NHL 15 News Post

NHL 15 Video, Screenshots & Blog Featuring the Superstar Skill Stick

12:02 PM - July 23, 2014 by Steve_OS

EA Sports has released a new NHL 15 video featuring the Superstar Skill Stick. They have also released a new blog and some new screenshots.

Quote:


	Now, all the tools of an NHL superstar are in your hands.The revolutionary Skill Stick has evolved to give even more control to the player, featuring an intuitive right stick control scheme that is easy to use but also packed with depth. The all-new Superstar Skill Stick allows for complete fluidity when stickhandling, giving incredible control with the right analog stick. Use the Superstar Skill Stick with the right analog stick and True Performance Skating with the left to combine dekes and skating movement together. The left and right stick now act independently, allowing for more moves to embarrass the opposition. Chain moves together to keep defenders guessing. Use a stride deke to move a defender one way then turn him inside-out by chaining it together with a windmill deke. In NHL 15, there are countless ways to get past defenders and creating scoring opportunities using the Superstar Skill Stick.

NHL 15 screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: NHL 15Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 16 - View All

NHL 15 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 bigwill33 @ 07/24/14 11:37 AM

Fair enough, I wasn't trying to put you on the spot, but was literally wondering where your opinion was coming from and you've answered it.

I hope that they can deliver a great game. There just has been a few too many glaring gameplay issues in the series for me to truly enjoy the modes that I play the most. That is why I struggle to trust what they are claiming at times without more first hand, or at least visual, proof.

# 42 actionhank @ 07/24/14 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudedominick


	Really not sure how anyone can get anything definitive out of this trailer except how far towards realistic the appearance of all these moves has gone. I will not try to dissect the video to see defensive ai because more than likely whatever ea did for this video was to solely make the offensive skills look good. Same reason I won't bash or praise ea for goalie play based on videos to showcase other things. They wanted to show off the puck handling and a little bit of after goal emotion again. I'm looking forward to this game and despite the flaws of past nhl games, I've always enjoyed this series. I'm not about to pretend it's a perfect representation of hockey, but it seems like the team has taken steps to get there every year. Hoping with the upgraded systems we see even more innovation moving forward.

I understand not wanting to judge the other non-focus parts of the video, but my problem is, i don't see EA neutering the AI just for the sake of making the video. And even the limited gameplay videos kind of hint towards the defensive AI being the same. It's still early, and AI routines could be something they start knocking out after getting the exterior work done, hell, it might not be implemented at all yet.
But, it is a bit worrying to see that the AI still just backs into the zone with their sticks in their hands and a blank look on their face. Defensive AI that would skate backwards while maintaining some distance, and trying to poke check, maybe ride guys into the boards trying to go around, and then having forwards who come down the ice and actually try to back check would address a big issue which is neutral zone pressure, and the ease of skating into the zone. In NHL14 the AI just escorted you face-to-face into the zone, and would only really steal the puck when you go right on them, or passed near them. The "suction" type puck stealing made it difficult to do things like split defenders, or even just skate near them. Avoidance was always the best policy.
If the AI actually had to get stick on puck, but also went out of their way to try and knock it loose, hit sticks, and push players towards the boards between the blue line and the net it would not only play a lot better, but it would do a lot to lower the ease with which you've been able to skate in and just go around the defenders, circle towards the middle, then pass around until you scored.
That's what i'm hoping they add. Hell, it might even be something we don't get until NHL16 based on them still having to support past-gen systems. But, i definitely hope for at least more pressure, if not some new animations with players trying to bump guys off the puck while still moving, and forecheckers coming in trying to break up passes, or cover guys who are open coming down the middle.

# 43 pm83 @ 07/24/14 03:36 PM

Great trailer and all but how about giving some defensive tools also?

# 44 Russo @ 07/24/14 07:59 PM

This is the game and it looks terrible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RE50h0Bhhc

# 45 thedudedominick @ 07/24/14 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russo


	This is the game and it looks terrible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RE50h0Bhhc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segagendude


	That's E3 footage which has already been posted.

Of a build that would probably be considered pre-beta.

# 46 meep316 @ 07/25/14 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudedominick


	Of a build that would probably be considered pre-beta.

I hate when people say this, and they say it every year.

They wouldn't bring a version of the game to E3 and make it playable to the public, if it wasn't an accurate representation of the game that we will get when it ships. People will bend over backwards to defend EA, for what reason, I have no idea.

That's the game we're getting. It's only a short clip, but it's not promising at all, and would make sense as to why they haven't shown any real gameplay yet. They know it's still horrific.

# 47 bigwill33 @ 07/25/14 12:51 AM

Regardless, we all know by now that the final product will be very similar.

The same is generally true of the demo.

# 48 drog1602 @ 07/25/14 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectralThundr


	I don't think people should be too worried yet for a number of reasons, this trailer was specifically mean to show off the improved animations for puck handling and one on one dekes. That was the goal, imo they succeeded in it because it looks fluid and great. They haven't really talked about AI yet, especially on the defensive side of the puck. I would think since it's likely the most important issue, and likely the game's biggest deficiency to a lot of us, myself included, that down the line here we'll get either a trailer or a blog write up about what they have done to improve the aggressiveness of the CPU on defense to better read and react. Considering it's the game's biggest flaw imo I would think they did at least some work to improve it.

And when they don't, will you then say something about it? Or will you just give them a free pass since its year one on next gen?

# 49 Zobitembois @ 07/25/14 05:23 AM

Seriously guys, stop having expectations. We all are hardcore gamers playing virtual hockey since a ****load of year.
Trust your experience, you already lived this situation at least two times in the past. We all know that each time we have next gen hardware coming to us the first games won't be delivering what we expected.
The devs don't know yet how to handle the possibilities of the new systems and will just be able to create a graphically updated version of the previous gen last occurence of the serie. We'll have to wait 2-3 years to have a really ground breaking nhl game.

Dont' be a fool, you comrades know more than anyone else the strategies the industry use to sell us crap.
Instead, just spend 5 bucks and go back to Nhl 2k8 as I did.

Edit : One love. This post isn't meant to sound agressive. Please excuse me if it felt like it was. Peace.

# 50 DoubleDizzle @ 07/25/14 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zobitembois


	Seriously guys, stop having expectations. We all are hardcore gamers playing virtual hockey since a ****load of year. Trust your experience, you already lived this situation at least two times in the past. We all know that each time we have next gen hardware coming to us the first games won't be delivering what we expected. The devs don't know yet how to handle the possibilities of the new systems and will just be able to create a graphically updated version of the previous gen last occurence of the serie. We'll have to wait 2-3 years to have a really ground breaking nhl game. Dont' be a fool, you comrades know more than anyone else the strategies the industry use to sell us crap. Instead, just spend 5 bucks and go back to Nhl 2k8 as I did.

exactly - the problem with expectations is that it leads to disappointment and frustration. temper your expectations and just enjoy the game for what it is, a GAME! if you want the real deal, 100% sim style hockey, go buy a pair of skates and some equipment and hit the local rink for some pick-up or sit back and watch some NHL action instead of buying the game.

the people that are complaining ad nauseum are putting EA and this game on WAAAAY too high of a pedestal. what has EA done in the past that warrants that? NOTHING! yet we still buy the game and have fun with it (for the most part) until December when the glitchers start finding ways to beat the system. play a season offline, only play online with friends, avoid the lobbies and remember that EASHL games are going to make you want to throw the controller.

# 51 Ryan97 @ 07/25/14 09:31 AM

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zPbD2bAwStc
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6fYkBoxrDoE
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0zDIBOfG23Y

Same crap different year. We have heard all of this before. They have a format that works an they will stick to it. Don't expect anything much different then we already have.

We need a massive AI overhaul. It's been years since this game was even remotely challenging.

Always been a great party game though. But nothing more.

# 52 RoyalBoyle78 @ 07/25/14 09:31 AM

I want this game now.

# 53 Zobitembois @ 07/25/14 09:45 AM

We're so hopelessy craving for a good hockey video game that even NHL 15 can seduce us with its fake tits and make up.
And the morning after, when we'll wake up from our first night spent with NHL 15, we'll see it without make up, without the nice lights of our local videogame shop, and we'll find it disgusting. And we'll all say to ourselves like one person : "
I was just getting over my conflictual relationship with NHL 14 and I just fall, again, in the same trap. "

# 54 drog1602 @ 07/25/14 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectralThundr


	I'll say the same thing I've said about the last couple versions, they need to address neutral zone pressure as a priority. That being said, I enjoy the game warts and all, as I've also said many times. I get that it's easier to be negative all the time, I also get that it's easier to hate on EA since they generally haven't done themselves many favors over the years and not just with sports games, but I am not going to pick apart the game every year and act all dramatic about it because despite the issues it has, I still get a vast amount of enjoyment out of it since it's reboot last gen. It may not improve leaps and bounds every cycle, but reality? No sports game does, MLB The Show and NBA2k included. These guys have 10 months pretty much to get a game done and shipped from year to year and that goes for all the yearly sports titles. I don't expect them to reinvent the wheel every single year, and if people looked at it realistically, they shouldn't either. My biggest issue with the game is CPU neutral zone pressure, I don't know how many times I need to repeat that before people get that I don't think the game is perfect or flawless by any means. That being said however it is the best hockey title all around including the past few iterations of 2k's game, the one thing that would make it near perfect is NHL2k3's AI, or at the least something comparable to it. If that doesn't happen year one on the current gen systems, sure it'll be a tough pill to swallow, even still I don't think personally I'll have a hard time finding sliders that still allow me to enjoy the game.

EA NHL AI has been this way for a long time though. I look at The Show or NBA2K and see the larger improvements in a shorter time period, that gets frustrating. I think we all want the best hockey experience we can get, last year was a step backwards for the AI for me. I found myself play NHL13 more, that should never happen.

# 55 DoubleDizzle @ 07/25/14 11:10 AM

if you really want to show EA that they need to get better defensive AI or neutral zone pressure, or a complete overhaul, DON'T BUY THE GAME! hit them in the pocketbooks.

but, i can almost guarantee that all of us will buy the game, like we do every year, and they'll continue to dish out a mediocre game because they have no competition.

i'm a fan of the mediocre game, personally. i enjoy it every year and don't get caught up in the drama of 'FIX THIS EA, it's not sim' garbage. it's really the only game i play from Sept-Mar, then i trade it in before the trade-in value drops. the $30 it costs me to play it for 6-7 months is totally worth it - $5/mth! i don't know if there's anything i'm paying $5/mth for that could cause me as much frustration as it seems to for you guys.

# 56 DoubleDizzle @ 07/25/14 11:11 AM

redshirt_EA said it - a guy reviewing the game on a financial website is going to have way more influence on the game than any hardcore gamer posting in the OS forums. hit them in the pocketbooks to really make an impact.

# 57 SwinginAs12 @ 07/25/14 12:25 PM

On a different note, Marchy's face looks spot on at 49 seconds. Good to see he finally has an authentic face.

# 58 PensDynasty87 @ 07/25/14 12:32 PM

I for one get plenty of enjoyed hours out of the NHL series games. I like most people have issues with the game, esp 14 but I'm not one to ridicule ea's product year in and year out. Instead of being negative I just play the damn thing and try to adjust things as I can. After all it is only a video game and the only hockey game at that. Yes neutral zone ai needs fixed, hell there's a lot of things that need fixed but unless one of us gets a job with ea or they finally start listening to people, it's just gonna be the same game for atleast a couple years, with new features as they say. But as I said I'm still gonna get enjoyment out of 15 and prob 16. Will boycotting the game work, maybe but it's not gonna stop the casual gamer from buying the game.

# 59 Russo @ 07/25/14 01:38 PM

It's 2014. It's unacceptable to say "this is the first instalment in the next-fen series" to defend EA for a poor game. The video I posted plays like NHL last gen with a makeover. Am I really going to notice the concession stand guy or face paint on a fans face? No, worry about what's on the ice between the boards. Same with Madden, all these peripherals features to give an authentic NFL experience. The actual gameplay mechanics suck and are outdated.

The problem with the NHL series is that EA has the wrong staff pitching ideas for this game whether its lack of budget or creativity, they're being lazy. I don't care about all the hours and work they put in...the end result looks dull and they need to change their thinking hats. I mean, their NHL 15 trailer has ridiculous looking hits especially the one with Kadri warping around the defenseman looking like a rag roll and the skating still looks lame (still gliding on ice)

Look where FIFA is today. FIFA 14 is a spectacular game. A solid foundation to improve on where NHL 07 engine got old, and fast (like by NHL 10...)

# 60 canucksss @ 07/25/14 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleDizzle


	if you really want to show EA that they need to get better defensive AI or neutral zone pressure, or a complete overhaul, DON'T BUY THE GAME! hit them in the pocketbooks. but, i can almost guarantee that all of us will buy the game, like we do every year, and they'll continue to dish out a mediocre game because they have no competition.

Very True except that second paragraph. I did not buy last year... and I dont regret it after reading all the comments both from both sides. If ever there's not much improvement in AI's defense or modes that I like to play, I will buy this game...only around March or April where there's second hand game. Also, by that time, people here already have the right Roster and Slider working. Since usually, it takes 3-4 months after the release where EA will address the issues of their game.

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