NHL 16 News Post

NHL 16 Trial Available Now For EA Access Subscribers, Get 10 Hours of Gamplay

05:00 PM - September 9, 2015 by Steve_OS

The trial version of NHL 16 is available now (a day early) for EA Access subscribers. To start the download process, open up the EA Access hub, scroll over to NHL 16, click View in Store and download the trial.

For those of you that can download it, play a few games and let us know what you think!

REMINDER: You get 10 hours of gameplay, so make sure you exit out of the game if you are not playing. Don't pause and lose those precious minutes.

Game: NHL 16Reader Score: Vote Now
Platform: PS4 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 0 - View All

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Member Comments

# 81 Arrowhead21 @ 09/10/15 02:02 PM

You can edit player ratings from the main menu, but you cant do it within GM Mode.

# 82 Gerg04 @ 09/10/15 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	Played another game with the game speed down one click and had realistic SOG totals. I lost 4-3 vs Carolina but they had 27 shots and I had 26. There were 3 total penalties called with the penalty slider maxed on 8 minute periods. I haven't touched the other two penalty sliders under game settings for CPU and CPU AI teammates, I'll max those out my next game. Anyone try the game speed at 1 or 2 and notice a huge framerate issue? I'm fine on 3 and above (4 is default) but if I try 2 it's fine for a little bit and then it's so choppy I can't even play and have to turn it back up to 3. I even cleared the XB1 cache, same issue.

Ya know what I did have that framerate issue with it down 2-3 notches. I had thought it was because the game was still installing (only played before it finished because the download was going so slow! Which ironically after I'd started it went faster?).

Anyway that's disappointing if it's still like that with the game fully installed... Hope that gets fixed because slower speed makes for much better gameplay imo, minus those fps issues obviously.

# 83 MizzouRah @ 09/10/15 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerg04


	Ya know what I did have that framerate issue with it down 2-3 notches. I had thought it was because the game was still installing (only played before it finished because it was going so slow! Which ironically after I'd started it went faster?). Anyway that's disappointing if it's still like that with the game fully installed... Hope that gets fixed because slower speed makes for much better gameplay imo, minus those fps issues obviously.

When I played the CHI - TB game while I was installing, the gameplay was super fast, after it installed, it was still fast, but on 3 it felt good.. on 2 it was find until a goal was scored and then was unplayable it was so choppy. Had to turn it back up to 3 to finish playing.

Hope it gets fixed in a release day patch!

# 84 T5063 @ 09/10/15 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowhead21


	You can edit player ratings from the main menu, but you cant do it within GM Mode.

Can you edit equipment in GM Mode?

# 85 Money99 @ 09/10/15 03:11 PM

Hoping for some gameplay answers.
1. Is the CPU still able to do things with the puck that user can�t (ie, stop on a dime and backup without any loss of speed or momentum).
2. Do you notice when the CPU has a superstar on the ice, or do all the players appear to have equal skill.
3. Will the CPU go into berserker mode when it�s down a goal making it nearly impossible to get the puck away from it?
4. Are your CPU teammates still passive, braindead, morons who will only stare at the puck carrier and not even attempt a stick-lift or pokecheck?

Thanks!

# 86 jyoung @ 09/10/15 03:26 PM

The CPU defenders are a bit more aggressive at stepping up to hit you if they have a numbers advantage while you're carrying the puck up through the neutral zone. But other than that, I haven't noticed much difference from the AI in NHL 15. All the old warts are still there, on both sides of the puck. If you're wanting to get this game to play against the AI, I would say don't do it unless some of our sliders wizards find a way to make things much better. Because on default slider settings, it plays pretty much like NHL 15 did.

# 87 Splitter77 @ 09/10/15 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	The CPU defenders are a bit more aggressive at stepping up to hit you if they have a numbers advantage while you're carrying the puck up through the neutral zone. But other than that, I haven't noticed much difference from the AI in NHL 15. All the old warts are still there, on both sides of the puck. If you're wanting to get this game to play against the AI, I would say don't do it unless some of our sliders wizards find a way to make things much better. Because on default slider settings, it plays pretty much like NHL 15 did.

disappointing to hear that.
because it looks so nice.

# 88 gopher_guy @ 09/10/15 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaLiveKing


	You can finally set up on the PP vs the CPU which is something I've always wanted

This is great news. Always hated that you couldn't really run a legit looking PP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	Looks like Online Shootouts are set to 5 rounds if you play ranked: Glad to see them back! It's also going to take a while to relearn the alternate goalie controls. But I'm glad we have that option with different trigger/bumper placement.

I really wish the NHL team could sit down with the FIFA team for a lesson on how to handle post-goal behavior. The player scores, does his user controlled celebration, then we see 10-15 seconds of replays, and then another shot of the player celebrating. What was he doing for that 10-15 seconds? Just skating out there on the ice by himself, doing various different celebrations? Really kinda kills the immersion factor for me, because it looks so awkward.

# 89 actionhank @ 09/10/15 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake19ny


	So it appears albeit early to call that the offline penalty calling is indeed messed up again. It also appears reading other posts that the slider controlling penalty calls does nothing once again. Shame because despite all its flaws I was able to tweak NHL14 to be enjoyable but this problem made it really hard to enjoy playing a full season and if its present in NHL 16 I don't know if I can play through it.

I never could get consistent penalties. It didn't bug me much back when I didn't care much about realism, but over time i've grown to hate it more and more. The powerplay is such a huge part of the game, and taking bad penalties can really hurt a team. But in the NHL series it's always been such a non-issue.

# 90 hoopsjones84 @ 09/10/15 05:44 PM

Can i pay $4.99 for one month of ea access. Play nhl for the 10 hrs. Then cancel for the next month?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 91 TDKing @ 09/10/15 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopsjones84


	Can i pay $4.99 for one month of ea access. Play nhl for the 10 hrs. Then cancel for the next month? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

# 92 jyoung @ 09/10/15 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	I really wish the NHL team could sit down with the FIFA team for a lesson on how to handle post-goal behavior. The player scores, does his user controlled celebration, then we see 10-15 seconds of replays, and then another shot of the player celebrating. What was he doing for that 10-15 seconds? Just skating out there on the ice by himself, doing various different celebrations? Really kinda kills the immersion factor for me, because it looks so awkward.

I like the celebrations in FIFA as well. You start out with an individual celly, then your teammates come and mob you for a group hug. You'd think since both games are made in the same building (EA Canada), NHL would be able to handle more than two-person celebrations by now. FIFA has had cellies that transition smoothly from an individual to a group for many years now.

# 93 statnut @ 09/10/15 06:01 PM

First Single Player Season game in HUT and I won 34-0. That does not fill me with warm and fuzzies. I think my highest rated forward is Emerson Etem. My team is low 80s, the team I was playing was low 60s. While it's a definite mismatch, this was something else.

# 94 AdamJones113 @ 09/10/15 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by statnut


	First Singe Player Season game in HUT and I won 34-0. That does not fill me with warm and fuzzies.

Bro...

No emoji is too many!

# 95 bwiggy33 @ 09/10/15 06:18 PM

I played for about 45 minutes last night and as much as it's a more polished game, it's still the same AI. I can go 1 on 4 into the offensive zone with any player on my team. No way in hell that ever happens, EVER. It is so infuriating and ruins the game. I haven't adjusted the CPU Strategies yet but I can't imagine it will fix anything because I'm sure they're the same settings as they have been since they brought those in. CPU Strategies fixes a lot of issues I have with the game, just not the neutral zone pressure.

Goalies are actually pretty refreshing other than the animations. Their movement is what I've wanted for years but they need to completely get rid of all of the goalie animations and make new non warp speed ones. Some of the ones they pull off or attempt I haven't seen since watching replays of 80's hockey. It's honestly shocking how they can possibly think the goalie animations are good. Maybe that will be a next year type of thing.

Just like someone else said the framerate goes bonkers at lower game speeds. I had mine on 1 and it was fine the first 10 minutes. All of a sudden my screen was just shaking.

I will probably post more as I play, but I won't lie I may not even play the 10 hours unless I start seeing some good things. Really at this state if you play online I could see it being fun but other than that it's another year of bad offline play. Quite honestly I wouldn't be so negative if this game actually changed from year to year, but since it still feels nearly identical to past versions I don't have much hope it will get better through using the rest of the trial. Nonetheless I will try and keep an open mind.

# 96 statnut @ 09/10/15 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJones113


	Bro... No emoji is too many!

I can't even find the right emoji to describe that game.

# 97 actionhank @ 09/10/15 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	I like the celebrations in FIFA as well. You start out with an individual celly, then your teammates come and mob you for a group hug. You'd think since both games are made in the same building (EA Canada), NHL would be able to handle more than two-person celebrations by now. FIFA has had cellies that transition smoothly from an individual to a group for many years now.

I'm surprised at how little is shared between the games, since they share the same base engine. I don't know how different things can get above that level, but I always thought that the base engine could help to get things that work well transported between different game titles.

Speaking of the engine though, I can't deny it. I hate the cloth physics in the game. The jerseys always look so rubbery. FIFA had the same issue with shorts. Everything jiggles like jello, and doesn't look like cloth.

# 98 jyoung @ 09/10/15 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyoung


	I like the celebrations in FIFA as well. You start out with an individual celly, then your teammates come and mob you for a group hug. You'd think since both games are made in the same building (EA Canada), NHL would be able to handle more than two-person celebrations by now. FIFA has had cellies that transition smoothly from an individual to a group for many years now.

For reference, here is how a late go-ahead goal is celebrated in FIFA 15:

The user manually runs off into the corner, where he is then joined by the rest of his teammates in a group celebration cutscene.

# 99 MizzouRah @ 09/10/15 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwiggy33


	Just like someone else said the framerate goes bonkers at lower game speeds. I had mine on 1 and it was fine the first 10 minutes. All of a sudden my screen was just shaking.

This needs fixed ASAP. Unplayable on lower speeds.

I think it's better as far as AI goes.. not GREAT.. but better. Like they tuned it or something instead of rewriting the code.

The puck is everywhere though.. and I love that. Sticks get a piece of the puck many times by my AI controlled players.

# 100 brandon27 @ 09/10/15 07:17 PM

So, I just got 4 games in tonight. I'm at a loss for words on this one. It's better, on the surface, but beyond that, it's the same old terrible AI. It's a bit improved in some spots, but terrible in so many others still.

I actually quit a game tonight. 7 minutes in to the first period, I'd given up 5 goals, on 6 shots. All instances where my D-men just stand around and do nothing in front of my net while I fight for the puck in the corner, then they magically throw it out front, the shooter can move, basically warp into the shot while my D-man barely even moves to acknowledge the play. 4 straight shots in a row, almost identical scenario.

I hoped earlier when I saw a player kick a puck out of a scrum across the ice, I hoped I was seeing things. However I saw it many more times tonight.

There's still so many instances still where the AI players don't seem to be effected at all, in any way by physics. They accelerate so much quicker, turn so much quicker. It's not even close to the same in comparison as to how your players skate.

Then, to top it all off. 3 games tonight. Not a single Penalty on the CPU. NOT ONE. So, the only way to enjoy the game is to just turn penalties completely off, because its ridiculous for the player to spend time on the PK all game, while the CPU apparently does nothing wrong.

GM mode has some nice additions, I can say that. How it all works in the long run though is whats important.

I'm not sure anymore that it's a full price buy for me. It's NHL 15, with a facelift to me so far. I'm going to mess around with the difficulty and some sliders over the weekend to see if that helps, but right now, I've got a major decision to make on what I do with this one. It feels good at times, theres times when playing it is fun, but then theres times where for some reason it's like the AI flips on it's superman switch, and you might as well just put down the sticks and take what they're about to give you. I have no problem loosing a game to the CPU. I went 2-1 tonight (well 2-2, it game me a loss int he game I quit from too) Like I said, no problems loosing, but I hate feeling cheated by the AI. I'm left feeling that quite a bit playing this so far though.

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