Pocket Hockey Stars

Game genuinely is built to make you upset. I had a lot of hope first playing this. Played about 50 games before I decided it’s genuinely a cash-grab, hoping you’ll pay for upgrade packs once you lose enough. I went 35-15, every single winning streak was of course cut short. Some opponents will be “skilled” much higher, better players, more trophies. Goalies simply will just fly out of the goal, the AI on the skaters is god awful. There’s no real lineup building, you’re essentially stuck with the first line the game gives you unless you spend money. Every single “online match” is AI. Nothing is genuinely a real player vs. a real player. Explain to me how the game runs smooth in 60 FPS, but the menus are essentially 10? Zero response time on the main menus, game came straight from 2009. It has so much potential, yet cut way too many corners. Never offer a paid battle pass (star pass), in a game where the menus can’t even support 60 FPS on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, in the year 2026. Frustratedly writing this just because of how much potential this really has. Stop being lazy!

Game is a ton of fun as is and the concept it great however there are plenty of improvements to made. Obviously bugs are one thing, it crashes a lot and can be super glitchy and inconsistent. Unlocking new players in also way to difficult it gets boring to play the same lineup of players every single game. Adding some more early game easily unlocked players could created more diversity in lineups. Getting gear for goalies would be sweet too like custom pads, painted masks, etc. could also be fun to have some non-nhl players too. One or too more game modes would make it easier to play more. Lastly, having a practice rink where you can work on shooting, passing, etc with no defense or goalie could be super helpful to work on mastering the controls.

This game is very good, I haven’t seen a hockey game this fun since SuperstarHockey. I really enjoy the mechanics and the online play. The controls were very intuitive for me to learn and they are very fun when done successfully. I think the game could really benefit from a few updates. The first being better more ‘addictive’ quests. The quests are a great start but lack a true ‘goal’ besides play the game. Having more overarching goals or making the milestones more desirable could help with this. Second I love the update to practice matches but I wish there was a way to just practice offensive pushes so that learning the puck aiming mechanic was easier through repetition. Lastly the most recent event for the SHL was so much fun and I would LOVE for there to be more events like this continuously. Even if it was just a leaderboard you need to climb that rewards your placement. I am coming to this game as an avid player of SuperstarHockey and the events in that game are incredibly addictive and almost always ongoing so picking up the game and playing for a week through the event is very satisfying and rewarding. Overall this game is very well made and has amazing potential if the developers continue on the path they are on.