NHL 14 News Post

NHL 14 Review (360/PS3)

10:06 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

# 21 jyoung @ 09/10/13 12:36 PM

It's a very beginner friendly game. The only real obstacle is learning all the rules of hockey.

If you have a buddy to play with online, you'll have a blast.

I've gotten three of my friends into the sport of hockey by introducing them to this game.

# 22 Bleak5170 @ 09/10/13 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	It's a very beginner friendly game. The only real obstacle is learning all the rules of hockey. If you have a buddy to play with online, you'll have a blast. I've gotten three of my friends into the sport of hockey by introducing them to this game.

And heck, if you don't want to learn the rules there's also anniversary mode which is an absolute blast.

# 23 Dolphins88 @ 09/10/13 01:13 PM

I caved in and bought it.. The gameplay is actually better than I thought it would be.. If they just get a tuner to make fights for goons mainly and on boarding hits I'd be happier.. I hope they make each team play their style of play so u adjust strategies and make players more unique in skills and abilities.. Next year lets pray for NBC team to take over presentation.. Passed on madden

# 24 Bearded1nfidel @ 09/10/13 01:36 PM

Appreciate the input. Ill pick it up today. Is there a general preference for system to play it, 360 vs ps3? Controls better on either or overall? Ive got both.
. If its anything like what I've seen, more people normally play online with 360. Thx again.

# 25 Bleak5170 @ 09/10/13 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearded1nfidel


	Appreciate the input. Ill pick it up today. Is there a general preference for system to play it, 360 vs ps3? Controls better on either or overall? Ive got both. . If its anything like what I've seen, more people normally play online with 360. Thx again.

I'm a multi-console owner and swear no allegiance to any company. Because of that I like to do my research before deciding which version to get. 99% of the time EA games look and run a little better on the 360, (simple reason is they are developed on that console and ported over to the PS3). Plus there seems to be more people playing online on that system as well, despite the fact you don't have to pay to play on the PS3.

So that is why I like to get most of these games on the 360, (aside from those which force you to have Gold for roster updates like Madden does). On and you can't deny the 360 controller is superior for sports and shooters, (at least for me it is).

# 26 Trilluminary @ 09/10/13 06:06 PM

this is why you need a mod box. i just a got a spare modded box because if im plunking down close to 700 bucks with games for an xbox one there is no way im getting stuck up for 60 bucks every couple weeks along the way

# 27 statnut @ 09/10/13 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphins88


	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

I dunno, I definitely can tell the difference between players. Tried pulling off a spin move with Brian Boyle and lost the puck. Tried it with Rick Nash and it worked perfectly.

# 28 Dolphins88 @ 09/11/13 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statnut


	I dunno, I definitely can tell the difference between players. Tried pulling off a spin move with Brian Boyle and lost the puck. Tried it with Rick Nash and it worked perfectly.

Ya agreed they r finally making players play differently and skill differentiation.

# 29 NHLandPESFan @ 09/11/13 12:17 PM

Are the robo-goalies really gone? That absolutely ruined NHL 13 for me.

# 30 birthday_massacre @ 09/11/13 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearded1nfidel


	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.

You will love it, you can always turn off some of the rules if needed like iciiing. Hockey is the best sports video game IMO to play if you dont know the rules (well next to soccer since that is easy to pick up).

# 31 birthday_massacre @ 09/11/13 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolphins88


	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

What level do you play on? it seems if you play on all star there is seperation of players. its when you bump it up past that, all that goes out the window since the CPU basically gets boosts to compete with the user

# 32 Bleak5170 @ 09/11/13 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birthday_massacre


	What level do you play on? it seems if you play on all star there is seperation of players. its when you bump it up past that, all that goes out the window since the CPU basically gets boosts to compete with the user

Play on anything above Pro and you can completely disregard any player attributes.

# 33 Bearded1nfidel @ 09/11/13 01:23 PM

So I picked up the game for 360 based on recommendations, here's my 2 cents.

I've got about 4-5 hours in so far (I couldn't put it down last night) and would have plenty more if it weren't for my kids. Hands down, most fun I have ever had with a sports game. Ever. Tutorial was decent enough to at least familiarize me with controls and prevent a slaughter. Game modes and menus are explained well enough to get you pointed in the right direction. Controls are going to take some learning, ie. deke, advanced deke. That aside, honestly feel as if I'm learning more about hockey along the way, so much that I'll watch it more often this upcoming season. I've done the EAHL (or whatever it's called), ultimate team, and a couple games vs computer. I'm addicted. Appreciate the recommendations from forum members, definitely was steered in the right direction.

# 34 birthday_massacre @ 09/11/13 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleak5170


	Play on anything above Pro and you can completely disregard any player attributes.

Oh its pro and not allstar?

so I should be using pro for my base sliders and not allstar?

good to know, back to work on my sliders ha

# 35 addybojangles @ 09/11/13 05:09 PM

Yes, absolutely, this is LARGELY the same exact game as NHL 13. But that game was a heap of doodie, mainly due to the skating, so the fact that true performance skating DOES INDEED improve the gameplay this year, already makes it a better game.

It's funny, a lot of things remain relatively untouched.

It certainly seems like this past year was a year of refinement....and having a team put together a new fighting engine. Seeing as I fight maybe twice a year, this means nothing to me (but a lot of dudebros are into it, which is weird).

To wrap up: NHL 13 was a step in the right direction and NHL 14 is the refinement the team needed to get the engine right. Everything else though remains relatively unchanged.

# 36 BigBadTom @ 01/27/14 12:07 PM

I think NHL is a solid franchise, but it has some issues that just feel nothing like hockey. The way in which the stick control works is unlike hockey. Stick handling in hockey is very hard and there is a lot less control than other sports such as ball handling in basketball and soccer. The way in which the players carry the puck in 14 is way too controlled in certain areas and not enough in others. The puck is attached to the player and stick, there is no separation between the two entities that make them realistic. The only way the puck moves is when the player is hit or a check is thrown. You can carry the puck left to right when you are only inches from the goalie and you can go from the far left of the cage to the far right with the puck when you are skating and only inches from the goalie. That type of control doesn't exist in true hockey, the puck seems to stay stuck to the stick in a very unrealistic fashion. I am not sure if I have explained well enough, but I hope I am clear. Second, goalies are incredibly unrealistic. Sure they save what needs to be saved, but the way in which they move and their speed makes them a joke to look at. They need to make it look like a real goal with the way they move. Solid game, but the stick handling is fake and goalie locomotion is garbage

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