NHL 16

[Inuyasha]

I understood sportdan feeling at first. Just skip the play in starter game. It's slow and boring.

Played a regular game and it's decent. Hut offline is great but rookie I scored 23 goals in one game. Maybe there's a way to not start w rookie?

Presentation is same as last year. That adaptive thing I need to turn off. Makes the goal a disco ball and the other zone lights up like a construction sign.

It's been 100s since Friday here and not really into hockey right now. Maybe when November rolls around I'll be more in the mood. But hard to pass up the be preorder w the 15 week hut packs.

[10spro]

Wow, I wished I saw so many goals in my game. Just played one game as I wanted to see mainly the skating physics, maybe because I was playing hardcore mode but it was a tight 2-1 winner for the Hawks vs TPA. I will probably burn all the remaining hours on EASHL the next few days. It'll be good to see the Dragons again.

[pk500]

I'm happy for the Dragons since so many of the features you cats wanted for online multiplayer have returned to this game. But from the perspective of the offline single player, the NHL 16 demo is basically a new coat of paint on a continued flawed experience.

The single-player game features the same legacy brain-dead defensive AI by computer-controlled players on the human team. It features the same uber-goalies on the CPU team. It features the same snappy passes around the zone and high-slot one-timers by the CPU offense.

Graphics may have been polished a smidge, but it sure looks like all of the gameplay flaws from the single-player experience of NHL 15 have been ignored in NHL 16. And those new skill/tutorial overlays MUST go.

Once again, EA Access proves its weight in gold. I have no interest in buying NHL 16 after playing this demo. It might be a great multiplayer game for the Dragons, but it sure looks and plays like the same flawed game for offline single players.

Sportdan, you're not alone, brother. I'll share the same sentiment: "Meh." And "meh" doesn't justify opening my money clip.

I'll stick with Madden 16, Forza 6 and FIFA 16 for my new gaming fix this fall.

[Inuyasha]

this isnt a demo, its the full retail version.

[pk500]

this isnt a demo, its the full retail version.

Right. Thanks for the clarification.

[Sudz]

is the day 1 patch already applied to the download?

I was at 87% downloaded before I went to bed and saw a few items on the menu that made it seem like it. I didn't want to play the dumb intro game as I want to save my 10 hours for the weekend.

[tjung0831]

Did they fix the glaring issue of when you cross the blue line as soon as you make contact with a defender you go down? That was so frustrating in 15

[pk500]

Did they fix the glaring issue of when you cross the blue line as soon as you make contact with a defender you go down? That was so frustrating in 15

I didn't see that, Tim. But I wasn't looking for it, either.

I'll keep an eye out for it when I play again. Still, NHL 16 feels very much like a "lick 'em and stick 'em" version of NHL 15 with a fresh coat of paint, at least from the single-player perspective.

I noticed significant gameplay differences and improvements right away when I played the trials of Madden 16 and FIFA 16. Didn't have that same feeling at all with NHL 16. And I played a sh*tload of NHL 15 offline, so I know that game inside and out.

Happy for the Dragons, though! It looks like their wishes are being granted.

[Naples39]

My one game against CPU isn't going to change my "online only" stance with this series.

I played as TB v CHI, outshot them 31-9, hit three posts, lost 3-1. Two of their goals where improbable passes to slot for one-timers. Meh.

The more deliberate skating and stick-handling is good for online against humans though. Also, passing is more predictable in both completing basic passes, and intercepting them if you get in the lane. That's a very good thing.

[sportdan30]

I had a bit more fun with the two games I played later in the evening, but I guess the thing that I can't get out my head is that the game feels scripted.

Case in point, I'm down to Arizona of all teams 4-1 going in to the third with my Blues. I rattle off 5 goals in the third period to win.

Another example. I'm losing to Calgary 4-1 going in to the third and tie it up late that forces the game in to overtime. I couldn't do jack cr*p and lose within two minutes of overtime.

I started a game against the Flyers and give up 5 goals in the first period, all of them laser passes and either one timers or rebound goals. I turned it off at that point and went to bed.

Also, there were exactly 3 penalties in all those 7 minute period games. Apparently, there's a problem again with them.

Not to mention that the CPU seems to play overly aggressive defense that results in a lot of my players getting knocked down.

I'm not giving up on the game. I'll use all 10 hours of my time, but nothing is exciting me about this game. I'm very tired of having to fiddle with sliders for days and weeks at a time just to make the game play decently, as has been the case in the past.

As Pk said, the game looks great and definitely has improved in terms of presentation and atmosphere, but for whatever reason, there are still glaring issues with the game play that I just can't look past. When you have games like MLB The Show, NBA 2K, FIFA, and Madden that offer more than adequate single player experiences, why should I give EA more of my money only to have this game collect dust in week or two?

[MizzouRah]

Game plays much better on game speed = 3

If you go to 2, it's so choppy I can't even play.. anyone else seeing that?

Lost 4-3 to Carolina but the shot totals are much more realistic than the default game speed of 4.

[tjung0831]

I had a bit more fun with the two games I played later in the evening, but I guess the thing that I can't get out my head is that the game feels scripted.

Case in point, I'm down to Arizona of all teams 4-1 going in to the third with my Blues. I rattle off 5 goals in the third period to win.

Another example. I'm losing to Calgary 4-1 going in to the third and tie it up late that forces the game in to overtime. I couldn't do jack cr*p and lose within two minutes of overtime.

I started a game against the Flyers and give up 5 goals in the first period, all of them laser passes and either one timers or rebound goals. I turned it off at that point and went to bed.

Also, there were exactly 3 penalties in all those 7 minute period games. Apparently, there's a problem again with them.

Not to mention that the CPU seems to play overly aggressive defense that results in a lot of my players getting knocked down.

I'm not giving up on the game. I'll use all 10 hours of my time, but nothing is exciting me about this game. I'm very tired of having to fiddle with sliders for days and weeks at a time just to make the game play decently, as has been the case in the past.

As Pk said, the game looks great and definitely has improved in terms of presentation and atmosphere, but for whatever reason, there are still glaring issues with the game play that I just can't look past. When you have games like MLB The Show, NBA 2K, FIFA, and Madden that offer more than adequate single player experiences, why should I give EA more of my money only to have this game collect dust in week or two?

For me personally, It's my only option for hockey and since hockey is my favorite sport by far, I've got to have a hockey game so I'll take the bad with whatever good I can get out of it. I was able to get NHL 15 to play a decent game against the CPU with slider settings so I suppose I'll be able to do that with 16, plus the NHL game, good or bad always gets local co-op action at my house around the holidays. It remains the only sports game that either of my sons will play so it has that selling point for me as well.
I primarily play with the Canadian junior teams so that's the biggest selling point the NHL series has for me and I believe they've added the ability to play a junior season again in 16. I think at this point, if you aren't a hockey junkie, the game probably just isn't going to do enough to sell you on it. Where does hockey rank on your list of favorite sports?
You comment about the aggressive dmen has me a bit bummed though, I was really hoping that would be fixed...not even slider settings fixed that in 15.
With all that said, it does appear that FIFA 16 will get the majority of my gaming time this fall but I still have to have my yearly hockey game. It's been that way for me since August of 1991 when I bought the original NHL hockey game by EA.

[Danimal]

My only purpose for buying this will be to play online with the Dragons so that makes me wonder if it is worth $60 and then i remember I get to make fun of things with 34 online and it goes back to day 1 purchase.

[Inuyasha]

I'm not going to get this for 60. Maddens been out 2 weeks and it was already $40 on Amazon today. I can wait a few weeks for NHL to drop $20 too. My 10 hrs will go a long way too since I see myself playing madden exclusively for many months to come.

[sportdan30]

I'm not going to get this for 60. Maddens been out 2 weeks and it was already $40 on Amazon today. I can wait a few weeks for NHL to drop $20 too. My 10 hrs will go a long way too since I see myself playing madden exclusively for many months to come.

Yeah, I'm going to wait as well. I'll use my Gamers Club, and get this game for around $32 when it's all said and done. I'm not giving up on this game, and am hoping there is some tweaks in the coming days and weeks. They do support their game rather well for a few months after.

[XXXIV]

My only purpose for buying this will be to play online with the Dragons so that makes me wonder if it is worth $60 and then i remember I get to make fun of things with 34 online and it goes back to day 1 purchase.

Dragon hockey is what its all about.

Though...

Last night I fell asleep before I played...

Here and ready a little later unless I once again fall asleep.

The weekend for sure.

[pk500]

I'm not going to get this for 60. Maddens been out 2 weeks and it was already $40 on Amazon today. I can wait a few weeks for NHL to drop $20 too. My 10 hrs will go a long way too since I see myself playing madden exclusively for many months to come.

I'm not getting NHL 16 at all. I'll just wait for it to hit the EA Access Vault next spring. It's almost no different than NHL 15 for offline play, and I don't play team sports games online other than FIFA.

Madden 16, FIFA 16 and Forza 6 will keep me plenty busy and happy. Probably will dive into NBA 2K16, too, after my sons get it later this month.

[Diablo25]

10s and I just got the Dragons first EASHL victory with a 1-0 shutout. He buried a wrister from me in the slot for the winner. We are off and running at 1-0!

[Inuyasha]

I'm not going to get this for 60. Maddens been out 2 weeks and it was already $40 on Amazon today. I can wait a few weeks for NHL to drop $20 too. My 10 hrs will go a long way too since I see myself playing madden exclusively for many months to come.

I'm not getting NHL 16 at all. I'll just wait for it to hit the EA Access Vault next spring. It's almost no different than NHL 15 for offline play, and I don't play team sports games online other than FIFA.

Madden 16, FIFA 16 and Forza 6 will keep me plenty busy and happy. Probably will dive into NBA 2K16, too, after my sons get it later this month.

Single player mode hasn't changed in like 4 years. They brought back offline hut for 16.

[Sudz]

holy fuckballs, that assisted crap is absurd.

[tjung0831]

holy fuckballs, that assisted crap is absurd.

Well that doesn't sound good...

[vader29]

holy fuckballs, that assisted crap is absurd.

Turn that s*** off, turn it all off!

[Danimal]

Anyone playing tonight?

[Sudz]

holy fuckballs, that assisted crap is absurd.

Turn that s*** off, turn it all off!

Oh, i did!

[Sudz]

Anyone playing tonight?

I'll be on.