NHL 14 News Post

NHL 14 Available Now - Post Your Impressions Here

01:07 PM - September 6, 2013 by RaychelSnr

The NHL 14 early release for season ticket subscribers is available now. Be sure to share your impressions of the full retail version of the game below!

Impressions only! Q&A here.

Our review for NHL 14 is coming up next week!

Game: NHL 14Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 6 - View All

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# 101 savoie2006 @ 09/09/13 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aparks87


	Nope. CPU penalties are again a complete joke and non-existent.

I beg to differ. I can draw at least three a game. Play style, fatigue settings and period length must be taken into consideration.

# 102 aparks87 @ 09/09/13 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoie2006


	I beg to differ. I can draw at least three a game. Play style, fatigue settings and period length must be taken into consideration.

I commend you for taking the time to fix the game to get the results you want....but out of the box....im not seeing it. I play All-Star difficulty on Hardcore with 7 min periods and pretty much default everything else. I average 3-4 pens a game and the cpu takes maybe 1 if im lucky. Do the tuner sets have anything to do with the results im seeing? I have the latest. I remember last year everyone said certain tuners produced better stats. Idk. Maybe im trying to hard to dislike the game. I guess if i give it time....someone will come out with good sliders. The game isnt even out yet.

# 103 orion523 @ 09/09/13 09:25 PM

Disappointed by the last couple of versions, I wasn't expecting much here either, but after playing all weekend I must say I really like it. I may even purchase the game, but the Be A GM problems with progression are very concerning. Can anyone else confirm the issues?

# 104 timdj84 @ 09/09/13 09:41 PM

Online ,eashl,the bread and butter I might add,is still awful. Fix the pokes,unbalanced AI, horrid AI passing even when not called for. If I keep seeing the wrap glitch and stupid shots that bounce 10 feet off a goalie for a rebound goal ,I'm going to throw up. My team is up 3-0 and I **** you not,the other team got 4 rebound goals....and not good ones. I'm talking impossible,stick through body,no look, hope and pray rebound goals. Meanwhile we work it around,pass, cycle, play D and get **** on? EA...catering to the casual.

# 105 Nittany @ 09/09/13 11:52 PM

Just a few quick observations after playing 30 EASHL games on XBOX. The first thing that must be fixed is the automatic fighting. I can understand if a guy takes a shot after the whistle or even cheap shots a player...but not for LEGAL hits. Just because I make a legal awesome hit shouldn't make me have to fight and then sit in the penalty box for 5 mins each time. This has happened 2 times in the last 4 games alone. NEEDS TO BE FIXED!!!

The only other thing is actually quite amazing and I give EA credit. For the 1st time in 4 years of playing EASHL, the computer AI actually tried to score on a PK with less than 2 mins left and down by 1 goal. Instead of always dumping the puck, the CPU actually skated the puck into the zone and tried to score. Now they did not pull the goalie...that would be really impressive. But they did try to score. 1st time I have ever seen it...hopefully it was not a 1 time thing. That was my biggest pet peave in all of the prior EASHL seasons.

Going to take some time to build up players. Not seeing a lot of breakaways yet...but that could just be that the human speed is not fast enough yet. Can't really breakaway from the cpu D just yet. Hopefully, this year the breakaways will be toned down. No reason for breakaways when you are on the PK. The cpu D should immediately go back on faceoffs...not into the O zone. Simple hockey....

That's it for now. Please EA...fix the automatic fighting. Only make it on illegal hits...but don't penalize me for making a clean, vicious hit.

See you all in the EASHL! Best mode in video game sports....

Nit

# 106 Money99 @ 09/10/13 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nittany


	Just a few quick observations after playing 30 EASHL games on XBOX. The first thing that must be fixed is the automatic fighting. I can understand if a guy takes a shot after the whistle or even cheap shots a player...but not for LEGAL hits. Just because I make a legal awesome hit shouldn't make me have to fight and then sit in the penalty box for 5 mins each time. This has happened 2 times in the last 4 games alone. NEEDS TO BE FIXED!!!

I understand this needs to be toned down, but in the real NHL a fight almost always breaks out anytime a big legal hit is made.

Hopefully EA can add the instigator to anyone who starts a fight after a hit (even though, again, in the real NHL, this doesn't happen every time as it should), and maybe if hits were put down to 0, the bigger, 'blow-up' hits will happen less frequently.

# 107 actionhank @ 09/10/13 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	I understand this needs to be toned down, but in the real NHL a fight almost always breaks out anytime a big legal hit is made. Hopefully EA can add the instigator to anyone who starts a fight after a hit (even though, again, in the real NHL, this doesn't happen every time as it should), and maybe if hits were put down to 0, the bigger, 'blow-up' hits will happen less frequently.

I agree to an extent.
There will often be fights, but guys like Berglund or Steen aren't likely to fight, even after getting someone clean on a hit.
They'll shove back, but they're not likely to drop the gloves. My only problem is it seems like you're forced into it. Apparently moving the right stick in some direction can allow you to avoid the fight, but if not, it's going to be frustrating having your best players off for 5 minutes every time you get a clean hit.

# 108 adayinthelife @ 09/10/13 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionhank


	I agree to an extent. There will often be fights, but guys like Berglund or Steen aren't likely to fight, even after getting someone clean on a hit. They'll shove back, but they're not likely to drop the gloves. My only problem is it seems like you're forced into it. Apparently moving the right stick in some direction can allow you to avoid the fight, but if not, it's going to be frustrating having your best players off for 5 minutes every time you get a clean hit.

I'd like to get some official clarification on this, because I've seen both scenarios. I've had a few times where guys have made the hit and then automatically dropped the gloves, which is fine for some players but not for others.

Thing is, I've also had just as many cases where my guy drops his stick, but doesn't drop his gloves and I'm either given the option to press triangle and have someone else more likely to fight jump in, or someone else just jumps in gloves off automatically. Alternately I've also seen a couple things where my guy drops his stick but not the gloves, no one jumps in and they both end up with roughing minors.

I'm just totally clueless as to what is making this work sometimes and not others - am I doing something/pressing something not even thinking about it? If they smooth this out (and really, I think this is something that could be patched easily, no?), the fighting system really shines and feels like it adds some emotion to the game for sure, and maybe even finally gives you a reason to get a few tough guys in BaGM.

# 109 bad_philanthropy @ 09/10/13 01:58 PM

I actually think the teammate AI is quite improved in Be a Pro. I've always tooled around in the mode a bit since its inception, but never found it that compelling on account of my terrible teammates.

Here's an example from the end of a sequence of my team working the powerplay—we had actually done about three good cycles, and movement off the puck was nice—I was able to fight through some checks and get in position for a tip in. Probably the most satisfying goal I've ever scored in BAP because of how good everything felt without the puck.

It was nice too, because each cycle didn't simply feed the point, one tried to create movement to set up a good shot from the circle. It's part tweaks to the skating engine and some small tuning to the AI that makes it a big leap in fun for me (with my own slider settings of course. Default is rubbish.).

No it's not perfect, and I am eager to see what's up in a patch and tuner down the line, but it's enough for me at the end of this gen to enjoy.

# 110 Faulker @ 09/10/13 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	I'd like to get some official clarification on this, because I've seen both scenarios. I've had a few times where guys have made the hit and then automatically dropped the gloves, which is fine for some players but not for others. Thing is, I've also had just as many cases where my guy drops his stick, but doesn't drop his gloves and I'm either given the option to press triangle and have someone else more likely to fight jump in, or someone else just jumps in gloves off automatically. Alternately I've also seen a couple things where my guy drops his stick but not the gloves, no one jumps in and they both end up with roughing minors. I'm just totally clueless as to what is making this work sometimes and not others - am I doing something/pressing something not even thinking about it? If they smooth this out (and really, I think this is something that could be patched easily, no?), the fighting system really shines and feels like it adds some emotion to the game for sure, and maybe even finally gives you a reason to get a few tough guys in BaGM.

I just now out of habit shot the puck at the net.. A fight ensued with Matt Carle I flailed around with the right stick and the fight stopped not sure what direction or what exactly I did but it did stop the fight and both guys got 2 min for roughing. I'll test it again a couple times.. I'm actually enjoying the game 7 min default sliders on All star hard core sim so far has given me enjoyable results. I am starting to get a bit better so I may need to try a level up or tinker with a few sliders. All in all I've played around 15-20 games through season ticket in be a GM with Hard core sim and all star level. I was 7-3 with St. louis. And I'm 3-4 with Tampa bay. I'm probably an average player if I had to guess.. (not good not terrible) - So anyway my thoughts..

# 111 Qb @ 09/10/13 02:57 PM

Just guessing, but could the auto-fight prompt be affected by the hitter's fighting tendency of never/rarely/sometimes/often?

After getting my behind whooped a few times in OTP, I dropped my guy's setting to 'never'. Since then, I haven't fought unless I elected to, which was only once during a post-whistle scrum (and got pounded again). Granted I'm not a behemoth crushing anything that moves, but it seems worth investigating.

# 112 jyoung @ 09/10/13 03:03 PM

The easiest way to get out of an accidental auto-fight is to skate away from the scene of the crime as fast as possible.

Once your skater gets a certain distance away from the hit, the "push Y to fight" icon disappears.

Hit and run, son.

Also, it helps to set your Be a Pro's fighting tendency to "never" to bring down his likeliness to trigger an auto-fight.

# 113 Nomah5 @ 09/10/13 04:31 PM

Not sure why all the hate but I had my first game and actually had a BLAST. I used my Canucks v the home town Coyotes. They outshot me 50-31 and I was up 3-0 into the 3rd period. Power plays were 2 each at that point. They scored 3 times off the Sieve, chokeongo and I started a fight with Kesler and Doan, who took out Henrik Sedin in the first minute of the game. I won on a delayed penalty in the last minute and then potted an empty netter to win 5-3.

I am Thrilled with the challenge and the amount of shots the cpu took. I was happy with the 3 power plays I had, including the delayed one.

Hardcore Simulation, superstar default settings, btw.

# 114 bad_philanthropy @ 09/10/13 07:10 PM

It's a novelty, but NHL 14 is definitely the best goon simulator ever. You can truly be the baddest man on the ice. I'm testing out an enforcer BAP and taking all sorts of liberties while barely being able skate, deke, and shoot. It's a joy when you pull off the injuring hit, and then injure the guy who steps up to fight. I'm a terrible person.

# 115 CallCenterZombie @ 09/10/13 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	Just guessing, but could the auto-fight prompt be affected by the hitter's fighting tendency of never/rarely/sometimes/often? After getting my behind whooped a few times in OTP, I dropped my guy's setting to 'never'. Since then, I haven't fought unless I elected to, which was only once during a post-whistle scrum (and got pounded again). Granted I'm not a behemoth crushing anything that moves, but it seems worth investigating.

It makes a HUGE difference.

# 116 kerosene31 @ 09/10/13 09:21 PM

I bought the game and played two quick games, one play now, one be a pro. All star, sim settings.

Quick comments:
-CPU AI seems a little better at not letting you skate around... but
-Still too much "hot dog" hockey. You can just dance around with the puck with players who are agile
-The changes to defense are TERRIBLE. We desperately need separate offline and online sliders. The poke check is 99% useless now, and that's a shame
-Hitting is fun
-Fighting is fun (but I echo the same complain others have about too many and the wrong kind of players)

Saw some cool things:
-I was driving the net and got cut off and ridden into the net and knocked it off. Don't remember that from last year.
-Kessel on the Leafs tried some deke off his skate (or just fumbled the puck? but I think he tried a deke) and lost it. Later on he tried a spin move. Nice to see a skill player trying stuff that I didn't see others really trying.

Defense:
-As I mentioned before, the defense is terrible now. How do you stop the CPU? Poke check is useless, even if your stick is right next to the puck and the other player's stick. It isn't even worth hitting the button. I'm hoping this can be tweaked with tuners or sliders. How do you play D now? I've been a d-man for years and I'm lost. You end up having to be super aggressive which isn't realistic. Trying to pinch off an agile skater is asking for trouble. A few others have mentioned it. The CPU dangles the puck in front of you then shoots it right through you.

Seriously, what adjustments are people playing D making?

-Shot blocking seems overly difficult for human players. The CPU can do it, but the puck sails right through me. Hopefully something that can be tweaked with sliders.

Be a pro mode (or whatever it is called now)
-Overall the AI seems better. Teammates are more useful. I am a playmaking center and it feels better. I threw a nice pass to a guy open in the slot and he fired it on net.
-Hitting makes BAP 1000% times better. Last year BAP was awful because you couldn't hit anyone.

AI
-The AI still has a long way to go, but I do see improvements. The CPU seems better at backing each other up in the defensive zone. Forwards help out a d-man who is in trouble. The teammate AI seems a little better in the same regard. They also seem a little better at positioning and reading the play, not just skating to a spot on the ice. It is far from revolutionary, but it isn't nearly as sloppy as NHL13.

Overall:
-I need the D to be fixed, either with sliders/tuners and/or different tactics. I wouldn't even touch this game online until they tweak it.

If they can tweak the D I will say the game isn't bad. Not a huge jump from last year, but I see lots of little improvements.

Did I mention hitting in BAP mode is fun? This got called a charge. Come on.....

# 117 CanuckJ @ 09/10/13 09:51 PM

I got the game, hate the fact BIP doesnt work at all, hope this is patched soon, I lost 4-3 to flames in a shootout using out of the box settings playing with the canucks, I like the goal variety but I have to tweak the settings for sure, I like the game but agree defense has gotten worse this year at least in the game I saw, they seemed smarter in 13, more likely to adjust and start skating backwards in position quicker.

# 118 kerosene31 @ 09/10/13 10:26 PM

I maxed out the poke check slider and bumped puck control down a bit and the game is a lot better. On hardcore/sim the poke check was super low for some reason? Anyway, I think with some sliders this game can work.

I was worried after my first game, but after tinkering with sliders it is improved. I still didn't see a shot block slider? Unless I missed it?

I never like to touch sliders so early, but I'm not sure why the poke check was basically off by default? At least the sliders seem to make a huge difference, which is great.

# 119 Qb @ 09/11/13 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	It's a novelty, but NHL 14 is definitely the best goon simulator ever. You can truly be the baddest man on the ice. I'm testing out an enforcer BAP and taking all sorts of liberties while barely being able skate, deke, and shoot. It's a joy when you pull off the injuring hit, and then injure the guy who steps up to fight. I'm a terrible person.

I played about a quarter of a season as a tough guy in the OHL with NHL13, but it wasn't too fun due to the poor hitting & fighting. I haven't tried it yet, but I suspect it would be a lot more fun this year.

Are there any enforcer specific tasks? Eg, "_____ is their star player. Get after him." I assume you get prompted to fight when your teammates get hit, but it'd be cool if the coach/team acknowledged your role. I don't remember much, if any, of that with 13.

# 120 Money99 @ 09/11/13 08:56 AM

Picked the game up last night and got in 3 games; 2 NHL94 mode with my kids and 1 Play Now game.

The NHL94 mode is what it is. My two young sons loved it and were causing all kinds of havoc, haha.
They said they can't wait to play again tonight (which I think is the point of this mode; for younger kids and frat boys, lol).

For the Play Now game, I'll preface my impressions with the fact that I haven't played this series a whole lot over the past 3 years. In fact, I'd bet I've played less than 40 games since NHL11 was released.
I returned NHL12 within a week and only played the NHL13 demo.
I think I was just burned out on the series.

Now, it's only 1 game granted, but I really, really enjoyed that one game.
I beat the Avalanche with the Islanders 5-2 and all of my goals were different; rebound, deflection, screen, snipe and empty netter.

Playing on hardcore sim the game's speed is perfect IMO.
The hitting is a touch overdone, but I didn't mind it at all.
Skating engine is great. It reminds me a lot of NHL2K10. In that game, you really had to know your body position and adjust accordingly. In previous EA NHL games, even if your player was facing one direction, when you got the puck, you could turn in the opposite direction without losing any momentum, speed, and you could get your stick into a prime shooting position in a split second.
Not anymore. If your guy is heading one way and you hit him with the pass, you have to adjust and work with the inertia of the players weight and speed.
(Maybe that's been there for a while now, but like I said, I barely played NHL12 and 13).

Puck physics have also really improved. The puck jumps and rolls a lot.
Speaking of physics, I saw something really cool last night. After I steamrolled Tanguay, he was led off the ice because of a sprained knee.
In the replay, it showed how his left leg turned in a grosse manor when his body collapsed on top of it, with his left skate stuck in the ice.
The injury was spot on with how his leg reacted to the hit. Very cool.

I was also pleased with the CPU AI. The Avs top player of the game was definitely Matt Duschesne. He was all over the ice making moves, setting up chances and breaking down my D with his speed.

Fighting. I've heard it's a bit overdone and I saw some of that last night too.
However, and I don't know if this was just coincidence, but the Avs didn't fight or challenge me once in the first two periods.
But that changed in the third. Up 4-0, suddenly the Avs were challenging me anytime I laid out a big hit.
I also one-punch KO'd Sarich. Not sure how that happened, as most fights ended after a series of blows. But it was cool to see.

Overall I was really happy with what I saw last night. Yes, it was only one game, but I had a great time and can't wait to play it again tonight.

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