NHL 14 News Post

NHL 14 Review (360/PS3)

11:06 AM - September 9, 2013 by RaychelSnr

The biggest challenge facing NHL 14 is co-existing in the same release window as several other big sports franchises which will be debuting on the new console hardware. The team at EA Vancouver told me that they felt this allowed them to focus on gameplay balance while watching how other dev teams discover the idiosyncrasies of the new hardware. As I've written before, there are also business realities to why this is the case for the NHL franchise, but either way, this current-gen version of NHL is the only way to experience a dedicated hockey product this season.

The good news is that this approach has paid off in terms of NHL 14's gameplay, as it's arguably the most satisfying and playable version of the game in several years. While the new modes offered do feel a bit thin, the gameplay has benefited greatly from some added physicality, better skating, improved goal variety and a whole host of tweaks and changes.

Read More - NHL 14 Review (360/PS3)

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

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Member Comments

# 1 huntt26 @ 09/09/13 11:35 AM

Any deals on this game? I'd like to pick it up, but with GTA coming out next week, I don't think I need to spend $60 on it.

I am really enjoying the season ticket release. Haven't bought an NHL game since NHL 10

# 2 Retropyro @ 09/09/13 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntt26


	Any deals on this game? I'd like to pick it up, but with GTA coming out next week, I don't think I need to spend $60 on it. I am really enjoying the season ticket release. Haven't bought an NHL game since NHL 10

I'd say wait about 4 to 6 weeks and the price will either drop or there will be sales for $39.99.

The gameplay does feel great this year.

# 3 Fiddy @ 09/09/13 12:02 PM

i mean, this game is more of the same. smoothed out skating from NHL 13 is a huge plus, but everything else? i honestly dont see what brings the casual gamer to this game anymore. very small changes year to year.

just dont get it.

i love the NHL and this series, but its so far away from being the "most realistic" game they promote it to be.

this has a lot of great base elements to make this a very solid simulation type game, but to them, its just not "fun"! that says all ya need to know about their actual passion for hockey. these guys are passionate casual hockey fans making an NHL game and it shows. thats a good thing, but not for the normal or die hard fans.

with that said, nice write up, enjoyed reading it.

but IMO, NHL 14: 6.5 (below average)

# 4 Bleak5170 @ 09/09/13 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retropyro


	I'd say wait about 4 to 6 weeks and the price will either drop or there will be sales for $39.99. The gameplay does feel great this year.

Where do you live? Here in Canada the NHL games don't go down in price until a couple of months before the next version comes out.

# 5 stlstudios189 @ 09/09/13 12:30 PM

NHL is always solid but, as a casual gamer of hockey I can't pay $60 for this either. I am still working on NHL 12 next year with the new system I will upgrade

# 6 Moose Factory @ 09/09/13 01:00 PM

Good review. Pretty much how I feel about it. The visuals, audio, and half baked modes need a total overhaul come next gen. Now that the gameplay has been refined I hope NHL15 is redefined with a whole new presentation.

# 7 SteelersFan09 @ 09/09/13 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleak5170


	Where do you live? Here in Canada the NHL games don't go down in price until a couple of months before the next version comes out.

Black Friday sales(Day after Thanksgiving) NHL as well as many other games that come out around the same time sale for about 40 dollars at sotres like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and so on. As well even Gamestop does a buy 2 get 1 free on Black Friday and the next 2 days after.

Canada could be different as the game is so popular up there there is no reason to put it on sale. Here in the US the same might not be able to be said.

# 8 Bleak5170 @ 09/09/13 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelersFan09


	Black Friday sales(Day after Thanksgiving) NHL as well as many other games that come out around the same time sale for about 40 dollars at sotres like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and so on. As well even Gamestop does a buy 2 get 1 free on Black Friday and the next 2 days after. Canada could be different as the game is so popular up there there is no reason to put it on sale. Here in the US the same might not be able to be said.

Yeah true. They know hockey-starved Canadians will buy the game no matter what. Heck it wasn't all that long ago that the NHL games were $69.99 up here.

# 9 jyoung @ 09/09/13 02:00 PM

The only deal going on in America this week is at Toys R US.

They are giving away a $10 gift card if you purchase NHL 14 at full price.

# 10 Nomah5 @ 09/09/13 03:01 PM

Madden is already 49.99 this week at target so it will be reduced soon enough.

# 11 13whitebread @ 09/09/13 03:09 PM

I'll get It I am a hockey fan what else would I do hockey manager? I did like the write up especially about the presentation that's how many of us feel but we have been hearing next time for a few years now but I am sure next gen will have what I am looking for. It's only 365 days and the info will come out even sooner. I will pick it up tomorrow go RED WINGS.

# 12 Retropyro @ 09/09/13 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleak5170


	Where do you live? Here in Canada the NHL games don't go down in price until a couple of months before the next version comes out.

Kitchener Ontario. Most releases right now are seeing a drop with in 1 to 2 months for at least a short while. They get the rush of the games release and then when sales have slowed down they are doing a sale or price drop pretty quickly. Same as every other end of cycle.
Not saying it will be 100% chance for NHL, but it's very possible. And if you have GTA V to keep you busy for at least a month, why not wait and see.

# 13 DJ @ 09/09/13 06:18 PM

I think I'll just continue along with NHL 13 until I see a significant price drop. Appreciate the review, Glenn.

# 14 Bleak5170 @ 09/09/13 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retropyro


	Kitchener Ontario. Most releases right now are seeing a drop with in 1 to 2 months for at least a short while. They get the rush of the games release and then when sales have slowed down they are doing a sale or price drop pretty quickly. Same as every other end of cycle. Not saying it will be 100% chance for NHL, but it's very possible. And if you have GTA V to keep you busy for at least a month, why not wait and see.

Cool. Well I've noticed most games go down in price rather quickly, (aside from Call of Duty), but it seems like NHL doesn't. I know because I wait for it to go down every year, lol.

Actually not getting GTA IV, (not a fan of open world games). All my focus is on the next-gen consoles.

# 15 Dolphins88 @ 09/09/13 08:14 PM

Ya the game needs more realism.. Not enough separation between players skills and each team should play differently... Hopefully 2k make a realistic hockey game on next gen if EA won't ... I'm canceling my preorder and wait for a price drop

# 16 18 eighty 5 @ 09/09/13 08:55 PM

Hopefully the next gen version will be much more than a visual and audio face lift. Don't give us a good looking NHL 14, give us a new game.

# 17 buzzguy @ 09/09/13 09:01 PM

Liked the demo, even though NHL 94 mode seemed like a missed-opportunity. With my Jets being in a new division this year, feel like I HAVE to buy this, so it's nice the fighting and physics got an upgrade this year. GO JETS GO!!!

# 18 ericromain @ 09/10/13 01:28 AM

The demo felt good, and i am glad they've focused on game play while they tool up the overhaul for next gen.
I'm sorry to say though, this is the first time since NHL 2005 that i didn't pick up the game on the day/night it came out.
GTA V is coming out next week, which will consume at least a month of my gaming time. They really needed to offer this one at a reduced price. When you combine that with EA's history of release week server issues, no roster updates until Mid-late october, no jersey code until november, I'm going to chill on getting this one for a bit.

# 19 jukeum445 @ 09/10/13 12:26 PM

Nice to see this game isn't following the foot steps of Madden.. very excited for this franchise moving to next gen for 2015, Ea has set up this Franchise nicely...

# 20 Bearded1nfidel @ 09/10/13 12:45 PM

How do you guys think someone with no hockey experience (real life and game, except for watching some NHL playoffs) would enjoy the game? Thinking about picking it up. Madden just isn't hooking me this year. All the reviews I've read praise the heck out of the game. Just curious how someone with no knowledge of the game would fair. Appreciate any thoughts. FYI, I've tried getting demo past couple nights but its just been too slow for me to download for some reason, 7+ hours. Not typical for my Internet either.

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