NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

[RaychelSnr]

While we wrote extensively about NHL 15 (Xbox One, PS4) before, during and after launch, it's meaningful to look back at where the game stands in the series, especially in the context of other peers in the genre. As disappointing as the game was for those who were wanting a complete next-gen hockey experience, it managed to soldier on, selling relatively well and maintaining some level of community through several patches. None of those things fixed the overall incomplete nature of that product, but it started the baby steps towards a better future for the series.

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[Retropyro]

I love the gameplay. But the game is just too barebones in modes and content. I mean who thought it was a great idea to not allow skip ahead in Be a Pro?

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

Great write up!

Hopefully EA gets it. They need to improve this game and not just add the missing modes but all the glaring issues from gameplay, player/team differentiation, depth of BaGM/BaP (or whatever EA calls it), etc.

[murph17]

I really enjoy the gameplay, it's a shame about all the missing modes. NHL 16 isn't going to be perfect, but it's going to be a lot of fun. They are going to build on the core gameplay and bring back most of the missing modes. They have a huge opportunity with EASHL if they can do some truly next-gen stuff, and don't just port over the old EASHL as-is. Improve the team management, stats and integrate Twitch. Make it awesome and most of the haters will (begrudgingly) come back.

re: rosters
NBA Live 15 got one today. Even that game gets better support

[KennyJ1976]

Speaking of rosters, is anyone besides me still having a problem saving the updated rosters? I haven't been able to save the last two updates.

[Rufio2031]

I have the opposite opinion of most. I don't really care a whole lot about many of the missing features as I primarily play the GM mode. The gameplay however was one of the worst sim sporting experiences I've had and my multiple 2nd chances on the game re-iterate the same feeling over and over again. In a series where I typically fly through 2 seasons, I've totaled about 12 games under my belt for NHL 15 and was thoroughly displeased with every single game.

This game needs a serious AI and control overhaul. The series continues to make great aesthetic progress while gameplay quality continues to deteriorate yearly.

And seriously...implement better slider options so I can turn checking power to -148. Or...try watching a hockey game just once.

This is just MY opinion.

[loldillon]

The thing that bothers me the most is this whole "secrecy" crap. It took them about 1-2 weeks before release saying there was gonna be all these missing features. Why not mention it about a month before. They obviously knew none of the epic stuff would be included. EA NHL has been awful at interacting with the casual/diehard fans of the franchise. Meanwhile EA UFC has been doing the complete opposite.

The EA forums are a joke though, I don't even bother going over there. You ask one simple question and it's either taken over by trolls, and or locked. Same with reddit. If it has nothing to do with HUT you're frowned upon and bashed to shreds.

I just really hope NHL '16 is done right (adding EASHL) since it's the only game mode I care for. Also I didn't mind shootout mode either. All I ask for is the return of the "Zetterberg" deke and EASHL. ;]

[gjb09003]

face scans....is it really that difficult?

[snc237]

I like NHL 15 for what it is. In saying that I want so much more. Can't wait for eashl to come back however hopefully that mode has major attention to it cause if it's "this is year one of three approach to eashl" I'm going to be disappointed. It took them 5 years until eashl was really really solid on last gen and hopefully we don't have to wait that long again.

[milesizdead]

Worst NHL launch ever.
- Bad choices in "marketing" the game
- Missing game modes
- Arcade gameplay, everything is heavily assisted
- Lack of support through patches/roster updates etc
- Broken promises about transparency and forum activity from devs

[ericromain]

Shame on EA for not giving NHL the necessary head count to release a game in a year.
They stripped out a lot of game modes.
It drives me nuts that 1v1 online doesn't have user controlled goalie shootouts, and NHL14's awesome highlight system is gone, you can't give me a replay of every goal one year and take that away.

Still I am able to take NHL15 with a grain of salt. They clearly made the priority to maintain gameplay, and improve. I really enjoyed it.

I'm looking forward to NHL16, it'll mostly be reinstating the missing, but here's to hoping they're motivated and bring a lot of innovation and exciting fresh newness.

[AdamJones113]

Re: NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

face scans....is it really that difficult?

Yes, yes it is actually. Takes around 18 developers, if I remember right, and the devs have more important things to focus on.

[Arrowhead21]

Re: NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

I'm willing to sacrifice aesthetic things such as face scans if it means I will get to play a game that actually feels like hockey. it would also be nice to have the Action Tracker back.

[Penaltybox4ever]

Re: NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

I'm willing to sacrifice aesthetic things such as face scans if it means I will get to play a game that actually feels like hockey. it would also be nice to have the Action Tracker back.

Yeah, even if you dress up the pig its still a pig and NHL15 was a filthy pig...
No as you said put manpower on modes and gameplay.
I used to play previous games 3-4 days a week, now I do 1-2 games monthly, play now couch versus...
Well Im not falling for same pig, used to preorder NHL games but never more, not worth it to buy full price for a game I hardly play and selling it doesnt refund enough for the trouble.
I will read alot of comments and reviews before EA get any of my money...

[Cletus]

Re: NHL 15: The Legacy of the Failed to Launch Title

I'm hoping that NHL 16 gets docked points for being too hard. How nice would it be for some metacritic guy complain about having to dump the puck in because of neutral zone pressure?

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