NHL 18 News

[vader29]

23.75 GB download, created the Ice Dragons for the EASHL and will save most of my time for that mode, still undecided on getting this game this year with it barely being an upgrade from last years game and if there are a lot of goals scored with the between the legs deke as there was in the beta then I may skip it this season.

[vader29]

Played one play now game on sim and the slower skating speed felt good, hope EASHL feels the same.

[sportdan30]

First impression: BLAH.

10 minutes later: MEH

Feels like last year's game with a slight update to gameplay. Same boring presentation and commentary. Weak goal celebrations.

Hopefully the NBA Live EA Access will give me a better first impression.

[MizzouRah]

First impression: BLAH.

10 minutes later: MEH

Feels like last year's game with a slight update to gameplay. Same boring presentation and commentary. Weak goal celebrations.

Hopefully the NBA Live EA Access will give me a better first impression.

Depressing...

[tjung0831]

First impression: BLAH.

10 minutes later: MEH

Feels like last year's game with a slight update to gameplay. Same boring presentation and commentary. Weak goal celebrations.

Hopefully the NBA Live EA Access will give me a better first impression.

Yeah the NHL18 impressions are not good while the impressions on the Live18 trial are very good. Really looking forward to NBA Live but eventually I'll get NHL as well....just not sure I'll get it on day one.

[pk500]

NHL has sunk from being EA's best annual sports franchise to its third-best, behind Madden and FIFA. A shame.

[tjung0831]

NHL has sunk from being EA's best annual sports franchise to its third-best, behind Madden and FIFA. A shame.

You forgot Live which is getting very positive reviews!

[pk500]

NHL has sunk from being EA's best annual sports franchise to its third-best, behind Madden and FIFA. A shame.

You forgot Live which is getting very positive reviews!

Easy, now.

I played the Live 18 demo. A big improvement. EA basically took a Yugo and made it as sporty as a Ford Escort GT hot hatch. But Live still can't compare to the Ferrari of the NBA 2K series.

[Diablo25]

NHL has sunk from being EA's best annual sports franchise to its third-best, behind Madden and FIFA. A shame.

You forgot Live which is getting very positive reviews!

Easy, now.

I played the Live 18 demo. A big improvement. EA basically took a Yugo and made it as sporty as a Ford Escort GT hot hatch. But Live still can't compare to the Ferrari of the NBA 2K series.

Absolutely agree but Live is still a legit improvement. I like a number of things in Live more than in 2K. Plus its only $35. 2K is still the king so don't mistake my statements here

[tjung0831]

Absolutely agree but Live is still a legit improvement. I like a number of things in Live more than in 2K. Plus its only $35. 2K is still the king so don't mistake my statements here

It's not really about Live and 2k....my response was more about if Live has passed NHL in terms of EA's franchises. Is NHL now EA's 4th best sports game?

[MizzouRah]

It's not really about Live and 2k....my response was more about if Live has passed NHL in terms of EA's franchises. Is NHL now EA's 4th best sports game?

Seems like it... if only their NHL team would get the same focus as the other sports franchises. I doubt that will ever happen though.

[10spro]

It's not really about Live and 2k....my response was more about if Live has passed NHL in terms of EA's franchises. Is NHL now EA's 4th best sports game?

Seems like it... if only their NHL team would get the same focus as the other sports franchises. I doubt that will ever happen though.

It will once the Rammer is gone along with the same old commentary and switch of engines.

[MizzouRah]

I've only played one game, but I think the AI is MUCH better than 17 ever was.

Adidas jerseys are in, love the Blues new Adidas jerseys. (I d/l the 9/12 roster update)

CPU now finally hits and actually out hit me in my first game. I think the rating changes are great, I see low level players losing the puck now or shooting wide of the net.

Love the D stick, so much better on D now and shot totals are down to a realistic level.

Penalty slider up to max I had a total of 7 penalties using 8 min periods. Typically I also have to touch the other penalty slider, but maybe not this year.

Goalies seem quicker to me, puck even more lively this year. CPU player passes off the boards, their D doesn't chase and leave the lane to the net wide open.

Love the new camera angles.. does add a touch of realism as subtle as it may be.

Again.. only 1 game but I really like the AI improvements so far. I'm sure as I play more things will stick out to me, but in my first game Blues vs Vegas.. nothing made me scratch my head or come off as cheap.

[10spro]

I've only played one game, but I think the AI is MUCH better than 17 ever was

I would agree especially playing against the CPU on Superstar. Players jump on attack, the D comes back for the uncovered man much quicker, one of the reasons I am having more difficulty applying the one timers I guess. Positionally, is hard to break them.

But personally for me, the big mode is EASHL with the Dragons and during our Beta games, scoring was more difficult compared to 17.

Won't be available tonight Dragons, due to some scheduling changes at work, but I will try to join you tomorrow. Have fun!

[MizzouRah]

I don't want any tuners crap right now.. haha.. the game is really sloppy play wise and I love it!

The ratings change seems to help a bit, I'm seeing lower rated players losing the puck more and what not. It's VERY early but I'm haven't been frustrated once yet so far by game play.

[Aristo]

This is really nice to hear. Well, it might suck, as I was considering skipping the game until it hit The Vault this season, as I already have Madden and Live 18 to play. Then I bought 2K18 on impulse. I really don't have time to add another sports game right now.

I may end up just grabbing this, too.

[tjung0831]

Only the 3rd time since 1991 that I didn't buy NHL on release day.

[vader29]

Only the 3rd time since 1991 that I didn't buy NHL on release day.

First time I haven't bought it in a long time also. After my EA access time is done I may or may not pick it up until it is on sale for 39.99 or less somewhere.

[Diablo25]

Only the 3rd time since 1991 that I didn't buy NHL on release day.

First time I haven't bought it in a long time also. After my EA access time is done I may or may not pick it up until it is on sale for 39.99 or less somewhere.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I may grab it once my Access time runs out if you guys do.

[MizzouRah]

Anyone know what the newest tuner is supposed to do?

I'm not touching it as the game is playing great so far. I'm debating starting with a 32nd team just to even out the Conferences and still using the Blues and submitting a protected list. Maybe bring back the Atlanta Thrashers.

[XXXIV]

I haven't bought the game yet either and I do think EA are lazy, disloyal, dishonest, money grubbing scum but I dont think the game is that horrible for an expansion of NHL16.

Cant imagine a year without Dragons...

[10spro]

I haven't bought the game yet either and I do think EA are lazy, disloyal, dishonest, money grubbing scum but I dont think the game is that horrible for an expansion of NHL16.

Cant imagine a year without Dragons...

But based on last night, I know you will...

[Diablo25]

I was in philly last night so not sure if y'all played. I'll be around next week if we play.

[XXXIV]

I haven't bought the game yet either and I do think EA are lazy, disloyal, dishonest, money grubbing scum but I dont think the game is that horrible for an expansion of NHL16.

Cant imagine a year without Dragons...

But based on last night, I know you will...

Stop it.

She did say yes.

[10spro]

I haven't bought the game yet either and I do think EA are lazy, disloyal, dishonest, money grubbing scum but I dont think the game is that horrible for an expansion of NHL16.

Cant imagine a year without Dragons...

But based on last night, I know you will...

Stop it.

She did say yes.

I heard it. Also she said YES to Xbox One X. Wow...