NHL 15: Hands-On Impressions

[FBeaule04]

I said to my wife that it's first time since 5 years I'm really looking forward for that game. The only thing that bug me a lot is the goal celebrations. No five-man huddles after a goal is just plain silly. I mean, we've been asking it for 3 years now and it's part of the game. It should be the first thing they've worked on.

The lines about Ray Ferraro is promising. Should make the commentary back in my hockey games, something that's been off for quite a while.

[SpectralThundr]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

I said to my wife that it's first time since 5 years I'm really looking forward for that game. The only thing that bug me a lot is the goal celebrations. No five-man huddles after a goal is just plain silly. I mean, we've been asking it for 3 years now and it's part of the game. It should be the first thing they've worked on. The lines about Ray Ferraro is promising. Should make the commentary back in my hockey games, something that's been off for quite a while.

Because everyone wanted "real time" presentation so badly, and now that they got it, they don't realize that it's difficult to do 5 man celebrations ALL in real time.

[bwiggy33]

Quote: Originally Posted by meep316

They have wingers playing center on the PK, defensemen playing the wrong sides. Ugh it is so annoying just thinking about how inconvenient the entire system is. So, so bad. It's like nobody over there thinks logically at all. How is there not one person who doesn't put their hand up and just be like "This is terrible and it has been terrible for years. We have to fix this, right now." ?? Also there should be a 3rd PK unit, or at least an "alternate" option for the PK. If one of my PKers is in the box, I don't want the computer choosing who replaces him on the PK, they never pick the right guy. They'll put Gaborik on the PK or something.

I totally hear you. This is the crap that just shows they don't care about realism and the separation of players (especially defensively) is nonexistent. Gaborik will play that role in the game because it makes no difference if he does or a responsible defensive forward like Stoll. The defensive AI is set up in this game where every player does the same things no matter their defensive ratings. Gaborik is no more prone to make defensive errors than top defensive forwards. Actually it is a massive advantage to play your superstar offensive players on the top PK units. It's ridiculous how this is the case.

[canucksss]

Quote: Originally Posted by meep316

They have wingers playing center on the PK, defensemen playing the wrong sides. Ugh it is so annoying just thinking about how inconvenient the entire system is. So, so bad. It's like nobody over there thinks logically at all. How is there not one person who doesn't put their hand up and just be like "This is terrible and it has been terrible for years. We have to fix this, right now." ?? Also there should be a 3rd PK unit, or at least an "alternate" option for the PK. If one of my PKers is in the box, I don't want the computer choosing who replaces him on the PK, they never pick the right guy. They'll put Gaborik on the PK or something.

Good point...why is my Center is not playing as Center in my pk beats the hell out of me!

[18 eighty 5]

Once the game has officially launched, and people have had it a few weeks, I think we will find it is still pretty much the same old stuff.

[Splitter77]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dolphins88

NHL 14 gameplay just seemed too generic.. Every player and team plays the same way and w same skills. It's just not exciting. Seriously get this right and I mean is rather see white towels waving then close ups of fans w face paint.

not gonna happen until they rate players from 1-100 instead of 50-100

[AdamJones113]

Quote: Originally Posted by Splitter77

not gonna happen until they rate players from 1-100 instead of 50-100

If Steven Stamkos is a 91 in NHL 15 with a career high of 97 points, Gretzky better be (by the ratio) a 201 overall. Gretzky was 94 OVR in 2014.

[Cletus]

Quote: Originally Posted by AdamJones113

If Steven Stamkos is a 91 in NHL 15 with a career high of 97 points, Gretzky better be (by the ratio) a 201 overall. Gretzky was 94 OVR in 2014.

But if your basing overall on points, then your rating system is just as flawed as EA. Gretzky had a lot of points in an era when no one played defense or there was no butterfly goalies. Stamkos is a top 5 center and before the injury this year was playing a very good 2 way game for a player only recognized for goals. If Stamkos shouldn't be a 91 because he doesn't have 100 points every year, then what should Toews or Bergeron be rated?

The problem to me isn't the overall as much as it is how the overalls are weighted. The reason there's a flux of 80+ rated guys (and some of the problem with the AI) is that very few NHL players have awareness below 80. Awareness is one of the highest overall boosting categories and you find guys with high awareness that shouldn't have them.