NHL 16 - 5 months in - How is it in its current form?

[ThePsychicSaw]

Re: NHL 16 - 5 months in - How is it in its current form?

I really have no idea how anyone can have a blast with this game.

It is the least balanced video game I have ever personally purchased, which has been an unfortante trend for this series the last 5 years or so, taking a staggering jump with next gen.

I also am baffled by anyone who claims this game is SIMULATION. People on the ea forums say this game is skill based and less arcadey... Its mind numbing. I'd love to hear someone with this opinion actually articulate such a claim, because it is the epitome of arcadey and unskillful IMO. The lack of CONTROL you have over your own game is unprecedented in this series and in this day and age of videogames.


auto hits
auto fights
auto spins
auto skate
auto saves
auto dekes
auto saucers
auto face-offs
auto backskate
auto pass speed
auto pass assist
auto shot blocks
auto puck-control
auto line-changes
auto vision-control
auto wrap-arounds
auto stick-handling
auto player selection
auto aim on stick lifts
auto aim on poke checks
auto aim on shot attempts
auto passes from goalie to a skater
auto spinning when corralling a puck

What of that screams skill?

Oh they made set classes for EASHL, that's the skill? Because were on "even ground" in one specific game mode? So now were wrongfully heralding them for taking the lazy route? Instead of truly fixing their atrocious broken attribute system (that I've offered suggestion on in great detail) they decided to band aid it by just shoehorning people into presets, taking away from reward and progress.

Add in the unacceptable input delay, server lag, menu lag, layout, imbalanced gameplay (rewarding those who skate into their opposition yet retain physic defying control of the puck, rewarding people who force passes into the opposition yet unrealistically connect it cleanly, interchange bipolar goaltenders, etc)

And, I'm sorry, you have one of the worst games I've ever purchased. And IMO one of the worst hockey games ever made, all things considered. (This day and age, the development time, the cost of the game, the studio behind the game, etc)

Evidently, I'd love to hear the thoughts of those that disagree. I just love hockey so much, I feel it deserves so much better.

[scarlemsfinest]

Re: NHL 16 - 5 months in - How is it in its current form?

This being my first game since NHL '14 (skipped '15) and my first on ps4, game play is pretty much like '14 on the ps3!! The graphics are a bit better, in particular the cut scenes and crowd. I pretty much only play BAGM on Superstar and there are a lot of frustrating, head scratching moments (I played my first season on All-Star and it was the same, though I must say that my All-Star season felt like it was tougher than Superstar). The computer seems to be able to do just about anything it wants to do when it wants to, including passing through my players and blocking most passes I make (yet I can't do the same). I think the only thing consistent has been the fighting. This year was the first time I played a game on HUT though and the game play there was a whole lot better to the point where I've played several of the solo seasons on there. There are some glitches, in particular when you hit someone clean and you just circle the puck without being able to pick it up, allowing the comp to get the puck. I still don't like the fact that we have to cycle through all the players while trying to pick the one person on defense that you want to control (even more frustrating when you get your guy and then hit the button one time too many and have to cycle through your players again). The AI on defense is horrible as they seem to like to escort the computer into your zone. None of these have prevented me from playing the game though, considering I'm on season number 3, but since there is no competition for EA for hockey, I can't see them putting much effort to improve the game beyond what it's at now.