NHL 16 Available Today For Xbox One & PlayStation 4, Post Your Impressions

[schlitz73]

From what I've gathered in this thread the couple main concerns I've had about the game, and the series in general, still seem to be present. Could anyone elaborate on these points for me?

CPU fairness:

In some past NHL games it seemed like the CPU would suddenly decide it had to score a goal or that I was not allowed to win a game. It didn't matter what I did or how much better my team was than the CPU, I would just lose and lose big. And I am not talking about losing 4-3 or because I was playing on Superstar either... I usually play Pro level and sometimes one higher. The worst offender was me playing a random exhibition game which turned out to be against one of the worst teams in the game only to lose 7-0 on 15 shots by the CPU. That may be a little extreme but do these types of games still occur in NHL 16 where you are helpless to stop the computer?

Teammate AI:

Namely on defense... in past NHL games it always seemed like defenders had little to no clue how to actually play defense. Constantly getting out of position, running into each other, being oblivious to loose pucks right next to them. It would drive me nuts trying to do everything myself in BaP or any other mode because my teammates were so passive and clumsy on D. It sounds like this may still be an issue as well, but just how bad is it?

[Stormyhog]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

Here's an example of what makes defending difficult. I like the skating, I like how you have to be smart, but often you are not rewarded for good body position and the cpu is able to generate a scoring chance in the middle of the ice.

I really hate how the sticks of players go through players. I'll be defending proper only for the player to go right around me mainly because his stick goes through my legs. It's almost like your invisible in situations.

[phillyfan23]

Quote: Originally Posted by CeilingPlayer

Any idea where I can find real team strategies? I saw thread there when NHL 15 released but I can't find it anymore.

I can send you an excel file with 30 team strategies that I compiled for nhl 15 which I will use for NHL 16. give me your email and I'll send it right over.

I did my research watching games, reading team strategy websites, reading team forums. I still need some input for Carolina, Dallas and Buffalo...but the rest I've crosschecked 2 sources to come up with the team tactics.

NOTE: philly will play a faster pace this year with more defensive help for offense and pinching.

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by phillyfan23

I can send you an excel file with 30 team strategies that I compiled for nhl 15 which I will use for NHL 16. give me your email and I'll send it right over. I did my research watching games, reading team strategy websites, reading team forums. I still need some input for Carolina, Dallas and Buffalo...but the rest I've crosschecked 2 sources to come up with the team tactics. NOTE: philly will play a faster pace this year with more defensive help for offense and pinching.

You can't set these team strategies up for Be A GM, correct?

[sfpxgalaxy]

Player differentiation is still a problem. You would think that they would focus on that with HUT being their main mode.

This pisses me off. All players feel the same and can do the same.

I don't notice the fastest skaters nor the slowest ones.

[18 eighty 5]

I am playing the EA early access version. Only playing offline games. They have utterly nerfed defense and have clearly focused on a high offensive game. It just feels weak. The skating too has really taken a step back to the old nhl 06 or 2k6 style. Through the stick and watching the animations I don't get any sense or feeling of skating. It feels more like the players are rolling around on wheels. Very disappointing. What is with the whole back skate into spin o rama?

The game is just not very good. I keep trying to let it prove itself but it just isn't a good game. Give us proper defense where our ai team mate's get involved. The series is out of ideas clearly.

[jake19ny]

I don't know if this was mentioned since release but season goals are not shown in Season Mode or BeaGM. It will always say 1 after scoring no matter how many goals they have on the season. Lame....way to revert to SEGA genesis EA. On a positive note it appears they fixed the issue of shoot out loses or wins not showing up for goalies and after simming 2 months the goalie stats are the most realistic to date

[brandon27]

Quote: Originally Posted by schlitz73

From what I've gathered in this thread the couple main concerns I've had about the game, and the series in general, still seem to be present. Could anyone elaborate on these points for me? CPU fairness: In some past NHL games it seemed like the CPU would suddenly decide it had to score a goal or that I was not allowed to win a game. It didn't matter what I did or how much better my team was than the CPU, I would just lose and lose big. And I am not talking about losing 4-3 or because I was playing on Superstar either... I usually play Pro level and sometimes one higher. The worst offender was me playing a random exhibition game which turned out to be against one of the worst teams in the game only to lose 7-0 on 15 shots by the CPU. That may be a little extreme but do these types of games still occur in NHL 16 where you are helpless to stop the computer?

This is still an issue. Not as prominent as in the past since goalies have gotten better, but it's definitely still an issue, I've noticed it quite a bit.

Quote:

Teammate AI: Namely on defense... in past NHL games it always seemed like defenders had little to no clue how to actually play defense. Constantly getting out of position, running into each other, being oblivious to loose pucks right next to them. It would drive me nuts trying to do everything myself in BaP or any other mode because my teammates were so passive and clumsy on D. It sounds like this may still be an issue as well, but just how bad is it?

Again, still an issue. Especially playing H2H against the CPU offline. You're AI controlled teammates, especially those in front of your own net just kind of stand around instead of trying to tie up offensive players out front. When the pass comes to that offensive player he just rips off a quick one timer usually while your D-man just stands still.


It's a bit better than in NHL 15, but both issues still exist, and are still as frustrating as ever IMO.