Who knew there were so many ways to play hockey?

The life cycle of sports games on any generation of gaming consoles is a funny thing. At the beginning, the developers haven't yet grasped all they can do with new hardware, but toward the end, it feels like they run out of ways to drastically push things forward. NHL 20, reviewed here on PlayStation 4, is no exception, because with new Sony and Microsoft systems expected next year, it relies more on tinkering with what works than trying to revolutionize video game hockey.

So you won't find any huge new gameplay features or flashy new graphics engines in NHL 20. But that's just fine, because this is the one EA Sports series that can get by with an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. By doubling down on its strengths and freshening up a few areas that needed it, NHL 20 offers something to entice every hockey fan.