Preview: NHL 15 | Stevivor

[CupCrazyManiac]

Just found it on the Internet ...

PREVIEW: NHL 15

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24 June 2014
PREVIEW: NHL 15


I’ve gone into great detail about the improvements to NHL 15 in its move to current-gen systems this year, but all of that doesn’t necessarily mean the game will play well. Thankfully, I can guarantee beyond any shadow of a doubt that NHL 15 looks, plays and feels as close to the real game as possible.

It’s amazing, you guys, and well worth the wait.

I started a game with a fellow journalist, pitting the Montreal Canadiens against the LA Kings. Naturally, this Canadian ex-pat picked his home country’s team. As the game loaded, we were shown an exterior of the Bell Centre, home of the Canadiens, as NBC Sports’ graphics and sound were thrown up on-screen. I honestly forgot for a second as the TV screen in front of me then switched to NBC’s Emrick and Olzcyk, followed by a shot of Kings’ goalie Quick warming up that I was about to play a hockey game rather than watch one.



As the puck dropped – and this EASHL defenceman lost the faceoff, naturally – I immediately noticed the details. The blades of my skates cut the ice, causing shards to fly up in the air as I cornered. The players that I didn’t control actually played their positions in a way I’ve never seen before. They didn’t stand still, nor circle in a set position, but rather skated to where I would as a player seeing what was ahead of me. It was breathtaking.

Hits were brutal; players were absolutely destroying one another, arms and legs flying everywhere. In one particular hit, both players smashed into each other and fell to the ice, legs intertwined. The players struggled to get back up, jostling and kicking each other to get free. A spectacle then ensued as the puck was shot underneath the pair and a Canadien tried to get the puck free. A King skated in a bit too fast in retaliation and ended up tripping on the three scrambling for the puck. The King flew through the air in a half-flip as he collided with the ice hard. Both of us playing paused for a moment to appreciate how amazing the sight was.

The puck eventually freed, I passed it ahead to an open player near the Kings’ blue line and skated alongside the boards, waiting for a player to free himself up in the slot. Finally seeing Subban open (and pinching), I passed the puck and let off a crackin’ one-timer, just beating Quick high on the glove side. The puck rang off both inside posts and flipped through the air as it shot out the opposite side of the net. The referee called it a goal, and Subban lost his mind, achieving a 1-0 lead on the Kings. The slow motion replay of the goal clearly showed that the puck had fully crossed the red line, so the decision stuck. It was glorious.



As we were watching the replay, the other journalist and I took turns commenting on little details we couldn’t focus on while playing. The puck marks all up and down the goal posts. The way that Subban’s jersey fluttered in the breeze as he wound up for a slapshot. The Kings fan in a sea of Canadiens' ones, seated and unmoving as those around him rose to their feet in excitement.

The best part? Soon, you won’t have to take my word on my skills. Think of epic moments like that, combined with the Share functionality on PS4 or the "Xbox, record that" prompt on Xbox One. We’re going to see some absolutely ridiculous clips from a game that really behaves as the game does on the ice itself.

Sure, you could stick to last-gen versions of NHL 15 and still get the quite decent version running on NHL 14’s engine – with ’94 Anniversary mode still included – but you’d absolutely be missing out. If you’re a hockey fan and undecided on whether or not to take the plunge on a new console, look no further: NHL 15 is your excuse.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Steve Wright
Steve Wright, aka Stevivor: A Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, freelance journalist, sweet games blog owner, ice hockey player/fan, beer aficionado and tech trainer. Steve is proud to be the Australian iiNet TopGeek 2.0! Check him out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.


Link: http://stevivor.com/pre-view/nhl-15/

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by CupCrazyManiac

Just found it on the Internet ... PREVIEW: NHL 15 Link: http://stevivor.com/pre-view/nhl-15/

Sounds promising. I still wish they would just release a gameplay video already. It's nice hearing the same canned interview promises, and gameplay stories, but i want to see EA show some actual gameplay footage, and maybe elaborate on what to expect this season.

I think we'll really take a leap forward next season when they can not make a version for the PS3/360 and re-do the models of faces and such from the ground up.

[Money99]

Thanks for posting this Cup!
I wish I never read it though. Now I'm thinking of upgrading earlier than I wanted, haha.
Summer of 2015 is quickly turning into Summer of 2014, haha.

[tshionhoto]

that right,wish I never read it though. Now I'm thinking of upgrading earlier than I wanted,thanks

[KIWI BLITZ]

I have not picked up a hockey game since 2009, I'm looking forward to picking it up on xbox one

[woody2goody]

I was just going to order a copy of NHL 14 for PS3. After reading this I'll wait for PS4 NHL 15