NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

Feature Article

Submitted on: 09/06/2014 by Jayson Young

On the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, NHL 15 is essentially NHL 14 with three new announcers plus some tweaks to the puck physics and player collisions.

All of NHL 14's modes and features have returned, except for the EA Sports Arena, where gamers could wager real money in head-to-head online matches.

If you've played the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One demo of NHL 15, you'll immediately miss that version's significantly upgraded skating and stick-handling mechanics, as neither aspect has been improved on the Xbox 360. You'll also notice that NBC Sports' theme music and presentation overlays are oddly absent from the Xbox 360 version, despite the fact that NBC's announcers do replace Gary Thorne and Bill Clement.

After playing several hundred games of NHL 14, only three gameplay differences stand out so far in NHL 15:

1) The puck no longer bounces like a basketball whenever it's dumped into the corner. In all situations, the puck tends to behave more believably.

2) Player collisions are slightly more realistic, though they still look silly at times.

3) Goaltender interference penalties are called more accurately.

Other than that, you could easily turn off the announcers, and convince spectators that you were playing NHL 14.

Be-A-GM/Season Mode

In the one season that I simulated, the only difference I saw from NHL 14 is that the GM menus now appear inside a generic smartphone instead of on a branded BlackBerry. As usual, the CPU teams will make many dumb decisions. In year one, I saw Nashville waive its first line center, Mike Fisher, and waive one of its top prospects, Calle Järnkrok. One CPU owner offered me two third-round draft picks for 35-year-old grinder, Chris Neil. Another CPU team sent me a pair of third-round picks for Chris Phillips, a 36-year-old defenseman.

The AI is even more inept on the ice, as they still display zero defensive aggressiveness, have no clue how to break through the neutral zone, and possess no ability to hold onto the puck or create legitimate scoring chances. They'll still score once or twice a game, but only because your own AI goalie is guaranteed to do something dumb eventually, and let in a laugher of a goal that would make even Marc-André Fleury blush. The slow data processing and frequent pop-up notifications while simulating through a season make it tough to get through 1 year, let alone the full 25.

Be A Pro/Live The Life

I could not find many changes here, either. You still start out playing the Memorial Cup to improve your draft stock, then it's off to the preseason, where you will either make your NHL club's roster, or get sent down to their minor league affiliate. The same female player models from last year's game are selectable, but the new announcing team still uses male pronouns to describe female skaters.

EA Sports Hockey League

You can no longer wear the jersey number 0. Aside from that, I noticed nothing different in the one drop-in game I played.

GM Connected

I did not spot any new options or features in the test league that I created. The loading times between each menu and during every schedule advance remain frustratingly long. It's no wonder that such a small percentage of EA's NHL users play this mode, since full 82-game seasons continue to be the only choice.

NHL Moments Live

Placeholder graphics for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 NHL seasons are shown, but the only challenge currently available for download is the second overtime session of the clinching Stanley Cup Final game between the Kings and Rangers.

Winter Classic

There are no new Winter Classic venues, just the same 2011 (Heinz Field) and 2012 (Citizens Bank Park) stadiums. You can still use any team that you want in these outdoor events. But if you stick with the default matchups, Mike Emrick's new introductions for these two games are fantastic.

Ultimate Team

This mode is not playable during the Season Ticket period. We will have impressions of Ultimate Team when the retail version of NHL 15 releases on Tuesday.

Overall First Impression

After a full day of playing, I can find no compelling reason to spend full price on the Xbox 360 version of NHL 15. NHL 14's online servers probably won't be discontinued any time soon, considering that NHL 12 remains fully functional. Xbox 360 hockey fans should keep playing their old copies of NHL 14, or buy it used for $15 to $20 if they don't own it already. It will take a bit more time to fully discern what NHL 15's value is, but the value proposition in rushing out and getting NHL 15 isn't the highest from our first impressions of the title.

Look for our full review of NHL 15 on the PS3/Xbox 360 soon!

NHL 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 Gotmilkman24 @ 09/06/14 10:47 AM

the game looks EXACTLY like nhl 14. I see no difference but a puck that doesnt bounce as crazy... WHAT A HUGE LET DOWN. after seeing nhl 15 on the ps3/360 Ill probably still get it on my ps4 because Im tired of the ps3.. WHAT a huge let down...

# 2 ManiacMatt1782 @ 09/06/14 11:12 AM

They didn't work on this versions as it was a copy paste job with "updated" rosters. They didn't work on next gen with 3/4 of the game still missing. What did they actually work on? I understand they are a small team, but come on man. Seeing the 360/ps3 is a copy paste job, there is no real reason for the xb1 and ps4 to be as bare bones as it is. I tried to stick uo for the Dev team, but not after this news. The hashtag on twitter might just be justified.

# 3 deejay2 @ 09/06/14 12:17 PM

@Gotmilkman24 and you forgot to mention that NHL 14 is the same as NHL 13. EA really think that we are dumb. Maybe many people are dumb because because it looks that EA still sell a lot of games every year.

# 4 Majingir @ 09/06/14 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deejay2


	@Gotmilkman24 and you forgot to mention that NHL 14 is the same as NHL 13. EA really think that we are dumb. Maybe many people are dumb because because it looks that EA still sell a lot of games every year.

I don't get how EA didn't do anything after NHL14s embarrassment of sales. It was one of the worst years of sales for EA in NHL game series history. Only worse ones were NHL 08(for obvious reasons) and NHL 2005(because of the lockout)

And for people with NHL15 on PS3....

Is the custom music feature still in the game(for things like custom soundtrack,custom music played during various moments in the game like intro,goal songs,break in plays)?

What are all the soundtrack songs for NHL15?

How fast(or slow) is the sim speeds for be a gm mode(meaning like how long does it take to sim each day in be a gm)?

And gameplay/everything else wise, is it in any way better/different than NHL14?

# 5 Earl1963 @ 09/06/14 01:05 PM

EA Slacking

# 6 bad_philanthropy @ 09/06/14 01:31 PM

This is pretty much what I expected. Yes, I think the NHL devs botched the logistics of the dev process, but we also have to consider and criticize EA's lack of interest in supporting the development of the NHL series versus FIFA or Madden.

I think a huge part of FIFA's growth is actually the investment in making it a top notch product last gen, and we've seen these dividends in the huge increase in market penetration in NA. They committed resources to the FIFA and it showed�doesn't seem like NHL got the resources investment commensurate with developing a next-gen title.

All conjecture on my part of course, but the blame needs to be spread a bit more evenly, and the "fire Rammer" crap needs to stop. I doubt resources were allocated in a way that allowed innovation across all releases. It's sad, but this is the nature of EA's annual sports model.

# 7 snc237 @ 09/06/14 02:09 PM

So I have EA access and one day left on season ticket. After using my time up in access I tried the 360 version. Like the review above says it practically the same game, physics have been improved but only people that played hundreds of games in nhl 14 would be able to tell a true difference. What stood out the most is how the ps4/Xone have a much bigger leap gameplay wise over it's older counterpart. It really made me appreciate the next gen version of nhl much more. It's just a shame everything else was sacrificed. We are all stuck in horrible place. Next gen is a great improvement on the ice but it's barebones for modes. Or you go with last gen to play a game loaded with modes but it's the same tired old A.I. And game on the ice. I for one could not handle another year of nhl 14 or Nhl 15 on last gen. Hopefully next gen gameplay can keep me invested in the game because there's not much more then that.

# 8 jyoung @ 09/06/14 02:47 PM

I uploaded a bunch of NHL 15 Xbox 360 videos from me playing the Season Ticket version yesterday.

I hope this footage helps you guys make an educated purchasing decision:

Let me know if you have any questions about the Xbox 360 version. I will be busy this afternoon (Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss game), but I'll swing by later tonight to catch up on any questions.

# 9 Dazraz @ 09/06/14 03:13 PM

I am as frustrated as everyone about the lack of modes on the Next Gen release of NHL 15 albeit far from surprised. This is EA after all. I'm a however a little surprised on the fan fare regarding the minimal changes to the current gen version. After all, what were the big changes when comparing NHL 13 to 14. Pretty minimal once again.

EA are great at milking their games. They've given us 2 options. A great looking next gen product with just a couple of bare bone modes or the current gen option which is packed with modes but s otherwise just a roster update with new commentary. They have 2 games that appeal to 2 different demographics while spending the minimum amount of money in creating this either one.

# 10 N2J NY @ 09/06/14 03:28 PM

Thanks for the videos! According to this guy player progression in Be A GM is fixed and realistic stats are back. Are any of the new faces from PS4/XB1 included, like Bergeron or McDonagh?

# 11 canucksss @ 09/06/14 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacMatt1782


	They didn't work on this versions as it was a copy paste job with "updated" rosters. They didn't work on next gen with 3/4 of the game still missing. What did they actually work on? I understand they are a small team, but come on man. Seeing the 360/ps3 is a copy paste job, there is no real reason for the xb1 and ps4 to be as bare bones as it is. I tried to stick uo for the Dev team, but not after this news. The hashtag on twitter might just be justified.

Is there really a proof that NHL dev team of EA is a small team? If it is..why they dont get more people to improve this NHL series. Ahhhh....because WE KEEP BUYING THEIR HALF-COOKED, POORLY MANAGED, AWFUL Product...that's why.

I dont believe that NHL is a small market that they will not get much money. Really? Sure if you compare NHL to NFL, NBA, FIFA, but there's so much hockey enthusiasts that if EA will really work on their craft people will buy. If you give them $10 profit in every single copy they sold and they are selling total of 700,000 (PS4/X1/old gen) thats 7M profit! Even a $ 1/per copy profit that is still $700,000!

# 12 shaunjuan2000 @ 09/06/14 04:23 PM

I haven't really noticed any banter between Doc and Edzo during the play, mostly stoppages. Love the idea they added the shot totals to the end of period summary, before heading to intermission. Something Gary and Bill didn't do. That'll save me from having to see how many shots were taken. Doc and Ezdo both sound very robotic. Ray actually sounds good.

# 13 aholbert32 @ 09/06/14 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksss


	Is there really a proof that NHL dev team of EA is a small team? If it is..why they dont get more people to improve this NHL series. Ahhhh....because WE KEEP BUYING THEIR HALF-COOKED, POORLY MANAGED, AWFUL Product...that's why. I dont believe that NHL is a small market that they will not get much money. Really? Sure if you compare NHL to NFL, NBA, FIFA, but there's so much hockey enthusiasts that if EA will really work on their craft people will buy. If you give them $10 profit in every single copy they sold and they are selling total of 700,000 (PS4/X1/old gen) thats 7M profit! Even a $ 1/per copy profit that is still $700,000!

A 7 million dollar profit is chump change compared to the money Fifa and Madden bring in and its not enough to encourage EA to increase their staff. That increases the production costs and would cut into their small profit. Madden and Fifa have large teams because they make large profits. You cant expect a big production team for a game that sells 500-600k a year,

# 14 Solid-Bri @ 09/06/14 07:52 PM

Custom goal horns still here I hope?

# 15 Trackball @ 09/06/14 08:24 PM

So, uh, I didn't buy NHL 14, but I have 13 on my PS3.

Should I get 14 now? Because not enough has changed in 15 to warrant the extra money.

# 16 18 eighty 5 @ 09/06/14 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunjuan2000


	I haven't really noticed any banter between Doc and Edzo during the play, mostly stoppages. Love the idea they added the shot totals to the end of period summary, before heading to intermission. Something Gary and Bill didn't do. That'll save me from having to see how many shots were taken. Doc and Ezdo both sound very robotic. Ray actually sounds good.

Watched game 4 of the Stanley Cup last night and listening to Doc and Edzo in real life totally puts the game version to shame. Doc doesn't sound like Doc in the game. In real life his energy during the call is so fluent. In the game it is stuccato and detached and lacking life. Hopefully in the future we get the big energy he delivers.

# 17 sweetjones @ 09/06/14 11:33 PM

Does the fatigue effect slider actually work on hardcore style? Seem like it only worked on High Impact style last year.

# 18 jyoung @ 09/07/14 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majingir


	Is the custom music feature still in the game(for things like custom soundtrack,custom music played during various moments in the game like intro,goal songs,break in plays)?

Custom music works just like last year. You can set it for every team in the game and for specific in-game situations.

Quote:


	What are all the soundtrack songs for NHL15?

Band -- Song
1985 -- Time of your Life
Bear Hands -- Giants
Benny Benassi -- Control feat. Gary Co
Close Your Eyes -- Chain Gang
Death From Above 1979 -- Trainwreck 1979
Empires -- How Good Does it Feel
Every Time I Die -- El Dorado
Fall Out Boy -- My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark
Franc Wyte -- What I'm Talking Bout
Holy Fever -- Find Your Fame
Madeon -- The City
Max Frost -- White Lies
Plague Vendor -- Black Sap Scriptures
Pup -- Lionheart
Red Sky Noise -- She Don't Know
Summer of '69 -- Come and Get It
The Graveltones -- Forget About the Trouble
The Night Marchers -- The Fanbase
The Wyld -- Odyssey
Wolf Rider -- From Where You Are
Wolfmother -- How Many Times
Young the Giant -- My Body

Quote:


	How fast(or slow) is the sim speeds for be a gm mode(meaning like how long does it take to sim each day in be a gm)?

The processing speed is really slow for simming Season/Be A GM games. Simming seasons is extremely tedious.

The loading speeds are even worse in GM Connected.

Quote:


	And gameplay/everything else wise, is it in any way better/different than NHL14?

The puck physics and player collisions are noticeably improved, but I haven't felt any other differences so far in the gameplay. The AI feels the same in all aspects.

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2J NY


	Are any of the new faces from PS4/XB1 included, like Bergeron or McDonagh?

I haven't paid much attention to the player faces in either version of NHL 15, so I can't answer that question directly, but I have attached screenshots of both guys below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunjuan2000


	I haven't really noticed any banter between Doc and Edzo during the play, mostly stoppages. Love the idea they added the shot totals to the end of period summary, before heading to intermission. Something Gary and Bill didn't do. That'll save me from having to see how many shots were taken. Doc and Ezdo both sound very robotic. Ray actually sounds good.

The live-action commentary is like 95% Doc. Eddie usually only chimes in during brief stoppages, and Ray will only speak up during replay packages.

The commentary is very robotic sounding overall. Doc repeats some of his catch phrases too often, and he lacks the energy and fluidity he has in real life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackball


	So, uh, I didn't buy NHL 14, but I have 13 on my PS3. Should I get 14 now? Because not enough has changed in 15 to warrant the extra money.

Even NHL 13 is still pretty close to the experience that NHL 15 offers on PS3. Neither NHL 14 nor NHL 15 would be that much of an upgrade for you. The good thing about NHL 14 is that we have some great sliders and rosters out for it already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetjones


	Does the fatigue effect slider actually work on hardcore style? Seem like it only worked on High Impact style last year.

I haven't messed with any of the sliders yet, as I've just been trying out all of the different default game styles. I'll start trying sliders tomorrow.

# 19 Majingir @ 09/07/14 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	The processing speed is really slow for simming Season/Be A GM games. Simming seasons is extremely tedious.

Thanks for the soundtrack list.

And it sucks how EA can't even get sim speeds correct. Even MLB games over 10 years ago had better sim speeds than NHL and MLB sims 162 games for all 30 teams AND even minor league stuff too,not to mention ALOT more stats the game has to keep track of. So the fact that EA can't even get good sim speeds going for NHL is just sad. Makes the modes unplayable for sure.

# 20 jyoung @ 09/07/14 12:40 AM

Here is the full list of available equipment for skaters:

Spoiler

The goalie equipment list is too long to post, but if you have any specific requests there, just let me know and I can see what's in.

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