NHL 26 continues to deliver the beloved gameplay that fans expect, with crisp passes and satisfying goals making every game enjoyable. A welcome addition is the ability to access Ultimate Team collections offline, offering more flexibility for players.

However, the game’s visual presentation struggles to keep up with modern standards. While the rinks themselves are beautifully rendered, the player models and crowd details often appear uninspired and outdated.

Despite its engaging core gameplay, NHL 26 feels like a mid-season entry rather than a fresh start. It’s an enjoyable experience, but one that leaves players hoping for more significant innovation and visual polish in future iterations.