NHL 16 Reviews
Overall, NHL 16 is a remarkably improved experience compared to last year's. With more depth and features, addictive Be A Pro and Be A GM modes, stunning visuals and an exquisite gameplay experience, NHL 16 is exactly what people hoped NHL 15 would be: a great game.
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. EA Sports Hockey League features a nice shot in the arm, but the Be a GM mode seems to be taking a back seat. Be a Player has received some nice additions, but not being able to alter the period length seems absolutely asinine and ruins the mode. NHL 16 is a well-written apology letter that will bring fans back to the franchise, but if you are looking for monumental upgrades, look elsewhere.
The dopey AI does not mar the entire experience. But it crops up frequently enough to keep me from being able to comfortably enjoy a two goal lead.
This new iteration of NHL recovers from last year's sizable stumble by reinstating the excised features and making improvements on them which make them more enjoyable and easier to get into.
Honestly, NHL 16 may be the improvement that was needed to keep fans happy.
EA's NHL 16 is an improvement in every way over NHL 15. But there was really only room to go upwards. Some people will love the gameplay, others won't. It's really something you have to play and tweak.
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.
NHL 16 clearly out did its predecessor in just about every facet and gamers world-wide should be excited to scoop up this years version of the revitalized franchise.
NHL 16 has done enough to fix the damage of last year, and it's worth checking out.
I went into NHL 16 expecting yet another generic sports simulation and instead found a deep and engaging experience that, above all, was a blast to play.
NHL has bounced back
NHL 16 delivers on what the fans have been asking for. It answers everything NHL 15 was missing and more. I think any hockey fan will truly enjoy this NHL title. Awesome – NHL 16 adds to what NHL 15 was and I think players are going to thoroughly enjoy this iteration of the game.
NHL 16 marks what some would call a rebuild year. Most of the content that was inexcusably cut last year is back, but that's about it. The gameplay remains solid, and there is hope that the franchise can finally break away from the past and create something great in the future.
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. All of the modes are back and fully intact, while the presentation is solid save for a few hitches here and there. It would be nice to see something that's actually new, but considering how bare the previous entry was, getting these modes back is a good start.
NHL 16 represents a return to form for the long-running hockey franchise. Those trying to get the bad taste of their mouths from last year's entry should be pleased with EA Canada's effort, which is capable of attracting casual and hardcore fans alike. EASHL is fulfilling and even addictive, shootouts are an absolute blast, the On-Ice Trainer is an excellent addition for newcomers, and the gameplay is smooth in some places, and rugged and powerful where it needs to be (feel that hit?).
NHL 16 is a solid return to form for a beloved sports franchise. For sports fans, every year brings about new hope for their team. Well this year that hope was realised as NHL 16 provides an outstanding experience both on and off of the ice. There is still room for improvement, but now the title is more than a foundation - it is a full game with a great deal for hockey fans to appreciate.
NHL 16 is the best NHL game to this point and I expect future games to get even better gameplay wise and graphics wise.
There's a lot to like about NHL 16. EA Canada has worked diligently to bring back almost all of the features that were missing last year, with Be a Pro and EASHL being notably improved. The presentation has also received a really nice bump, and the gameplay on the ice is smoother and more exciting than ever. While it's more ambitious than it looks, though, the next step remains elusive. For now, we'll just have to settle for a really solid hockey sim.
NHL 16 is leaps and bounds improved from last year's title. While all of the returning game modes are warmly welcomed, it can come off as a cheap marketing ploy to take them away in the first place, only to reinstate them as a selling point. The feel of the game replicates a more authentic simulation in both look and gameplay.