Eastside Hockey Manager
One of my favourite games of all time. If I’m not feeling any other game, I usually just start this up and the next thing I know, hours have passed. It’s literally endless enjoyment if you’re into hockey and simulation and enjoy watching numbers go up and down (preferably up).
I originally used to play a very large amount of the NHL series on my PS4, and while it was fun to occasionally hop in and actually play the game, I found myself just simming through the franchise mode, season after season to watch my players and team progress. Once I found EHM, I almost entirely stopped playing NHL on my PS4. I realize not everyone will be like this, but if you are a fan more so of the sim aspect of other hockey games, this game will be perfect for you.
– Real player with 1900.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hockey Simulation Games.
I’m giving this game a negative review despite loving it. The reason is that I want to draw attention to the negative sides that I don’t feel get mentioned often enough.
First of all, there are still bugs in the game. After so many itterations, one would have thought that things like trading and contracts would work flawlessly, but nope, you’ll still run into situations where you need a save file editor or create another GM just to get the game to follow hockey rules.
My other and biggest issue is with the way this game compensates. Let me explain. I’ve been playing EHM since the very first version, probably spent thousands of hours on all versions together. One thing you have to realize is that this game is essentially a numbers generator, working with probability and such. Thing is, if you’ve been playing this game long enough, you’ll find ways to build fantastic teams, with (probably) the best coaching staff in NHL history and you can pretty much win the Stanley Cup with any team by your second, in a worst case scenario 3rd season. But! The game detects when your team or player start producing extraordinary numbers, and it will start compensating to keep things “realistic”. Won too many Stanley cups in a row? Well, you’ll lose in the playoffs, no matter what you do (tested by replaying the same saves when things got weird on countless occasions). You’ll win with the same team next year, but the game won’t let you win, say 4 times in a row, just because. Same if your team is scoring too much. Built a scoring machine with 1st line level players on your 3rd line? Well, bad luck, because you’re gonna get punished by periods where your team will refuse to score, until your goals scored total returns to a “normal” value, then, without changing anything, you score again. Same goes with winning games. Winning 90% of your games mid season? Well, here’s a drought, it’ll end once you’re around 75-80%, then you’ll dominate again and the cycle repeats.
– Real player with 1542.4 hrs in game
Hockey Manager 20|20
The game is as deep of a hockey sim as I’ve ever seen, however no NHL license is a bit of an immersion killer for me, because I spend more time editing than I do playing. Another downer for me is not having the ability to choose between Euros and Dollars or KG’s and LB’s. When there is a complete overhaul to the US and Canadian teams available in the workshop then I’ll be more interested in playing, but until then it’s FHM for me. If you don’t mind the lack of an NHL license and or editing for months, then the game might be for you. If you’re like me though, I can’t recommend it.
– Real player with 14.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hockey Life Sim Games.
I like the editing options, there is a lot of play editing possibilities and you can even save and load edited databases. you can even get some addons here https://wasserlasser.com/
Although u might be spending a long time in the editor, the overall gameplay is nice and chill.
– Real player with 9.0 hrs in game
Super Blood Hockey
Super Blood Hockey is an awesome game, Fluid and Simple Controls, Pixel graphics and 4 Player Local coop or versus. It does not take the sport too seriously and there is a lot of blood.
It is a nice take on the classic hockey games of the early 90s. Anything is allowed and getting trough a match without a fight is pretty rare. Players can get injured and wil just bleed oud on the ice, There is even an achievement for it, “One for the dumpster” You can play any game up to 4 players, you can play for the same team, you can play versus or mix and match.
– Real player with 100.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Hockey Retro Games.
This is the hockey game I’ve been wanting for almost 30 years.
TL;DR: This game is awesome.
This game reminded me of a few different games. Ice Hockey, Blades of Steel, NHLPA ‘93, and NHL Hitz. Coincidentally, most of these have been my go-to games to get my fix of hockey violence. SBH seems to take elements from all of them, make , and then wrap them into one. I revisited and played all of these games plus others to refresh my memory and make these comparisons as accurate as possible.
For reference: SBH = Super Blood Hockey
– Real player with 49.7 hrs in game
Tape to Tape
The addictive gameplay loop of a Roguelike campaign in a Hockey game? Start with a below-average team and progressively improve it with the choices you make during each successive runs. Unlock new players, buy and upgrade equipment, discover new storylines. Stay tuned, updates are coming shortly with more details!
Gameplay
Tape to Tape combines the fast-paced gameplay of 90s hockey games with the gameplay enhancements of modern games, combining the best from arcade and sim-like games. Modern hockey games are focused on emulating real hockey games. The games are centered around puck possession and slower gameplay. Tape to Tape is much faster with more emphasis on speed and counter-attacks while staying true to the sport of hockey.
On offense, the players’ can easily skate across the ice thanks to the skaters’ high acceleration and maximum speed. With the tap of a button, the player can pass the puck successively for high-speed counter-attacks.
On defense, the speed-burst mechanic allows players to always be in the middle of the action and deliver crushing body checks anywhere on the ice.
The game features hand-drawn 2D player sprites and animations within a 3D environment. The game is visually different from everything else on the market. 2D animation allows the game to have much more personality in its design and animations!
We can’t wait to show more of the game!
Franchise Hockey Manager 7
Received FHM 7 for free as part of a giveaway.
FHM 7 has a few new features which have been pumped up in the marketing, but what they failed to disclose was that for the first four months of this games release, it would be entirely nonfunctional for the multiplayer community as well as not coming as advertised for those wanting to play singleplayer.
The new sim engine
“2D Game Engine: Our game simulation has been rebuilt from the ground up, and now shows games in a top-down, fully-animated view that lets you see every second of the action!”
– Real player with 928.8 hrs in game
FHM7 is the best Hockey Manager game out there imo. I’ve logged several hundred hours thru fhm2 until now.. The game is developed by a very small group, meaning it may take several more versions to really make an impact on everyone looking for something in particular they’re hoping for that isn’t already in the game. If your looking for a smart AI, meaning understanding signings, off-season transactions, trades, drafting that occur… and your like me … you’ll be using the commissioner mode to set things right or reverse trades as it happens thru your simulation career. So be prepared to play the game with your own house rules to really give yourself a challenge.
– Real player with 248.1 hrs in game
MBHL20
Clapbomb from the blue line eh bud
– Real player with 26.1 hrs in game
great game
– Real player with 22.0 hrs in game
Franchise Hockey Manager 5
A big step forward if compared with FHM4. In particular, the new UI is much better, even if some won’t like the brightness. I frankly have no problems with white backgrounds. And the new tactics system is great.
Don’t expect much huge news, the core of the game has been worked a lot so the game is now more stable, more realistic, more solid. There are more options for those who like custom games, but frankly, I’m not interested in that game mode so I haven’t scrutinized it much. You can now play online as you can do with OOTP, but once again, I prefer solo gaming anyways. The only thing that I think the 5th iteration is a bit behind is gaming in the European leagues. The improvements in the core of the game have of course their impact in the European leagues as well (in particular, a better in-game screen, new tactics, better visualization and so on), but rules, customs, finances and similar things are pretty similar to FHM4.
– Real player with 993.2 hrs in game
Long time EA NHL user.
I have a friend who isn’t into video games who played the baseball version OOTP..
He recommended me to try FHM because of the same makers and the depth of realism. I am obsessed with analytics and simulation management. EA Franchise mode has always frustrated me as there is no variance. You buy NHL 19 and Crosby is god forever and always.
This game really has so many factors that change every aspect. A long term bruins fan jumped in and said ‘Bergeron doesn’t need more training!’ Halfway through the season Bergy starts to decline in skill (Yet still can be effective with good line chemistry) I try to play him with unfamiliar linemates and he performs terribly (As when he was at prime (used other players to compare)).
– Real player with 306.8 hrs in game
Franchise Hockey Manager 6
Somewhat disappointed in this.
As with previous versions, there seem to be a ton of bugs (you’d think that, when you’re on your 6th version of the game, bugs that have been in numerous of the previous versions would be fixed but, this isn’t the case).
Couple of examples: I offer a F.A. a contract, we agree on the money and term and the player asks me to submit the offer but I can’t as “submit” is still greyed out. I have space contract wise and on the cap but still can’t release the offer. The player ends up signing for less elsewhere and I’m able to sign a lesser player to the same contract. Also, each year, the top eligible for the draft is somehow an already drafted player…
– Real player with 861.6 hrs in game
Complete copy paste job of FHM5. This offer is complete with the same old glitches , a different coloured background and the ability for players to get suspended. Oh and don’t forget about the real coaches now! Buy this game for the coaches or just play any other FHM game , its the same shit. It’s not even worth it on sale. This is the end of the franchise for me. Greedy knob jockey devs.
Edit: The trade offer system is also glitched. every team offered me a 3rd round pick for a prime Phil Kessel and to prove it wasn’t a coincidence , the same thing happened for JVR among others.
– Real player with 691.5 hrs in game
Franchise Hockey Manager 8
I like this game a lot. In my mind, this is the version of FHM that finally eclipses the last EHM that was released, even with the 1.5 beta enabled. It’s a bit buggy (ENABLE WEEKLY AUTO-SAVES!!!) and I’ve had a number of crashes, especially during the 2D sim portion of the game, but FHM 7 was patched up pretty quickly so I wouldn’t let that deter you from purchasing this game if you are a fan of the genre.
The budget system is a very nice addition, and I would imagine if you play in lower-revenue leagues, would present a different facet of gameplay in terms of balancing your scouting and development budgets. The new scouting reports are rife with information that can help you discern between a draft-day bust and a draft-day gem; I picked up a guy in the 7th round that had great mental stats that my scouts reported favorably on, and he ended up being rated as a 4.5 star potential guy after a season. Conversely, a guy I drafted in the second round has completely flopped down to a 2 star potential guy. Those are the kind of features that keep me immersed in a GM sim.
– Real player with 157.4 hrs in game
First let me stipulate that there is a lot to like about FHM8 and for someone who has supported the franchise since FHM1 but has more often than not been a harsh critic of past iterations, I am slowly being won over with this current effort. That’s not to say I believe it is a perfect 10, but for the first time I can clearly see that the evolution of this franchise is now showing the promise we all desire.
So to that end, if you are looking for a deep & engaging hockey fix, the plethora of gaming options provided by this game will be sure in some fashion to scratch that itch.
– Real player with 137.2 hrs in game