NHL 17: Quick Impressions - Operation Sports

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NHL 17: Quick Impressions

Submitted on: 09/08/2016 by Fraser Gilbert

In case you weren't aware, the embargo for NHL 17 reviews lifted earlier today. Our review is very much ready to go, but we've decided to keep it back in anticipation of tomorrow's (September 9) newly announced pre-release patch. I will re-evaluate my thoughts after I have had a chance to get hands-on with the new changes.

So, while we wait on the big patch to finalize the review, here are a few quick impressions of the game thus far:

-NHL 17 is not a revolutionary update for the series, but the subtleties in its gameplay provide a more realistic experience than ever before. There are a few downsides to mention, and I'll go into more detail about them based on what I find in tomorrow's patch. However, the on-ice experience is largely impressive, and although you might not notice all the new improvements right away, they’ll soon present themselves as you delve into the game’s vast array of modes.

-Speaking of game modes, there’s a lot of content on offer this year. Nearly all of it hits the mark, with just a few misses to mention. franchise mode, EASHL and Ultimate Team largely take the plaudits, with the latter undergoing a particularly impressive overhaul. Ultimately, the majority of modes incorporate well designed features to provide plenty of longevity.

-Customization is a big feature in this year’s game, and it provides a genuinely enticing reason to progress in EASHL, where new features must be unlocked through progression. It's also a big reason why relocation in franchise mode is such an enticing prospect, putting every tool at your disposal from the moment you negotiate terms. The arena creator is the main highlight, offering all sorts of possibilities to create a customized masterpiece. Player and team-creation features are a little less impressive, but they're still an important part of the overall package.

-In terms of presentation, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about. Unfortunately, progress appears to have stagnated in this area over the past twelve months. There’s nothing particularly offensive about it, but it’s clear there’s more potential to create a sense of varied immersion from mode-to-mode.

That’s all I'll be saying for now, but I'll go into much more depth when the full review is released over the next couple days. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts if you’ve had a chance to get hands-on during the EA Access trial period.

NHL 17 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 actionhank @ 09/09/16 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	You can't say the game hasn't changed. Gameplay wise you can do things you've never been able to do replicating the random chaos of the game. Commentary wise you could say it's not much different, but this gameplay could be epic. This is a good buy. Opening up such a vast array of effective sliders may have been the best idea they've ever had

That's good to hear. Nice to see things might be trending back in the right direction.

Have you been able to test relocation to see if it affects league alignment? It's going to be a bit of a immersion killer to move from East to West and still be in the save division/conference.

# 22 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionhank


	That's good to hear. Nice to see things might be trending back in the right direction. Have you been able to test relocation to see if it affects league alignment? It's going to be a bit of a immersion killer to move from East to West and still be in the save division/conference.

No i haven't. My time is up, also...

# 23 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam31yearsold


	People really weigh the quality of a game on the presentation? I have completely different values as to what makes a good game as a lot of people. All present.tation aspects get skipped 2 months after release. By a lot of people. All the time. For this fact, it's cool, but presentation means nothing to me.

It's a combination for me and many others. I'm sure many who love good presentation would also need good gameplay to enjoy said presentation.

You aren't everybody and everybody isn't you. Not everything is so black and white.

# 24 Elite49 @ 09/09/16 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam31yearsold


	People really weigh the quality of a game on the presentation? I have completely different values as to what makes a good game as a lot of people. All present.tation aspects get skipped 2 months after release. By a lot of people. All the time. For this fact, it's cool, but presentation means nothing to me.

Sure I skip the opening and things like that. I still will watch most replays, but presentation is more than just that.

# 25 il_tedesco @ 09/09/16 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionhank


	That's good to hear. Nice to see things might be trending back in the right direction. Have you been able to test relocation to see if it affects league alignment? It's going to be a bit of a immersion killer to move from East to West and still be in the save division/conference.

You cant move West Teams to an East coast City and Vice versa. IE You cant move the Yotes to Quebec and other East cities. These cities arent Open for negotiation. So you dont need alignment. I just moved the canes Back to Hartford. Creation was very cool. Whalers Logo is in and they got a Play by Play Name. Nordiques Logo is also there but you cant choose nordiques as a Play by Play Name. And most of the custom Logos suck. Ea should bring a Sharing Tool like 2k where you can create your own Logo and Share it with other players...

# 26 jake19ny @ 09/09/16 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam31yearsold


	People really weigh the quality of a game on the presentation? I have completely different values as to what makes a good game as a lot of people. All present.tation aspects get skipped 2 months after release. By a lot of people. All the time. For this fact, it's cool, but presentation means nothing to me.

Gameplay is paramount but presentation in a sports game is also important. I think with sports games good presentation enhances the gameplay. In this series if you score a game 7 over time goal it's no different than scoring a goal in any other game. If the presentation allowed for Doc to scream, fans to jump from their seats loudly, and the team to mob the goal scorer wouldn't that make scoring the goal more fun therefore making the gameplay better?

It sounds like EA made gameplay strides this year and added some banner presentation and it sounds like NHL 17 may be a nice step up. I'm sure presentation along with gameplay improvements will keep coming if EA keeps listening to the community.

# 27 thedudedominick @ 09/09/16 10:29 PM

Feels too much like NHL 16.

Not as sloppy as it was in the beta and I loved how the beta played.

# 28 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudedominick


	Feels too much like NHL 16. Not as sloppy as it was in the beta and I loved how the beta played.

Sliders are your friend.

# 29 thedudedominick @ 09/09/16 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	Sliders are your friend.

90 percent of what I play is EASHL.

# 30 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudedominick


	90 percent of what I play is EASHL.

Touche, sir. :-)

# 31 buck135 @ 09/10/16 12:54 AM

On YouTube the Bruins goal horn is correct, but the music is absent. This wasn't an issue last year. Does anyone know if or why it isn't there?

# 32 decefay @ 09/11/16 12:51 AM

When you score do all the players celebrate together or is it still just 2 players?

Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk

# 33 knich @ 09/11/16 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decefay


	When you score do all the players celebrate together or is it still just 2 players? Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk

just 2 players

# 34 decefay @ 09/11/16 01:08 AM

Cant believe that its still that....its like the only thing holding me back from buying it

Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk

# 35 Elite49 @ 09/11/16 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck135


	On YouTube the Bruins goal horn is correct, but the music is absent. This wasn't an issue last year. Does anyone know if or why it isn't there?

They do have Zombie Nation.

# 36 stevostl @ 09/11/16 06:14 PM

Quote:


	People really weigh the quality of a game on the presentation? I have completely different values as to what makes a good game as a lot of people. All present.tation aspects get skipped 2 months after release. By a lot of people. All the time. For this fact, it's cool, but presentation means nothing to me.

I agree. The first thing I do before I start playing EASHL which is the only mode I will ever play in the game is go straight to presentation and sounds and turn the announcers volume on mute. This is a must for me as it's easier to focus on the game with hearing the sounds on the ice better when playing in the EASHL. This is a must for any human goalie in the EASHL.. it makes a difference if you can hear the sounds on the ice better. So most of the presentation stuff I can careless about.. but that's probably because I am an online ONLY EASHL player. I already got my game downloaded and ready to go. Can't wait to hit the ice online.. as the beta was the most addicting sports gaming experience I have had in awhile with friends. I could be wrong... but I think those who play a lot of offline and maybe only offline care a lot about the presentation and I would guess most others like myself who really only play EA hockey online hardly care about presentation. We only care about the gameplay... I don't care if the arena is generic like it is in the beta in EASHL for better network performance... if the gameplay is smooth and good.. that's all I need and will play the crap out of it.

# 37 Pikesburgh @ 09/11/16 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevostl


	I could be wrong... but I think those who play a lot of offline and maybe only offline care a lot about the presentation and I would guess most others like myself who really only play EA hockey online hardly care about presentation. We only care about the gameplay...

I play a ton of offline but I'm actually with you. I could care less about presentation. What I care the most about is gameplay, and realistic stats. Everything else, who cares? I also find muting the announcers helps me play better. I like hearing the crowd, and the on ice sounds. Here's the thing about presentation...you can get the most authentic, crazy Doc "HE SCORESSSSSSS" call in the world, but once you've heard it a couple times, it's just background noise. Whereas, playing the game, every time you take the puck up the ice, it's always a bit different. Sure you can repeat a certain move often, but those are usually glitches. I prefer to play hockey like a real hockey game. Board battles, shot blocks, deflections, poke checks, net battles, rebounds, and the whole nine yards. If EA doesn't touch the graphics or presentation for the next 5 years and just focused on the gameplay the gameplay would be unbelievably awesome.

Hell, just look at the popularity of GTA. One new game every half decade, the up close facial graphics aren't all that great, yet people LOVE it. Why? THE GAMEPLAY.

# 38 MizzouRah @ 09/11/16 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikesburgh


	I play a ton of offline but I'm actually with you. I could care less about presentation. What I care the most about is gameplay, and realistic stats. Everything else, who cares? I also find muting the announcers helps me play better. I like hearing the crowd, and the on ice sounds. Here's the thing about presentation...you can get the most authentic, crazy Doc "HE SCORESSSSSSS" call in the world, but once you've heard it a couple times, it's just background noise. Whereas, playing the game, every time you take the puck up the ice, it's always a bit different. Sure you can repeat a certain move often, but those are usually glitches. I prefer to play hockey like a real hockey game. Board battles, shot blocks, deflections, poke checks, net battles, rebounds, and the whole nine yards. If EA doesn't touch the graphics or presentation for the next 5 years and just focused on the gameplay the gameplay would be unbelievably awesome. Hell, just look at the popularity of GTA. One new game every half decade, the up close facial graphics aren't all that great, yet people LOVE it. Why? THE GAMEPLAY.

To each his own.. gameplay should be something that's always up front and the best it can be. People loved NFL 2k because of the halftime show and cuts to games in progress.

Look at NBA 2k with dynamic commentary this year and Madden how it can add commentary throughout the year. NHL needs to step up its game in these areas and quit doing stuff like concession prices/joe schmoe bobble head night.

Gameplay and presentation can go hand in hand.

# 39 berad88 @ 09/12/16 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikesburgh


	I play a ton of offline but I'm actually with you. I could care less about presentation. What I care the most about is gameplay, and realistic stats. Everything else, who cares? I also find muting the announcers helps me play better. I like hearing the crowd, and the on ice sounds. Here's the thing about presentation...you can get the most authentic, crazy Doc "HE SCORESSSSSSS" call in the world, but once you've heard it a couple times, it's just background noise. Whereas, playing the game, every time you take the puck up the ice, it's always a bit different. Sure you can repeat a certain move often, but those are usually glitches. I prefer to play hockey like a real hockey game. Board battles, shot blocks, deflections, poke checks, net battles, rebounds, and the whole nine yards. If EA doesn't touch the graphics or presentation for the next 5 years and just focused on the gameplay the gameplay would be unbelievably awesome. Hell, just look at the popularity of GTA. One new game every half decade, the up close facial graphics aren't all that great, yet people LOVE it. Why? THE GAMEPLAY.

I like game play also. I want sports games to replicate the actual sport as closely as possible. However, being able to see and hear the announcers say how many goals a player has scored in the season right after he scores a goal is super huge presentation that I am totally glad EA did not wait an additional 5 years to include. Just so you know, the crowd both visually and in sound as well as the on ice sounds are presentation.

# 40 Qb @ 09/12/16 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevostl


	I agree. The first thing I do before I start playing EASHL which is the only mode I will ever play in the game is go straight to presentation and sounds and turn the announcers volume on mute. This is a must for me as it's easier to focus on the game with hearing the sounds on the ice better when playing in the EASHL.

I go with no announcers as well for EASHL. I'd rather listen to my teammates tell me they were open after I shoot.

I'd like to see them really strip down the presentation for EASHL games. Get rid of cutscenes, limit replays, just keep it moving so it doesn't feel disjointed like it does now when most everything is cut short once everyone skips. Maybe use the loading screen to display team info/player stats (maybe show the players like Madden's lineup overlay?), ditch the pre-game intro, and roll period highlights during the 30 second intermission and keep the replays during the game brief and limited.

Again, I'm talking strictly for OTP/EASHL. I'm all for the bells & whistles when playing offline.

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