NHL 15 News Post

NHL 15 Demo: Is the Gameplay Enough? (Roundtable)

10:31 PM - August 26, 2014 by RaychelSnr

The NHL 15 demo arrived today for PS4 users, and yesterday for Xbox One users. With so much controversey surrounding this year's NHL's release, thanks in part to several key missing modes in the new-gen debut, the game will have to rely upon its presentation and gameplay to deliver an experience worth gamer's hard earned $60.

So with that, here are some extended thoughts from our staff on whether the game is shaping up to do just that.

Read More - NHL 15 Demo: Is the Gameplay Enough? (Roundtable)

Game: NHL 15Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 16 - View All

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# 21 baseballboy13 @ 08/27/14 03:28 PM

I have a PS4 and this game is honestly the best looking sports game I have ever played. The NBC presentation is absolutely beautiful and the commentators are pretty good considering it's the first year with these commentators. The crowd is definitely a step up from NHL 14. The puck physics are awesome. No more bouncy puck! The 12 player collision physics are pretty good even though it's cost me a few goals. Even without EASHL and GM Connected I think this game will be pretty good. The new goal celebrations are absolutely amazing. My only complaint is the jerseys. It looks like my player is wearing a flag instead of a jersey. Hopefully they tone that down a bit before the game releases. The new cameras are pretty good as well. As for the gameplay, it feels a whole lot better then 14. It feels a lot more natural and actually feels like playing a true hockey game. The deking is ok. All in all, this game looks like it's going to be a great one minus not having EASHL and GM Connected.

# 22 ManiacMatt1782 @ 08/27/14 03:55 PM

The gameplay is only good enough on 1 setting though and likely not going to be the setting used online because figure skaters would cry.

# 23 TerminallyOdd @ 08/27/14 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacMatt1782


	The gameplay is only good enough on 1 setting though and likely not going to be the setting used online because figure skaters would cry.

Online has been confirmed as All-Star/Hardcore sim, if that's the setting you're referring to.

# 24 tmac456 @ 08/27/14 04:16 PM

enjoying the demo but enough to warrant this game as a $60 purchase? not so sure about that

# 25 asu666 @ 08/27/14 04:36 PM

As an offline franchise mode fan, I love it. The presentation, sound, gameplay, everything is a huge leap forward.

# 26 Rules @ 08/27/14 09:34 PM

Just finished playing two games.

My impressions:

Gameplay is okay. Not really buying the whole A.I. gameplay improvements from NHL 14. To me it seems as if they only made a few tweaks as I just don't like how the game plays defensively.

Graphics are impressive. Definitely looks next gen except for how the jerseys flap in such a windy indoor environment.

Commentary is okay but what really annoyed me is the arena music constantly repeating over and over. Yes it is a demo but I'm afraid without the inclusion of custom music / sounds, there is no way I could stand listening to some of the same songs playing over and over. Is there even an option for organ music?

I really love the presentation but without solid gameplay and missing modes, I just can't justify a purchase especially at $60. Cut that in half and that seems to be the proper price to get my attention. Until then, I will just wait to see what they bring to the table next year.

I also think it is misleading that EA puts how many awards NHL has received as that is not current. Living off their past is getting stale!!!

# 27 Bleak5170 @ 08/28/14 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rules


	Just finished playing two games. My impressions: Gameplay is okay. Not really buying the whole A.I. gameplay improvements from NHL 14. To me it seems as if they only made a few tweaks as I just don't like how the game plays defensively. Graphics are impressive. Definitely looks next gen except for how the jerseys flap in such a windy indoor environment. Commentary is okay but what really annoyed me is the arena music constantly repeating over and over. Yes it is a demo but I'm afraid without the inclusion of custom music / sounds, there is no way I could stand listening to some of the same songs playing over and over. Is there even an option for organ music? I really love the presentation but without solid gameplay and missing modes, I just can't justify a purchase especially at $60. Cut that in half and that seems to be the proper price to get my attention. Until then, I will just wait to see what they bring to the table next year. I also think it is misleading that EA puts how many awards NHL has received as that is not current. Living off their past is getting stale!!!

Totally agree with the A.I. comment. It has always been this series' Achilles' hell and it's not different this year. It's still atrocious.

# 28 Mad 69 @ 08/28/14 09:45 AM

I have been saying it for years - the ice surface is too small a d the players too big, this creates too much traffic, we need more open space to play, Fifa gets it right, NHL isn't there.

# 29 El_Poopador @ 08/28/14 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Wigmore


	Is the buffed visual/audio presentation and the revamped gameplay enough to compensate for the missing and stagnant modes? I don't know. I think a mode or two missing would've been understandable, to a degree, but removing any semblance of career mode and completely gutting the online package is a serious blow. I honestly feel kind of melancholy playing the game, as it's just begging for more ways to be played, and I know the final game won't have them.

Didn't they say Be a Pro will still be there, just not the whole Live the Life portion with the text-based decisions?

# 30 Pezell04x @ 08/28/14 12:49 PM

A good demo should leave me with the desire to play more. I've played 1 game so far since Tuesday and I have no desire to even play it. I am so dejected w/ this game man.

# 31 NYRangers31 @ 08/28/14 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezell04x


	A good demo should leave me with the desire to play more. I've played 1 game so far since Tuesday and I have no desire to even play it. I am so dejected w/ this game man.

That sucks. I've felt the opposite. The 2 minute periods fly by too quick for my taste!!!

# 32 Mgbleu1986 @ 08/28/14 02:34 PM

Seeing how I hadn't bought an NHL game since 2012 I downloaded the demo for PS4 and I was impressed. Only thing that bothered me is the easy scoring (maybe in the actual game you can use sliders to make opposing goalie better?). I came down the wing, teed one up at the blue line and it went top shelf on King Henrik. That would never happen! Since I don't play online modes I'll probably buy this game. I feel like I'm finally do.

# 33 ManiacMatt1782 @ 08/28/14 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminallyOdd


	Online has been confirmed as All-Star/Hardcore sim, if that's the setting you're referring to.

Color me surprised. Then why not default that in the Demo?

# 34 Yundtder @ 08/28/14 08:28 PM

I will be playing 360, offline, BEAGM.
I have a few questions for those with the demo!

Is the bouncy ball puck gone? Mostly on the dump-ins but also around the boards and they just jump around...

Are ALL penalties called? This may have just been on the High Impact mode, but it pissed me off to great length, tired of my players without the puck being blatantly interfered to the ice, hooked with no calls, no check from behind or charging...

AI Any better?

Do my AI players tip and make deflections as well as the CPU does?

Are poke checks fixed? I am sick of my checks going through the puck, player, stick... That or constant tripping calls even though I timed it right.

Im sure Ill have more!

# 35 Xitsanity @ 08/29/14 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYRangers31


	That sucks. I've felt the opposite. The 2 minute periods fly by too quick for my taste!!!

i am the same way! i am a little bitter about not being able to play EASHL but whatever

# 36 S�dy @ 08/29/14 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yundtder


	I will be playing 360, offline, BEAGM. I have a few questions for those with the demo! Is the bouncy ball puck gone? Mostly on the dump-ins but also around the boards and they just jump around... Are ALL penalties called? This may have just been on the High Impact mode, but it pissed me off to great length, tired of my players without the puck being blatantly interfered to the ice, hooked with no calls, no check from behind or charging... AI Any better? Do my AI players tip and make deflections as well as the CPU does? Are poke checks fixed? I am sick of my checks going through the puck, player, stick... That or constant tripping calls even though I timed it right. Im sure Ill have more!

Talking PS4...

Puck physics are awesome. No more bouncing on dump-ins.

There seem to be a bit more penalties still not enough imo.

Ai is better. Not by much but nticeable.

I scored some deflections. Also I scored a nice goal yesterday where I waited one more second for my AI mate to setup a screen and he did just that. Had a few defelction goals aswell.

I haven't figured out poke checks yet as they are a lot different. Don't know if better or worse yet.

Like I said, everything from the PS4 version.

# 37 Yundtder @ 08/29/14 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S�dy


	Talking PS4... Puck physics are awesome. No more bouncing on dump-ins. There seem to be a bit more penalties still not enough imo. Ai is better. Not by much but nticeable. I scored some deflections. Also I scored a nice goal yesterday where I waited one more second for my AI mate to setup a screen and he did just that. Had a few defelction goals aswell. I haven't figured out poke checks yet as they are a lot different. Don't know if better or worse yet. Like I said, everything from the PS4 version.

Seems promising..

Let me clarify the penalties question though... Are they not OCCURRING, or are they not being CALLED. In 14, for me, I see a ton of penalties, but not called, like the interference calls I can make or have against me... This drives me wild when I set an open player up and he gets checked into the 4th row before the puck arrives, sometimes before I even pass it to him.

# 38 meep316 @ 08/29/14 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminallyOdd


	Online has been confirmed as All-Star/Hardcore sim, if that's the setting you're referring to.

Is there a link that confirms that? Or was it answered by Rammer in one of those Q and As? Honestly that would pretty much guarantee me buying it, even if I wait until Black Friday. I played the Simulation setting and it was unplayable, the passing was HORRIFIC. On hardcore it's much better.

Is it going to be the same for HUT? Did they say anything about that?

# 39 jyoung @ 08/29/14 08:48 PM

Seeing some questions on the forums about the official online settings... They will be All-Star/Hardcore sim.
— Sean Ramjagsingh (@Rammer34) August 26, 2014

# 40 ManiacMatt1782 @ 08/30/14 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yundtder


	Seems promising.. Let me clarify the penalties question though... Are they not OCCURRING, or are they not being CALLED. In 14, for me, I see a ton of penalties, but not called, like the interference calls I can make or have against me... This drives me wild when I set an open player up and he gets checked into the 4th row before the puck arrives, sometimes before I even pass it to him.

If it's in the slot it's a correct no call. That is the only place it is legal to check someone without the puck. However, it still should be charging 90% of the time, because you can take way more than 2 strides at someone and level them.

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