NHL 15 News Post

NHL 15 Available Now For EA Access Subscribers, Post Your Impressions

07:03 AM - September 4, 2014 by CupCrazyManiac

NHL 15 is available now for EA Access subscribers. The game will be limited to 6 hours of gameplay.

Based off of early feedback, there is no player edit mode, create a player is in. Play a few games and let us know what you think.

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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Member Comments

# 141 s_mkheidze @ 09/04/14 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakar


	I think they will patch it the coming weeks and its going to be fine in a few months.

Ummm...this is EA we are talking about. If it is good for the customer...they aint doing it.

# 142 MizzouRah @ 09/04/14 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	If I played 10 minute penalties my score would have been 9-7. It was 5-4 on 6 minute periods. I am going to play one more right now on 7 minute penalties. Trying to get shots between 24-33 per side for the game. A 5-4 score when shots were like 22-15 is not good. And I don't shoot just to shoot, I carry in and set up, usually cycle, work it back to the points if need be, and sometimes settle for a shot. Never carry in and fire unless the clock is running out. When I set up as much as I do and have time on attack numbers of 8 mins to 4 mins I should draw a penalty or two. You maxed out the slider to get your results on 10 minute periods. I will try bumping the penalty slider up for this game and see what happens.

My game was 4-3 shots were 36-24 in favor of the CPU team on default AS on hardcore with penalties all the way up. If I remember correctly there should be sliders for CPU teammates to take penalties or something like that, but I'm at work now.

# 143 ricky24 @ 09/04/14 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormyhog


	Can you still play with the AHL, european & juniors clubs? Thx.

Doesn't look that way.

# 144 TerminallyOdd @ 09/04/14 01:09 PM

So is the full version running at the same resolution as the demo?

# 145 metal_james @ 09/04/14 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakar


	Its a reality of next-gen games. It cost millions and millions of dollars and they have to release the gamer before its ready to recover their investment. this is not EA, its the whole industry

But then why are other games so much better?

# 146 drew0020 @ 09/04/14 01:11 PM

I've played the demo and now the real game. I am disappointed about EASHL, but could care less about lack of AHL teams or not being able to edit a player. Those are minor complaints.

My big concern in year 1 on any next gen system is core game play and graphics.

I think EA did a great job with the graphics of this game. Players look great, goalies re-act properly and the pucking is literally dancing and fluttering around the ice. pretty impressive to me. The crowds are interactive and the cut-scenes are good to watch. I do wish there was custom music, but the soundtrack is enough to make me feel like I am there. Great goal horns too.

Gameplay is always tough, because no matter what there are always going to be money goals (its been that was since the beginning), but thats how some people play. I try to play more traditional hockey, dump and chase, work the back to the point, but also enjoy going up and down. I am hoping that sliders can tweak the speed, etc for different types of styles.

I will say I enjoy the gameplay. Its a nice mix of up and down and dump and chase. It fits my style. Love the deflections and bouncing puck that hits the goalie in the chest (and you still see it bouncing). Backhand laser goals happen to much, but... it is fun. I dont want the puck going out of play 10-15 times a game. Thats real, but boring. I dont want to play a game for an hour. I like getting it done in 20-25 minutes.

Im glad I purchased the game, but I do expect all of the missing features in next year. Like I said though, if the core graphics and gameplay sucked then who cares about all of those modes? A definitey buy for me. Overall 7.5/10 in my limited time, but a very good first effort on next-gen.

In my opinion a step up from from Madden 15 as well and that is year 2 next gen.

# 147 bigwill33 @ 09/04/14 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Not in my first game, but about to try another game with longer periods now.

2nd game: 7 minute periods Penguins (Me) at Lightning
All Star Hardcore. Increased goalie freeze puck slider and maxed out penalty slider as well as cpu penalty slider.

Score: 5-3
Shots: 25-20
TOA: 7:18-6:16
Passing: 66%-78%
Faceoffs: 14-15
Powerplays: 0-3

Game notes and observations.

-The CPU did not take one minor penalty despite the maxed out sliders. I set up in their zone often.

-I took 2 tripping penalties as a result of poke checking. My CPU controlled Letang took a holding call for pinning someone without the puck on defense. Gave up a PP goal on the first call and scored a shorty on the second.

-Gudas fought Sutter after Sutter collided with Nick Johnson in the neutral zone. Perhaps Gudas would do that in real life, but once again I did not have the option to not fight.

-Someone dropped the gloves with Beau Bennett after he collided with Ben Bishop and knocked him over. No penalty on the play, but I was forced into yet another fight with someone that really doesn't fight. Thought this was removed. Guess I will need to lower the fighting slider to nothing.

-2 pucks went out of play. 2! And get this; they were both on dump-ins from the neutral zone, by me, when I held the RB a little too long before releasing. A couple of pucks went high off of the glass from being blockered on a save where I thought it was going out, but nope. This is ridiculous.

-I still have not really scored on a slapper from the point, including in the demo. The CPU hasn't scored on me in that manner either.

-Too many clean glove saves, especially from point blank.

-They removed the ability to wear the now defunct "Bolts" 3rd jersey for the Lightning, although there were plenty of fans in the stands wearing it. Odd. I don't like when games take jerseys and uniform sets out of the game!

-Empty net goals are sure things again after you carry the puck over the opposing blue line and let go of the sticks. The defenders just back off the puck carrier as if they still have a goalie in net. There is no contextual awareness here. Been that way for a long time and it is awful. You can often score 2 empty net goals per game with a 1 goal lead late in the 3rd. I only scored the one in this game because of time limitations.

-Every goal the CPU scored on me was once again a result of the backside defender losing their man and an easy pass for a one touch goal or pass to a low slot area where the player can snipe with ease. You get punished for playing smart hockey and keeping the play in front of you because your AI teammates cannot do the same.

-I played all styles of defense to try and counter this and gave up goals on each of the staggered, high point, and collapsing defense settings.

-On staggered the CPU had a 2 on 3 while entering the zone that became a 3 on 3. I controlled the center high, which was Malkin, and contained the puck near the blue line. Scuderi had the far guy down low and Letang had the next guy coming over the line that was making a b-line towards the short side of the net. I continued to contain with Malkin when all of the sudden Letang leaves his man and skates up towards the point almost as if he wants to cover my guy that I have a good containing gap on. This leaves the main in front wide open, my guy sauces a pass past me and around the out of position Letang for an easy same side goal against Fleury. WTF!?

-Your AI is brutal, EA!

-I cannot get my CPU teammates to forecheck half of the time, but on the PK they will. Including an offensive zone face-off on the PK where Crosby tied the guy up (why he is killing penalties is beyond me) and Dupuis gave up his defensive positioning by going under the dot to the same side corner as they gained possession and subsequently had an easy outlet pass on the PP attack as a result of Dupuis' action.

-I noticed more ice degradation with the longer periods. Nice touch.

# 148 bigwill33 @ 09/04/14 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdl24


	Can jersey numbers be changed in play now mode?

I did not see an option for that. But I thought I read someone else say that they did it, but I could be mistaken.

# 149 drew0020 @ 09/04/14 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomzennsbruh


	You think NHL 15 is a step up form Madden 15?

Madden feels the same as it's ever been in my opinion. Game options no, but gameplay and graphics yes.

# 150 jyoung @ 09/04/14 01:26 PM

Is the custom camera option still in?

# 151 Gagnon39 @ 09/04/14 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew0020


	Madden feels the same as it's ever been in my opinion. Game options no, but gameplay and graphics yes.

I have to disagree with you there.

# 152 centauris @ 09/04/14 01:28 PM

after the season there is no regular draft in Be A GM either.

# 153 bigwill33 @ 09/04/14 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormyhog


	Can you still play with the AHL, european & juniors clubs? Thx.

Only in play now/versus modes.

# 154 racerx @ 09/04/14 01:31 PM

Can you create a tournament and play with the national teams?

# 155 adayinthelife @ 09/04/14 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwill33


	Only in play now/versus modes.

So the AHL teams are in the game, but not worked into BaGM then? This seems odd. Hopefully this is both something that can be patched in, as well as something that wouldn't require a BaGM restart. Not real optimistic about either at the moment.

# 156 bwiggy33 @ 09/04/14 01:33 PM

Who seriously would have thought that with all of their marketing for PS4/XBONE and lack of talking about PS3/360, that last gen is the route to go. The only way this game has ever been remotely playable is with edited rosters, and that is no longer possible. I wouldn't even be able to attempt going back to online modes because those aren't even there. I truly don't want to demean anyone who says this is a good effort, but I'm beyond baffled how anybody can think that. This game lacks the most basic features that have been included in basically every sports game the past however many years. I'm jealous that people can expect such a small effort from a development team. The good thing is we get to chose if we buy it. There's no other options except for past NHL 2k games and last gen EA games, but that's life I guess. People may find the game good now, but I think the majority of people won't be saying that in 2 months. The NHL season won't have even been a month in at that point.

Honestly if the sales are at an all time low I think EA will make major changes. Either the dev team gets replaced, or there is no hockey game next year at all. I know this is massively jumping the gun but I think we may be without a new hockey game next year. The only thing standing in the way that I could see is the NBC contract. I have no idea about the details of that though.

# 157 m_maclean24 @ 09/04/14 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_mkheidze


	dude, get off the fence and send them a message...don't give your money because they will think that no matter what pile of **** they put out, people will buy it. You want quality? make them accountable when they don't provide it.

The only reason I am still on the fence is because I don't know if I'll be able to stand an Atlantic Canadian winter without some form of videogame hockey to play. I got rid of my 360 over the summer and bought a PS4 - with hopes that I would be playing NHL 15 for the winter. If I still had it, I would just play 14 for another year. I have had every version of NHL since 1993, so to not buy a version will be a big deal for me - but you are right...it may be time to send the message. Unfortunately I get the feeling that EA will still make their money on this game, due to the casual, HUT fans, who will be content to pay EXTRA to pick up some special card pack and glitch the **** out of the competition.

# 158 s_mkheidze @ 09/04/14 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	So the AHL teams are in the game, but not worked into BaGM then? This seems odd. Hopefully this is both something that can be patched in, as well as something that wouldn't require a BaGM restart. Not real optimistic about either at the moment.

Don't hold your breath.

# 159 bigwill33 @ 09/04/14 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerx


	Can you create a tournament and play with the national teams?

No. And you cannot replicate the NHL playoffs either.

# 160 bigwill33 @ 09/04/14 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	So the AHL teams are in the game, but not worked into BaGM then? This seems odd. Hopefully this is both something that can be patched in, as well as something that wouldn't require a BaGM restart. Not real optimistic about either at the moment.

They are there in logo only for the Be a GM mode. As in I could send players to the minors and I see the WBS Baby Pens logo, but there is no functionality past that in which I could find anything. Very bare bones.

This game will get very old and do so very quickly to me. I am honestly contemplating not purchasing it at all this year. Maybe after they make some patch work and it goes on sale, but I just can't see myself wanting to keep picking up this game and playing it.

This coming from someone that has logged over 1000 games each year for this title since I cannot remember when.

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