NHL 15

 Xbox One
User Score
3.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 181
  3. Negative: 116 out of 181
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  1. Laflamme
    Dec 17, 2017
    0
    Well I play this game since NHL 11 only for play club mode with my friend and EA have dare to remove this mode that i think a lot of fan have like. I mean, it's clear that the game is uncomplete and that instead of delay the release of the game EA prefer to put this crap......
  2. hockeyfan
    Dec 21, 2015
    1
    My third rant on this game because I can’t believe just how bad it is. I’d gotten so fed up that I decided to do some research on tactics and strategies online. And it did help for a little while. My biggest problem was defense. I’d figured out the goal scoring techniques and how to properly set up my players to score goals. So defense was next. Realized that I was chasing theMy third rant on this game because I can’t believe just how bad it is. I’d gotten so fed up that I decided to do some research on tactics and strategies online. And it did help for a little while. My biggest problem was defense. I’d figured out the goal scoring techniques and how to properly set up my players to score goals. So defense was next. Realized that I was chasing the opposition all over the place when they were in my zone and that was no good. So I heard about keeping your players in as close to your goalie as possible. That way you can get more rebounds in your zone and cut back on the rebounds going to the opposition. It worked. I won five straight games. Couldn’t believe it. Started to think that ok, maybe you misjudged the programmers of this game. Then the changes started to happen. (1) Suddenly my players are missing more passes. And we’re talking simple passes. The system simply would not let them receive the pass. The puck will pass right in front of them and they will not accept the pass. (2) Suddenly my goalie can’t stop the easiest of shots. Shots from impossible angles or simply easy shots that any rookie could stop blindfolded. (3) The opposition turns into a bunch of Gretzkys and Lemieuxs. They’re making unbelievable moves that would have made Gretzky scared to play them. And since my goalie now is blind, they’re scoring like crazy. (4) The opposition are now speedsters that can intercept nearly all passes I make. (5) This one I really like. In one game, the opposition was all over me in my zone. Now since I’ve gotten better at defense, I am able to get the rebounds in my zone. However, all of a sudden I can’t get a pass to my teammates. The pass bounces of their sticks and goes directly to the opposition. At one point SIX CONSECUTIVE PASSES bounced off my players sticks and went directly to the opposition. Fortunately, it only cost me four goals. (6) Their goalie can now stop anything. On the rare occasion I am able to generate some offense, nothing is getting by their goalie. (7) What’s with the dumb things the programmers have the players do? In one play, the goalie has the puck and the whistle is blown. For no reason whatsoever, my player falls down in front of the goalie. THE PLAY IS STOPPED. Why have him fall down now? So stupid. One time I sent a pass to my player up near the blue line of my opposition. My player who was about to receive the pass FALLS DOWN. There was no one near him to knock him down. He actually fell down on his own. And of course the pass is missed. Who thought that would be cool to put in the game? Dumbest thing I ever saw.
    I don’t mind losing. I don’t expect to win every game. But it’s how this ridiculousness happened. I went from five straight wins to seven straight losses. And that’s my point. Each game it got worst. Having observed the ridiculous setup of this game in the past, when I noticed the sudden change in my team in that first loss, I kept track. The first game they scored the first goal within 10 seconds. The second game the went up 2-0 within the first minute before I could score a goal in the second period. Still lost that game 8-2. Next game they were up 3-0 within a minute. Same thing happened for the next two games. Sixth lost, they were up 4-0 within a minute and a half. Seventh loss, they were up 5-0 in five minutes and I still hadn’t managed a shot on goal. See above for comment about amazing intercepting skills of the opposition. Nothing I did worked. It was like they were on a constant 5-0 power play.
    This is the reason I am now once again calling the designers of this game a joke. I go from playing good hockey to a team that now couldn’t beat a bunch of five year olds. And I’m now playing against a team where all the players have the skills of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Sidney Crosby, Marc Messier, Evgenni Malkin, Patrick Roy and so on.
    How could anyone at EA Sports and anyone else involved in the design of this game think this was a well designed game? This is not a game that will make people say “Ooooooh, love this. Gotta get the next one too.”
    It’s not that it’s a terrible game to release. It’s that it’s an unbelievably terrible game to release. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING???    … Expand
  3. KingBoga81
    Sep 9, 2015
    1
    The only people who think this game is actually good, are the people who have never played hockey. The only upside are the stadium and ice graphics. This is an absolute joke of a game. 1. Terrible A.I 2. Lack of essential game modes 3. Boring announcers 4. Bad skating. BUT SOME WORK INTO YOUR PRODUCT E.A
  4. kholland65
    Jun 19, 2015
    0
    I got this game for free as part of an xbox gold promotion. I was really excited to play since I love hockey. I literally played about 3 games and was done with it. No original modes. No drills to learn the different aspects of the game, terribly stupid AI, terrible deke system, terrible face off system, opponents that skate terribly faster than you, opponents that just dodge your everyI got this game for free as part of an xbox gold promotion. I was really excited to play since I love hockey. I literally played about 3 games and was done with it. No original modes. No drills to learn the different aspects of the game, terribly stupid AI, terrible deke system, terrible face off system, opponents that skate terribly faster than you, opponents that just dodge your every hit and and go 1v5 against your entire team, friendly AI that just watching the puck, etc. This game is so bad it caused me to destroy a controller out of sheer frustration. Don't buy this game, don't rent this game, don't borrow this game. It will do nothing but take hours out of your day that you will never get back.… Expand
  5. FootCreem9
    Jun 12, 2015
    2
    This is a tuff review, Ive been playing nhl games since nhl 2002 including almost all of the 2k games and I have to say gameplay wise, I kind of like the direction the game is going in, BUT the glaring lack of features, and the overall rushed feeling makes this game terrible. they took out so many features its embarassing, but when you consider that they probably have like 8 people totalThis is a tuff review, Ive been playing nhl games since nhl 2002 including almost all of the 2k games and I have to say gameplay wise, I kind of like the direction the game is going in, BUT the glaring lack of features, and the overall rushed feeling makes this game terrible. they took out so many features its embarassing, but when you consider that they probably have like 8 people total working on this game and that EA rushes all of their games because the don't care about their consumers or their games at all, Im happy that they made a gameplay change that didn't completely ruin the game (like FIFA), my hope is that they spent all the time they had making the gameplay and not the features, so in NHL 16 they will have both the gameplay and the features, but knowing EA theres a very good chance that wont happen. There are some very specific issues that I can point out, player stats really don't mean anything, theres a video comparing a 96 overal sidney crosby to a like 70 something mike brown (SJ sharks enforcer) and they are basically the same in every catagory. ALSO shortside goals are the easiest thing in the entire game, the worse the angle, the more likely it will go in. The one thing that really pisses me off is the goalies, if you play a game against a computer you goalie just goes full retard mode, he'll try to cover a puck thats 10 feet away, or hell go out to get the puck then change his mind and let in an empty netter, OR more likely he will just let every single shot they take go in, and no it doesn't matter who you have in net, Ive used almost all of the top teir goalies and the only one thats even slightly better than the rest is Ben Bishop because he is 6'7".

    So all in all this game is definitely not worth getting, even with the slight gameplay upgrade it still is just aggrivatingly terrible and lacking in feautures.    … Expand
  6. cw6625
    Jun 9, 2015
    2
    All I can say is that tube graphics are good, that's it. The gameplay is horrible, tube AI just randomly turns to ridiculous mode. Tested it one day, made four 99 players including a goalie then put all my stats up and the AI all the way down. The outcome? Couldn't score one goal as Chicago and lost 7-0 to Carolina. Been playing these games for a long time and this one is a joke. ScoreAll I can say is that tube graphics are good, that's it. The gameplay is horrible, tube AI just randomly turns to ridiculous mode. Tested it one day, made four 99 players including a goalie then put all my stats up and the AI all the way down. The outcome? Couldn't score one goal as Chicago and lost 7-0 to Carolina. Been playing these games for a long time and this one is a joke. Score of 2 for graphics that's it… Expand
  7. Ovechkin
    Apr 13, 2015
    1
    Absolutely horrible. I loved playing playoffs and GM in old NHL's, now what the HELL happened??? Playoff mode is joke and made with an ass wipe. Graphics are fine but sticks go through the boards ALL the time and that really bothers the game. But those game modes..... What on earthis that playoff mode? You can't change your lines, you have to simulate every fkn game manually, this game isAbsolutely horrible. I loved playing playoffs and GM in old NHL's, now what the HELL happened??? Playoff mode is joke and made with an ass wipe. Graphics are fine but sticks go through the boards ALL the time and that really bothers the game. But those game modes..... What on earthis that playoff mode? You can't change your lines, you have to simulate every fkn game manually, this game is awful and I'm so mad I bought it, gonna try the next one before buying it. Not gonna play this obe. Cos it's so bad. 1 point cause I love NHL. And put back the ability to change player appereances, looks fkn stupid when ovie doesn't have his jersey tucked......… Expand
  8. dixon77
    Apr 10, 2015
    2
    I have played NHL since the snes/genesis days and I can tell you that this game is without a doubt this worst version I have ever experienced. This game is absolute trash. This series reached its pinacle a few years back and has been on a downwards spiral the last few years. I think they have finally hit rock bottom.

    The AI gets worse every year, not better like some people tend to    I have played NHL since the snes/genesis days and I can tell you that this game is without a doubt this worst version I have ever experienced. This game is absolute trash. This series reached its pinacle a few years back and has been on a downwards spiral the last few years. I think they have finally hit rock bottom.

    The AI gets worse every year, not better like some people tend to think. I sometimes wonder if the developers have every watched a game of hockey in their lives. Just a couple of examples would be when the goaltender gets the puck, I have never seen a real goalie pass the puck to the dman in the corners with his hands. It might happen if the dman was standing next to the goaltender but never would you see a 10 foot pass by hand. Another example would be when you turnover possession in your defensive zone and have control of the puck with a d-man. I was stunned to see my forwards moving up ice but skating backwards. Its almost comical. Teammates seem to be lost on the ice most of the time and then the opposing team AI always seems to have there act together. Its extremely frustrating to try and set up plays as you constantly feel like your battling brutal AI. Hockey is a team sport so you rely on your team to make intelligent choices. If EA cannot fix this issue then nothing else they do is going to matter.

    Some other issues I experienced was frame rate drops. The games menus are so poorly optimized and the pre-rendered graphics (ea logo) actually look choppy most of the time. This just makes in glaringly obvious this game was rushed.

    In-game graphics are decent but not great. When I compare player models to something like NBA 2K, NHL just doesn't cut it. Its time EA makes players actually look like their real life counterparts not a close version. I also dont see a big improvement from last gen at all.

    The one positive I have to say about this game is that EA finally updated the broadcast. It was time for some new in-game commentary and that was sorely needed. I like what they are trying to do with it but it still needs some major polish.

    Overall, this game was clearly released before it was ready. Aside from the points I made earlier, the most obvious is how many game modes/features were not included that should have been.

    I think its sad that no other developer has chosen to create a hockey sim since 2K decided to stop. Clearly, the lack of competition has made EA Sports extremely lazy with this title. All this means is that until some major improvements are made, I will be without a hockey sim, because this game is nothing but frustrating.    … Expand
  9. Bribarian
    Apr 7, 2015
    4
    It looks decent and plays pretty average. It just didnt feel like they added much new or interesting. The bodychecks are lacking that power sounds, the fighting is pretty stupid compared to older games, and for some weird reason they took out the checking after the whistle (something every hockey game should have).

    I think I had more fun playing NHL 94 and other older titles. The    It looks decent and plays pretty average. It just didnt feel like they added much new or interesting. The bodychecks are lacking that power sounds, the fighting is pretty stupid compared to older games, and for some weird reason they took out the checking after the whistle (something every hockey game should have).

    I think I had more fun playing NHL 94 and other older titles. The best thing about this game is building your own team. The game itself is subpar.

    Another thing that is really frustrating is you can't alter the controls to your liking. They give you 3-4 controller setups, and some of them dont even explain what does what, you just have to figure it out on your own.

    Fail.    … Expand
  10. Molloy12
    Mar 29, 2015
    2
    The first NHL game for the next gen systems with a full production years advance to master and it has come through with a big fail. This game on paper sounds like a change in the franchise. New announcers, new physics, new graphics, new arenas it offers everything. But what it delivers is a waste of your money and time.
    With the loss of both EASHL and a functional user player based OTP    The first NHL game for the next gen systems with a full production years advance to master and it has come through with a big fail. This game on paper sounds like a change in the franchise. New announcers, new physics, new graphics, new arenas it offers everything. But what it delivers is a waste of your money and time.
    With the loss of both EASHL and a functional user player based OTP this game offers very little in the lines of multiplayer games. It is CLEAR that the only focus they had when making this game was HUT, which stands as the only game mode that feels anywhere NEAR complete. OTP was added late after release as a quick "fix" for the people who were complaining about its removal from the game. Online Versus mode is the other Online Multiplayer mode, where you choose a team and play against a random or a friend. This game mode is simple and works.
    The single player modes are tossed together and incomplete. Be a pro leaves out things such as "Sim to next shift" when your on the bench, Be a GM mode just looks wrong and sloppy. Navigate any of the menus on the game and you'll get a sense of thrown together and lack of care form the makers.
    Excited for new announcers? Don't be. Their new phrases are probably more annoying then the old ones were after the many years we dealt with those ones. With stuff like "HE WISHED HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY 4 MONTHS EARLY!" you'll be muting your announcers by the end of day 1.
    Visually the game is good. The arenas, players and crowd are all stunning and crisp. It's one of the few things that there is nothing bad to say about in this game.
    In all, between what they removed from the game, and the way they tossed everything else into the game with a careless mashed up effort, this game is pure garbage ad probably the WORST of the EA NHL Series. Unless you ONLY want to play HUT, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS GAME.    … Expand
  11. NHL15suckss
    Feb 16, 2015
    0
    The lack of depth ruins the game for people like myself who think the HUT mode is a waste of time (like myself and all of my friends and pretty much everyone over 12). I honestly dont understand why anyone plays that mode personally. That mode is ruining sports game as a whole in my opinion. Commentary is horrible, lack of customization, new deke system is a downgrade... i could go on.The lack of depth ruins the game for people like myself who think the HUT mode is a waste of time (like myself and all of my friends and pretty much everyone over 12). I honestly dont understand why anyone plays that mode personally. That mode is ruining sports game as a whole in my opinion. Commentary is horrible, lack of customization, new deke system is a downgrade... i could go on. Hopefully NHL16 is much improved... I likely wont buy it cause i am so bitter with this game. You shouldnt have to research extensively to find out a game you have bought for many years in a row, is now a terrible shell of what it once was. Shame on you EA Sports… Expand
  12. LumacJax
    Feb 10, 2015
    2
    I used to be a big fan of NHL, but this game is under my expectation.
    Interface: It's not really bad, but when you want to choose a team, you have a lag (around 1 sec) between each team (time to generate the 3 D logo?) you select. It the same when you want to select the jersey for your team...
    Game mode: You find the same modes than the other opus. Game play. If everything before is    I used to be a big fan of NHL, but this game is under my expectation.
    Interface: It's not really bad, but when you want to choose a team, you have a lag (around 1 sec) between each team (time to generate the 3 D logo?) you select. It the same when you want to select the jersey for your team...
    Game mode: You find the same modes than the other opus.

    Game play. If everything before is ok, here is the main problem for me. The engine is really poor and the IA has a lot of bug. The game is made to generate hits on the ice...A lot of hits...Too many hits. We are closer to an arcade mode than a simulation. The tactical patterns are poorly represented and the engine for passes and shoots is one of the worst I saw. We are really far from the real life!

    Graphics: There are good and they added some new features

    Finally, it's really hard to me, but NHL 15 doesn't deserve a good mark.

    (Sorry for my English, I'm french!!)    … Expand
  13. NHL15isSHlT
    Dec 15, 2014
    0
    As the biggest and longest running sports game franchise, by EA standards this is garbage.

    Not to mention all the blatantly meaningless awards that were handed out to this game. Furthering the notion that these so called "experts" are really just pawns of the corporate gaming industry who are more interested in maximizing the 'contributions' to their events from developers rather than    As the biggest and longest running sports game franchise, by EA standards this is garbage.

    Not to mention all the blatantly meaningless awards that were handed out to this game. Furthering the notion that these so called "experts" are really just pawns of the corporate gaming industry who are more interested in maximizing the 'contributions' to their events from developers rather than actually providing competition for these awards based on fair and unbiased (monetarily unbiased especially) critique of the game that the average video game consumer can then look to and use, without having to wade through the blatantly meaningless reviews by people who have either been bought or simply haven't played the game, to make a decision on which game is more worth their $70.

    $70 that many of them likely had to work for over 7 hours to make...

    EA is either unwilling or unable to provide the level of video game that it's fanbase deserves for their money, how do they win any award.

    [NHL series supporter since '95, Fifa since '03]    … Expand
  14. RabbitotheT
    Dec 12, 2014
    0
    This is absolutely the lowest score I have ever given a game and it has nothing to do with the actual gameplay. The mechanics are great, it truly is a good Hockey game. However, the reason I LOVE this franchise is because of the Be a Pro and Club modes, both of which are available on the 360 version but not the One. Excuse me? Why would you nerf the best features for the next-genThis is absolutely the lowest score I have ever given a game and it has nothing to do with the actual gameplay. The mechanics are great, it truly is a good Hockey game. However, the reason I LOVE this franchise is because of the Be a Pro and Club modes, both of which are available on the 360 version but not the One. Excuse me? Why would you nerf the best features for the next-gen release? The only reason I play this game is to play with my hockey-loving friends and we always have a blast playing Club games, win or lose. Without those features, the game just sinks into obscurity and boredom. As quickly as it was purchased, it was exchanged for credit. Thank god I realized they were not going to deliver these features in an update before my exchange price dropped below $40 at GameStop.… Expand
  15. DAygLo_MAttEr
    Dec 7, 2014
    0
    Where do I begin with this abomination of a game? I have played the EA hockey series since '92 and been a passionately loyal fan of the the series. Despite 2 years to launch this game, EA has failed to such a huge degree that I don't know if I can ever forgive them. We have all heard about the missing features which on its own is absolute garbage. But what we are left with just tops offWhere do I begin with this abomination of a game? I have played the EA hockey series since '92 and been a passionately loyal fan of the the series. Despite 2 years to launch this game, EA has failed to such a huge degree that I don't know if I can ever forgive them. We have all heard about the missing features which on its own is absolute garbage. But what we are left with just tops off the pile of **** also known as "NHL 15."

    The gameplay, some say it is ok...I couldn't disagree more. As someone who has played this series for more than 20 years, and someone who also played competitive hockey the logic on this game play is infuriating at best. Here are my top frustrations with the game play:

    1. Absolutely unrealistc passes: Somehow EA still hasn't managed to figure this out and you still see top ranked players make plays that are simply not possible in real life. At the same time you moments where a simple pass you are trying to make goes no where near your desired target.

    2. Skating skills of the AI: It blows my mind how many times you will have a loose puck in a corner only to have your AI player turn away from the puck. Or conversely, if you take control over of that player, how often they miss the puck that is slightly bouncing.

    3. Skating in general: I get it, they want to make the physics of skating more realistic, But I have lost count on how many times a player will pick up the puck and will turn the complete opposite direction that I am directing the player, resulting in a loss of balance and speed.

    4. Offsides: The AI is absolutely brain dead. The skate in a predictable straight line towards the blueline leaving you two choices: 1. Pass it to them, so the can get crushed by the d, or hold onto the, puck. Hold onto the puck and the AI just keeps skating offside.

    5. Passing: You get 1 of 2 options, a successful completely unrealistic pass, but on the other hand absolute terrible passes. What often should be a simply pass from left to right somehow ends up in the corner or completely down the ice for an icing call...leaving you think WTF!!

    This game is terrible, god awful. Don't buy this game, and quite frankly, don't buy next years as well unless reviews show a complete turn around from this year's release. Words can describe how incredibly disappointing this wretched pos is.    … Expand
  16. Viper8787
    Dec 3, 2014
    4
    A really disappointing game I even like the XBOX 360 version of this game better. The gameplay is more realistic yes, but the gameplay is boring and less entertaining the recent NHL games. Graphics are pretty solid however that doesn't make the game good. The only game mode they really cared about was HUT even though I do like that game mode I am also a fan of GM mode and would have likeA really disappointing game I even like the XBOX 360 version of this game better. The gameplay is more realistic yes, but the gameplay is boring and less entertaining the recent NHL games. Graphics are pretty solid however that doesn't make the game good. The only game mode they really cared about was HUT even though I do like that game mode I am also a fan of GM mode and would have like more improvement with that game mode. Dumb gameplay leads to a boring game.… Expand
  17. byronh66
    Nov 24, 2014
    0
    If you know hockey like me and have loved this series. You are extremely disappointed. I sold mine used within a couple days. TERRIBLE gameplay. They ruined the skill still with autodekes built into your skill stick moving. SO choppy and bumpy if you are playing online 5v5, where you constantly change into players who suck or have the wrong hand and the few people who do play online are SOIf you know hockey like me and have loved this series. You are extremely disappointed. I sold mine used within a couple days. TERRIBLE gameplay. They ruined the skill still with autodekes built into your skill stick moving. SO choppy and bumpy if you are playing online 5v5, where you constantly change into players who suck or have the wrong hand and the few people who do play online are SO BAD, because anyone who knows anything is playing on 360 still. SO disappointed! Traded slightly better graphics, for gut wrenchingly bad gameplay. JUST Terrible gameplay AND Terrible game features. I love hockey and have loved nhl in the past. I hate this game. Can't even play it. It worrys me to sickness thinking this might be a step in the direction they are heading. It's so wrong, and so bad. EA has hired a team of complete morons.… Expand
  18. Nicholas_Delios
    Nov 12, 2014
    3
    Game is fun with new physics. Teammate AI is even worse and passing is kind of bad. No game modes whatsoever. Huge step down for franchise. Already traded it back in after a month of nonsense.
  19. toasterofdoom
    Nov 3, 2014
    4
    I have given this game many chances, but I am officially calling it quits.
    The game is essentially un-playable. Browsing menu's is a huge task; changing lines, substituting players - it's all just a hassle. Menu's lag and hold up and the interface is not intuitive. At first I thought the menu design was an improvement compared to the maze of options in the last few games - but at least    I have given this game many chances, but I am officially calling it quits.
    The game is essentially un-playable. Browsing menu's is a huge task; changing lines, substituting players - it's all just a hassle. Menu's lag and hold up and the interface is not intuitive. At first I thought the menu design was an improvement compared to the maze of options in the last few games - but at least those menus made sense and you could navigate them quickly. Good luck if you want to play "Be a GM" lack of basic features in the mode is astonishing and if you want to make regular line changes or even update a team after injury then be prepared to waste 5 to ten minutes of your life for what should be a 30 second operation. You will be in for a similar experience if you play HUT, but only a moron would waste time and money in the feature.

    Actual gameplay is abysmal. The AI in online games is incoherent, players skate toward nothing, don't try to get open, don't read plays, essentially don't function. Trying to switch to the player you want is a hassle, often if there is frantic action you can expect to get the player that you want the least. I think this is because the game prohibits you from switching to players that are in an animation. The problem is payers do stupid half animations that completely glitch them out. I wish I could upload a video of my goaltender trying to block an icing that bounced off the boards. He started clapping his stick on the ice and let the puck slide in - just crazy, has happened more than once.

    but the absolute worst is not being able to have a guest in online play. This is why I played NHL games. The guys would come over and we play some online modes, being unable to do this is a huge disappointment.

    The updates, which EA labels as free content, are laughable. Thanks for updating the colour of the trainers polo... This game is way off track, a huge disappointment. Can't believe I bought in after reading all the negative reviews.    … Expand
  20. KingAdrock99
    Nov 3, 2014
    2
    Rightfully, I should give it a zero because I only played the EASHL and now it's not there so it has absolutely no appeal to me. I'm taking into account the 1 or 2 modes that were actually left in the game because heaven forbid they left the cash cow Ultimate Team out. I'm sure that's good. The skating feels ok, much more realistic which is the way it usually comes out of the box untilRightfully, I should give it a zero because I only played the EASHL and now it's not there so it has absolutely no appeal to me. I'm taking into account the 1 or 2 modes that were actually left in the game because heaven forbid they left the cash cow Ultimate Team out. I'm sure that's good. The skating feels ok, much more realistic which is the way it usually comes out of the box until enough 12yr old cheese goal scorers whine they can't score at will anymore. Good times EA. I don't really care about graphic improvements or crowd animations or commentary that I turn off a week after owning the game. I'm sure some people like that stuff.… Expand
  21. AYoloTurtl
    Oct 16, 2014
    0
    Quick copy paste from Operation Sports

    Modes/Features No GM Connected No Online Team Play (when this is patched into the game later this year, it will use real NHL players and teams) No EA Sports Hockey League No EA Sports Arena No Online Shootouts No Live the Life No Be A Legend No Winter Classic No tournaments or Battle for the Cup No season mode (you can only play seasons    Quick copy paste from Operation Sports

    Modes/Features

    No GM Connected
    No Online Team Play (when this is patched into the game later this year, it will use real NHL players and teams)
    No EA Sports Hockey League
    No EA Sports Arena
    No Online Shootouts
    No Live the Life
    No Be A Legend
    No Winter Classic
    No tournaments or Battle for the Cup
    No season mode (you can only play seasons in Be A GM, which is limited to NHL teams)
    No NHL 94 Anniversary mode
    No custom music support
    No create-a-play designer
    Cannot customize each team's AI
    No create-a-team
    No way to edit individual players
    Practice mode is now limited to one skater vs. an AI goalie

    Gameplay

    No custom camera option
    No Action Tracker replay highlights
    No Top 3 Stars at the end of games.
    Be A GM
    Yearly draft is fully automated by the CPU
    Cannot play the AHL games for your chosen franchise
    Players sent down to the minors do not accumulate any season stats
    No fantasy draft option
    No preseason games

    Be A Pro

    No option to sim ahead to the next shift
    You only play in the NHL; you cannot play for minor league teams
    The Memorial Cup tryout period is gone. You now begin by picking an NHL team, or by letting a random CPU team draft you.
    No All-Star game

    Ultimate Team

    Cannot play against your friends
    No tournaments
    No mobile app
    All of the above features were available last year in NHL 14 for the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3    … Expand
  22. SteveScoresEZ
    Oct 13, 2014
    0
    The gameplay is very good in this game. It is much better than it was in NHL 14. Unfortunately, this game doesn't have most of the game modes we all know and love, and the ones it does have are gutted versions of what they once were. EA promises updates, but this game still isn't worth more than $20. Strike a deal with a disappointed friend if you can...
  23. Javaxe
    Oct 1, 2014
    3
    I am disappointed in the fact that they released this game when they only had half of the game modes done. The fact that EASHL will no be on it is one of the biggest upsets, being that I bought the game to play it without knowing they excluded it from the newer generation consoles. If they would add this game mode my score would increase.
  24. painmann
    Sep 21, 2014
    2
    Too many bugs in HUT mode. It's a bad game compared to the 2014.

    So sad seriously ... Asking myself if it is time to play to another game.

    Terrible game. Replay value is nothing.
  25. OhPuck
    Sep 20, 2014
    2
    Everything that was wonderful about this series has been removed. The ability to customize music, in depth GM mode, be a pro, I could go on for days. Simply put NHL game play looks fantastic but feels like even offline games suffer from lag. I don't feel like players control like natural skaters but instead like avatars on tracks. For the first time since 1998 I have bought this game andEverything that was wonderful about this series has been removed. The ability to customize music, in depth GM mode, be a pro, I could go on for days. Simply put NHL game play looks fantastic but feels like even offline games suffer from lag. I don't feel like players control like natural skaters but instead like avatars on tracks. For the first time since 1998 I have bought this game and within 4 hours returned it and demanded a refund. Basically the developers at EA Sports have produced a demo and released it as a full retail game.

    Thank you from a dedicated fan looking forward to next year.    … Expand
  26. slapshot12
    Sep 19, 2014
    3
    Graphics are great, gameplay is awful. Most unrealistic actual gameplay since around 2005. Big step forward in graphics, but gameplay is so unrealistic and just poorly executed that the game is almost unplayable.
  27. Killerskillet
    Sep 18, 2014
    0
    EA leaves PC players in the dark for yet another year. The latest version PC gamers have access to has Dion Phaneuf on the cover... in a Flames jersey. Thanks for nothing.
  28. regis365
    Sep 15, 2014
    0
    Every year since NHL 07 has been a slight let-down, leading up to this years completely disgraceful NHL 15. Last year, when NHL 14 wasn't released on Xbox One, I assumed they pay-off of NHL 15 would be well worth the wait, so all was forgiven. I couldn't have been more wrong. Same impossible cross crease one-timers through traffic, AI defense equivalent to a peewee hockey game, goalies whoEvery year since NHL 07 has been a slight let-down, leading up to this years completely disgraceful NHL 15. Last year, when NHL 14 wasn't released on Xbox One, I assumed they pay-off of NHL 15 would be well worth the wait, so all was forgiven. I couldn't have been more wrong. Same impossible cross crease one-timers through traffic, AI defense equivalent to a peewee hockey game, goalies who can't seem to ever get the puck behind the net, big hits look like both players are drunk, fights ending with a giant haymaker...do these guys have any idea what a hockey game looks like?

    I would encourage EA to watch a hockey game or even lace up and hit the ice before making their next installment. At the very least you could get your priorities straight. Why would gamers sacrifice features and gameplay for flapping jerseys, dynamic crowds and authentic arenas? Why not release these cosmetic features in the DLC and keep the gameplay features the same? I'd rather see a kneeing penalty inserted into the game or a better animated "scrum" after the whistle than see every 10th or 12th fan in LA wearing a winter coat and a beanie. Hell even a mascot rather than an authentic arena.

    I have happily purchased this game every year until this season, but enough is enough. Until EA makes a game that takes a GIANT step forward (rather than meaningless small changes or huge steps back) they won't see a dime from me. I would encourage everyone to do the same, otherwise we won't see any change and we'll be forced to play this sub-par NHL 06 remastered. And for god's sakes, please triple the commentator content.    … Expand
  29. dwayner
    Sep 14, 2014
    0
    once again NHL hockey sucks, same **** new season, when i first played a couple games i thought awsome until i played it on a regular basis......gm mode halfway through my first season, i went through 4 goaltenders in which the highest save percentage was .695 (garbage) ..... i noticed once again computers scored all cheese goals (such as funny bounces) while you gotta work for your goals,once again NHL hockey sucks, same **** new season, when i first played a couple games i thought awsome until i played it on a regular basis......gm mode halfway through my first season, i went through 4 goaltenders in which the highest save percentage was .695 (garbage) ..... i noticed once again computers scored all cheese goals (such as funny bounces) while you gotta work for your goals, computer picks up every bounce or dump in once again (which EA said it improved in). everytime u hit a player or whack the puck off of the computers stick they somehow always recover the puck or it goes to their next player....garbage! my best players suddenly usless! Its pretty funny when the team is all over you in your own end and you switch to certain players that these players skate in the wrong direction on purpose so the computer has open lanes every time. (espally when you know that wasnt the direction you wanted to go). Watching my own players without the puck skate outta position is like watching beer league hockey, its god damm annoying. every backhander goes in. the drafts suck once again as i keep posting.....top 3-5 players drafted should be 77-82 overall, not a 2.5 star potential and a 62 rating in which the player takes 6-10 seasons to become nhl material. It really sucks when you outshoot a team and out played them in every category espally shots 33-7 and lose 6-1 (also garbage). i noticed this is basically every game when i look at the game stats.... im sure glad i didnt buy this for my xbox one because i heard its even worse, i dont care about the graphics or what has been added, all i care about is a realistic hockey game!… Expand
  30. pattyT
    Sep 13, 2014
    0
    Avoid at all costs. Visuals and presentations improved, but what does that matter if you can't play any of your favorite modes? The entire EASHL community was ignored. Playing offense is even easier than years past as defense gets no love again.
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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
21
#21 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
67
#67 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Nov 12, 2014
    40
    The new engine looks great but while the foundation was successfully rebuilt, many core features are missing. [Issue#246]
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 8, 2014
    60
    Moment-to-moment gameplay is great, making it such a shame that the elements connecting matches is so underwhelming. [Issue#117, p.82]
  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Nov 5, 2014
    60
    A jarringly inconsistent first poke at next-gen hockey. Makes bold leaps forward in terms of game day presentation, physics and AI, but large swathes of it seem unfinished. [Dec 2014, p.82]
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