone – The most dominant teams in the NHL use fluidity through the neutral zone to generate dangerous scoring opportunities. In NHL 21, AI has been improved to ensure that lines move as a unit in all three zones, filling the proper lands and gaps to make for smooth breakouts, crisp transitions and dangerous scoring chances.
- Defensive Zone – In NHL 21 breakouts have become significantly more important, as AI updates see teams forecheck aggressively as a unit. Defensive strategy has been geared towards neutralizing speed and forcing offenses to move east and west instead of north and south. Goalies have improved control in responsiveness in all situations, allowing for never-say-die moments.
- Superstar-Inspired Innovation – Find yourself behind the net and catch the defense sleeping? Scoop up the puck and tuck it under the bar for a jaw-dropping Michigan. Break the goalie’s brain with Kucherov’s no-deke deke. Score from an impossible angle with an insane between-the-legs one-timer just like Matthew Tkachuk. Shake off a pesky defender by banking the puck off the back of the net to create space, just like Sid. Each of these iconic moves created an unforgettable hockey moment; create your own in NHL 21.
- Slips, Banks, and Chips – NHL 21 revolutionizes neutral zone play with the addition of slips, banks and chips. Get small and slippery along the boards as you squeak by a defender’s check. Bank the puck off the boards and around your opponent, or use the back of the net to do the same. Or just chip the puck past a flatfooted defenseman and burn him on your way to the goal.
- Improved AI Hockey IQ – AI has been optimized to make sure that your teammates can break out on their own and hit you with a pass in stride so you can keep driving to the net. In addition, they’ll be better positioned and more open to the net for passes in the O-zone. On the other side of the puck, defensive AI will work harder to slow down the opposing team in the middle of the ice and block passing lanes when defending.
Gamesaving Goalie Desperation
Great goaltending is born out of calculated athleticism – being in the best position to make the stop, while having the athletic ability to quickly shut the door on an unexpected opportunity. New desperation saves and animations mean that you’re never out of it — there’s always a chance to make a jaw-dropping, acrobatic stop — even against your momentum.
Improved Goalie Control and Positioning
Goaltending controls have been reworked to use the right stick for more of your movements, making user controlled goalies more fluid and tactile. AI goalies are smarter when it comes to positioning — they’ll adjust and square up to the shooter’s approach angle to give themselves the best chance of making the stop.
NHL 21 launches worldwide October 16th, pre-order NHL 21 Great Eight Edition and get it 3 days earlier, on October 13. It includes the following:
- Up to 10 HUT Diamond Player Choice Packs (2 per month for 5 months)
- HUT Synergy Veteran Choice Pack (Choice 1 of 10; +1 OVR per month until August 2021)
- HUT Cover Athlete Choice Pack (Choice of: Ovechkin, Matthews, McDavid, Pettersson, Laine, Subban)
- 3 Days Early Access
- Be A Pro XP Boost and Bonus Trait and Specialization Points
- 5 Unlocked World of Chel Hockey Bags
As for next-gen consoles, there won’t be a true PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X version, only forward compatibility.
I'll need to see it to believe it, but this is the most I've been excited about an NHL gameplay trailer in YEARS...years.
EDIT: Despite the talk about positioning and neutral zone play, there is a lot in the trailer to not like. Goalies still seem stiff and unrealistic. And the idea they spent so much time and resources on new dekes that happen so rarely in real NHL games is a bit troubling. Am I going to see the Michigan goal or Kucherov's no deke once per game now?
I, like others, will need to wait and see on this. Some promising elements, but some that could be game-breaking for me.
What's the goalie doing during "the Svechnikov"?
The goal at 1:55... I don't even know where to begin. They include that goal in a gameplay trailer that is supposed to show how the game is now more realistic?
They are skipping a next-gen version this year right? Hopefully NHL 22 will be a new experience.
For me at least, they really screwed it up with the XB1/PS4 console generation. It got off to a sluggish start and the improvements just haven't been there.
To this day, I still prefer NHL 14/15/Legacy.
I really hope next year brings a complete new generation rebuild.
For me at least, they really screwed it up with the XB1/PS4 console generation. It got off to a sluggish start and the improvements just haven't been there.
To this day, I still prefer NHL 14/15/Legacy.
I really hope next year brings a complete new generation rebuild.
I knew the moment they started touting the "floaty" jerseys that this gen might be in some trouble. I've yet to see jerseys waving as if the player is skating in a wind tunnel.
This series made some decent jumps from 08-14 but then it just plateaued, which is pretty sad.
The goalies were the 2nd thing that has always bothered me. Their movements were absolutely ridiculous. It appears that goalie movements look better but just like the neutral zone, gameplay video and playing the game is only going to show this.
I haven't bought NHL since 16 and didn't play more than a few hours I'd venture to guess. The other years I've played were via EA Access and most of those I didn't even use up the 10 hours. I'd love nothing more than to buy this game again.
Agreed. Next gen NHL better look and play better. Getting tired after all these years of mediocracy from EA.
Agree. They showed a lot of user error on defense but if the teammate AI makes those same errors it’s all pointless
i liked everythiing about, just lecross goal makes me cringe.:y6:
I'm afraid that it will happen once a game
I'm afraid that it will happen once a game
Or 3 or 4...
They touched on better AI in the trailer which is nice. I will be interested to see how that plays out. But right now, other games are holding my interest enough that this will likely be a pass for me.