How Could Presentation Be Improved In NHL 18

[onlybygrace]

I agree with a lot of what I've read here in the comments. However, with the exception of the point made by Nickflyers regarding the Stanley Cup celebration, I think the crowd in this game and arena atmosphere is really well done...particularly in the playoffs during tying and go ahead goals...crowd really rocks those moments.


The arena atmosphere certainly could use the option for custom music. No doubt about it...


I like the pregame info but it could be a little less generic. I agree about more stat overlays, as well; simply showing players more often with their accumulative season stats would be nice. Little things go a long way.


I really don't mind Doc even at his current level of excitement...it seems fine to me.


I've really enjoyed NHL 17, honestly. As much as any other, maybe the most.

[Nickflyers]

Quote: Originally Posted by onlybygrace

I agree with a lot of what I've read here in the comments. However, with the exception of the point made by Nickflyers regarding the Stanley Cup celebration, I think the crowd in this game and arena atmosphere is really well done...particularly in the playoffs during tying and go ahead goals...crowd really rocks those moments.

I agree! When I scored an OT goal the screen rocked and the crowd got LOUD! That they have improved on greatly! Now it's just cleaning up the little things.

[xSh4dow95]

Custom goal horns and music would be a nice addition for teams with incorrect goal horns and/or generic music. Also, maybe a Fox Sports broadcast wouldn't be bad either. The presentation should be a very dynamic element within the game, but it's been unusually stale and redundant since transitioning to the newer gen consoles despite recent improvements. Honestly, I see a lot of potential in the presentation aspect of the game, but it's the subtle things being addressed that's going to deliver this franchise to where we have a great game of hockey.

[MizzouRah]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nickflyers

I agree! When I scored an OT goal the screen rocked and the crowd got LOUD! That they have improved on greatly! Now it's just cleaning up the little things.

Yeah I love the screen shake!

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by BoSox59

I played my first game the other day and was disappointed with just how lifeless the arenas are - too much dead air, too little enthusiasm from Doc (there's something I never thought I'd write), and the music doesn't sound natural to what you'd hear at an arena. Custom music would go a long way towards solving this, but it just feels flat. Also, can we please, please, PLEASE add bilingual PA announcers in Montreal? I don't want to sound like a pequiste, but hearing English-only just kills the realism and immersion. French PA announcers in Quebec stadiums would be great for QMJHL games, but that's a far second place to getting Montreal right. Finally, I'm not a fan of the NBC overlays, probably because I don't watch NBC that much, but it also feels out of place when I'm using two Canadian teams. A well-executed generic overlay would be fine. I also miss Jim Hughson. Just me?

There was something cool that I don't know is still a feature, but definitely was in previous FIFA titles. They had regional announcers. You could pick from I think Spanish, English, French, Italian, and maybe a few others. I remember playing with the Spanish announcer just to hear the excitement when he called a goal out loud. It would be cool to see EA do something similar.

As for the NHL series, it's hard to say. So much of the on-ice action happens in its own little world, and then the extra animations only happen in the pre-set scripted camera events. I think improving the way players move and interact with each other on the ice would be a huge improvement, but even that starts to border on gameplay issues. I've noticed a lot (and maybe it's due to slider adjustments and the AI not knowing how to handle their new speed and not being able to stop on a dime) but players seem to just run into each other, the boards, and the nets constantly. I feel like I'm skating with oil tankers out there sometimes, trying to dodge other boats.

In terms of overlays, the stats could be a lot better. As someone mentioned previously, stuff like the team's powerplay on the season should be mentioned. If I've got the top PK unit, it might be worth mentioning. They hint at those things with the announcing, but I'm never sure how accurate they actually are. It would be nice to see them say "The Blues PK is out for the first time tonight. Here's how they stack up so far this season, sitting at #1 in the league. That has got to give them some confidence going against Buffalo's 17th ranked Powerplay Unit". Even if there's not the matching dialogue, just showing the Top 5, and placing that on the screen would be great.

Showing other game's scores, especially when it directly affects your team, or in the later part of the season as teams are eliminated and start to clinch playoff spots would be a bit more immersive. One of my biggest complaints in EA has been that I feel like I just exist in my own little world, and the only time I see anything else is if I go track it down. There's no immersion in the NHL experience.

Another in-game thing I can think of is the overlays they do show also tend to get in the way. I can't count the number of times I've tried to pick which line I'm sending out, only to have the other team's next 5 games blocking my lines, preventing me from knowing exactly which line I'm picking. Something that simple shouldn't be an issue at all, and should easily be fixed by just relocating the information. Even that window however could use some work. Just popping up who they play next means nothing to me. Are they fighting for a playoff spot? Are the 5 teams they're facing all division rivals? Are all of those teams currently in playoff spots, or riding hot streaks? A boring stat just plopped on the screen is just another thing to click through, but a stat with some context and dialogue can be part of the immersive experience.

[jake19ny]

It's been said 5 man celebrations. And I want a big goal to tie the game or win a big game to feel like it via the celebration. More stats on screen and redo the whole cup winning presentation

[NEOPARADIGM]

Quote: Originally Posted by csamuelsvt

They have to have 5 man goal celebrations. it is a gigantic eye-sore. No more excuses on this. If they can't do it real time, give us a cut scene like they do for the milestones.

So long as it's the correct five guys, wearing the correct gear, correct numbers, etc., i can't see anyone caring if they aren't real time.. those milestone goals are great. put together 5 or 8 cutscenes for 'standard' goals and 3 or 4 more for 'big' goals and it would be more than enough.

anyway i've posted before but i think a CBC/hockey night in canada presentation package would be both appropriate and awesome for this franchise.

[rbiaci]

Haven't played NHL series since nhl11 it will take a lot to bring me back I love NBA 2k