NHL 16

 Xbox One
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Gaming Age
    Sep 29, 2015
    91
    When this game clicks — and make no mistake, it clicks pretty often — it's a thing of beauty to behold.
  2. Brash Games
    Dec 15, 2015
    90
    NHL 16 is probably the most inclusive NHL game to date. The on ice trainer will help new comers in a way that NHL has never done before, even someone like me who has been playing the game for a number of years seems to have improved, breaking bad habits like favoring the glove side or poor cycling of the puck in the offensive zone.
  3. XGN
    Nov 2, 2015
    85
    Lots of options and great graphics make NHL 16 superior to NHL 15 in every way.
  5. Gaming Nexus
    Oct 22, 2015
    85
    All those stripped out game modes are back and they're just as fun as they should be. Gameplay is better than its ever been for both veterans and rookies while the presentation is spot-on and a pleasure to take in. There's no denying that the NHL franchise is back to where it should be.
  6. Digital Chumps
    Sep 16, 2015
    82
    I wanted a new distraction to pull me away from my dull adult responsibilities and force me to consider living on 5 hours of sleep. And NHL16 almost gets me there. For the majority of my time in game, I get lost in the flow crisp passes, smooth break outs and well crafted scoring opportunities. But I suddenly find myself escorted back to said world of dull adult responsibilities when my AI defenders gift wrap scoring chances for opposing attackers.
  7. Sporting News
    Mar 2, 2016
    80
    The most fun way to play NHL 16 is undoubtedly EA Sports Hockey League, an online cooperative mode that pits you and your friends against rival clubs in monthly championship battles. For years, EASHL was a mainstay for the series, but it was missing from last season’s PS4/Xbox One debut. It returns in a big way, thanks to a more user-friendly way to drop in and play anytime as well as a smart new team-building mechanic.
  8. games(TM)
    Nov 15, 2015
    80
    For fans of the series, this is an essential purchase, and for first timers, this is a great opportunity to get hooked. [Issue#167, p.83]
  9. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    A welcome apology for last year. [Dec 2015, p.73]
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  10. Pelit (Finland)
    Nov 5, 2015
    80
    NHL 16 is a marked improvement from last year’s travesty. The on-ice action is smoother than before and many of the modes that were absent last year make a welcome comeback. [Oct 2015]
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  11. GameSpot
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    NHL 16 is a huge improvement over NHL 15 in every way, and it makes me optimistic for the future of the franchise.
  12. GamingTrend
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    After a small misstep in NHL 15, NHL 16 feels like a huge apology letter to fans. Many removed features have returned, but that also means improvements are few and far between.
  13. We Got This Covered
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    NHL 16 follows up last year's debacle with a fun, content-packed and beautifully presented hockey experience, that marks the welcomed return of fan favourite modes like EA Sports Hockey League. It is, however, rough around the edges in certain areas, which is what prevents it from being a bonafide classic.
  14. EGM
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    New aspects in NHL 16 like the on-ice trainer and the Morale system in Be a GM give the game some welcome layers of depth, and the actual gameplay is as good as ever. However, you can’t help but get the sense that the biggest additions to this year’s game just came from putting back features that were cut from last year’s title.
  15. Attack of the Fanboy
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    While some game modes still feel like they are living in the past, the return of fan-favorites like EASHL and the improved Be A Pro make NHL 16 a power play that hockey fans are bound to love.
  16. IGN
    Sep 15, 2015
    78
    It still suffers technical problems with online play, which is a shame, because outside of noticeably repetitious play-by-play calling and some non-gameplay-affecting framerate issues in cutscenes and replays, NHL 16 is an otherwise excellent game.
  17. Worth Playing
    Dec 4, 2015
    75
    NHL 16 feels like what NHL 15 should have been. The gameplay remains largely the same, but there is at least some effort to get newcomers more familiar with the mechanics.
  18. Destructoid
    Oct 6, 2015
    75
    NHL 16 isn't perfect, but it's a substantial improvement over what released last year.
  19. Game Informer
    Sep 15, 2015
    75
    With improvements in nearly every area, NHL 16 is a positive stride in the right direction for the franchise, but like a defensive-oriented team adopting trap tactics, the series plays it safe and lacks any game-breaking quality.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
40
#40 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
34
#34 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 86
  3. Negative: 26 out of 86
  1. greene_8
    Sep 21, 2015
    3
    The problems with this franchise usually center around the unpolished game modes but I can never get over how unbalanced the actual gameplayThe problems with this franchise usually center around the unpolished game modes but I can never get over how unbalanced the actual gameplay is. When I play on Pro my players seem competent and the A.I. Is defendable, when I switch to All-Star the A.I. has the puck glued to its sticks and my players stop using basic common sense, such as skating into the offensive zone when your teammates are attacking or picking up the puck when it's sitting at your feet. I played 10 games in season mode and my goalie (Varlamov) has an .854 save percentage, despite the fact that I've beat my opponents in shots and attack time in every game. If you don't know about hockey, an .854 save percentage simply doesn't happen in reality, it's ridiculously bad. I hit and knock down opponents, and they get up and get the puck back before my player makes any kind of move to get the puck. 9 out of 10 of my poke checks result in the puck going straight to the opponent's teammate, and the exact opposite happens when the A.I. Is poke checking my players. There are certain points where I can stand right in front of a guy poke-checking him and lifting his stick and the puck will float right back to him 3-4 times in a row. I can have 15-20 point blank snap shots per game with quality players and end up getting shutout. How can people possibly enjoyable a game that is so unbalanced?… Full Review »
  2. PierreDu
    Sep 21, 2015
    4
    It's basically NHL 2015 + the features that should've been there last year. Oh yeah, they added mascots and growing beards...

    I play mainly    It's basically NHL 2015 + the features that should've been there last year. Oh yeah, they added mascots and growing beards...

    I play mainly versus AI, and the advantage the other team has is simply ridiculous: defence is useless in your own zone; lifting the opponent stick is useless 90% of the time; Checking would be useful, but the opponent gets up SO FAST that most of the times, you end up with the puck (even with huge hits)... and you don't get up as fast when you get hit. I could go on with examples all day. Instead of adjusting the defence/offense system of the team when you raise the difficulty level, EA decided to weaken your players... and your goalie.

    So I'm stuck: if I play at a lower level, I'm crushing the other team, but I feel cheated playing All-star... And what about all those players stumbling when they cross a player on the ice. It's stupid!!!

    EA were lazy once again. They know people are gonna buy the game because there is nothing else available. They even kept the images of the cities in the game presentation.

    I'm pretty sure they're gonna do the same next year.    … Full Review »
  3. worstgameever
    Oct 31, 2015
    0
    I just finished up my 2 year tenure playing NHL 15 for the Xbox 360. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had playingI just finished up my 2 year tenure playing NHL 15 for the Xbox 360. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had playing with friends and in online. I absolutely loved the HUT and EASHL features. You were able to customize so much about each player from their face off skills, to hitting, to stick curve!

    I just recently made the switch to Xbox One and I feel like I just stepped in dog feces. It is the feeling when you know your day is ruined. I have been playing this game for two days and I want to break my console into 1000 pieces. This is by far one of the worst games I have ever played. The only customization you get is what colour skin your player is and how long his beard is. With that feature, every single player I have seen has the same ugly beard. You get no rewards in playing anymore and there are no attributes to look forward to. You get to select one of five lousy playing abilities in the pre-game lobby.

    I feel like I am looking at a beginner power skating class. These guys have no skating ability. However, they have the best hand eye coordination on planet earth. Every single player can stick check from 20 feet away and the RB button on every controller will wear out faster than I can eat a bag of popcorn.
    The AI in this game is incredible. I think Crosby and Stamkos would get crushed playing against these computer wizards.

    On top of this disgusting piece of trash they call NHL 16, you cant even watch the debacle because the camera angles are either in the rafters, or a worm cam that looks like it is attached to your stick. You will find yourself watching the wrong player since your camera angle does not know where on earth your bearded dragon player is.

    I would rate this game a -1030392039 but the scale only goes to 0. If EA Sports paid me 1000 dollars a week to play this game for 40 hours, I would take the disc and tie it to a bag of bricks and sink it to the ocean before I played even another 13 seconds.

    I think I am going to find a N64 console and find Gretzky 98 and enjoy a real hockey experience. Hopefully on the next edition of NHL for XB1, the creator doesn't design the game in 90 seconds after he drinks 37 beers on a Wednesday night. My 19 year old cat could have put in a better effort than this disgusting piece of trash game.

    I am going to now play checkers with my grandma and have a way better time.    … Full Review »
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