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

[brandon27]

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

The CPU's AI is a nice upgrade, there's no doubt about that to me. They play much more positionally sound, and with the toned down hitting, things just seem a lot more "real". Board play though is still a bit of a mess.


Now, as for your AI team mates. It's like they don't even the slightest bit of intelligence programmed into them. They don't tie up opposing players in front of the net, they don't have the same super powers the CPU players seem to, they are just generally slow.


If they could make my AI team mates, play similar to the CPU's AI on defense, I'd be so much happier with this game. It's fun, right up until the CPU players abuse your AI teammates like they're playing a high school hockey team, instead of NHL pro's.


The morale system in BAGM mode is confusing to me. I'm going to have to do some reading. Since the EA Access trial, I played all my preseason games, and two regular season games. An 8-5 win over Toronto, and a close, hard fought (except for the CPU magically manhandling my AI mates for 2 cheap onetime goals in the slot(as usual)) game that I won 3-2, after trailing 2-1. However, after going 5-2 in the preseason, I had a team meeting, and selected the option that sounded the most motivating. Something along the lines of ok guys, stick to the system we've worked hard on in the offseason, and lets get the season off to a good start with a win tonight. About 12 of my guys had a Morale drop, and 3 had a boost. I'm not sure why a confidence boosting statement would drop morale, but I need to do some reading to understand the system more maybe.


But, please, please, pretty please EA give my AI controlled team mates a brain and the ability to defend like the CPU AI players, and eliminate the ridiculous cross ice rocket kick passes from the boards, and eliminate the ridiculous quick/accurate passes from odd positions by the CPU on offense so things don't feel so cheap and cheated when they score, and this game is pretty damn impressive compared to last year.

[tjung0831]

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

ugh. that 4th dallas goal is the typical ea crap goal.

Only one i've seen like that in about 7 games played and that can be fixed via sliders and by me playing better. It's a non issue as far as I'm concerned.

[tjung0831]

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

Now, as for your AI team mates. It's like they don't even the slightest bit of intelligence programmed into them. They don't tie up opposing players in front of the net, they don't have the same super powers the CPU players seem to, they are just generally slow.


If they could make my AI team mates, play similar to the CPU's AI on defense, I'd be so much happier with this game. It's fun, right up until the CPU players abuse your AI teammates like they're playing a high school hockey team, instead of NHL pro's.

Maybe not the ideal situation but that can probably be rectified by using player or position lock. When you play the game and are responsible for every single player, I know a lot of the times, guys are not where they are supposed to be or not in position is usually my fault.

[brandon27]

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

Maybe not the ideal situation but that can probably be rectified by using player or position lock. When you play the game and are responsible for every single player, I know a lot of the times, guys are not where they are supposed to be or not in position is usually my fault.

I find myself playing often with a self imposed player lock, especialy when I don't have the puck. For that exact fear of my defense getting exposed. But when I have a D-man, standing side by side with an offensive player in the slot, and the magic pass from the corner comes out front, and is rocketed into my net for a one timer while my defensemen just stands there and watches... That's got nothing to do with my position as a human controlled player. It's just poorly programmed AI to give the CPU a chance. They're both standing still. My defensemen moves like he's in cement, but the AI shooter just rockets straight into a shot.


Those are the moments where this game just kills itself for me. I'm ok with getting scored on, I want it to happen. I want close hard fought games. I don't want to feel cheated by AI players that are programmed to be better than mine, and ignore the "laws of physics and movement" that govern the players on my team, but not theirs at certain moments of gameplay. They change direction quicker, they accelerate quicker, sometimes they just rocket right into an animation that can't be stopped even if you hit them.


It's the game's biggest flaw IMO.

[bad_philanthropy]

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

The morale system in BAGM mode is confusing to me. I'm going to have to do some reading. Since the EA Access trial, I played all my preseason games, and two regular season games. An 8-5 win over Toronto, and a close, hard fought (except for the CPU magically manhandling my AI mates for 2 cheap onetime goals in the slot(as usual)) game that I won 3-2, after trailing 2-1. However, after going 5-2 in the preseason, I had a team meeting, and selected the option that sounded the most motivating. Something along the lines of ok guys, stick to the system we've worked hard on in the offseason, and lets get the season off to a good start with a win tonight. About 12 of my guys had a Morale drop, and 3 had a boost. I'm not sure why a confidence boosting statement would drop morale, but I need to do some reading to understand the system more maybe.

Did you happen to notice if the cpu varies their lineup and plays some prospects in preseason like last gen?

[HypoLuxa13]

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

I've played 3 games, a couple play now and one game into a Be A Pro career as a two way forward.

- At speed lowered to 2, I did experience the stuttering people have reported. But it didn't start until about halfway through the 2nd period. Weird. Had to bump it up to 3.

- The game does have several parts that feel better. The passing game feels more realistic, with user, CPU team mate, and CPU opponent all getting pretty equal treatment it seems. You have to pay attention to your passing lanes much more this year. Also, it may be my imagination, but elite players seem to stand out a bit more. For example, when playing as the Blackhawks, Duncan Keith was getting to more lose pucks, stick checking, and just generally wreaking havoc with the opponent's offense. Toews was making pinpoint passes.

-Playing with Hardcore game style, I was struggling. Turned it down to Simulation, and it was too easy. As expected, will need to start adjusting and testing slider changes.

- I LOVE the new Be A Pro progression and XP system. Much more meaningful.

- not going to comment on the AI much. No sense in beating a dead horse other than to say that it initially seems somewhat better than in past NHL games. A ways to go though.

- Graphics look a touch nicer than last year I think. Just enough to be noticeable but not enough to "Wow" you.

That is all I've got until I play more.

[brandon27]

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

Did you happen to notice if the cpu varies their lineup and plays some prospects in preseason like last gen?

I did not notice anything like that, or pay attention to this at all, sorry. I actually forgot I was playing meaningless preseason games to be honest. It was during the EA trial, so I was just trying to get on ice time in, not messing around with much other than strategies, and sliders etc.

[gopher_guy]

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

Jumped into GM mode already (I always tell myself I'll wait until I have the perfect slider set, but I can never wait that long, lol). I am really liking the new layout, easy to navigate.

As far as the play on the ice: with the penalty sliders maxed, I'm seeing good results. In two games, I've seen 13 PP's (7 in the first game, 6 in the second).

I also like how the players feel different when you're skating with them. Very different controlling a speedy guy like Jason Zucker as opposed to a more lumbering skater like Thomas Vanek.

I also love the Action Tracker. Lets you go back and watch any event (shot, hit, goal) from the game, at any time.

Oh and 3 on 3 OT is fun as hell.

[Splitter77]

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

im waiting to see what bigwill33 thinks of the game

[MizzouRah]

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

Jumped into GM mode already (I always tell myself I'll wait until I have the perfect slider set, but I can never wait that long, lol). I am really liking the new layout, easy to navigate.

As far as the play on the ice: with the penalty sliders maxed, I'm seeing good results. In two games, I've seen 13 PP's (7 in the first game, 6 in the second).

I also like how the players feel different when you're skating with them. Very different controlling a speedy guy like Jason Zucker as opposed to a more lumbering skater like Thomas Vanek.

I also love the Action Tracker. Lets you go back and watch any event (shot, hit, goal) from the game, at any time.

Oh and 3 on 3 OT is fun as hell.

That's good to hear, maybe in BeaGM you get more penalties.. I can only hope.

I like to wait for the first roster update with the rookies before I start mine.

[jake19ny]

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

I only had enough time to do one play now game so this is just an early impression:
DAL (CPU) 4 NYR (user) 3
Outshot 59 - 26
4 pp Dal
1 pp NYR

PROS:
1) CPU defense plays much better IMO.
2) CPU offense is a bit smarter
3) Game looks better

CONS: (a lot of these go hand in hand)
1) Only one penalty called-12 min periods on CPU
2) CPU shoots like crazy
3) Too many rebounds
4) Still way to easy to kill penalties
5) Still no player seperation. Some subtle differences but felt I actually played better offense with my 3 and 4 line. Basically saw no difference how I skated and played with Rick Nash or Jesper Fast.

PROS/CONS: (these I felt were a bit of both)
1) game felt looser which we all want but I'm not sure I like how it's done. There were times where the puck was bouncing of skates, backs, sticks, and boards so much it looked like a pinball game. You don't see that in the NHL.
2) Passing seems better and I like how it's not magnetic tape to tape but I also don't like the idea of missing a guy 4 feet away by a country mile so often. That wouldn't happen so much. Saw some odd passing animations as well.

Overall I think while not perfect at all, this is the game 15 should have been and as long as EA does something about the lack of penalties I should be able to tweak the sliders enough to play an offline season and get my hockey fix for the year. Will post more offline thoughts when I get more time with it and will keep my eye on everyone's impressions for things to look for.

[Gleebo]

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

Real quick point here, game was playing fine...Came on to the forum to check out some sliders and inputted Altito's suggestions for NHL 16.

Gamespeed set to 2 and all of a sudden a choppy mess on my PS4 close to unplayable....

Overall the game is similar fodder to NHL15 on the ice...too many shots for cpu, not enough penalties for cpu...upi have read it all before so I will spare the repeat.


EDIT POST: The patch fixed the stuttering problem on the PS4. Been enjoying the game at the slowed down speed but still seeing same items that has plagued this series, no differentiation of players, I score the CPU answers quickly, all teams plays the same...etc

[THESHAMISASHAME]

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

Well I couldnt find the game last night anywhere ? No Meijers and two Walmarts so I picked it up today at Target and my car died on the way out

So I got towed back in and it took along time to install because of my crappy slow DSL so I just started Playoff mode and it seems like the few games I played most teams have their goal songs and celebrations not sure about goal horns ?

CPU AI seems much improved and positionally defensively too especially SH or on the PP and dump ins like dump and chase seem more realistic timing wise as Im getting more along the boards tie ups and scrums and your really forced to dump the puck in alot more as the CPU holds the line and the spacing is also well done , great to see .

Another good thing is most players have their real face or at least something fake but close with the proper hair and such so its not Crawford with blue eyes or Darling with blonde hair so thats a start and good enough for me .

Saw some great goalie animations in reaction to the puck changing direction and the goalie changing his animation and then scrambling to recover .

The game graphically is better but not that much from 15 but the physics in the game seem near perfect for me so I hope they dont wreck it again with a update as the skating is also very well done realistic friction .

Hitting seems more realistic and Im not sure if Ill leave on all the cheat screen but its kinda cool with the blue netting graphic on the net when you shot as a guide .

I love the intros of the city and then Doc and Eddie are much improved with a longer smoother pre game intro and Im noticing alot more chicken parm chiming in very nicely and spot on though I did here alot of the same goalie lines during pre game.

So far its everything I hoped for as the gameplay has be subtly tweaked to perfect , just so many little things I cant listen them all BOARD PLAY ! and Penalties are still pretty easy to draw for me so no problem there .
Im still playing on AS near default because once you start tweaking you change alot of what EA programmed into it and youll always be chasing to paint the perfect picture instead of just enjoying what they created :wink:

[tjung0831]

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

I'm playing 5 minute periods on All Star with some adjusted sliders and I'm seeing realistic shot totals...usually about 60 combined every game but I don't think I've been outshot by more than 10 shots by the CPU at this point.
I've already added Fabbri and McDavid to the big teams. McDavid is like an 83 so he's pretty much ready to go. Fabbri was a 65 but with editing, I currently have him at 71.
I'm having a lot of fun with 16.....very happy with it. Tuners and slider settings will only improve the game.

[jake19ny]

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

Real quick point here, game was playing fine...Came on to the forum to check out some sliders and inputted Altito's suggestions for NHL 16.

Gamespeed set to 2 and all of a sudden a choppy mess on my PS4 close to unplayable....

Overall the game is similar fodder to NHL15 on the ice...too many shots for cpu, not enough penalties for cpu...upi have read it all before so I will spare the repeat.

I had the same problem when I messed with sliders. Game was doing a weird flashy chop thing....thought I was going to have a seizure....