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. honestbleeps
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    I've bought every iteration of the series since NHLPA '93 on the Super Nintendo, and NHL 15 is the most major disappointment I've run across. The inability to play with friends is inexcusable, and the number of bugs that have been in the game since NHL '08 or '09 that remain in '15 make the claims that "we're missing these game modes because we rebuilt the game from the ground up"I've bought every iteration of the series since NHLPA '93 on the Super Nintendo, and NHL 15 is the most major disappointment I've run across. The inability to play with friends is inexcusable, and the number of bugs that have been in the game since NHL '08 or '09 that remain in '15 make the claims that "we're missing these game modes because we rebuilt the game from the ground up" incredibly dubious.

    The graphical improvements are nice, but most of them are on content that you won't see all that often. Nobody's going to watch the intro that shows the entirety of each authentic arena more than a few times before skipping it to get to gameplay. Most of your time will be spent in gameplay, from a further camera angle, preventing you from seeing all of that detail anyhow.

    Oh, and speaking of that detail - don't expect to see it in instant replays of any games you play online, because replays can only be watched if you pause the game to look at them now - no more list of big plays (goals, etc) at the end of a game.

    With so little to do online (no playing with friends, or even couch co-op), you'd better hope the offline modes are spectacular, right? They're not. Be a Pro is unplayable because you can't sim past CPU shifts, so you literally have to sit there on the bench and watch the game while you wait to play your next shift. Who playtested this thing, and what shills are giving this game 7.0 and above scores on professional publications?

    It's important to note that while EA has made some promises to patch certain things in, a lot of the game breaking ones (like simming to your next shift) are NOT on that list! I can't recommend anyone buy this game in the hopes that patches will shore up missing content later on - it doesn't seem likely.

    This game is a true embarrassment to EA Sports, and should never have seen the light of day.    … Expand
  2. ZACKSTOFF
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    This game was made for the casual gamers and NHL fans, and leaves the hardcore, loyal fans in the rear-view mirror. This is the most "arcade-like" NHL game since the skill stick introduction some 7 years ago. With the complete omission of EASHL and even Online Team Play, EA will not receive $60 dollars from me this year.
  3. BradD94
    Sep 9, 2014
    4
    NHL 15 feels rushed and it is hard to see why; the development team had two years to build the game on next-gen. While EA Canada claimed the reason they took a year off from next-gen was to not cut corners, it seems like that was false hope. While graphics are the best they have ever been, the presentation with 'Doc' Emrick and Eddie Olcyzk doesn't live up to their real life counterpartsNHL 15 feels rushed and it is hard to see why; the development team had two years to build the game on next-gen. While EA Canada claimed the reason they took a year off from next-gen was to not cut corners, it seems like that was false hope. While graphics are the best they have ever been, the presentation with 'Doc' Emrick and Eddie Olcyzk doesn't live up to their real life counterparts and leaves fans wanting more. Offensive gameplay has seen some improvements but not nearly enough to live up to the hype. Add missing game modes and lack of communication with fan-base and the game leaves the consumer feeling lied to and flat out ignored. Maybe next year, EA.… Expand
  4. sw2002
    Sep 9, 2014
    2
    A disgrace to the NHL game franchise.
    How can you EA release something which lacks so many features? (Yes, I know that they got scared, and they want to give more features in the future, but for god's sake then release the game when it is ready, and not now.)
    If your product lacks the 80% of the features then write it down, and do not fool the people buying a non finished product. The    A disgrace to the NHL game franchise.
    How can you EA release something which lacks so many features? (Yes, I know that they got scared, and they want to give more features in the future, but for god's sake then release the game when it is ready, and not now.)
    If your product lacks the 80% of the features then write it down, and do not fool the people buying a non finished product.
    The GM mode is a nonsense. Who had that wonderful idea, that for example you can not sim through periods?
    In the previous nhl games if you sim a period you get stats what is happening/happened on the ice, who scored a goal, who is sitting in the penalty box, who shot more on goal etc.. Now I can NOT do that, I can just sim a whole match, and in a blink of an eye I get the result. Whaaat??
    In the previous games, I had complete stats at the main screen about my team, who is the best goalscorer, who is the best in assists etc. Now it is gone. Why? Good question.
    I did not know about the fact that I CAN'T choose people to DRAFT. I had two first round draft picks, and the system selected me TWO GOALKEEPERS.

    Be a pro
    It is amazing how EA can ruin everything. I loved be a pro, and I was happy that it is be a pro again, and not live the life with stupid text base interiews. Be a pro in the NHL franchise was for me always as it sounds, a game mode which can give you an epic adventure from being a rookie to be a superstar. This contains playing in junior league, and play good to have a good place in the draft. After that play as a 55-60 overall player on the farm team, get stronger, better, and be called up. I was shocked by the fact, that from the beginning I was part of an NHL team with 72!!! overal.
    But why should I be mad about this. 90% of the players will never play this game mode, because it is completely ruined. You are forced to watch the computers playing their rubbish game until you get your shift again. Yes, the simmulation to your next shift is OUT, which made the game mode unplayable. And for EA is okay, because they want to add to be a pro only "tips from your coach how to be more succesful in the game"

    Don"t spend your money on this. It is a very hard question what were the guys in EA thinking with this. That the people will cheer because of the new graphics system? (By the way that is realy nice, that is why I gave 2 points in my review.)    … Expand
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. mascar22
    Sep 9, 2014
    1
    complete lack of game-modes, as well as the need for immediate patches, makes this, one unfinished, piece of garbage, if your getting this game to play online with friends, you best think again, cause it aint happenin.
  14. DB93
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    Dont buy this game unless you just want visuals. The graphics are nice but EA has only provided a barebones version of past generation games. Gone are some game modes and the game modes they have provided dont even have all the features they used to. For example, you cannot even draft or do a fantasy draft in Be a GM mode. This is a must have. What is the point of being a GM if youDont buy this game unless you just want visuals. The graphics are nice but EA has only provided a barebones version of past generation games. Gone are some game modes and the game modes they have provided dont even have all the features they used to. For example, you cannot even draft or do a fantasy draft in Be a GM mode. This is a must have. What is the point of being a GM if you cant even draft? Also the Creation Mode is gone. You cant create or edit players. I like to create myself and put it me in Be a GM mode. Terrible game. Replay value is nothing. Graphics are nice but after a couple of games it wears thin. The depth of modes and gameplay is what counts for me to keep coming back to play it. And then in Canada its very expensive...$80. NOT WORTH IT. I wont be buying NHL games again until all the features from previous generation games are back, plus they add new stuff. Why cant I even put my face in the game yet?… Expand
  15. jabesmcgee
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    Things I like: Better resolution, HD graphics, Crowds. Arenas. Sounds. Puck Physics. Multiple referees.

    Things I miss/dislike: * Sticks just glide right through players, while collision and physics revamp has been highly touted making players maneuver their sticks around each other was too much. Drop or break your stick then the puck hits it and just stops like it is made of lead.    Things I like: Better resolution, HD graphics, Crowds. Arenas. Sounds. Puck Physics. Multiple referees.

    Things I miss/dislike:

    * Sticks just glide right through players, while collision and physics revamp has been highly touted making players maneuver their sticks around each other was too much. Drop or break your stick then the puck hits it and just stops like it is made of lead.

    * You can only play 1v1 online. Hockey is a team sport and has been reduced, when online, to a single player versus mode game.

    * Lack of game modes. HUT always feels like such a horrible money grab. You open these packs of cards and then you have to manage the roster and field the best team, but the cards have contracts that you have to maintain. Once the contract is up and their games played value at 0 you have to buy another deck of cards. I already paid $60 for the title, now you want me to grind out 100 HUT games in order to afford a decent team? No, you want me to pony up another $30 or more so that I can get the ULTIMATE TEAM that I want. If I were rich, I would love it.

    * No major improvements in GM Mode, in fact some features have regressed. The strategy system has gone back to what consumers had in 2009, no fantasy draft, SIM hasn't improved, and there is nothing dynamic about it. Looking at other titles, Madden, FIFA, TheShow, NBA.... all tout very deep offline GM and Player modes. At this point, I might as well grab a pen and paper and draw up my own GM mode to keep track of, because I have more imagination than the developers assigned to tackle these modes. The thing is just dreary. Where is the fun?

    * Be A Pro (BAP) .. In previous years I had to play a 'futures' game and then get drafted. Not there anymore? I just don't even understand why this wouldn't be there.

    From the bottom up, this game reeks of being a beta. We'll test it out and whine about what we don't have over the next year and they'll get all compensatory and promise that NHL 16 will be the bee's knees. Hopefully the player base will still be there.

    As a consumer, Why not just purchase the previous year's copy? The game play is nearly identical, there are more game modes and the couple of modes that carried forward for the XBONE/PS4 have less depth. I just don't see $60 of value in a title with an annual release that has less depth and features than its predecessor.

    Overall, it is good to see that EA is creating a new game from the ground up. Menus, presentation, game play physics, and even the game modes will be all brand new in 2016, because the 2015 release has glaring deficiencies in these areas and a distinct lack of depth.

    EA Sports sold over 840k copies of NHL 14 on XBOX/PS3 for a gross profit over $12.6 million at $15 of gross profit per unit sold (Developers typically get 15% of a title's retail price). How many will they sell this year? Why have they turned their backs and nickel and dimed the development of a title that reaps over 10 million annually in copies sold?    … Expand
  16. philbert53
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    They had two years to put together a next gen NHL game, and failed miserably. While game play is improved, the majority of modes are gone, and Be A Pro might as well be axed (no simming ahead to next shift kills it). Be A GM is not far behind (can't draft, can't play AHL teams).

    And contrary to what others are saying, very little will be patched. These are the only patches promised:    They had two years to put together a next gen NHL game, and failed miserably. While game play is improved, the majority of modes are gone, and Be A Pro might as well be axed (no simming ahead to next shift kills it). Be A GM is not far behind (can't draft, can't play AHL teams).

    And contrary to what others are saying, very little will be patched. These are the only patches promised:

    September
    -Playoff Mode added
    -Be A Pro will have coach feedback (doesn't matter, lack of sim to next shift kills this mode)
    -3 Stars will be added to end of game
    -Some content updates to HUT (the one mode no one is complaining about)
    October
    -Online team play (doesn't say what it is, makes it sound like 5v5)
    -GM Mode will have a draft

    That's it. No EASHL. Be a Pro will continue to be garbage. Be a GM will be crap for another month or two. Add to that most of the players don't look like the people they are supposed to be, and this game is trash. I just returned my copy.    … Expand
  17. SimUser
    Sep 11, 2014
    1
    The emperor does have clothes, just no body...

    This is just a middle finger to all of the people who have supported EA through thick and thin. First SimCity and now this? Good luck getting another penny from me.
  18. oldmanemu
    Sep 10, 2014
    1
    Shouldn't have been released as a full retail. Every aspect of this game is gutted compared to previous versions. I give it a 1 based on the on-ice improvements, but on-ice improvements don't add up to much when put into a skeleton of a game.
  19. petrynewborn
    Sep 10, 2014
    0
    This is the worst release ever! Over and out. There are so many problem 5000 characters isn't enough.

    Worst thing is that the servers still are laggy and makes the game totally unplayable

    Switch all staff and bring the best from FIFA to fix the next release!
  20. clintcevans
    Sep 9, 2014
    2
    As someone who has purchased every NHL game since NHL '94, I am completely disappointed and angered by this years title. There is absolutely no reason why game modes were gutted as much as they were. I mean no ability to draft in BaGM, no simming until your next shift,playing in the minors, editing your goalie equipment in BAP. There is no reason this game costs as much as it does whenAs someone who has purchased every NHL game since NHL '94, I am completely disappointed and angered by this years title. There is absolutely no reason why game modes were gutted as much as they were. I mean no ability to draft in BaGM, no simming until your next shift,playing in the minors, editing your goalie equipment in BAP. There is no reason this game costs as much as it does when we're getting half a game, if that. I know they say patches are coming, but you shouldn't have to patch a game this much to make it playable. Truly sad.

    All that being said the on-ice gameplay is a step in the right direction, it's just too bad there isn't a mode to enjoy that gameplay with.    … Expand
  21. rlpi100
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    Wtf!! Where is EASHL??
    This game offers nothing to an online gamer. No interest in playing against AI players who skate sideways into the boards. EA should be embarrassed. Such a let down.
  22. emerbaum
    Sep 9, 2014
    1
    So, Here we are. Fifa on ice, Wait my bad. NHL15 ok, so its finally here well not all of it. This game is the return of NHL to consoles and this year its on XB1,PC,and PS4. But the game is lacking all the features that made it great. Im not going to give the whole list, but its pretty long. You do get ok gameplay but it feels like the demo, but you can change teams. Not worth the 60$, 30So, Here we are. Fifa on ice, Wait my bad. NHL15 ok, so its finally here well not all of it. This game is the return of NHL to consoles and this year its on XB1,PC,and PS4. But the game is lacking all the features that made it great. Im not going to give the whole list, but its pretty long. You do get ok gameplay but it feels like the demo, but you can change teams. Not worth the 60$, 30 yes. If you need hockey on the next gen go ahead and get it. if you dont save your money and get destiny instead.… Expand
  23. Kultur
    Sep 12, 2014
    0
    Buyer beware - Classic EA behavior ahead...

    So, this game is at best 30% finished even though they took one extra year to "complete" the game. The old gen version is back to what the PC version was when it still existed - A rooster update at full price. EA has promised to add missing features during the year (next gen only), but have a quick look at the state of Battlefield 4 almost a    Buyer beware - Classic EA behavior ahead...

    So, this game is at best 30% finished even though they took one extra year to "complete" the game. The old gen version is back to what the PC version was when it still existed - A rooster update at full price. EA has promised to add missing features during the year (next gen only), but have a quick look at the state of Battlefield 4 almost a year after launch and guess how much I trust that statement…

    The good
    Graphics look amazing
    New crowds look and sound a lot better than before
    Presentation overhaul was sorely needed and is well done overall, especially the intro sequences to games.

    The bad - Modes
    No online play
    Be a GM has been gutted - No draft, AHL, stats or ability to edit players and roosters.
    Be a pro - Scaled back from Live the Life, no skipping ahead to next shift (HOW is that a difficult feature to implement?), back to the same old play-first-line-minutes-no-matter-what with the added bonus of never being sent down to the AHL since it doesn't exist. No coach feedback either, so enjoy 82 full games of no change at all..
    Season mode has been removed

    The bad - Gameplay
    Minor patches to AI behaviour, still loads of big issues.
    Defense is terrible as usual, this year it’s even worse since the defensemen can’t seem to “lock” players in front of the net.
    You can still pretty much skate along the boards to gain entry every time and then just wait for the cross-crease pass.
    Goalies make phantom saves that the animations can’t keep up with without looking jarring and out of place (again).
    The backhand has gone from unusable to too efficient. Now it’s backhand-forehand-backhand instead of the reverse which was true for the last 3-4 games.
    Partly dodgy puck physics (although the overall feels is a lot better!)

    The extra sleazy
    The only game mode that made it through unscathed was HUT, which is the biggest micro transaction cash grab for EA.I wonder why?

    The summary
    Asking FULL PRICE for this game is a god damn disgrace. I thought the last two years of failed launches and being voted Worst Company TWICE would teach EA something at least, but this is even worse than Sim City, BF4 and the like. The game isn’t finished. At all. Promising to “add” missing features later on is not an acceptable solution to a game that is played for 12 months at the most by a vast majority of the community. EA even daring to ask customers to trust them after their behavior these last few years is laughable. I’ll never pre-order or buy an EA game at launch again since they obviously have no qualms about pushing an unfinished product out the door. Do not buy this title. Show them that this is unacceptable with the only thing they care about: Your wallet.

    Better luck next year!    … Expand
  24. bruinsfan92
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    Utterly embarassing for EA to push out a product like this between current gen and next gen and reap the rewards, it is good to hear many people cancelled preorders and saved some money. It is too bad children with mother's credit card will make up for those losses via HUT in game purchases (the ONE game mode EA suspiciously cares about nowadays -- oh right, it's the only guaranteed easyUtterly embarassing for EA to push out a product like this between current gen and next gen and reap the rewards, it is good to hear many people cancelled preorders and saved some money. It is too bad children with mother's credit card will make up for those losses via HUT in game purchases (the ONE game mode EA suspiciously cares about nowadays -- oh right, it's the only guaranteed easy money for them!). Shoddy, pathetic work by EA.

    They spent so much 'effort' on presentation -- commentary will be muted within a week, and intros skipped after the first day. Nice job EA!!!    … Expand
  25. Dub17fx
    Sep 11, 2014
    0
    Absolute garbage! I'm speechless. Let's not even get into the lack of...pretty much everything, from Game Modes to lack of features within the few Game Modes we've been given! I have tried, and tried to get into a Ranked Online match, but I always get an error. I have tried to play with a friend...who had a friend over, but they couldn't add them to the game. The game crashes far tooAbsolute garbage! I'm speechless. Let's not even get into the lack of...pretty much everything, from Game Modes to lack of features within the few Game Modes we've been given! I have tried, and tried to get into a Ranked Online match, but I always get an error. I have tried to play with a friend...who had a friend over, but they couldn't add them to the game. The game crashes far too often, it's like the game is in Beta! The menus are bare and ugly. No the tiles used for the new Windows are not cool for a gaming menu system EA, just no!

    That all said, the gameplay is ok, but definitely still a step back from NHL 14. But honestly, throw out the AI and start again. Some games you win 10-0, the next game you lose 10-0, no MATTER how HARD you try to score, no dice. Yet, the next game my little brother in Timbits hockey could get a hat trick. Seriously wish I bought this at a store, so I could trade it in for the Xbox 360 version. What a joke this game is. I feel like I got robbed.    … Expand
  26. jamsmanblue
    Sep 11, 2014
    1
    Worst Hockey game I ever played.... I don't know what the heck they were thinking when releasing this crap... DO NOT BUY, Unless you want to buy it from me... otherwise its in the trash.... I waited so long for this game to come out on xbox one.. now it's time to go back to the 360 for the good nhl games.. Total disappointment , and waste of $80.00... I would have rather give the money toWorst Hockey game I ever played.... I don't know what the heck they were thinking when releasing this crap... DO NOT BUY, Unless you want to buy it from me... otherwise its in the trash.... I waited so long for this game to come out on xbox one.. now it's time to go back to the 360 for the good nhl games.. Total disappointment , and waste of $80.00... I would have rather give the money to the homeless guy down the street..… Expand
  27. 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
  28. JBroome
    Sep 10, 2014
    0
    Very angry and disappointed. I have bought every NHL since '09 and I will be returning this to Walmart. There is No drop in games, No Online Team Play, No EASHL, No Online Shootouts!!! That is ALL I played!! DO NOT BUY THIS GAME UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS ARE FIXED!!
  29. Richie
    Sep 10, 2014
    0
    Don't buy NHL 15 this year! They basically took away everything people loved about the game and every enjoyable game mode. No more EASHL! No more playing as a created player online with friends! No online team play! This game is a complete JOKE!
  30. Sk1nnib3n
    Sep 9, 2014
    1
    First of all this game is a huge disappointment to a long time EA Nhl buyer, enormous steps backwards in the gameplay factor and the menu systems. I'm not a huge fan of eashl but a lot of my friends are and this is a huge reason that they decided to buy the 360 version instead of the one version. Menu systems are next to barebones, the main menu feels like a tech demo to show this is whatFirst of all this game is a huge disappointment to a long time EA Nhl buyer, enormous steps backwards in the gameplay factor and the menu systems. I'm not a huge fan of eashl but a lot of my friends are and this is a huge reason that they decided to buy the 360 version instead of the one version. Menu systems are next to barebones, the main menu feels like a tech demo to show this is what it could look like not polished final product material. The gameplay feels rushed and definitely not polished, yes the Graphics are the 1 thing this game has going for it, faces are easily recognizable but like stated the hair on the models are next to ken and Barbie. I feel like im playing a 5v5 ea arcade hockey game the hits are horrible, if Datsyuk hits Chara he doesn't go down like Probert hit him.

    When it comes down to it this game feels like NHL arcade from the marketplace, not the hardcore simulation fans are used to with NHL games. So Nhl was doing great for you guys until madden was criticized so bad that you dropped everything and focused on that ip. I've been buying nhl games since Nhl 94 and I'm highly disappointed this game was even released. Hockey is my number 1 sport and even I think this should have gotten the nba live treatment and cancelled.

    You were given 2+ years to get this right and you dropped the ball, 60$ for a game that's lacking 90% of the game we received last year and we got prettier crowds and a voice over pack that the money grab overlords Activision gave out for 2$ congratulations EA another franchise is broken, because of greed and what you think would be best for the costumer

    The only reason this game got even a 1 is because of those superficial graphics    … Expand
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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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