User Score
3.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 317 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 317
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  1. Aug 10, 2023
    1
    The game's graphics and gameplay were slightly improved at the cost of removing literally all content present in NHL 14 besides HUT (the mode with loot boxes.) I don't know or care if the game has improved since its release, its release state was nothing short of a scam.
  2. Jun 21, 2023
    7
    It is fun for some hours and always a couch multiplayer banger. But it lacks content and gets boring pretty fast. Overall rating: 6.6.
  3. Jan 23, 2022
    3
    Has the the worst or one of the worst NHL games, the game has no music soundtrack, bland menu's, lack of content, no tutorial just a free skate mode and a bland career mode which just takes you to each game without any rpg elements or story.

    The only pro of this game is the graphics and animations and a lot of my matches throughout the game my team players either in career mode or quick
    Has the the worst or one of the worst NHL games, the game has no music soundtrack, bland menu's, lack of content, no tutorial just a free skate mode and a bland career mode which just takes you to each game without any rpg elements or story.

    The only pro of this game is the graphics and animations and a lot of my matches throughout the game my team players either in career mode or quick play are in a fight nearly every single match which ruins the excitement of a hockey fight.

    I got it for $4.00 at my local game store, at the time I was playing something in time for the release of NHL 22 which is a superior hockey game.
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  4. Nov 24, 2017
    6
    Thumbs in the middle. Game was better onThumbs in the middle. Game was better on ps3.666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 Expand
  5. Nel
    Jan 23, 2017
    1
    Another year another disappointment. The gameplay mechanics has significantly worsen, and the way the be a pro works is just awful. Also, you will not get the full game, as several modes will be locked.
  6. Feb 3, 2016
    0
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME NO MATTER HOW CHEAP IT IS IT IS NOT WORTH IT. mechanics of this game suck so bad. I have never been so infuriated at a game in my life. I literally tore this game in half it was so bad. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME
  7. Jan 1, 2016
    0
    Anybody who purchased this game should be given NHL 16 for free - that's the game we actually paid for.
    I quite literally played it for 2 hours, and I couldn't any more.
    I still feel heart broken 18 months later, after having written this review.
  8. Nov 11, 2015
    2
    This is one of the games which is pretty much only playable while having a beer or ten with your friends, which brings us straight to the main point: you can't do it. Yep, no co-op at all, thanks EA. I've played this maybe twice. I wanted to play this with my friends maybe hundred times.
  9. Aug 13, 2015
    3
    Every time I put NHL 15 into my PS4 I try to tell myself that I'm going to have a good time. Being a Canadian and a big fan of hockey, I just want a little fun a relaxation playing a NHL game. NHL 15 is rage fuel, you can be the biggest guy on the ice with the puck and as soon as he gets touched he falls over. when the AI gets it, the puck is glued to their sticks. The hitting makes noEvery time I put NHL 15 into my PS4 I try to tell myself that I'm going to have a good time. Being a Canadian and a big fan of hockey, I just want a little fun a relaxation playing a NHL game. NHL 15 is rage fuel, you can be the biggest guy on the ice with the puck and as soon as he gets touched he falls over. when the AI gets it, the puck is glued to their sticks. The hitting makes no sense, and the way the computer can score whenever they touch the puck makes me rage quit the game just about every time I play it. Other than the amazing graphics, NHL 15 is lacking about every feature from previous games. I have played NHL 16 already, it feels good, but I don't want to get my hopes up after EA's last mess. Expand
  10. Jul 13, 2015
    0
    An absolute disgrace to NHL game series fans (like me) The game is like purchasing a BEAUTIFUL sports car, on every level it is pure eye candy, but when you get into the car there is nothing to see. no radio, no speedometer, no stick shift, no seats no ANYTHING. and more insulting than that this car has NO engine! so all you bought was something to sit around, and not use. EA sportsAn absolute disgrace to NHL game series fans (like me) The game is like purchasing a BEAUTIFUL sports car, on every level it is pure eye candy, but when you get into the car there is nothing to see. no radio, no speedometer, no stick shift, no seats no ANYTHING. and more insulting than that this car has NO engine! so all you bought was something to sit around, and not use. EA sports stripped every game mode that made the previous titles fun. No shootout, no season mode, and no fun! the game modes that ARE left are bare boned as well! GM mode is completely ruined, practice mode no longer lets you play with teammates, draw up plays, and plan an attack, YOU CAN'T EVEN PLAY AS A GOALIE ANYMORE IN PRACTICE!!! WTF!!! I cant stand what EA has done with this peice of crap. Its truly SAD. Expand
  11. May 31, 2015
    3
    I bought this game before reading other reviews, should have know better. I have played this Franchise since NHL 09, and saw, for the most part, improvements made each year that made it worth the purchase.

    My review is about Be A Pro, not on-line play. This game is a couple of steps back. Many of the features we enjoyed in previous versions were not implemented. The announcers
    I bought this game before reading other reviews, should have know better. I have played this Franchise since NHL 09, and saw, for the most part, improvements made each year that made it worth the purchase.

    My review is about Be A Pro, not on-line play.

    This game is a couple of steps back. Many of the features we enjoyed in previous versions were not implemented. The announcers might as well just be on a loop, as most of the time they repeat the exact same thing and usually at times when it makes no sense.

    There are a number of bugs, such as:
    1. If you get a minor penalty, but the AI opponent scores within a few seconds after, you may end up sitting in the penalty box for the remainder of the game. When looking at the box score, it will say you are a minor for xxxx (2 minute penalty), but the game will not show the power play clock and you will be stuck. (this is purely an error, as I am not referring to a game misconduct).

    2. Sometimes an AI player will be making the skating motion, but will not move. This usually goes away once the whistle is blown.

    3. If you are in the penalty box, and the opponent AI has the puck in their end, they may just stop moving, as your team's AI has offset their movement. Will start back up once your penalty is over and you move in.

    There are many other issues, some of which were also in the previous versions, so will not go into them here..

    This is a max a $10 title going for $60 still....
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  12. May 11, 2015
    6
    This game and it's information was released pretty late, probably due to no EASHL, which was a dealbreaker for many. It's a good game, a new face for the series with many improvements, mainly physics and graphicswise and most important, controller wise. It's perfect for 1v1, online or on the couch with a few friends but It's the online part that really brings it down.

    Due to no EASHL, I
    This game and it's information was released pretty late, probably due to no EASHL, which was a dealbreaker for many. It's a good game, a new face for the series with many improvements, mainly physics and graphicswise and most important, controller wise. It's perfect for 1v1, online or on the couch with a few friends but It's the online part that really brings it down.

    Due to no EASHL, I suppose many supporters got pretty disappointed, including me, therefor I didn't buy it for the PS4 but got it for PS3 instead and OTP which got patched into the game works pretty bad.

    I hope, for the sake of the series to live on, that EA fix EASHL for it, new features and updated tools for goalies, club management with more detailed player creation and everything else that the forums are requires, if they don't, the series will die pretty soon.

    But overall, a good experience 1v1, not so much OTP.
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  13. May 5, 2015
    1
    I will not recommend it, keep your hold version, the graphics and the new arenas and commentating are good. But this is stop there. Coop play do not really existed. Missing the shootout action.
  14. Apr 23, 2015
    8
    New Engine,new style.... but sometimes there´re lags ang bugs..... so maybe bad development or bad HW on PS4 (low-end PC).....But i bought PS4 for sports games..
  15. Apr 4, 2015
    1
    Every time I try to play this I want to troll about it... Tried making a GM today, but it won't even let me fix the CAP issues. CAP auto-correction simply changes the salary of players when starting a new career. Possibly the stupidest thing I've ever seen in a game. That means Chicago & LA have over 10 million in NEGATIVE CAP space that just magically disappears by lowering their playerEvery time I try to play this I want to troll about it... Tried making a GM today, but it won't even let me fix the CAP issues. CAP auto-correction simply changes the salary of players when starting a new career. Possibly the stupidest thing I've ever seen in a game. That means Chicago & LA have over 10 million in NEGATIVE CAP space that just magically disappears by lowering their player salaries. WTF?!?!?! Tried "hiding" star players in their minor teams, so that they'd have to make a trade or buyouts to use them, but the players just disappear. They're not in the minors or free agency.

    Sure I want to play with the CAP on, sure lets "fix" those CAP issues before we start. Oh wait, by fix you mean let the over CAP teams basically redo all their contracts??? Well that's super. Makes me want to be LA.

    P.S. I did actually like the game play at first, but Pro difficulty became a joke & All-Star makes my goalie a sieve for pucks. 40 shots against 8 and they're winning 5 to 2... And yes, those AI shots were good shots, b/c it's all they seem to take, but so were about 20 of mine.
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  16. Mar 27, 2015
    0
    Such a disappointment of a game. As a fan whose been playing since NHL 95, this is honestly the worst AI I've ever seen in any NHL game, or any game period.
    I've laughed pretty hard many times as I watch my own teammate skate half way across the ice to hit me off the puck and both fall down, just silly gameplay, and ridiculous AI.
    The passing is a joke. I don't know any other way to
    Such a disappointment of a game. As a fan whose been playing since NHL 95, this is honestly the worst AI I've ever seen in any NHL game, or any game period.
    I've laughed pretty hard many times as I watch my own teammate skate half way across the ice to hit me off the puck and both fall down, just silly gameplay, and ridiculous AI.
    The passing is a joke. I don't know any other way to describe it. Many times I've been hold up on my analog and my pass goes 100% behind me, completely against what I'm pressing.
    Switching between teammates is completely random and horrible. I have to press R2 about 4 times before I can finally switch to someone whose relevant to the play, always switching between teammates that I can't even see on the screen and way out of the play. Completely random.
    The goalies are the worst I've seen since 95! And the only reason is because in NHL 95 you could do a wrap around and the goalie would get stuck behind the night, and the goalies in NHL 15 are literally just as bad. Jumping up to the hash marks during every breakaway or penalty shot, causing a laughably easy goal. Or simple shots hitting the goalie and bouncing over his head, spinning sround looking for it. The goalies are a comeplete game breaker and definitely one of the worst things about this cash grab game.
    The missing game modes and huge lack of content isn't as much a big deal for me, but easily understandably important for most gamers, so there's that.
    All I can say is if you haven't already gotten this game, the please save yourself the money and don't feed EA's pockets on this one. Do not buy this game! You WILL be disappointed.
    This is coming from a guy whose spent many many hours playing NHL 15 and is high ranked in HUT, so I'm just saying that I do know this game very well. I've yet to play a game where many, if not all, of these problems have occurred. Just a friendly warning about this game
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  17. Mar 26, 2015
    5
    Half finished game. HUT is really frustrating because players are using boosting cards too damn mutch. Graphics is amazing though, but is sad that national teams does not have real jerseys. Hope next year will be better.
  18. Mar 16, 2015
    4
    A very bare bones iteration of a great sports title. I can't in good conscience recommend spending more than $20 on this game. Go for the last gen version if you absolutely need a hockey fix.
  19. Feb 24, 2015
    8
    Coming into this game after missing a few years of the latest games (Last game was NHL 12 for me), and being a big hockey fan, I was really hoping for this game to pan out. And in the end it did...for the most part.
    I know, I know, everyone **** about this game, and it has a terrible Metacritic score, so let's go ahead and get the negatives over with now.
    The Multiplayer is **** I
    Coming into this game after missing a few years of the latest games (Last game was NHL 12 for me), and being a big hockey fan, I was really hoping for this game to pan out. And in the end it did...for the most part.
    I know, I know, everyone **** about this game, and it has a terrible Metacritic score, so let's go ahead and get the negatives over with now.

    The Multiplayer is **** I really can't say much more about it, it is set in a way where you can not fix options in the game even if you're playing a friendly with a friend. The diffuciity EA has it set to, if you're not used to it, is very difficult. I play on Pro, and I was having so many issues with passing due to the fact that it was set to All Star and on the Hardcore Simulation sliders.

    Other than that, this game is pretty good, with a few more minor hiccups that I won't get into. The graphics are very good, the gameplay is pretty top notch, and the game is fun to play. The checking is fun, the passing is good (not in multiplayer), and the scoring is satisfying. If you didn't really care about the EASHL, or a few other small modes, and just prefer to play GM, or Ultimate Team, you'll find alot of fun in this year's game.
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  20. Feb 18, 2015
    3
    This game makes me want to RIPP MY HAIR OUT!!! I have played the franchise since NHL1994 on my Super Nintendo... and this is the worst copy I have played.
    -Poke checks do nothing.
    -Body checks are lame. -Ice is too slippery. Players and puck go **** everywhere. -Ultimate Team is the only thing to play. And it **** sucks so bad. I have never seen such a horrible excuse for an offered
    This game makes me want to RIPP MY HAIR OUT!!! I have played the franchise since NHL1994 on my Super Nintendo... and this is the worst copy I have played.
    -Poke checks do nothing.
    -Body checks are lame.
    -Ice is too slippery. Players and puck go **** everywhere.
    -Ultimate Team is the only thing to play. And it **** sucks so bad. I have never seen such a horrible excuse for an offered game mode. Pretty much they give you WHL/AHL players, and make you play against people with full all-star rosters. Then these douche bags are laughing their asses off when they beat you 1-0 just because their ultimate team is **** over powered.

    I have never been so **** angry at a game in my life. No game has ever pissed me off this much from something so **** small.
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  21. Feb 14, 2015
    10
    Ive been wanting to get a NHL game for quite a while and and am glad I did, I don't see why people complain about some missing game modes, there are plenty for hours of fun especially with the awesome gameplay and visuals, highly recomended.
  22. Feb 11, 2015
    4
    Electronic Arts should be ashamed of themselves for releasing an unfinished video game like NHL 15. The game has quite a few of bugs and glitches which may ruin the experience for many . Sometimes the game is just laughable. Goalies are absolutely horrible in this game. Not to mention that there are so many features missing in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game. ThereElectronic Arts should be ashamed of themselves for releasing an unfinished video game like NHL 15. The game has quite a few of bugs and glitches which may ruin the experience for many . Sometimes the game is just laughable. Goalies are absolutely horrible in this game. Not to mention that there are so many features missing in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game. There isn't even a feature to play with a friend online against another player. One thing I must say is that the game does have good graphics, but that is just about it. Very disappointed, I really did expect better. Expand
  23. Feb 5, 2015
    0
    The lack of OTP league and other game modes is a big minus. However, the biggest disappointment would have to be how sloppy the game play feels. While it does seem more realistic at times it also seems like a giant crap shoot at times. Case in point would be that you can skate into an opposing player and knock them down without getting a penalty for interference every time as long asThe lack of OTP league and other game modes is a big minus. However, the biggest disappointment would have to be how sloppy the game play feels. While it does seem more realistic at times it also seems like a giant crap shoot at times. Case in point would be that you can skate into an opposing player and knock them down without getting a penalty for interference every time as long as you don't touch the hit stick.

    Playing NHL 12 - 14 with other players allowed for some pretty good games where you actually saw legit offensive and defensive team play. With NHL 15 its just a giant crap shoot where either 1 player tries to cherry pick and go 1 on 1 with the goalie or a team enters the offensive zone and maybe completes 1-2 passes before taking a weak shot attempt. The puck basically flies all over the place with the updated stick/body puck collision system which is more realistic but also very annoying a times.

    Defense has gotten either simpler or more difficult depending on how you look at it. For instance, if you enjoy poke checking then you will love the poke checking system as you can pretty much separate your opponent from the puck at will ( even if you are clearly behind them by several feet you seem to magically be able to knock the puck off their stick). Hitting has become slightly more difficult but that's most likely due to the improved skating which offensive players are quick to take advantage of. Simply turning your back to the defender seems to negate a lot of hit attempts which really doesn't make a whole lot of sense. You simply bounce off or cancel the hit all together even though turning your back to a defender coming full speed would result in getting your clock cleaned pretty good.

    Overall EA dropped the puck pretty badly on this one. I use to love playing this game but now I put it in and play maybe 1 OTP match then say screw it not worth my time. Almost worth hooking the ps3 up again just to play NHL 15 on that system which offers an OTP league and more consistent game play. Seems as if all the idiots who refuse to play as a team were quick to grab this game for PS4 while all the team players stayed with the PS3 version.

    Lastly, fighting is out of control in OTP because there really is no penalty for the players involved in the fight. They just lose one of their controllable characters and remain on the ice with the next guy.
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  24. Feb 4, 2015
    2
    Personally, I don't care that EA left out so many things, with the exception of drafting in be a GM. What really pisses me off is just how poor the movement of players and pucks are. Passing is incredibly inaccurate and players look heavily intoxicated. The menu system is slow beyond any reason. It's a next-gen game, no excuse for that.

    I regret buying this game. If you have NHL 14,
    Personally, I don't care that EA left out so many things, with the exception of drafting in be a GM. What really pisses me off is just how poor the movement of players and pucks are. Passing is incredibly inaccurate and players look heavily intoxicated. The menu system is slow beyond any reason. It's a next-gen game, no excuse for that.

    I regret buying this game. If you have NHL 14, please, stick with that.
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  25. Jan 28, 2015
    0
    This is what happens without any real competition. EA sports re-gifts a **** updated present, with better graphics and actually takes away some of the games most popular game modes. EA sports can S my D tbh. That being said, I love hockey and I love online team play and have buddies that I play with so of course if that feature is on NHL 16 I will probably hate-buy the game
  26. Jan 18, 2015
    5
    PROS: the gameplay and graphics are excellent, crisp, slick and smooth. It's probably as realistic as you are going to get when it comes to playing hockey.

    CONS: Considering how good the gameplay, is it is a damn shame that everything else about the game absolutely sucks. From the repetitive and outright stupid commentary to the activity feed to the injuries to the way a season carries
    PROS: the gameplay and graphics are excellent, crisp, slick and smooth. It's probably as realistic as you are going to get when it comes to playing hockey.

    CONS: Considering how good the gameplay, is it is a damn shame that everything else about the game absolutely sucks. From the repetitive and outright stupid commentary to the activity feed to the injuries to the way a season carries itself out in Be a Pro ... it is all sub-par at best. The game is also littered with bugs. For example, Ray Ferraro, who is annoying at the best of times, will often repeat the same bloody line over and over again at every stop in play. It's enough to make you break your TV. Some of the lines spit out by Mike Emrick and Eddie O are ridiculous. If EA put as much effort into everything that surrounds the excellent gameplay, this game would be a winner overall. The EA NHL team should learn from NBA2K15 about how to make a *complete* and compelling sports game. I hope they will make major changes to next year's edition.
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  27. Jan 18, 2015
    5
    NHL 15 is ice-hockey simulation video game from EA Canada.
    I buy this game every year and this year game was incomplete.
    Graphics 8/10
    Realistic: 7/10
    Game modes: 4/10
    New improvements: 4/10
    Game was little dissappointed... 5/10
  28. Jan 13, 2015
    6
    Я уже писал отзыв версии для PS3. Но в итоге я сыграл продолжительное число матчей 1 на 1 и на PS4. Могу сказать, что эта версия ничем не лучше старого поколения. Я начал играть с нхл 2003 до 09 на пк. Потом купил 14-ую и 15-ю. И отличий на ps4 увидел совсем мало, ну добавили из захвата движения нырок, добавили физику одежды. Остальное никому не нужные заставки. Пора кардинально менятьЯ уже писал отзыв версии для PS3. Но в итоге я сыграл продолжительное число матчей 1 на 1 и на PS4. Могу сказать, что эта версия ничем не лучше старого поколения. Я начал играть с нхл 2003 до 09 на пк. Потом купил 14-ую и 15-ю. И отличий на ps4 увидел совсем мало, ну добавили из захвата движения нырок, добавили физику одежды. Остальное никому не нужные заставки. Пора кардинально менять движок на что-то новое. Это в своё время и стало причиной, что я забросил ФиГу (футбол) после 08 или 09. Вообще Hockey Ultimate Team затягивала на долгие месяцы, я понял, что такое зависимость от игровых автоматов. Но потом понял, что чем выше доходишь, там уже играют одни донатеры, либо задроты. Пробиться наверх тяжело. Да и вообще появляется жуткий дисбаланс, проигрываешь 10 игр подряд, хотя по игре играешь лучше, а тебе влетают какие-то мусорные шайбы. Жалею, что просадил там столько времени. Но для новых игроков, или тех, кто редко играет могу всё-же посоветовать, но насчёт HUT предупредил. EASHL 6 на 6 на ps4 походу нет. Часто вижу пользователей, у которых есть PS4, но они всё-равно проводят время в этом режиме на ps3. Там действительно весело играть, еще и с комментариями в микрофоне. Expand
  29. Jan 5, 2015
    0
    Very few features, and as a big fan of the sport, but a newbie to the game: very disappointed with the learning curve. Wouldn't mind if there were features you could add to the practice mode other than it being one player and the goalie. Getting my butt kicked a ton right from the get-go isn't fun, especially when the only way you learn all of the things you can do is through pausing theVery few features, and as a big fan of the sport, but a newbie to the game: very disappointed with the learning curve. Wouldn't mind if there were features you could add to the practice mode other than it being one player and the goalie. Getting my butt kicked a ton right from the get-go isn't fun, especially when the only way you learn all of the things you can do is through pausing the game or the occasional in-game pop-up. Expand
  30. Dec 24, 2014
    0
    Incredibly unrealistic. Just about the only thing they got right is the physics and graphics. Scoring is almost entirely luck. Cross ice one-timers don't go in, lazy backhanders do. Defense is impossible, your AI will do nothing as your opponents hangout near your net, your players are consistently facing the wrong way and going in the wrong direction. It's almost impossible to bodycheckIncredibly unrealistic. Just about the only thing they got right is the physics and graphics. Scoring is almost entirely luck. Cross ice one-timers don't go in, lazy backhanders do. Defense is impossible, your AI will do nothing as your opponents hangout near your net, your players are consistently facing the wrong way and going in the wrong direction. It's almost impossible to bodycheck anybody who doesn't skate right into it, AI doesn't attempt to get loose pucks. Slapping the puck away is a much better option than collecting a loose puck on defense because you'll immediately get stick-checked and have it stolen. AI doesn't understand what off-sides is the way they skate as fast as they can into the offensive zone without the puck. HUT is addicting but honestly the best part about this entire game is collecting the cards. The added be a GM feature is laughable. If you want to run a hockey team play Franchise Hockey Manager. I'm very very sad that I spent $60 on this game, and then another 30 on HUT card packs. Expand
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 28
  2. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 13, 2014
    70
    New engine’s impact on game’s quality is noticeable, but still rather small. [Dec 2014, p.73]
  2. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Nov 28, 2014
    55
    Gameplay-wise, marginally better and prettier than the last. Content-wise, the worst example in recent memory of the tight-fisted annual sports game model. [Christmas 2014, p79]
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 16, 2014
    50
    A game that screams 'contractual agreement' rather than 'passionate creative endeavor.' [Dec 2014, p.83]