Every issue i have with this game is from a presentation standpoint
I actually only bought the game after reading the stickied OS article lol. So that makes at least a couple of us which is pretty cool. Before this my last purchase was NHL 13 so it’s been awhile. I personally enjoy the gameplay a lot, I can cycle the puck below the crease, score off one-ts, deflections, wristers from the slot etc.
However, in my opinion the game would really benefit from a refocus on graphics and visual elements. Really ridiculous how many players do not have a scanned face... there ought to be at least 15-20 stadiums for CHL teams, playing in the same arena every game during be a pro really kills the immersion. They don’t even have to be authentic- 30 generic stadiums for CHL/AHL teams would be sufficient. Also, I’m not very knowledgeable about the NHL these days and idk if these guys are even around anymore so take it easy on me. But my point is, I get that a guy like tortorella or Bruce boudreau would be difficult to get to sit in that camera rig they use for scans but it seems reasonable to expect at least a handful with real likenesses, refs included.
There’s also a bunch of things I could get into regarding stadium atmosphere (scoreboard/LED graphics, tunnel entrances/exits), but the mascots are a nice touch and the overall look of the arenas are decent as well, although exterior cutscenes from the outside the way FIFA and Madden have it would take the game to the next level. And correct me if I’m wrong but they had the NBC license up until this year, so I’m not sure if they had that overlay and presentation for every playable game or if it was sporadic but that or another broadcast package should be reinserted on a contextual basis: TSN layout for Canadian matchups, NHL network layout for “important” regular season games and maybe a mix of both for playoff series. And lastly I don’t like criticizing the commentating aspect of these games because the tech behind that is facisnating and beyond my comprehension, but it seems like Ray and the play by play guy have a couple different lines for various goalies but almost none for any skaters, so that would go a long way as well.
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