NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

[Zuke]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

The numbers on the jerseys look horrible

They look like part of the Jersey not stitched on.

[Moose24x]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

They look like part of the Jersey not stitched on.

Yep. Just as they've looked for 8+ years now. But EA revamped presentation to bring us "unprecedented" realism this year!! They gave us "three distinct layers" so that our jerseys could flap (from the looks of it so far, more like awkwardly warp) as if they're blowing in the wind when our players are standing still and they even went to the painstaking trouble of creating 9,000 unique fans for the stands, 1/5 of which it looks like wear face paint to every game, since that's so common at NHL games. Of course, the time spent implementing these important new details means things like getting the numbers to look stitched on, or at least not warp and stretch, or add nameplates on the jerseys had to be left out. You gotta draw the line somewhere, you know? And if they'd spent time making the numbers look right, they'd have had less time to spend coming up with interesting face paint ideas for all 30 teams. You wouldn't have warned that, would you?


Okay, I'm being tongue in cheek, obviously, and of course it's early but that little rant basically sums up my problem with EA and why I have no faith in them to deliver on their promises. They'll have their art team working on the crowd, which I am happy is getting a big improvement, but they do things like make literally hundreds of fans wearing face paint (which I don't even understand because it they would just watch some hockey or look at some photos, they would rarely, if ever, see any face paint) and don't fix the jerseys, when it's been an issue that's needed fixing for years. The audience looks great overall, but the jerseys are more important. Why put SO much detail into the crowd but still fail to get the basic player model down? God forbid they actually did anything to differentiate players from one another, like implement a variety of skating or puck handling styles so that different players skate, handle the puck and shoot differently. Nope, that's not an important part of the presentation. All players looking and feeling identical and jerseys that stretch and warp is not a priority. 9,000 unique fan models, yep, that is.

[bigwill33]

Re: 2 minutes of Full-gameplay

Definitely did not like the goalie passing. Tossed the puck as strong as a normal skater from the net to the boards.

AI looked as dumb as ever. I don't think you can say "It was on easy" for an excuse.

Dumb that Gaborik even has the ability to get into a fight. So it's obvious that engine for the process of who fights and stuff hasn't been worked out.

Refs looked like they were getting lost half the time and skating side by side on blue line.

Graphics and presentation are a definite plus though. Much more immersion.

All of this, plus it looks like the way to "breakout" according to EA is to just wing it up the boards and get a free entry into the offensive zone... yet again.

[Devilsfanatic]

game looks like trash. I'm very, very disappointed by what I saw. They are not getting my money, it's NHL 14 but with updated visuals. NHL 14 Remastered.

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Just remember guys, Chris gave us a positive overview. Its hard to form an opinion over this video.

I skipped on 14, so I'll be getting this game regardless.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk now Free

Unfortunately when the company that makes the game doesn't provide us with any media of the actual gameplay themselves this is all we have to go off of until we see otherwise with our own eyes. Trying not to be overly negative, but I play the heck out of this series and it is a broken game in many, many ways. Even in watching a 2 minute clip with two morons playing the game I can already spot things that are wrong or are still broken after 5+ years now.

Hockey is part of my life, a big part. This is the only video game representation that is afforded to us (and I wasn't a 2k fan, unfortunately) and if you truly know the game inside and out then it fails in so many ways that it is just frustrating. I want them to get it right, I want them to create an entertaining and true sim style game. One that if you have enough hockey sense that you should be able to easily work people who rely on nothing but cheese and stick skills. But this game is not that. It is exactly the opposite and it is a shame.

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Each player should have an attribute/rating of what I could call "pass reception." Players like Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane (sorry, Blackhawks fan here) should be able to receive just about any pass. I've seen Kane receive and control many bad passes into his skates, behind him, etc. However, lesser players should not be able to handle these types of passes. And on some occasions, passes that are made well should hit off the player's blade and be missed. It happens.

One of the the things, IMO, that EA should focus on in regards to gameplay. What is Puck physics if every passes, even the difficult ones, are easily received by less accurate players?

All of this, plus it looks like the way to "breakout" according to EA is to just wing it up the boards and get a free entry into the offensive zone... yet again.

Its hard to tell in this short video, plus 2 noobs playing the game, but I want to see good Neutral zone defense.

Just remember guys, Chris gave us a positive overview. Its hard to form an opinion over this video.

I skipped on 14, so I'll be getting this game regardless.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk now Free

Same as you skipped 14 but will not get 15 if EA will give us NHL 13.7

[Moose24x]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Unfortunately when the company that makes the game doesn't provide us with any media of the actual gameplay themselves this is all we have to go off of until we see otherwise with our own eyes. Trying not to be overly negative, but I play the heck out of this series and it is a broken game in many, many ways. Even in watching a 2 minute clip with two morons playing the game I can already spot things that are wrong or are still broken after 5+ years now.

Hockey is part of my life, a big part. This is the only video game representation that is afforded to us (and I wasn't a 2k fan, unfortunately) and if you truly know the game inside and out then it fails in so many ways that it is just frustrating. I want them to get it right, I want them to create an entertaining and true sim style game. One that if you have enough hockey sense that you should be able to easily work people who rely on nothing but cheese and stick skills. But this game is not that. It is exactly the opposite and it is a shame.

Exactly. I don't play other sports titles (might fart around with Madden once every three weeks or something) and I'm not really a "gamer". This isn't just about whether or not the EASHL is fun or the game wins awards for me. I'm a hockey nut. I play hockey 2-3 times a week. I spend thousands of dollars on tickets. I have an unnecessary and large jersey collection. If you're intimate with the sport and not just a gamer or general sports fan looking for a fun "hockey experience" and you actual want a realistic representation of the game, EA continues to disappoint. In all facets. Gameplay obviously is chief, but even when they "revamp" the presentation, they still manage to fall short on the aesthetics.

As for the gameplay itself. It's next gen; can we get some player differentiation with different animations so not every guy on the ice does every single thing on the ice exactly the same? Not every player skates the same way, handles the puck the same way, has the same shooting mechanic, stops and pivots the same way, etc. Can we see a difference in goaltender styles? Even a casual fan watching the Cup has to see the difference between Quick's crab like style and Lundqvist's square, economic movements. In the NHL series all the goalies and their backups move identically. Does the new gen of consoles still not have the power to simply keep your feet moving while stick handling? Is it possible to have your player sprint with all of his energy to win a race for a puck or chase down a breakaway, turning what would normally be a 60 second shift into a 20 second one because of the fatigue incurred, or does every player in the league play with the same intensity and urgency at all times? Will I still see players whose real life counterparts are snails in the NHL catch me when I have a bonafide speedster, fresh off the bench, breaking in for an opportunity?

I could come up with 100 or more things like the above that I doubt have been addressed, added or changed, and that's before I get into the aesthetics, like my rant about jerseys up above. EA can give us improved arenas and new commentary and a puck that's slightly more lively but, in all honesty, considering they skipped 2014 on the next gen, the amount of change from last gen to 2015 seems like it could have been a downloadable patch (I know that in the literal sense it couldn't be; the point is, it's all very marginal when put in perspective).

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Great post, Moose! This guy "gets it" haha.

I am glad that they have the aesthetics that have been worked on. But the game never looked awful. However, there are still some glaring issues with some of the looks and what not going on with the game. Knowing a tad about the inner workings of how this game is made I know that they have an art department and they are not so much associated with the gameplay production of the game. On the bright side this means that we don't really sacrifice gameplay for graphics or looks, or vice versa.

For a hockey guy like myself and a graphics wh*re this game could've just upgraded the graphics to next gen levels and been fine in the looks department in my book. But the gameplay is so messed up and truly pathetic at times it is downright scary. I have a list that is over 3 pages with notes of common errors in the gameplay. Things that truly cause the outcome of games to go one way or the other when they shouldn't. And what gets me is when year after year we see hardly anything on that list even sniffed at or touched that it is remotely better. I know that it is not easy to program games and everything you potentially "fix" could break 5 other things, but the lack of what can only be described as effort by the EA Vancouver staff when it comes to gameplay and AI is putrid and laughable.

I know they care, I know they are trying, but something needs to change there. The series has been in a downward spiral since David Littman was originally pulled off of the lead, for whatever reason. If they keep trudging out the same problematic game each year then it will never get fixed. They need to blow some things up and start from the ground up on certain aspects, and the time to do that was probably best suited for the jump to next gen and it is apparent that it simply did not occur. Heck, they are just finally figuring out how a puck should move it seems.

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

As for the gameplay itself. It's next gen; can we get some player differentiation with different animations so not every guy on the ice does every single thing on the ice exactly the same? Not every player skates the same way, handles the puck the same way, has the same shooting mechanic, stops and pivots the same way, etc. Can we see a difference in goaltender styles? Even a casual fan watching the Cup has to see the difference between Quick's crab like style and Lundqvist's square, economic movements. In the NHL series all the goalies and their backups move identically. Does the new gen of consoles still not have the power to simply keep your feet moving while stick handling? Is it possible to have your player sprint with all of his energy to win a race for a puck or chase down a breakaway, turning what would normally be a 60 second shift into a 20 second one because of the fatigue incurred, or does every player in the league play with the same intensity and urgency at all times? Will I still see players whose real life counterparts are snails in the NHL catch me when I have a bonafide speedster, fresh off the bench, breaking in for an opportunity?

IMO, all of these should be there in 2015 and not just the "new presentation". Heck...Im tired of hearing the same commentators for the past years...but nothing beats when the gameplay of this game is SO FAR from the real NHL. I can mute the commentators....but we cannot improve the gameplay on our end, especially if the sliders don't work properly. Player and Team differentiation should be in 15.

[Segagendude]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Wish one of these guys scored a goal so we can see the celebrations..

[meep316]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Unfortunately when the company that makes the game doesn't provide us with any media of the actual gameplay themselves this is all we have to go off of until we see otherwise with our own eyes. Trying not to be overly negative, but I play the heck out of this series and it is a broken game in many, many ways. Even in watching a 2 minute clip with two morons playing the game I can already spot things that are wrong or are still broken after 5+ years now.

Hockey is part of my life, a big part. This is the only video game representation that is afforded to us (and I wasn't a 2k fan, unfortunately) and if you truly know the game inside and out then it fails in so many ways that it is just frustrating. I want them to get it right, I want them to create an entertaining and true sim style game. One that if you have enough hockey sense that you should be able to easily work people who rely on nothing but cheese and stick skills. But this game is not that. It is exactly the opposite and it is a shame.

I hate everything about Pittsburgh, so it pains me to say this, but I could not agree with you more and want to kiss you for so eloquently saying exactly what I've been trying to say.

You look at this game, and they don't play like NHLers. They play like mites in instructional league. 8 year olds running around blindfolded. Just absolutely 0 hockey sense or awareness whatsoever. Even rudimentary, fundamental things, like how to position yourself on an odd man rush, or to fill an open gap, they don't do it. It's honestly some of the worst AI I've seen in any game, in any sport. Terrible.

It makes it frustrating that you can't even execute a simple 2 on 1, because your AI teammate on the weak side has no idea what the hell to do. You're honestly better off walking in and deking out the lone defenseman and then trying to deke out the goalie, than setting up a pass play. Or the cluster**** that is a simple breakout.

[Dolphins88]

Color me not impressed .. The gameplay and AI is where it's at and what I see is nhl14.5.. Just played it tonight b4 I trade it in and that gameplay is the same. So disappointed.. It really sux that a game made in 03 2 k3 immersed me more than nhl14.. I guess EA doesn't get it especially after taking 2 years in development cycle for next gen.. Cancelling my pre order until I try it out now.. Thank god for show saving sports games

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Wish one of these guys scored a goal so we can see the celebrations..

I wished they could've figured out how to set up with possession in the offensive zone so that I could see if the suction, er I mean EA's so-called "Tie-up" feature is still in the game in front of the net. Nothing like being warped into a suction animation and only being able to kind of roll off of it.

Take that back, I wish they would have not been allowed to play the game at all, because like 75% of the people that play these games they were more thrilled with fighting than trying to play the sport. Probably the same dudes that cuss me out online when I am winning 12-0 against them in the second period and refuse to fight them.

[bigwill33]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

Meep, I know the love of hockey can overcome the biggest boundaries haha. And don't worry, I am not a bandwagon fan that has little knowledge of the team or sport. So take gratification that I have that going for me at least.

But you are right, if you play a versus or club game and have a 2 on 1 the cpu player will not even come with you, give you a clear lane to pass to, drive the net properly, or shoot the puck right should all of the above actually come together.

Just like cycling and working for that perfect pass on a guy cutting into the slot will get saved, or the goalie will make a desperation save that is probably impossible on a well worked cross-crease, but will give up a floater far side to an attacking winger that has taken two steps over the blue line and is 1 on 2 versus the d-men that are inexplicably not stepping up and closing that gap properly, or taking away a shooting lane. Not to mention that all of that wouldn't even matter if the goalie would just make the simple save that every pro goalie would turn away with ease. This has been in the game in some fashion since... well since ps2.

There is no reward for smart hockey in this series. Online has become a who can cheese better versus who can defend the cheese areas the best. If you have played it long enough, like me, you know all the tricks and can stop it 95% of the time, but one lapse and it is in your net and all the logic and hockey sense in the world won't help you win as much as working those cheese areas will.

[Moose24x]

Re: NHL 15: First Gameplay Video Emerges

I hate everything about Pittsburgh, so it pains me to say this, but I could not agree with you more and want to kiss you for so eloquently saying exactly what I've been trying to say.

You look at this game, and they don't play like NHLers. They play like mites in instructional league. 8 year olds running around blindfolded. Just absolutely 0 hockey sense or awareness whatsoever. Even rudimentary, fundamental things, like how to position yourself on an odd man rush, or to fill an open gap, they don't do it. It's honestly some of the worst AI I've seen in any game, in any sport. Terrible.

It makes it frustrating that you can't even execute a simple 2 on 1, because your AI teammate on the weak side has no idea what the hell to do. You're honestly better off walking in and deking out the lone defenseman and then trying to deke out the goalie, than setting up a pass play. Or the cluster**** that is a simple breakout.

It is amazing. I downloaded NBA 2k14 because it was free this month on PSN. I don't know anything about basketball but I've been watching the finals and I'm bored. Astonishingly, the AI will run screens and pick and rolls, and react to them when you set them, and it seems pretty darn good to a non-bball guy. In NHL, the award winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece that EA loves to remind us of, the AI won't even cut to the far post and this basketball game has guys doing all kinds of intuitive, intelligent things, all over the court. Switching defensive assignments. Screens. Rebounding and actually crashing the boards instead of retreating from the loose ball. EA hockey really is a mess. The reason it wins awards and people love it so much is because... shocker, unpopular as hockey is (because most people don't find it exciting if the score isn't 6-4) it's actually a ridiculously fun sport. Dumb it down for the masses with big hits and dangle-snipe-celly fests and people get hooked. For actual hockey guys, what are we going to do? Pass on playing hockey video games? They've got the only product on the market. That doesn't mean it isn't ridiculously flawed though; most people just aren't intimate enough hockey fans to understand why it's so off.