NHL 16 Available Today For Xbox One & PlayStation 4, Post Your Impressions

[m_maclean24]

Quote: Originally Posted by AdamJones113

I've just played games so far, on different sliders, but at All Star/Hardcore. So this impression post will be based solely off gameplay. I don't want to divide myself into "good" and "bad," so let's ramble a bit. This game is the most realistic NHL game to date. The board play is terrible, the passing is wonky, and don't even think about sniping 5-hole, but this game is the best NHL gameplay to date. The offensive CPU is very good, both from an logical standpoint and a skill standpoint. They dump when they should, they cycle when they should, and they aren't afraid to rip the puck on net. The defensive AI, however, is poor. They lack initiative—whether it's not stepping up when possible or more likely, not sensing plays around them or not sensing or even looking for the puck. The CPU defense has no heart, no intensity that characterizes the CPU offense. The CPU has an easy time breaking it out, even if you are a good forechecker (which I think I am). The passes are so easily made (I don't say completed, that fluctuates according to slider preference) that a split second is all a CPU defenseman needs to make an improbable pass for the breakout. The CPU defense does do a good job getting sticks in the lane. Stick-on-stick collisions are slightly improved, not much; stick-on-skate collisions are an afterthought. I noticed more separation in hitting and skating, so that's a major plus. The penalty issue was a non-issue for me. What was an issue is the godawful AI goalies. Poor save decisions, slug puck location times (even at a high slider), and animation-dominated movement. I never, ever want to see a pass from a forward go through the crease, behind the goalie, and to a player on the far side. That's ridiculous, but happened to me twice. Don't try to snipe 5-hole. Not gonna happen, even against 6'6 Ben Bishop... when he's moving. But I digress. This is the best NHL game yet. If you like EASHL, you will love this game. The coach feedback is great, and the On Ice Trainer is very cool. Gameplay is much improved, but it still has a long way to go. Good job.

Adam, you are reading my mind with these impressions. The defensive AI is my biggest gripe - I haven't seen the behind-the-goalie cross crease pass yet, but that's totally unacceptable. I am hoping the "attention" that they paid to goalies this year is just the beginning.

I'm feeling this game is a great starting point for big things to come - I hope I'm right.

[MDgolf]

Can we permanently turn off the training aids or do I have to turn them off before each game which is annoying?

[Smirkin Dirk]

Quote: Originally Posted by MDgolf

Can we permanently turn off the training aids or do I have to turn them off before each game which is annoying?

You can turn them off from the home screen.

[BL8001]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

Maybe I've yet to figure out the mechanic, but the cpu seems really adept in one on one situations or on the rush generally. Almost feels like good gap control and closing the gap at the right time and angling them to the outside has no value because the cpu possesses incredible fidelity with their shots and passes in tight spaces. Anyone figured a better way to corral the cpu bearing down on you?

There was a cool article in the Hockey News about Brent Burns and how he shifted from Offense to Defense. Or more specifically how he started on D as a youngster, moved to O then moved back to D.

He watched a ton of tape and did on ice drills to improve his defensive abilities and the number one thing they tried to eliminate from his D play was his desire to push the action, instead focusing on him becoming more comfortable with letting the action come to him.

I feel this same way with NHL 16.

To play good D you really need to sit back and allow the CPU O to come at you. Have I been scored on? Oh yes, without a doubt. But being more patient and luring the O into your trap is the key.

#1 turn off auto back skate so that you choose when to back skate. This helps tremendously for any situations where the CPU blows by you while the D man stays in his back skate animation.

#2 Y works not only against the boards but about 3 to 4 feet from the boards too. It's also hit or miss as a shove animation in the slot. I use it but cannot rely on it

#3 A to stick lift but only face or side on and never spam it
Same goes for poke check

#4 Get in the way/clog the slot. Get in the way of either the shot or of the player movement off the puck. Use reverse of your L stick to stop quickly and little squeezes of LT to face up. If it's 1-1 and you can hang with the CPU try to move them to their backhand by hedging on their strong side.

#5 if they pass it across ice hold RB and push the RS on the cutoff angle to intercept

#6 much like the CPU does, if you have any speed and you are close to the CPU flick the RS at them, it's not always a check or a big hit but it can bump them and change their intentions.

#7 switch up your D strategy, play collapse the majority of the time

#8 to stop the cheese passing the only method I have found is to stand in the cheese lane. You only realize where this is the more you play. It's not 100% effective but it's at least 75% effective and that helps a lot in terms of shutting down those no look passes. And the more I stand in the path of that likely pass the less I see of those cheese passes.

[MizzouRah]

I will say the interface is much faster and going into a game is definitely much faster.

[Shadak]

I have NHL11 still and thought it was better than all the newer ones.
Is NHL16 finally worth getting? Moreover is it worth getting this with a PS4? (which I would probably get sooner or later for Uncharted4 and maybe Bloodborne and some others)

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by m_maclean24

Adam, you are reading my mind with these impressions. The defensive AI is my biggest gripe - I haven't seen the behind-the-goalie cross crease pass yet, but that's totally unacceptable. I am hoping the "attention" that they paid to goalies this year is just the beginning. I'm feeling this game is a great starting point for big things to come - I hope I'm right.

I'm hoping that with NHL16 seeming to get where everyone expected NHL15 to be, we can finally have some progress in areas we've long been griping about.

AI is the one that needs the biggest overhaul. The new graphics look great, but I will always get pulled out of the moment when my defenders both curl into each other and don't even cover the slot. They just keep backing away and allowing clean shots on the goalie.

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by BL8001

There was a cool article in the Hockey News about Brent Burns and how he shifted from Offense to Defense. Or more specifically how he started on D as a youngster, moved to O then moved back to D. He watched a ton of tape and did on ice drills to improve his defensive abilities and the number one thing they tried to eliminate from his D play was his desire to push the action, instead focusing on him becoming more comfortable with letting the action come to him. I feel this same way with NHL 16. To play good D you really need to sit back and allow the CPU O to come at you. Have I been scored on? Oh yes, without a doubt. But being more patient and luring the O into your trap is the key. #1 turn off auto back skate so that you choose when to back skate. This helps tremendously for any situations where the CPU blows by you while the D man stays in his back skate animation. #2 Y works not only against the boards but about 3 to 4 feet from the boards too. It's also hit or miss as a shove animation in the slot. I use it but cannot rely on it #3 A to stick lift but only face or side on and never spam it Same goes for poke check #4 Get in the way/clog the slot. Get in the way of either the shot or of the player movement off the puck. Use reverse of your L stick to stop quickly and little squeezes of LT to face up. If it's 1-1 and you can hang with the CPU try to move them to their backhand by hedging on their strong side. #5 if they pass it across ice hold RB and push the RS on the cutoff angle to intercept #6 much like the CPU does, if you have any speed and you are close to the CPU flick the RS at them, it's not always a check or a big hit but it can bump them and change their intentions. #7 switch up your D strategy, play collapse the majority of the time #8 to stop the cheese passing the only method I have found is to stand in the cheese lane. You only realize where this is the more you play. It's not 100% effective but it's at least 75% effective and that helps a lot in terms of shutting down those no look passes. And the more I stand in the path of that likely pass the less I see of those cheese passes.

These are many of the things I do attempt, and have for many years in the NHL series. Despite these things I feel there are too many pucks getting through well-positioned d-men. The attacking AI has too much fidelity puck on stick versus a defender. There need to be some subtler animations where I can direct a player to the outside and engage them/jostle/jockey.

Obviously I shouldn't be able to just step up and nail every attacking player at the blue line, but generally, as I said, too many pucks are getting through defenders in good position, not wildly poke checking, or anything like that.