- September 15, 2015
- EA Canada
NHL 16
With a gentle learning curve, tight mechanics and immensely gratifying gameplay, NHL 16 stands as EA Sports’ most accomplished release of the year.
Platforms
About
NHL 16 is a realistic hockey video game released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2015. It is the 25th installment in the NHL series and features Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks as the cover athlete. The game offers single-player, 2-player, multi-player, and co-op gameplay options, and received positive reviews for its improved features over NHL 15. A separate edition titled NHL: Legacy Edition was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
- NHL 16 features improved movement and gameplay mechanics that closely resemble the real sport, enhancing the overall experience for hockey fans.
- The return of popular modes like EA Sports Hockey League and improvements in Be A Pro make the game appealing to both new and returning players.
- The game boasts excellent multiplayer gameplay, fluid controls, and impressive visuals, contributing to a satisfying hockey experience.
- Despite some improvements, NHL 16 lacks significant new features and feels more like a reinstatement of previous content rather than a true upgrade.
- Certain modes, such as Be A GM, have not received the attention they need, and the game still suffers from issues like online lag and unintuitive menus.
- The AI can exhibit poor decision-making, and some gameplay elements feel outdated, indicating that the franchise still has room for growth.
gameplay6 mentions Positive Neutral NegativeThe gameplay is praised for its solid mechanics and gratifying experience, particularly in NHL 16, which features a gentle learning curve and strong multiplayer options. While the on-ice action is well-received, some reviewers note a lack of innovative modes as a drawback. Overall, the gameplay is characterized by smooth online performance and a hopeful outlook for the franchise's future.
“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.”
“With a gentle learning curve, tight mechanics, and immensely gratifying gameplay, NHL 16 stands as EA Sports’ most accomplished release of the year.”
“Online gameplay is smooth, and that always counts.”
NHL 16 Review
When you come right down to it, NHL 16 is an improvement over last year's release in virtually every department. Unfortunately, that isn't exactly saying a lot. If you like hockey, you will have no trouble enjoying this title, and you may even love it. The changes to movement and playing style allow everything to feel far closer to the real sport. But there are still plenty of problems floating around if you look hard enough, and the title carries with it a feeling of 'good enough' rather than going all out. So while things are certainly headed in the right direction, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
70%NHL 16 (PS4) Review
That being said, it makes NHL16 a curious game, because although yes, it brings these features back, those aren’t necessarily upgrades, just reinstatements that were left off of a previous release.
80%A well-written apology -- NHL 16
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.
80%
