So with all the controversy of EA leaving out some big game modes in this years addition of of the hockey franchise, the game still delivers on presentation, gameplay and new features.
I did not get to play NHL 14 due to the fact that I purchased a PS4 and and it was only on PS3 so I skipped a year.
I think the biggest upgrade for me personally was the presentation of the game. After I created my star player in Be A Pro mode and got drafted, it threw me in my first game. All the pre-game commentary and introduction is fantastic. It really makes you feel as though you are watching a live NHL game. It starts of by showing a view of the city you are playing in then it transitions smoothly into the arena with a roaring crowd and a set of new commentators. The lights in the arena are going crazy, the fans are pumped up, it really draws you into the excitement. There are some more presentation features that are good little touches but I will let you find out for yourself. Overall the look and appeal of the game is spot on.
The game plays very smoothly. The skating is very realistic, meaning you cannot turn on a time and make impossible moves. The dekes seem to be the same as a whole but I did notice that when I used the right stick to deke it automatically made my player skate to the left. Not sure if that is just me but it is take a little getting used to. Hitting and puck play are about the same overall, no big changes there. The fighting is very different in my opinion. Back in NHL 13 when you entered a fight you would go into a first person view and fight that way. But in 15 you fight in third person. It looks as though you are a watching a live game and there is a fight going on. In one of my fights the camera panned in and I could not see the top half of my player so I could not tell where to punch. It made it a little frustrating. It has only happened once so hopefully not a big deal. There are some minor issues but overall the gameplay is solid.
There are a few things about this game that make it a little more appealing to me. For one when you move about through the different menu options there is a cool little sound that plays to signify the transitions between options. Not something that really matters but it stood out to me. Also the music is pretty good in this years game. The menu music is really catchy and the in game music is great.
As a hockey fan (and sometimes player) I can say that I was excited to play this game even though there were some major flaws with it. The big thing this game does is pull you into the action and makes you apart of it.
The fact that this years version has no EASHL is a tough pill to swallow. However the game is still enjoyable and it plays very well. I was hesitant to pick it up knowing that there was no EASHL but I bit the bullet and I am glad I did. Still a fun hockey game.
NHL hockey video games have come a long way. Grandpa Heath takes a look at just how long in the 3rd and final NHL hockey games retrospective. There's also a whole lot of griping about NHL 15.
At least NHL 16 shipped as a complete product. Still waiting on goalies and d-men that act real. I have a feeling I'll be waiting several more years.
I went back and watched the whole series. And I don't even like hockey or hockey games lol Guy is real funny
From Canada to Finland, it's an NHL showdown rematch for the Picked Last Gamers crew - Ryan/Mark vs Chris/Ty - let's play!
Fresh back from Berlin, Geoff and Jack bring you Fails of the Weak Volume 246 featuring clips from Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Unity, Battlefield 4, NHL 15, Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, and WWE 2K15.
