NHL 15 is a fun but frustrating, glitchy and lacking game. Its core gameplay can definitely be enjoyable, but it is plagued by so many things
When the Xbox One launched last year, it did so without a hockey game in tow. The popularity of FIFA and Madden ensured that those titles would launch alongside the console despite the fact that their seasons had started months earlier. NBA Live was supposed to be a rebirth of the franchise that was tailor-made for the new platforms. NHL, on the other hand, doesn't have large enough of a fan base to merit a new hockey title at the console launch, so EA choose to launch it a year later. Hockey fans who remember the launch of the Xbox 360 would be familiar with this strategy, since EA did the same thing. The wait for NHL 7 was worth it; the heavy use of the right analog stick for stick control was such a big change that it became a standard in the series. The wait for NHL 15, however, hasn't met with such enthusiasm.
Imagine yourself waiting for a blind date at a fancy restaurant. You're sweating and popping breath mints like they're candies in order to make a good first impression. Suddenly your date walks in, and you're completely in awe. Drop dead gorgeous this person is, and you're immediately thinking you've hit the jackpot. You introduce yourself, you sit down, and the date begins... but there is no depth, no spark. The superb physical attributes of this person are immediately countered by a lack of substance, with little to no interesting conversation and a quick desire to cut and run.
That in a nutshell is the NHL 15 experience. The first new-generation hockey game looks incredible, with player models that look exactly like their real-life counterparts. For example, as soon as I saw Sidney Crosby, I wanted to punch him in his stupid face (DISCLOSURE: I am a Philadelphia Flyers fan.) Games feel like you're in control of an actual NBC Sports broadcast, complete with green-screened Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, especially if you switch to the True Broadcast camera angle. Even more impressive is the physics system, which is more realistic than any sports game I've ever played. The puck bounces just as a normal
NHL 15 puck would, creating some exciting play right in front of the goal line. It's the perfect game to show those who aren't familiar with video games in order to say, "Look how far we've come!"
In terms of modes and online play, unfortunately this is where I have some issues. Although some modes return from previous versions there are a number of glaring omissions. Of the modes that do return some get a refresh and some minor updates. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in EA’s Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) over the last couple iterations of NHL and I really love the NHL 14 version of this mode. One thing I can really appreciate is the updates in the
HUT 15 coins store in NHL 15 and the streamlining of packs is a godsend.
All duplicates and unassigned items can now be stored in your inbox. You do not have to deal with them right away and this is especially handy if you have a full roster and need to free up space for another player. The other notable point in the HUT is having a place to store your unopened packs. In the past you had to open them within a certain time frame or lose them, but now they can be accessed whenever you need to. I have had several bonus packs disappear because I did not open them in the time allotted, which is a bit unfair. Don’t get me started about unfair, how about packs that you have bought but they never download; how about them EA?
Some gamers will certainly enjoy that, but for many, the feature set won't justify the retail price. This isn't a bad game so much as it's one that's lacking in many of the things we've come to expect in sports games.
The NHL series has long been standout, though, so let's hope that next year's game will be better. But for now, we only have NHL 15, and this game just doesn't feel complete.
