so the game is ok, better than last year's. Am talking strictly gameplay, haven't really done inside be a gm yet, that usually starts when the flames season is done
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one thing though, i really think the current team of the NHL series has run it's course. the foundational issues of this game have been prevalent year after year, which leads me to believe that the issues are deep rooted into the game's framework itself. The team does some aesthetic or front level updates every year to try to cover up for these issues, but it's not enough to resolve.
the fact that the puck is glued to a player's stick is brutal (Fifa has had a disconnected ball from ball carrier for years now, on previous gen). This would allow one to really get a different feel when handling the puck as a 3rd/4th line grinder vs high end skill player.
body contact is brutal in the game. hockey is a contact sport, and unless you have very strong/big players, body contact will typically dislodge the puck and puck carrier . the fact that once your in an animation of a deke or protect puck that you are invincible from hits has been a problem forever, and makes the game ridiculous.
passing is completely arcade like (even in hardcore).
AI is ridiculous, especially defensively. Playing defence isn't fun as being positionally sound isn't rewarded (due to issues noted above).
i really think it's time for new blood in the development group of NHL, the product is getting quite stale as it feels like the same game at its core for years now, with different levels of lipstick on it.
my 2cents as an avid player of Hut (online/offline), some online vs, offline season, be a gm modes.