I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

[onlybygrace]

Listen, Im a long time expert veteran of this series. I used to write for OS over 10 years ago. I am ALL about presentation, gameplay, and offline franchise.

I enjoyed my time with the trial, so I went ahead and got NHL 23 and havent had this much fun in a long time. The gameplay has become polished at almost every possible moment and context within the game. Players are swinging their sticks around players, organically diving for pucks and shots in realistic ways with varied results.

I turned the goaltenders up and made them much more difficult, and it has made scoring incredibly dynamic without turning goalies into robots.

I find myself stopping to watch replays all the time, even if I have to go into the menu to do it.

The presentation, although trimmed down, really isnt half bad although it certainly could still use more replays on great saves and other awesome moments. I feel like the gameplay is so incredible at times that the game does itself a disservice by not highlighting how good it is.

Also, love the crowd and pumped up atmosphere.

Also, loving all the stat overlays and season specific lines by the announcers.

EA is so close to a masterpiece IMO…and Im a harsh critic who has barely played for the last few years out of boredom with the game.

Cheers.

[PernellKarl076]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Great thread onlybygrace !

In case people haven't noticed by now, I’m exactly in the same boat as you are, lol ! People might start to think I work for EA 😉 But it's great to see someone starting a thread on how good the game is, instead of bitching and moaning about the cover art or the game being a copy/paste job or this, or that and whatnot ! I’ve even seen people say that they haven’t touched even ONE thing from NHL20… Seriously ?

I'm gonna quote myself from a post I've made in my Sliders thread yesterday that pretty sums up of how I feel about this year’s game…

Buffalo lost 4-2 against Detroit… Much more opened game and the best game I’ve ever played on NHL23 I wish I could have recorded it… Detroit scored 3 in the 1st. and it got me thinking about pulling Anderson, but no and he kept us in the game after… Made it 3-2 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd… The crowd went Nuts… Pulled the goalie with about 1:47 on the clock, but the Wings scored an EN with about 30 seconds left…

Even if we lost, I had a huge smile on my face almost the whole game as so much random stuff was happening in that game, I’m still smiling 😆

Final score - Sabres 8 - Philadelphia 2… Ouch ! First time in NHL23 that I’m in a rout like this… The boo birds in Philly were restless at the end of the game, it was amazing to hear, not because I was winning, but the atmosphere was spot on !!! Every day I play this game, I find something that makes me appreciate more and more… I feel sorry for the people skipping this year TBH…

Of course, I’ve said this many times, OOTB the game was not for me, but with a great slider set the gameplay is out of this world ! This smells like real hockey to me 😀

[phillyfan23]

I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

It's a classic case of reputation overwhelming the substance. I trashed NHL 21/22, but this game is crack addiction. To me this is the best hockey game I've ever played by FAR, and like the OP, I have a very rigorous prerequisite for a good offline hockey game. This game has exceeded all my expectations and more. Yes you MUST tinker with sliders, but a gem is hidden in this game via sliders.

I also spend so much time in menu replay mode. Today I had my forward block a cpu one timer on his torso by doug hamilton, and the forward cowered for a second in pain. Jaw on floor moment....

Another instance a smallish forward was tied up on the boards by a bigger dman, and it was not a pin animation, he couldn't get unstuck. Just amazing little details.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[PernellKarl076]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Hey buddy, sorry about the rout at Wells Fargo Center in my game last night, lol ! But hey, Carter Hart had better nights that's for sure…

[jake19ny]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Listen, Im a long time expert veteran of this series. I used to write for OS over 10 years ago. I am ALL about presentation, gameplay, and offline franchise.

I enjoyed my time with the trial, so I went ahead and got NHL 23 and havent had this much fun in a long time. The gameplay has become polished at almost every possible moment and context within the game. Players are swinging their sticks around players, organically diving for pucks and shots in realistic ways with varied results.

I turned the goaltenders up and made them much more difficult, and it has made scoring incredibly dynamic without turning goalies into robots.

I find myself stopping to watch replays all the time, even if I have to go into the menu to do it.

The presentation, although trimmed down, really isnt half bad although it certainly could still use more replays on great saves and other awesome moments. I feel like the gameplay is so incredible at times that the game does itself a disservice by not highlighting how good it is.

Also, love the crowd and pumped up atmosphere.

Also, loving all the stat overlays and season specific lines by the announcers.

EA is so close to a masterpiece IMO…and Im a harsh critic who has barely played for the last few years out of boredom with the game.

Cheers.

I agree. I've been playing this series since it came out on SEGA, yup I'm old. This is the first time since NHL 14 on PS3 and NHL 09 mdded on PC that I'm loving the game. Would you mind sharing your goalie edits? It is one area I'd like to improve while doing my rosters for my season mode.��

[TeeWhy]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

I mentioned this in the camera thread, but OBG mentioning that he stops to watch replays reminded me of why I have switched to the Action camera.

I’m not sure I will stick with it, but it absolutely makes the play around the bet so much more immersive. When I pass from the side of the net to my center in front, and he pops in a goal while being shoved around is exhilarating.

Unlike some, I’ve enjoyed this series consistently since 09. But this version is clearly a cut above. It’s the first sports game where the next gen graphics are making the biggest difference to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[johnnydrum]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

The presentation, although trimmed down, really isnt half bad although it certainly could still use more replays on great saves and other awesome moments. I feel like the gameplay is so incredible at times that the game does itself a disservice by not highlighting how good it is.

EA is so close to a masterpiece IMO…and Im a harsh critic who has barely played for the last few years out of boredom with the game.

Cheers.

Bravo Blues Brother...and I know from historic posts that YOU were cetainly less than positive about the direction the previous games were heading.
I was really pleased when you said you actually enjoyed it, and cetainly made me reconsider whether to bother or not.

[johnnydrum]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

I agree. I've been playing this series since it came out on SEGA, yup I'm old. This is the first time since NHL 14 on PS3 and NHL 09 mdded on PC that I'm loving the game. Would you mind sharing your goalie edits? It is one area I'd like to improve while doing my rosters for my season mode.��

I can vouch for this user being old....he helped me out many many times with sliders and adjustments....lol..

[johnnydrum]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Yes you MUST tinker with sliders, but a gem is hidden in this game via sliders.

Hiya buddy---well done.
Without me tumbling into the abyss that is "slider-itus'"---which particular slide MUST be altered to get the best "in game experiance"
All the best , Johnny, Long Time UK Tea Drinking Off Line Season Mode Slider Tinkering Old Fart.

[MizzouRah]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

I purchased NHL 22 and barely played it.. decided to give the NHL 23 trial a go and I've enjoyed it enough to purchase it.

Game play is definitely better, love the crowd atmosphere and stat overlays, and honestly, I used to skip through all the replays, so being able to get through games faster is fine with the way I play.

[Blue&Gold]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Listen, Im a long time expert veteran of this series. I used to write for OS over 10 years ago. I am ALL about presentation, gameplay, and offline franchise.

I enjoyed my time with the trial, so I went ahead and got NHL 23 and havent had this much fun in a long time. The gameplay has become polished at almost every possible moment and context within the game. Players are swinging their sticks around players, organically diving for pucks and shots in realistic ways with varied results.

I turned the goaltenders up and made them much more difficult, and it has made scoring incredibly dynamic without turning goalies into robots.

I find myself stopping to watch replays all the time, even if I have to go into the menu to do it.

The presentation, although trimmed down, really isnt half bad although it certainly could still use more replays on great saves and other awesome moments. I feel like the gameplay is so incredible at times that the game does itself a disservice by not highlighting how good it is.

Also, love the crowd and pumped up atmosphere.

Also, loving all the stat overlays and season specific lines by the announcers.

EA is so close to a masterpiece IMO…and Im a harsh critic who has barely played for the last few years out of boredom with the game.

Cheers.

After reading nothing but negativity about this game this is great to hear as I have been on the fence for a while. I haven't bought an NHL game in a few years so now that I have a ps5 I was really looking forward to this game. However, I'm strictly an offline franchise player.

With that said, how is offline franchise treating you? Is the whole can't change strategies a huge issue? Any other problems?

Thanks for making this thread!

[Balldude777]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

Honestly, the negativity surrounding this game might have actually helped in a weird way because I tried the 10 hour trial with very, very low expectations and came away surprised to actually enjoy it. Now take it with a grain of salt also because I still play NHL 19 and this is a big upgrade for me graphically/gameplay wise. I'm big on presentation too but honestly it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I actually think the excitement of the commentary makes the action even more immersive for me and the crowd sounds great.

My favorite thing I have messed around with though is the league customization for franchise mode. I've always wanted to simulate a 12 team fantasy league and I can do that now. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be buying this game.

[Head Coach]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

At first I was very angry because I kept getting slashing penalties but I have learned how to have better stick discipline because I discovered that NHL 22 let us spam a lot of the buttons on defense.

The gameplay and crowd reactions are much better this year. The CPU has a much stronger finishing shot so that means NO lead is safe with this game.

I play all my games on season mode so I see all the differences from what was in the game last year.

I just wish they would bring back full presentation.

[jake19ny]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

I think the most positive thing we can take away from a lot of posts is that there are a lot of names I'm seeing that have been on this forum for many years who have been extremely and rightfully critical of this franchise, myself included, who are loving it.
For so many of us to say we are enjoying the game speaks volumes. Not because we're experts or anything but we are all offline hard-core hockey fans who have been repeatedly disappointed or frustrated by EA.
It's nice to finally have some fun again. I'm still looking over my shoulder for them to ruin in in favor of the HUT babies though....years of that scars a man lol.

[TNKNGM]

Re: I’m honestly loving NHL23 Positivity Thread

I am loving the game this year.....got my sliders tuned up pretty nicely and I'm getting excellent games with realistic stats while playing 13 minute periods

The crowd / arena atmosphere is SO MUCH BETTER......I love hearing the crowd get progressively angrier when things aren't going well or how you can hear/feel the build up of the crowd when the home team is building momentum or things are going in their favor

This year is a huge step in the right direction if you ask me