NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

[RaychelSnr]

It's a post–NHL 15 world, folks, and EA is looking to right the wrongs of last year's game. Much has been said about where NHL 15 went off the rails and how it happened, but the bottom line is that it will forever be known as an entry in the series that broke new ground for presentation while forgetting all of the features and modes that make the series great.

Enter NHL 16, a version of the game that has been developed with something of an "enhanced" 12-month schedule, with pre-production starting earlier than ever before. There's also been added accountability to producers during development and slightly more interaction with the fans in recent months. Further still, the GameChangers, a group of 12 fan liaisons, have been deeply involved in development of the EASHL and other core NHL features.

But does all of this fix what ailed NHL 15? In a word, yes.

Read More - NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Nice write up, my download is almost finished so I'll be diving into the game in a few minutes and seeing for myself.

[BL8001]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Good review.

I noticed last night, with whatever magical gameplay update thing that happened, that when you hit Y to tie up the cpu one of your team mates skates over to help now.

Y is actually useful a few feet from the boards too, it's like there is grace zone for the Y action animations and you can lay some checks down with it. It's only a few feet from the boards though.

[headzapp]

Seems everything is better about this game. The mascots, sounds and uniqueness of each stadium is what I am excited about. Brings you deeper into the settings and feel more real. Is passing the puck off the boards new? I could never do it before.
Watching clips of nhl 15 and then 16, it looks way better. The lighting and body movement.
What new modes could be brought in? Lights out mode. Play the game in the darkness. I don't know, it's hockey. The main goal of a hockey game is to play hockey. If they come up with new things I'd play it, but I don't feel that we need it really. I liked the outdoor shootout NHL 06 (?) had where you were in the mountains and could have big heads. How about a trick shot mode and you can make your own courses to play with online?

[Wiggy]

Seems everything is better about this game. The mascots, sounds and uniqueness of each stadium is what I am excited about. Brings you deeper into the settings and feel more real. Is passing the puck off the boards new? I could never do it before.
Watching clips of nhl 15 and then 16, it looks way better. The lighting and body movement.
What new modes could be brought in? Lights out mode. Play the game in the darkness. I don't know, it's hockey. The main goal of a hockey game is to play hockey. If they come up with new things I'd play it, but I don't feel that we need it really. I liked the outdoor shootout NHL 06 (?) had where you were in the mountains and could have big heads. How about a trick shot mode and you can make your own courses to play with online?

It's certainly a valid question — what modes could be added, etc.

Just to play armchair designer for a second, I think some people would like to see a more fulsome career mode that actually has some presentational depth, a la NBA 2K. There's also room for an All-Star Competition or another novelty mode, such as minigames or drills. FIFA-style drills would really complement the on-ice trainer. A full practice mode for EASHL teams would be welcome, too.

Hopefully my review conveyed the enjoyment I had with the alterations they made to existing modes, but I would like to see the developers attempt something more than just iteration for their base modes. It's been quite a few years with the same template for these modes, even if some changes have added a bit of air in the tires.

[ownicusprime]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

What does this mean? (from the review)

"...the ability to use your online character in OTP games"

...does it mean you can use your be a pro in OTP? Also, are the OTP lobbies random, or can you join public lobbies with friends in some predictable fashion?

[VladCanada]

Good writing and a fair score. But i really hope that for next year they finally implement a skill stick for defense because the defensive part of the game is getting really dumb the way it is now.

THIS. Not buying an EA game until that 2k defensive skill stick is there. I'm not paying $80 bucks for the mascots and crappy defensive play.

[peter21]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Glad to hear there are marked improvements in the game. My fear with the computer AI is that it's something that's not going to be fixed until they redo the code from the ground up. It seems to be the same issues every year, although it sounds like there are some incremental improvements.

If EASHL plays a fun game, I may jump back in and buy '16. I feel for the offline gamers though, because I just don't know if computer AI is going to hold up under scrutiny.

75 seems like a fair score though. This game is what NHL 15 should have been, and EA should seriously start thinking about doing away with the year development cycles. It's going to happen at some point. They could innovate in this area.

[Smutka]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Are there any improvements to european jerseys? Sm liiga jerseys look so ****ty to real life...i remenber back in 2001 they had even sponsors ln the jerseys but just with a little twist on the words that there were none law involved

[Wiggy]

Are there any improvements to european jerseys? Sm liiga jerseys look so ****ty to real life...i remenber back in 2001 they had even sponsors ln the jerseys but just with a little twist on the words that there were none law involved

I'd have to get check and get back to you on that question.

[donions]

I cant. I cant endorse this fraud by EA.
Last years game was a 2/10 give or take a point. Now they re-add old features, call them new, and everywhere I see it given a 7-8/10 rating, which isnt exactly great. Baically everyones relieved its not an utter failure like last year.
So EA wants 160$ from me for a 2/10 and a 7/10 game. Nah, ill wait for Fifa.

[Vmascarello]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

GM mode player here... (Although I will be trying to get into HUT as wll this year)

I love the full customization of all the attributes of every league in the game. Now before I start my GM mode or any offline mode, I can customize the rankings of all NHLers, prospects, and draft hopefuls before I begin. Its a simple thing but its huge for a GM mode player. There is obviously a few things still missing but this game is definitely ggod enough to invest in.

No one was more disappointed than me last year. But, its time to move on and enjoy NHL because theres plenty to enjoy. Form the the visuals, different updated authenticities like mascots, goal horns and playoff atmospheres, player morale which seems like a cool add not a game changer but cool, progression is realistic in GM mode, and many others. This game is worth it. I cant see it coming out of my console for at least a couple weeks. Im stoked!

[Dmeadows013]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Why the hell is Slava Voynov in this game? And why is he an 87 overall??

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[jyoung]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

Are there any improvements to european jerseys? Sm liiga jerseys look so ****ty to real life...i remenber back in 2001 they had even sponsors ln the jerseys but just with a little twist on the words that there were none law involved

All the Liiga jerseys show up at timestamp 27:48 of this video:

<iframe width="540" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yUcygrvOQ04?start=1668" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[headzapp]

Re: NHL 16 Review (PS4/Xbox One)

It's certainly a valid question — what modes could be added, etc.

Just to play armchair designer for a second, I think some people would like to see a more fulsome career mode that actually has some presentational depth, a la NBA 2K. There's also room for an All-Star Competition or another novelty mode, such as minigames or drills. FIFA-style drills would really complement the on-ice trainer. A full practice mode for EASHL teams would be welcome, too.

Hopefully my review conveyed the enjoyment I had with the alterations they made to existing modes, but I would like to see the developers attempt something more than just iteration for their base modes. It's been quite a few years with the same template for these modes, even if some changes have added a bit of air in the tires.

I hope my comment didn't come off as rude.
I would love deeper modes, all star competitions, more and everything you said.