Gameplay difference?

[Mtume]

Could you please give me some input on how the offline gameplay is different in 16 compared to 15.

I only play be a GM and I'm not sure if to buy 16 or not.

All thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks

[Steven547]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mtume

Could you please give me some input on how the offline gameplay is different in 16 compared to 15. I only play be a GM and I'm not sure if to buy 16 or not. All thoughts are appreciated. Thanks

Obviously you'll get different opinions here. But my opinion is this....I feel EA worries so much about the visuals and things people don't care about like Mascots this year, that EA could have addressed the AI more.

In my games I have unfortunately experienced the following:
- Cross crease passes by the AI are a goal 99% of the time. This was an issue previously and still again.
- Breakaways happen far too frequently and no matter who has the puck you can't catch him.
- The goalie doesn't hug the post, leaving it open for a goal all the time.
- The AI defenders, no matter what aggression slider rating, skate away from the player with the puck. CPU was attacking....my defender was on him until he was in my zone at which point, my AI defender (I'm position lock on another player) leave the attacking player for the middle, leaving the attacking player with an open net goal.
- A majority of my games have ended with the CPU scoring the winning goal with under 10 sec left to play in the game. And it's always some impossible type goal.
- Playing on PRO feels like Superstar mode.
- Don't think you can save strategies.
- Hardly feels like any player separation.

Now, others might feel differently. These have been my unfortunate experiences. Yes, I'm a position lock player but I've seen this same AI behavior in CPU vs CPU games. Is it worth buying? I would do a lot of research and maybe wait for a patch or two. But it's up to you. Others can give you feedback as well.

[Smirkin Dirk]

Ive just played 3 full games.

And there really isn't a heap of difference at all. Overall, I'd say it's slightly smoother with some better animations. But if I played this side by side with NHL 15, I couldnt tell the difference.

[Mtume]

Sounds like you confirmed my suspicions :/

[schlitz73]

Ugh... Those are the exact types of things that put me off the NHL series for a couple years and I was really hoping to get back into it this year. The game sure looks fantastic but the biggest sticking points have always been your teammates defensive AI and the CPU being able to pull off ridiculous passes and shots and scoring at will when it wants to. Sounds like these issues are still there which means I may have to pass yet again on my favorite video game sport.

[Smirkin Dirk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mtume

Sounds like you confirmed my suspicions :/

It seems like lots of work went into the modes, less into gameplay.

I liked last year's gameplay, faults aside.

But I dont think even experienced hockey heads can point to 3 tangible and obvious gameplay improvements.

[Diehardfan]

I've been telling this to anyone who listens...until EA gets a new development team in there, this will continue. They really need someone who has played hockey and knows NHL hockey to be in charge. But who knows? Maybe they are just doing what they are told to do....I think we all know how corporate BS works.

[Steven547]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hot Kidd

It seems like lots of work went into the modes, less into gameplay. I liked last year's gameplay, faults aside. But I dont think even experienced hockey heads can point to 3 tangible and obvious gameplay improvements.

Exactly. If EA spent half the time on AI as they did creating mascots in the game (which I don't recall that being on a wishlist??), we would have less issues.

The issues from previous games are still around. In my experience working with developers and applications at my job, fixing things in the app was always a priority for next release. The "nice to haves" took a back seat.

Same issue with slider settings from last year are not saving again this year.
AI def is horrible.
Pinpoint passing by CPU still exists, etc etc.

Hopefully with the next gen technology, these things can be patched and RETAIN for next release. Otherwise, guess we'll get more mascots next year.