NHL 15 Available Now For EA Access Subscribers, Post Your Impressions

[TerminallyOdd]

So is the full version running at the same resolution as the demo?

[metal_james]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drakar

Its a reality of next-gen games. It cost millions and millions of dollars and they have to release the gamer before its ready to recover their investment. this is not EA, its the whole industry

But then why are other games so much better?

[drew0020]

I've played the demo and now the real game. I am disappointed about EASHL, but could care less about lack of AHL teams or not being able to edit a player. Those are minor complaints.

My big concern in year 1 on any next gen system is core game play and graphics.

I think EA did a great job with the graphics of this game. Players look great, goalies re-act properly and the pucking is literally dancing and fluttering around the ice. pretty impressive to me. The crowds are interactive and the cut-scenes are good to watch. I do wish there was custom music, but the soundtrack is enough to make me feel like I am there. Great goal horns too.

Gameplay is always tough, because no matter what there are always going to be money goals (its been that was since the beginning), but thats how some people play. I try to play more traditional hockey, dump and chase, work the back to the point, but also enjoy going up and down. I am hoping that sliders can tweak the speed, etc for different types of styles.

I will say I enjoy the gameplay. Its a nice mix of up and down and dump and chase. It fits my style. Love the deflections and bouncing puck that hits the goalie in the chest (and you still see it bouncing). Backhand laser goals happen to much, but... it is fun. I dont want the puck going out of play 10-15 times a game. Thats real, but boring. I dont want to play a game for an hour. I like getting it done in 20-25 minutes.

Im glad I purchased the game, but I do expect all of the missing features in next year. Like I said though, if the core graphics and gameplay sucked then who cares about all of those modes? A definitey buy for me. Overall 7.5/10 in my limited time, but a very good first effort on next-gen.

In my opinion a step up from from Madden 15 as well and that is year 2 next gen.

[tomzennsbruh]

You think NHL 15 is a step up form Madden 15?

[bigwill33]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigwill33

Not in my first game, but about to try another game with longer periods now.

2nd game: 7 minute periods Penguins (Me) at Lightning
All Star Hardcore. Increased goalie freeze puck slider and maxed out penalty slider as well as cpu penalty slider.

Score: 5-3
Shots: 25-20
TOA: 7:18-6:16
Passing: 66%-78%
Faceoffs: 14-15
Powerplays: 0-3


Game notes and observations.

-The CPU did not take one minor penalty despite the maxed out sliders. I set up in their zone often.

-I took 2 tripping penalties as a result of poke checking. My CPU controlled Letang took a holding call for pinning someone without the puck on defense. Gave up a PP goal on the first call and scored a shorty on the second.

-Gudas fought Sutter after Sutter collided with Nick Johnson in the neutral zone. Perhaps Gudas would do that in real life, but once again I did not have the option to not fight.

-Someone dropped the gloves with Beau Bennett after he collided with Ben Bishop and knocked him over. No penalty on the play, but I was forced into yet another fight with someone that really doesn't fight. Thought this was removed. Guess I will need to lower the fighting slider to nothing.

-2 pucks went out of play. 2! And get this; they were both on dump-ins from the neutral zone, by me, when I held the RB a little too long before releasing. A couple of pucks went high off of the glass from being blockered on a save where I thought it was going out, but nope. This is ridiculous.

-I still have not really scored on a slapper from the point, including in the demo. The CPU hasn't scored on me in that manner either.

-Too many clean glove saves, especially from point blank.

-They removed the ability to wear the now defunct "Bolts" 3rd jersey for the Lightning, although there were plenty of fans in the stands wearing it. Odd. I don't like when games take jerseys and uniform sets out of the game!

-Empty net goals are sure things again after you carry the puck over the opposing blue line and let go of the sticks. The defenders just back off the puck carrier as if they still have a goalie in net. There is no contextual awareness here. Been that way for a long time and it is awful. You can often score 2 empty net goals per game with a 1 goal lead late in the 3rd. I only scored the one in this game because of time limitations.

-Every goal the CPU scored on me was once again a result of the backside defender losing their man and an easy pass for a one touch goal or pass to a low slot area where the player can snipe with ease. You get punished for playing smart hockey and keeping the play in front of you because your AI teammates cannot do the same.

-I played all styles of defense to try and counter this and gave up goals on each of the staggered, high point, and collapsing defense settings.

-On staggered the CPU had a 2 on 3 while entering the zone that became a 3 on 3. I controlled the center high, which was Malkin, and contained the puck near the blue line. Scuderi had the far guy down low and Letang had the next guy coming over the line that was making a b-line towards the short side of the net. I continued to contain with Malkin when all of the sudden Letang leaves his man and skates up towards the point almost as if he wants to cover my guy that I have a good containing gap on. This leaves the main in front wide open, my guy sauces a pass past me and around the out of position Letang for an easy same side goal against Fleury. WTF!?

-Your AI is brutal, EA!

-I cannot get my CPU teammates to forecheck half of the time, but on the PK they will. Including an offensive zone face-off on the PK where Crosby tied the guy up (why he is killing penalties is beyond me) and Dupuis gave up his defensive positioning by going under the dot to the same side corner as they gained possession and subsequently had an easy outlet pass on the PP attack as a result of Dupuis' action.

-I noticed more ice degradation with the longer periods. Nice touch.

[bigwill33]

Quote: Originally Posted by jdl24

Can jersey numbers be changed in play now mode?

I did not see an option for that. But I thought I read someone else say that they did it, but I could be mistaken.

[drew0020]

Quote: Originally Posted by tomzennsbruh

You think NHL 15 is a step up form Madden 15?

Madden feels the same as it's ever been in my opinion. Game options no, but gameplay and graphics yes.

[jyoung]

Is the custom camera option still in?