EA Sports NHL 27 faces backlash from early access players

Early access players of EA Sports’ NHL 27 have expressed significant dissatisfaction following the game's deluxe edition release. Critics on social media have labeled the title an “absolute disgrace,” arguing that it feels like a minor annual update rather than a next-generation title.

Major technical criticisms focus on the return of the Connected Franchise mode. Users report that the mode lacks essential features present in older versions, such as the ability for AI to manage unoccupied teams, a rookie draft, and the transfer of statistics between seasons. Some players have noted that the game's visual quality appears inferior to older entries like NHL 23.

Visual rendering has also drawn heavy scrutiny, particularly regarding player face scans. Specifically, players of the Montreal Canadiens have been highlighted for poor facial modeling, with critics noting that several defensive players and goaltenders bear little resemblance to their real-life counterparts.