Heading back to the ice, after perhaps putting off some returning fans of NHL due to abysmal release of NHL 15, does NHL 16 regain what the series once had or has it “puck’d” out? Well NHL 16 has finally given what we wanted and what we should have received with last year’s instalment as EA Canada has managed to make a few noticeable changes and have revamped the EASHL.
EASHL is the online team-based mode which involves groups of Six vs. Six taking to the ice as an individual player. This has been completely revamped and has been given a new breath of life. The XP system has been replaced with different roles. Sniper, Two-Way Forward, and Grinder that can be selected at will before a match.
However, the amount of control you have of your player is lacking and is something they shouldn’t really adjusted, but in a way it does work better, I’d rather have less control and a better experience over an old feature. One thing that is for certain with this new system is that this mode is considerably more balanced and viable then before. It use to be a struggle getting online with a 61 rated player to fend yourself up against players who are a lot better ranked than myself.
EA Canada has brought back Online and Offline Shootouts, team practice mode, badges, and random drop-in play. Be A Pro is also on the revamped list and now features a feedback and progression system, awarding grades and XP which is all based upon your performance during each game . The feedback honestly is a bit tedious and is just a bit general at times, especially when it mentioned about using the “stick lift” at the face-off. This is something that is so simple that it’s not really needed. It’s a good feature however and does offer better structure; just some of the feedback is useless and can be very harsh with certain mistakes in a game. Also, the Sim a Shift feature returns and is a feature all Be Pro players have been missing.
Be a Pro also now allows you to play for a minor league team and work your way up into the National Hockey League, which is a brilliant added feature that really glues Be a Pro together. As mentioned above in regards to the feedback, the better you do in game, the better the reward. The progression system works off that, if you manage to complete a certain amount of set tasks, your shots may improve or your checking etc.
Sadly, we still have to manual assign points to the attributes and improvements on your player’s stats. This is something I believe that should be changed for the next season. Being a manger mode is straight forward and offers a different take on the game. Engaging with your team, choosing your captain, building your team and relationship is as enjoyable as you could imagine if you are into being a GM.
Hockey Ultimate team returns, just like before you unlock packs to be rewarded with players and aim to build the team with the best chemistry aiming to get the best players on offer, not to similar to that of FIFA Ultimate Team. It’s the same as before really and it’s not a feature I really spend much time with due to me not wanting to pay for packs to improve the team because earning coins and winning tournaments/matches with the free packs you get are a constant struggle. But that is just me, as the mode has its appeal to certain people. I love FIFA ultimate team, but Hockey Ultimate team has never been a feature that I have really focused on. For those that do, it’s as good as before. Buy players; build the team that you want.
All round EA Canada have done a great job focusing on NHL’s core modes whilst implementing some new features and improving the online modes and functionality. It’s certainly an improvement over NHL 15, but still doesn’t quite match what NHL 14 had to offer and I still to this day believe NHL 14 is the best official NHL title to be released. The gameplay is what you expect, a solid experience on the Ice and offers a bit more of a challenge this time around. The decking needs improving as it feels very unrealistic and not enjoyable. Graphically the game is outstanding; the crowd look great and vibrant, chanting and getting involved with the game. Commentary is on point and watching the intro into the matches always looks like you’re about to watch a real game. It’s mesmerizing at times.
Overall NHL 16 is the Hockey to own for this generation of consoles. NHL 15 was a big miss and EA Canada has clearly listened to the fans, bringing back the classic features we wanted and really shouldn’t have been missing in the first place. The developers have done a great job offering a solid Hockey experience. It’s really a good Hockey title, but ultimately it’s what NHL 15 really should have been, we’ve just got it a year later with this edition. Still, it’s a solid game and hopefully can only improve and will improve in some of the minor areas it is lacking in still with next year’s instalment.