NHL 14 News Post

NHL 14 Available Now - Post Your Impressions Here

02:07 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

NHL 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 121 GROGtheNailer @ 09/11/13 11:27 AM

Early with this game I am pretty worried about the defensive aspects. The tools/abilities/AI is largely slanted towards the offensive game. Playing defense is frustrating, way too many pucks going through defenders.

# 122 DJ @ 09/11/13 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	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.

Well this is encouraging to read, as I know you've had your issues with the NHL series, Money. Like you said, maybe part of it was burnout.

Thanks for the impression. I'm still playing 13, only because I haven't had the time to go out and buy 14 yet. I hope to get my hands on it in the next couple of days.

Are you guys all playing Superstar-Hardcore?

# 123 Money99 @ 09/11/13 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	Well this is encouraging to read, as I know you've had your issues with the NHL series, Money. Like you said, maybe part of it was burnout. Thanks for the impression. I'm still playing 13, only because I haven't had the time to go out and buy 14 yet. I hope to get my hands on it in the next couple of days. Are you guys all playing Superstar-Hardcore?

LOL! Not even close! I'm on PRO for crying out loud (don't judge me!).
Yes, I'm that bad at games these days, haha.
But I am playing on hardcore simulation mode.

I had a blast with the demo and even more fun with the retail version last night.
I plan on getting in more quality time tonight.

DJ, I really do think it was burnout.
The last 3 years I've added sports games I never, or barely played, into my rotation.
I've been playing basketball and baseball games a lot more.
So after 2 or 3 years off, when getting the latest b'ball, baseball or hockey game, the games feel a lot more fresh and you notice all those little changes a lot more - changes that I might not have appreciated if I had purchased the game on an annual basis.
I mean, just look at the NBA2K forums. That series is unbelievable, but some of the comments I've read there, you would think that 2K13 and 2K14 (which only has videos online) are terrible.
(I'm not judging, just look at some of my comments about the NHL series over the past 3+ years).

So I believe taking a break from all these games every 2 or 3 years has really helped appreciate and enjoy each game.

# 124 DJ @ 09/11/13 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	LOL! Not even close! I'm on PRO for crying out loud (don't judge me!). Yes, I'm that bad at games these days, haha. But I am playing on hardcore simulation mode. I had a blast with the demo and even more fun with the retail version last night. I plan on getting in more quality time tonight. DJ, I really do think it was burnout. The last 3 years I've added sports games I never, or barely played, into my rotation. I've been playing basketball and baseball games a lot more. So after 2 or 3 years off, when getting the latest b'ball, baseball or hockey game, the games feel a lot more fresh and you notice all those little changes a lot more - changes that I might not have appreciated if I had purchased the game on an annual basis. I mean, just look at the NBA2K forums. That series is unbelievable, but some of the comments I've read there, you would think that 2K13 and 2K14 (which only has videos online) are terrible. (I'm not judging, just look at some of my comments about the NHL series over the past 3+ years). So I believe taking a break from all these games every 2 or 3 years has really helped appreciate and enjoy each game.

Agreed. It's probably why I've enjoyed Madden 25 this year because I didn't play much of 11, 12 or 13. Conversely, The Show 13, while an amazing game, hasn't really drawn me in as much because I played 10, 11 and 12 for a full calendar year, so I'm a little burnt on baseball games.

FIFA Soccer on my Vita dominates my gaming time and I'm not a big soccer fan, but it's different and I am enjoying all the game immensely.

# 125 bad_philanthropy @ 09/11/13 01:40 PM

I disagree about defense being too hard. It's pretty much the same as it has been for years. I play with the poke check slider at one because it's way too overpowered otherwise.

You really just can't be overly aggressive when defending. Contain your man until you get good, close, body position, and then you can use the poke check in the appropriate direction. The cpu is going to possess the puck, and the best way to defend them is a combination of knowing when to have good gap control. You can't just dispossess the cpu whenever you want. Sometimes defending and turning the puck over is about a sequence of good containment and attacking the puck carrier.

Another big key to poke checking and shot blocks is to make sure you aren't still accelerating while attempting them. It is way less effective if you are striding into your poke check or shot block.

# 126 bad_philanthropy @ 09/11/13 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	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.

Not really any enforcer specific things. But when we were down by a goal and I initiated a fight my stats went up, and I got praise from the coach for trying to spark something out there.

I have also had the coach instruct me to get a big hit on the forecheck.

# 127 Money99 @ 09/11/13 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	Not really any enforcer specific things. But when we were down by a goal and I initiated a fight my stats went up, and I got praise from the coach for trying to spark something out there. I have also had the coach instruct me to get a big hit on the forecheck.

How much TOI do you get as a goon? And what league is your BAP currently in?

# 128 bad_philanthropy @ 09/11/13 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	How much TOI do you get as a goon? And what league is your BAP currently in?

Currently on the second line for Lake Erie getting about 10 mins because I'm usually in the box for at least 5 a game. If I don't fight I'll get ~13 minutes. 63 overall.

# 129 Steven547 @ 09/11/13 07:19 PM

My quick impressions:

Well, I picked up NHL 13...err..I mean NHL 14. I had to do a double take when I walked out of Gamestop because even the cover, minus the 75 year old goalie, looked the same as last year.

Presentation:
What? Where? It's identical to last year. EA said they listened to the community? Who was the community, bunch of blind people? Nothing has changed. There is not group celebration after a goal....score in OT and get the same cutscene you had the past 3-4 years.

Commentary?
Oh where to start. Let's just say that I was playing against Washington as Chicago, and the commentators said, "That's why Nashville picked him up....." Wait...what? I'm playing as Chicago against Washington....

So I'm playing as Chicago again and the commentators mention winning the Cup in 2010 not 2013....also saying that the Chicago fans are like New York fans (or something like that). I heard that line I think in NHL 12! Update much EA? And the amount of mispronounced names in this game.......ugh! Well, at least we get 5 new songs to listen to...after all the BIP music doesn't work.

Presentation is VERY stale and needs a drastic change. To me, this is a sign of lazy developers. Fire away if you want, but when the presentation hasn't changed in years, you have to ask why.

Gameplay?
Not bad, but not where it should be and definitely don't know what EA meant when they said they listened to the community. This game is NHL 13 1/4....not even 1/2. What they've addressed gameplay wise, could have been done with a patch last year.
It's still "fun" but should never have been $60 for what was basically an "update".

NHL 94 anniversary mode?
IMO, waste of effort. It's basically a different rink with all rules turned off (something we can do ourselves.) If they wanted to bring in a cool new "Game mode", they should have included Mutant League Hockey (for those that remember) as an added bonus instead of NHL 94 Anniversary mode (when did we even start having an anniversary for NHL 94??)

Overall, it's good but not worth the $60. If you can, hold off until it's used or drops in price. I still haven't seen anything in this game that has made me say "WOW!" Again, just my opinion.

# 130 Dolphins88 @ 09/11/13 08:57 PM

As far as 94 mode they should have the actual genesis game with updated rosters and stats for nostalgia rather than game now w blue ice and no rules. I thought that's what it was at first which would of been great but this is a waste of space.

# 131 elvis_13 @ 09/12/13 07:00 AM

Very disappointed with this new release so far. Spent all of about three hours playing. Lots of glitches, unbelievable comebacks by the cpu when they're down. The list goes on etc....etc.

I think I'll be shelving this title for a while, if I don't end up trading it in @ Gamestop next week for the new GTA. As much as I love NHL 13, to me this newest release has come up way short in overall enjoyment. Typical EA. They work a franchise up to a certain point. Use a lot of PR to entice gamers at how great the next release will be. Put together a slough of flashy produced videos. You're on the hook and they reel you in. This is why I haven't purchased anything from EA sports football franchise in well over seven years.

Business as usual from the folks @ Electronic Arts. What really sucks is that I'll trade this in next week and lose out 35-40% of what I paid for it. This is what pisses me off most. When you purchase a dud of a release.

# 132 Splitter77 @ 09/12/13 08:48 AM

ame last nite.
played about 3 games in season mode.

positives

the td garden is in
soft passes actually work now
cpu defense in net front battles is better.
cpu passing accuracy at lowest level does seem to create missed passes now.
more icings than last year
better post sound
sim speed on ps3 is better
love the fighting with the zoom turned off- hoping for a cpu / cpu fight while my fight is going on. is that possible??

negatives

still too easy to gain offensive zone
hitting is still too effective- this with assistance on 0 and power at 0
still not enough offsides/loose pucks/whistles
stupid behind the back receiving pass animation is still in there.
still human defense controls lacking
faceoffs still the same
still no whistles as soon as goalie saves- the game makes the goalie pass the puck out all the time. hate this. another online cater.
presentation still stinks
no boxscores from previous games played.

not a bad game. still the best hockey game ever made, but its not great. this game needs stick on stick collison asap. and better cpu defensive ai and better defensive controls.

havent even checked out other parts of the game (like create team), but its probably just like nhl 13- awful.

# 133 Steven547 @ 09/12/13 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven547


	My quick impressions: Well, I picked up NHL 13...err..I mean NHL 14. I had to do a double take when I walked out of Gamestop because even the cover, minus the 75 year old goalie, looked the same as last year. Presentation: What? Where? It's identical to last year. EA said they listened to the community? Who was the community, bunch of blind people? Nothing has changed. There is not group celebration after a goal....score in OT and get the same cutscene you had the past 3-4 years. Commentary? Oh where to start. Let's just say that I was playing against Washington as Chicago, and the commentators said, "That's why Nashville picked him up....." Wait...what? I'm playing as Chicago against Washington.... So I'm playing as Chicago again and the commentators mention winning the Cup in 2010 not 2013....also saying that the Chicago fans are like New York fans (or something like that). I heard that line I think in NHL 12! Update much EA? And the amount of mispronounced names in this game.......ugh! Well, at least we get 5 new songs to listen to...after all the BIP music doesn't work. Presentation is VERY stale and needs a drastic change. To me, this is a sign of lazy developers. Fire away if you want, but when the presentation hasn't changed in years, you have to ask why. Gameplay? Not bad, but not where it should be and definitely don't know what EA meant when they said they listened to the community. This game is NHL 13 1/4....not even 1/2. What they've addressed gameplay wise, could have been done with a patch last year. It's still "fun" but should never have been $60 for what was basically an "update". NHL 94 anniversary mode? IMO, waste of effort. It's basically a different rink with all rules turned off (something we can do ourselves.) If they wanted to bring in a cool new "Game mode", they should have included Mutant League Hockey (for those that remember) as an added bonus instead of NHL 94 Anniversary mode (when did we even start having an anniversary for NHL 94??) Overall, it's good but not worth the $60. If you can, hold off until it's used or drops in price. I still haven't seen anything in this game that has made me say "WOW!" Again, just my opinion.

Let me add onto my post because the more I play, the more impressions I have:

- No Roster sharing...again (thought EA said they listened to the community)
- No Slider Sharing or ability to save multiple slider settings (thought EA said they listened to the community)
- There were more penalties in one period of play during the DEMO than I or a lot of others have had in multiple offline games.
- In 5 games, have only had 2 fights....and trust me, I was trying to pound guys with checks.

This game is very disappointing to say the least. With all the marketing and push to make us think they really revved up the game for this years version, epic fail. I went out and bought it at launch, so I'm out $60. If I trade it in, i'll be out $35. So I will try and have fun with what it is, but probably won't buy next years version. Fool me once.....

# 134 thedudedominick @ 09/13/13 01:01 AM

I'm personally loving this game.

It's not perfect by any means, but playing EASHL I am actually enjoying the smoother skating, calling penalties on guys for hits that should always have been penalties even if they didn't get called in 13. Also the new fighting system really adds to immersion in the EASHL.

# 135 onlybygrace @ 09/13/13 04:11 AM

Well, hello.

Have spent about 10 hours with the game in 3 days since release and so far I'm pretty happy with the game.

I was afraid of it being a goal fest but really scoring (with the right sliders, duh) is so very gratifying...couldn't imagine how awesome this game would be with some kicka** presentation, but I digress.

I'm playing a season playing every game as the Blues and the Pens and both teams play a lot differently. The Pens aren't very gritty and rely a lot of Sid and Geno whereas with the Blues I am really able to lean on teams with their heavy hitters and depth. I believe I'm 2-1-1 with both teams.

That said, the sim engine I feel has taken a step backward this season. They really should have just left that alone. In NHL 13 Sid would put up huge seasons and barring injury was found right where he should be, number one in league scoring. Not this year...seems like the low scoring sim engine of NHL 11 and 12 is back.

Which is why I'm playing Season Mode so I can just be Sid and put up some points like he should. Although I've only accumulated 1 goal and 2 assists with him in 4 games. Oh well...I'm sure the points will come.

The fighting is cool even if it is overdone...it seems flicking the right stick will eliminate some fights so I try to use it when the players and timing aren't appropriate. But if the game makes me, I'm throwing down!!! lol

...but then I usually lose.

The penalties seem to be geared for how you play the game plus the right slider combos. Longer periods also help. In 8 total games with the two teams I'm probably seeing 5 PP's per game but have had several 5 on 3's (maybe 4) and even some 3 on 3 action!!!

The comeback AI is probably more of a user issue, not knowing how to protect leads...its not there, IMO.

It's funny, so many people I watched streaming video of the demo on Youtube complain when something happens to them, but say nothing when they are the beneficiary of the same circumstances moments later.

Typical humans.

But yeah...tonight I had some moments where I was in awe of the gameplay. Lots of turnovers and neutral zone action too...good stuff.

Overall, I'd say its the best of the generation and will keep playing this until they finally decide to blow out the presentation like 23 years from now.

# 136 Money99 @ 09/13/13 10:52 AM

Had another very enjoyable evening with NHL14 last night.
First, two games against the kiddies. My younger son is basically Dan Carcillo on ice - completely devoid of any worth except to hit and fight, haha.
My older son is having an absolute blast with the game. He scored the GWG in OT and I thought he was going to wake the neighbours up.

When they went to bed, I got in another "Play Now" as the Hawks vs the Wings.
I lost 4-3 but didn't feel cheated. Franzen had a beauty where he made a little move around my charging dman, and sniped it topshelf.
Dats and Zetts were a nightmare to contain as well, both setting up multiple goals.

I had a nice one with Kane, after he came out of a scrum to put one past Howard, and Sharp sniped one for the top of the circles.
Shaw managed to get us within one after banging home a rebound, but I couldn't get the equalizer.

I'm looking forward to more time with it tonight - after the Tigers game.

# 137 speels @ 09/13/13 12:35 PM

Had a great game last night as the PRed's against the Ducks. Getzlaf and Perry lit me up for 2 goals a piece, but I was able to squeak 3 past Hiller and had a chance in the dying seconds of the game, but he made a key save on a one timer across the crease. It was a thing of beauty!! I made the pass and instead of shooting it hign glove side, I aimed at the middle of the net and hit him in the crest of the jersey.

I play SS, hardcore sim with no slider changes. The game was intense, and if I didn't have Weber on thei ice with Perry and Getz then I was in trouble. There was 5 fights, all of which were after I had big hits, which is kind of annoying, that being said 2 were charging amd boarding penalties as well so I was not that updat with those, and 1 was when Weber caught Selanne coming across the middle with his head down and absolutely mashed it.

Moreso this year than any of the last couple, I find myself on the edge of my seat while playing. I have only had 1 time where the CPU goes into crazy berserker mode, but my goalie, I think it was Luongo, made about 11 saves in a minute and kept me in the game. I won that game 4-2 allowing 2 late goals by losing faceoffs in my end being down 2 players.

I am having a blast this year so far and look forward to the revamped rosters to make the separation between teams even bigger. As well, I will tweak sliders when I get a little more comfortable, but am finding SS, hardcore sim to be pretty fun.

# 138 peter21 @ 09/13/13 04:12 PM

Finally got the game last night and got to play some EASHL with my team.

My initial impressions are tempered by my frustration at playing against team that already had players rated 82 when our team is about 55-58. That's a bit of a joke and didn't make for a fun series of games.

It's the same up-and-down, cherrypick cheese-fest it's always been. If you want to make it more arcade than sim, I could live with it if the game was fun, but like last year, teams just do the same things game in and game out.

I'm going to give it some time before I completely write the game off though. One area I have to say is almost embarrassing for EA is the presentation and lack of substantial changes from 13. I'd be ashamed if I was a developer and I say that with all due respect for how tough it must be to program in a short cycle. This is a $10 upgrade at best. The FIFA 14 demo already looks head and shoulders above the full NHL 14 game.

I haven't explored the offline modes yet, but from everything I've read, they've gotten neglible attention, or an undercooked (Live the Life) overhaul. All so they can hype how improved it is next year? It's always next year with EA.

So far, I'm pretty disappointed. I enjoy the laughs chatting with my friends in EASHL and that's the only reason I'm sticking it out for a week or two.

# 139 pmurray20 @ 09/13/13 05:14 PM

ESHL we my team is 2-8-2 haha BUT we are having so much fun just playing as players on the same team but you will never guess what happend last night that made us all just flat out turn our games off for the night. Since last night was the first playoffs we actually won every game and somehow made it to the FINALS. We were so excited and pumped and wanted to win so bad and then the game started and we went up 1-0 in the first 6 minutes then after that goal they decided to cheat and IP booted us one player at a time which gave us a DNF so we lost WTH. why would people just cheat like that

# 140 DJ @ 09/14/13 07:32 PM

Was finally able to purchase the game this morning. Will play a few games tonight after I'm done watching college football, and will report back with impressions.

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 678 9 10 11 12 Next »

More Links

NHL 14 Available Now - Post Your Impressions Here