Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

[Steve_OS]

By now we know that the future of next-gen gaming is only a couple of weeks...

Written By: Ryan

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[tcnumba10]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

NHL 21 has the deepest franchise mode in all sports games IMO and I hope they build on it. I love the fact that you can control all aspects of your Franchise, from merchandising, facility upgrades, marketing, promotion nights to scouting and regular player management.

I do hope they add the ability to edit/create goalie mask designs to replicate what the real goalies look like, more player editing options like their hairstyle and alter their faces if EA hasn’t scanned them into the game. Also include real coaching staffs for teams and if not, then the ability to edit names and appearances for Head Coaches at least. Goalie fatigue needs to be implemented in Franchise mode so that rotating goalies is important during the long NHL season, a view of who’s starting and their fatigue level would be welcomed on the screen before you start your game. Also a highlight show in between periods would be nice with the commentators talking about what’s happening in the game and around the league scores etc.

[The EVHL]

I'd argue 2k is deeper, but 2k also has the "MyLeague" mode which would be welcomed by any gamer of any sports game I imagine. Would like to see sports games allowing me to to run a league rather than be a GM in one.

[buzz sawyer]

Roster Sharing.

[CarryTheWeight]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

In my opinion, NHL 07 was one of the biggest next-gen leaps since Madden 2001 on PS2. A breath of fresh air in every way, even if 2K7 offered more customization and a deeper franchise mode.

David Littman was a project lead that made the most of the resources afforded to the NHL series. Under his leadership, the series made substantial yearly improvements.

NHL 15 may have included some nice arena atmosphere --- probably the best example of "living worlds" that EA ever produced --- but it didn't improve on what the 360/PS3 games established. In fact, the entire PS4/XB1 generation is a blur to me. It didn't seem like any one game stood out.

NHL's Franchise Mode, even though 21 didn't really improve on it all that much, is one of the best on the market, second only to NBA 2K's MyLeague. There are flaws that absolutely need to be improved, however, and I expect 22 to make things a bit more realistic. Maybe adding real-world staff (as well as a hiring carousel), a yearly Winter Classic/All Star Game, Custom Draft Classes, roster sharing and improvements to generic prospects should be next on the agenda. There's so much else that needs to be done.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that the main focus needs to be on the ice. Firing up a game became stale for me a long time ago. There are still elements of NHL 07-14 that need to be rebuilt or retooled. Furthermore, the stagnation of NHL 15-21 needs to be addressed.

I'm really, really hoping NHL 22 turns out to be the next true evolution of this series. We need the refreshing leap that was NHL 96 to 97 on PC and of 06 on Xbox to 07 on 360. This has been one of the worst years for sports gaming in general, so I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll only go up from here.

And if they don't step up, I'm really hoping that new indie alternatives emerge like with baseball (Super Mega 3) and football (Axis/Maximum).

[Travolterjohn]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

Will be in basics the same Game as 15-21 version. Only possibility if something would change is when they hire a new Developer Team. We need a Canadian Frontman with Hockey knowledge.

[coachmac75]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

NHL 21 has the deepest franchise mode in all sports games IMO and I hope they build on it. I love the fact that you can control all aspects of your Franchise, from merchandising, facility upgrades, marketing, promotion nights to scouting and regular player management.

I do hope they add the ability to edit/create goalie mask designs to replicate what the real goalies look like, more player editing options like their hairstyle and alter their faces if EA hasn’t scanned them into the game. Also include real coaching staffs for teams and if not, then the ability to edit names and appearances for Head Coaches at least. Goalie fatigue needs to be implemented in Franchise mode so that rotating goalies is important during the long NHL season, a view of who’s starting and their fatigue level would be welcomed on the screen before you start your game. Also a highlight show in between periods would be nice with the commentators talking about what’s happening in the game and around the league scores etc.

I don’t disagree but the major massive issue is that their franchise is limited to offline

It is unacceptable for me to not offer online franchise experience, game would take a totally new dimension.

Only thing i hope they bring to nhl 22 us online franchise for 32 users with all offline franchise features (fa, rookies, scouting...) and a few must have additions (practice mode, xp progression, real coaches...).

Oh and a fatigue system. I am nit talking about in game fatigue, but more fatigue driven by number of games played. Similar to the show for instance where players need to take some rest/rotate.

[AllIn989]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

Roster Sharing is needed but i really hope EA devs let us upload our own logos kinda like they do in the show and theirs some great logos online it would add much more for say expansion mode or relocation..

[HandsomeJohnny]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

Player likeness. FIFA has player likenesses even in the minor leagues while we have 3-5 players/ team.

Also better Create a player. The ability to edit all the facial proportions like the length of the nose, width of the jaw, skin tone and so on.

Realistic goalie masks, goal horns and goal songs or at least I hope EA gives us the chance to upload our own.

[capnlarge]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

TBH I'm hoping everything about the game is up for review for next gen, even the controls. I might be alone here but in terms of gameplay, all the Skill Stick games kinda blur together.

Like I can fire up NHL 08 or NHL 21 and basically approach the game in the same exact way.

[The EVHL]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

TBH I'm hoping everything about the game is up for review for next gen, even the controls. I might be alone here but in terms of gameplay, all the Skill Stick games kinda blur together.

Like I can fire up NHL 08 or NHL 21 and basically approach the game in the same exact way.

I know that the skill stick is worshiped, and I'm not saying it's bad or should be removed, but 2k9/2k10 was able to implement a skill stick that had much more realistic limitations on what you could do with it. The competitive community would probably hate it, but it made offline so much more interesting. You actually lost a ton of speed really quickly when you started to use it. It also had a drastic difference between passing with your forehand compared to your backhand. Backhanded passes were REALLY slow, easily picked off, and you couldn't hold the puck out to your forehand side then make a 60 mph backhand pass behind your back (which is even worse in EA because it's not even a special animation, puck just flies out) like EA.

I do love the skill stick. I love the creativity it brings, but I also don't think it's something that simply shouldn't be touched. There's a few things I just mentioned there that would have significant impacts on the current balance in this game without completely removing the skill stick or the creative moves you can pull off with it.

[capnlarge]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

I know that the skill stick is worshiped, and I'm not saying it's bad or should be removed, but 2k9/2k10 was able to implement a skill stick that had much more realistic limitations on what you could do with it. The competitive community would probably hate it, but it made offline so much more interesting. You actually lost a ton of speed really quickly when you started to use it. It also had a drastic difference between passing with your forehand compared to your backhand. Backhanded passes were REALLY slow, easily picked off, and you couldn't hold the puck out to your forehand side then make a 60 mph backhand pass behind your back (which is even worse in EA because it's not even a special animation, puck just flies out) like EA.

I do love the skill stick. I love the creativity it brings, but I also don't think it's something that simply shouldn't be touched. There's a few things I just mentioned there that would have significant impacts on the current balance in this game without completely removing the skill stick or the creative moves you can pull off with it.

There are a lot of limitations by making up shoot and down slapshot, means you can't stick handle in every direction. Not that I'm saying it's bad but it's possible they could improve on it. I'm not a game designer, so I'm not gonna suggest something LOL.

[The EVHL]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

There are a lot of limitations by making up shoot and down slapshot, means you can't stick handle in every direction. Not that I'm saying it's bad but it's possible they could improve on it. I'm not a game designer, so I'm not gonna suggest something LOL.

I'd LOL if they implement something radical like trigger/bumper shooting and an even more advanced skill-stick like you suggested, only to have the competitive community like it. It'd be another thing 2k8 was light years ahead of but unfortunately wasn't well received at the time by the sweaty crowd.

[capnlarge]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

I'd LOL if they implement something radical like trigger/bumper shooting and an even more advanced skill-stick like you suggested, only to have the competitive community like it. It'd be another thing 2k8 was light years ahead of but unfortunately wasn't well received at the time by the sweaty crowd.

To be fair, 2K8's controls did have some clunkiness to them. Like IMO we have an analog stick, we don't need speed boost at all and 2K8 had 2 speed boost buttons LOL

I know I said I wouldn't design a control scheme, but I guess I lied. I think an interesting thing to try is to set up NHL's controls like an FPS. Nearly everyone can understand that kind of scheme. Base it around: Left stick skate, right stick stickhandle, R2 shoot, L2 pass. And then put other **** in various places on the controller.

And again, maybe this ends up worse than Skill Stick. Just think for next gen, everything should be up for review, to make it feel fresh. As we've had pretty much the same NHL game for more than a decade.

[The EVHL]

Re: Next-Gen NHL 22 - What Can the Previous Next-Gen Launches Tell Us?

To be fair, 2K8's controls did have some clunkiness to them. Like IMO we have an analog stick, we don't need speed boost at all and 2K8 had 2 speed boost buttons LOL

I know I said I wouldn't design a control scheme, but I guess I lied. I think an interesting thing to try is to set up NHL's controls like an FPS. Nearly everyone can understand that kind of scheme. Base it around: Left stick skate, right stick stickhandle, R2 shoot, L2 pass. And then put other **** in various places on the controller.

And again, maybe this ends up worse than Skill Stick. Just think for next gen, everything should be up for review, to make it feel fresh. As we've had pretty much the same NHL game for more than a decade.

2k8's scheme did have some clunkiness, I played 2k8 with the 2k7 controls lol, I was just kind of talking out loud about how ironic/funny it would be if EA shifted their scheme to something that is more similar to that than what they have now. I agree with you, I think shooting needs to be taken off the stick. Would open up deking a lot and would probably allow them to have more control over the shooting animations if I had to guess.