NHL 17 Beta Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here!

[Gosens6]

Quote: Originally Posted by tinpanalley

Wow... I'm on crack! So that's what crack feels like. Thanks for the heads up!

Who knew that having an opinion that's different than his makes us drug addicts? We clearly need help!

[Gangrel]

You honestly say you can't tell ANY difference between 17 and 16…?

Then yes, you must be on some thing. Or never played D. Or never made a body check last year. Or haven't noticed the slower game speed. Or the improved goalies.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[shogunofharlem3]

Just played a single player hut match. I am mostly a Be a GM guy but I figured this would be my best check of the AI and single player game play.

I find it smoother than 16 and the goalies definitely move better. Also easier to face my guy to the puck. So lots of good so far.

That being said. Here is my list of items that bothered me that has bothered me from previous builds.

1. Still very hard to change guys and get the guy you want. It seemed better but still a challenge. Still hoping for Icon Switching

2. AI can still catch slap shots that are clearning the zone where as the human players don't even try to reach for them.

3. AI is still able to skate differently, if you watch when a human poke checks, they can move themselves away from it at the exact millisecond by a sort of a turn and then get them self facing back to going full speed.

4. AI still seems to be able to pass without having to charge up the pass speed.

5. Although better than 16, the AI still poke checks or shot blocks the exact moment you press up to shoot. They'll follow you, then shoot, poke, and they never miss.


That is my short list. I do feel the gameplay is better than 16. Even if just a little. Not once did the AI get stuck at center ice doing that east west unable to enter the zone like they do in 16. That helped the flow of the game.

AI still sets up the same always looking for that one timer or shot from the slot. So defending was the same at 16. I do like the goalies animations though.

Very solid beta. Looking forward to seeing what the final build brings.

[Gosens6]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gangrel

You honestly say you can't tell ANY difference between 17 and 16…? Then yes, you must be on some thing. Or never played D. Or never made a body check last year. Or haven't noticed the slower game speed. Or the improved goalies. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I'm seeing the SAME, cheap BS goals this year that Iv'e seen the past few years.

I can play D just fine, My AI teammates still can't.

Board play is still a complete joke.

Passing, still tape to tape.

I can go on and on and on and on. I honestly can barely see the minimal improvements. The game is near identical to 16 for me. I see absolutely no reason to upgrade.

[Gerg04]

There's a lot to like here. At first look , especially EASHL, the game can seem like the same old same old with little to no change. But after a few games of Online VS, you can really see some significant changes.

- Player Speed / Control -

Speed is toned way down. Much slower skating, slower player movement. Definitely for the better. Along with speed is you have nore control over your player. He actually responds to thumbstick input like you expect. And to me, its the little movements that are most notable, and welcomed!

Passing also seems to be more unpredictable. You really need to be accurate with your passes or they're getting picked off or just miss your target. Positioning and poke check seems to be more accurate too. If you're not in position the magnetic puck doesn't seem as prevalent. No more skating towards your net being just in front of your opponent who has the puck and getting the magic behind-the-back poke check, happy days.

- Crowd / Atmosphere -

Sure there's still work to be done, and maybe the release build will be even better, but I'm pleasantly surprised with the crowd this year. Both how it looks and how it sounds. We finally get some Boo's from the home crowd when you make a big hit on the home players. We finally get the "Ooo's" and "Ahh's" of shots on net.

For the first time (even though its not perfect) I actually feel like I'm at the rink watching a game. I play with commentary off so this is huge, ice and crowd sounds. We'll see if get even more/better crowd reactions based on momentum and specific game/season/playoffs scenarios.

- Offensive Zone / Blue Line Play -

Wow. Just wow. Some serious work has been done to address the nonsensical action's and canned animation's that used to take place at the blue line. Gone are the days of stupid, spinning circle's that take you offsides for no reason, or the extra, bs movement in one direction after you've clearly moved your thimbstick the opposite direction, only to pull you offsides.

This is huge and makes offensive zone play much more enjoyable. Now I hate having to praise something that should've been fixed years ago, but thank god they've fixed it. Small sample size, so I'm not saying its 100% fixed, but it's so much better than years past. You can actually get a very effective, controllable cycle game going, if your passes are accurate.

Looking forward to 17'. Having EA Access I was very much contemplating sticking with 16' this year..that's coming from a player who's been playing EA hockey since NHLPA on SNES. But to be honest I can actually see some improvements and am rally hoping it translates to the finally version and we see even more tweaks for the better.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[1OOT_Frost]

Quote: Originally Posted by Haeyena

do you still need one? LEt me know and i'l PM you one.

Hey Man my pms are not working. if you have an extra code just email at [email protected]

[JJMarley]

EA still hasn't given me my code. If anyone has an x1 could you please pm an extra code if you have one. Thanks

[GetThePuckOut]

Quote: Originally Posted by JJMarley

EA still hasn't given me my code. If anyone has an x1 could you please pm an extra code if you have one. Thanks

There IS an extra Thread for Beta Codes!!!