NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

[RaychelSnr]

On the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, NHL 15 is essentially NHL 14 with three new announcers plus some tweaks to the puck physics and player collisions.

All of NHL 14's modes and features have returned, except for the EA Sports Arena, where gamers could wager real money in head-to-head online matches.

If you've played the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One demo of NHL 15, you'll immediately miss that version's significantly upgraded skating and stick-handling mechanics, as neither aspect has been improved on the Xbox 360. You'll also notice that NBC Sports' theme music and presentation overlays are oddly absent from the Xbox 360 version, despite the fact that NBC's announcers do replace Gary Thorne and Bill Clement.

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[Gotmilkman24]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

the game looks EXACTLY like nhl 14. I see no difference but a puck that doesnt bounce as crazy... WHAT A HUGE LET DOWN. after seeing nhl 15 on the ps3/360 Ill probably still get it on my ps4 because Im tired of the ps3.. WHAT a huge let down...

[ManiacMatt1782]

They didn't work on this versions as it was a copy paste job with "updated" rosters. They didn't work on next gen with 3/4 of the game still missing. What did they actually work on? I understand they are a small team, but come on man. Seeing the 360/ps3 is a copy paste job, there is no real reason for the xb1 and ps4 to be as bare bones as it is. I tried to stick uo for the Dev team, but not after this news. The hashtag on twitter might just be justified.

[tomzennsbruh]

I wonder if EA put more money into the NBA Live rebuild, after seeing 2k's stumble into Gen4? And then that, in effect, hindered NHL?

I don't know. It's crazy.

[deejay2]

@Gotmilkman24 and you forgot to mention that NHL 14 is the same as NHL 13. EA really think that we are dumb. Maybe many people are dumb because because it looks that EA still sell a lot of games every year.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

@Gotmilkman24 and you forgot to mention that NHL 14 is the same as NHL 13. EA really think that we are dumb. Maybe many people are dumb because because it looks that EA still sell a lot of games every year.

I don't get how EA didn't do anything after NHL14s embarrassment of sales. It was one of the worst years of sales for EA in NHL game series history. Only worse ones were NHL 08(for obvious reasons) and NHL 2005(because of the lockout)

And for people with NHL15 on PS3....

Is the custom music feature still in the game(for things like custom soundtrack,custom music played during various moments in the game like intro,goal songs,break in plays)?

What are all the soundtrack songs for NHL15?

How fast(or slow) is the sim speeds for be a gm mode(meaning like how long does it take to sim each day in be a gm)?

And gameplay/everything else wise, is it in any way better/different than NHL14?

[Earl1963]

EA Slacking

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

This is pretty much what I expected. Yes, I think the NHL devs botched the logistics of the dev process, but we also have to consider and criticize EA's lack of interest in supporting the development of the NHL series versus FIFA or Madden.

I think a huge part of FIFA's growth is actually the investment in making it a top notch product last gen, and we've seen these dividends in the huge increase in market penetration in NA. They committed resources to the FIFA and it showed—doesn't seem like NHL got the resources investment commensurate with developing a next-gen title.

All conjecture on my part of course, but the blame needs to be spread a bit more evenly, and the "fire Rammer" crap needs to stop. I doubt resources were allocated in a way that allowed innovation across all releases. It's sad, but this is the nature of EA's annual sports model.

[snc237]

So I have EA access and one day left on season ticket. After using my time up in access I tried the 360 version. Like the review above says it practically the same game, physics have been improved but only people that played hundreds of games in nhl 14 would be able to tell a true difference. What stood out the most is how the ps4/Xone have a much bigger leap gameplay wise over it's older counterpart. It really made me appreciate the next gen version of nhl much more. It's just a shame everything else was sacrificed. We are all stuck in horrible place. Next gen is a great improvement on the ice but it's barebones for modes. Or you go with last gen to play a game loaded with modes but it's the same tired old A.I. And game on the ice. I for one could not handle another year of nhl 14 or Nhl 15 on last gen. Hopefully next gen gameplay can keep me invested in the game because there's not much more then that.

[jyoung]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

I uploaded a bunch of NHL 15 Xbox 360 videos from me playing the Season Ticket version yesterday.

I hope this footage helps you guys make an educated purchasing decision:

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wcn_xrslDIg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mcHSTfpQny4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mzaIdEnmS4s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/c7n4wCB0MGo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Qx1MFKCgf4g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NB5Iw_m33QM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="540" height="304" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YNyOR9LWn_Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Let me know if you have any questions about the Xbox 360 version. I will be busy this afternoon (Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss game), but I'll swing by later tonight to catch up on any questions.

[Dazraz]

I am as frustrated as everyone about the lack of modes on the Next Gen release of NHL 15 albeit far from surprised. This is EA after all. I'm a however a little surprised on the fan fare regarding the minimal changes to the current gen version. After all, what were the big changes when comparing NHL 13 to 14. Pretty minimal once again.

EA are great at milking their games. They've given us 2 options. A great looking next gen product with just a couple of bare bone modes or the current gen option which is packed with modes but s otherwise just a roster update with new commentary. They have 2 games that appeal to 2 different demographics while spending the minimum amount of money in creating this either one.

[N2J NY]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

Thanks for the videos! According to this guy player progression in Be A GM is fixed and realistic stats are back. Are any of the new faces from PS4/XB1 included, like Bergeron or McDonagh?

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

They didn't work on this versions as it was a copy paste job with "updated" rosters. They didn't work on next gen with 3/4 of the game still missing. What did they actually work on? I understand they are a small team, but come on man. Seeing the 360/ps3 is a copy paste job, there is no real reason for the xb1 and ps4 to be as bare bones as it is. I tried to stick uo for the Dev team, but not after this news. The hashtag on twitter might just be justified.

Is there really a proof that NHL dev team of EA is a small team? If it is..why they dont get more people to improve this NHL series. Ahhhh....because WE KEEP BUYING THEIR HALF-COOKED, POORLY MANAGED, AWFUL Product...that's why.

I dont believe that NHL is a small market that they will not get much money. Really? Sure if you compare NHL to NFL, NBA, FIFA, but there's so much hockey enthusiasts that if EA will really work on their craft people will buy. If you give them $10 profit in every single copy they sold and they are selling total of 700,000 (PS4/X1/old gen) thats 7M profit! Even a $ 1/per copy profit that is still $700,000!

[shaunjuan2000]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

I haven't really noticed any banter between Doc and Edzo during the play, mostly stoppages. Love the idea they added the shot totals to the end of period summary, before heading to intermission. Something Gary and Bill didn't do. That'll save me from having to see how many shots were taken. Doc and Ezdo both sound very robotic. Ray actually sounds good.

[aholbert32]

Re: NHL 15: Early Impressions from 360/PS3 Version

Is there really a proof that NHL dev team of EA is a small team? If it is..why they dont get more people to improve this NHL series. Ahhhh....because WE KEEP BUYING THEIR HALF-COOKED, POORLY MANAGED, AWFUL Product...that's why.

I dont believe that NHL is a small market that they will not get much money. Really? Sure if you compare NHL to NFL, NBA, FIFA, but there's so much hockey enthusiasts that if EA will really work on their craft people will buy. If you give them $10 profit in every single copy they sold and they are selling total of 700,000 (PS4/X1/old gen) thats 7M profit! Even a $ 1/per copy profit that is still $700,000!

A 7 million dollar profit is chump change compared to the money Fifa and Madden bring in and its not enough to encourage EA to increase their staff. That increases the production costs and would cut into their small profit. Madden and Fifa have large teams because they make large profits. You cant expect a big production team for a game that sells 500-600k a year,