NHL 17: Quick Impressions - Operation Sports

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NHL 17: Quick Impressions

Submitted on: 09/08/2016 by Fraser Gilbert

In case you weren't aware, the embargo for NHL 17 reviews lifted earlier today. Our review is very much ready to go, but we've decided to keep it back in anticipation of tomorrow's (September 9) newly announced pre-release patch. I will re-evaluate my thoughts after I have had a chance to get hands-on with the new changes.

So, while we wait on the big patch to finalize the review, here are a few quick impressions of the game thus far:

-NHL 17 is not a revolutionary update for the series, but the subtleties in its gameplay provide a more realistic experience than ever before. There are a few downsides to mention, and I'll go into more detail about them based on what I find in tomorrow's patch. However, the on-ice experience is largely impressive, and although you might not notice all the new improvements right away, they’ll soon present themselves as you delve into the game’s vast array of modes.

-Speaking of game modes, there’s a lot of content on offer this year. Nearly all of it hits the mark, with just a few misses to mention. franchise mode, EASHL and Ultimate Team largely take the plaudits, with the latter undergoing a particularly impressive overhaul. Ultimately, the majority of modes incorporate well designed features to provide plenty of longevity.

-Customization is a big feature in this year’s game, and it provides a genuinely enticing reason to progress in EASHL, where new features must be unlocked through progression. It's also a big reason why relocation in franchise mode is such an enticing prospect, putting every tool at your disposal from the moment you negotiate terms. The arena creator is the main highlight, offering all sorts of possibilities to create a customized masterpiece. Player and team-creation features are a little less impressive, but they're still an important part of the overall package.

-In terms of presentation, there isn’t a whole lot to talk about. Unfortunately, progress appears to have stagnated in this area over the past twelve months. There’s nothing particularly offensive about it, but it’s clear there’s more potential to create a sense of varied immersion from mode-to-mode.

That’s all I'll be saying for now, but I'll go into much more depth when the full review is released over the next couple days. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts if you’ve had a chance to get hands-on during the EA Access trial period.

NHL 17 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 GrandMaster B @ 09/08/16 02:44 PM

I saw a in-game graphic showing your upcoming next 3 games. So they added something for presentation. That was only in the opening game of the year. Hopefully they will have more of these as you play.

# 2 berad88 @ 09/08/16 04:22 PM

I simmed a couple months into the season just to see if there were any new presentation elements. The announcers mentioned that the home games have been sell outs. I also love how both the commentators and presentation graphics mention how many goals a player has scored in the season. I also saw the graphic mentioned above about the next 3 games.

# 3 Fraser G. @ 09/08/16 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berad88


	I simmed a couple months into the season just to see if there were any new presentation elements. The announcers mentioned that the home games have been sell outs. I also love how both the commentators and presentation graphics mention how many goals a player has scored in the season. I also saw the graphic mentioned above about the next 3 games.

Yeah, there are a few small additions to the presentation department throughout the game. It's largely reminiscent of last year, though, which is why I made the point about stagnation.

I've gone into this in more detail in the review which will be live on OS very soon.

# 4 jake19ny @ 09/08/16 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berad88


	I simmed a couple months into the season just to see if there were any new presentation elements. The announcers mentioned that the home games have been sell outs. I also love how both the commentators and presentation graphics mention how many goals a player has scored in the season. I also saw the graphic mentioned above about the next 3 games.

Can you tell if the commentary is fixed during the pre-game skate? I hated it during my season last year when, despite Lundqvist being 3rd in the league and me being in second place in the division, half the time Eddie and Doc talked about what a bad year Hank was having or how the team was at the bottom of the standings. Sad to hear presentation didn't get much attention but gameplay takes precedence and the new banners should be a nice touch but I hope the above is corrected.

# 5 onlybygrace @ 09/08/16 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake19ny


	Can you tell if the commentary is fixed during the pre-game skate? I hated it during my season last year when, despite Lundqvist being 3rd in the league and me being in second place in the division, half the time Eddie and Doc talked about what a bad year Hank was having or how the team was at the bottom of the standings. Sad to hear presentation didn't get much attention but gameplay takes precedence and the new banners should be a nice touch but I hope the above is corrected.

So far it seems to have been tightened up.

Also, I played a random franchise game working out sliders and Jay Bouwmeester received an award in the pregame for playing in his 1000th game. It showed him receiving the Silver Stick the league awards for the accomplishment. It probably shows other stuff too.

# 6 ericromain @ 09/08/16 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	So far it seems to have been tightened up. Also, I played a random franchise game working out sliders and Jay Bouwmeester received an award in the pregame for playing in his 1000th game. It showed him receiving the Silver Stick the league awards for the accomplishment. It probably shows other stuff too.

Oh that's really cool. It's stuff like that (acknowledging milestones, during and post game statistical analysis) that gets me into the single player modes.

# 7 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 01:47 AM

Played another random franchise game against Nashville and in the score ticket it said Rinne: 3 straight shutouts.

# 8 Therion7 @ 09/09/16 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berad88


	I simmed a couple months into the season just to see if there were any new presentation elements. The announcers mentioned that the home games have been sell outs. I also love how both the commentators and presentation graphics mention how many goals a player has scored in the season. I also saw the graphic mentioned above about the next 3 games.

That sounds good.

Just to be absolutely certain, if Daniel Sedin has scored 12 goals in the course of a season, the first time he scores in the next game it will say D. Sedin (13) under the top left score box?

That's definitely been fixed? The new season goal graphics aren't just some incidental graphic during break in play ( 16 does that for points leaders ). Whenever a goal is scored, we know exactly how many goals the scorer has for the season?

Sorry for labouring the point but this is something I absolutely need to be certain about before making a purchase. Thanks.

EDIT: And to echo Jake's question below, is the total shown correctly in Season as well as Franchise?

# 9 rbiaci @ 09/09/16 06:23 AM

I'm done wit hockey

# 10 rbiaci @ 09/09/16 06:24 AM

Too many set backs in NHL series they need to get it right for once

# 11 rbiaci @ 09/09/16 06:25 AM

NBA 2k17 it is ! Bye

# 12 jake19ny @ 09/09/16 07:51 AM

/\
3 separate posts for 3 separate sentences....none that give anyone any insight into the game. Thanks for the spam. Bye.

Getting back on track. Has anyone tried regular season mode? Hoping all the little stat details are in their and not just franchise mode. I can't see why not. Can anyone confirm goal totals now accumulate during a season instead of each goal scored in a game listed as first?

# 13 GlennN @ 09/09/16 09:24 AM

Can anyone comment on the differentiation between players? This has been one of my big gripes with the NHL series over the years. Can you really feel the difference between a star and a 4th liner grinder? It kills franchise mode for me when everyone is too closely rated.

# 14 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 11:30 AM

Yes the scoring overlays show running season totals, both in the graphic as they pass the bench and in the ticker.

There is player differentiation. There are ratings that specifically use player ratings to impact how much ratings matter when receiving a pass and a couple other things. The sliders have very thorough explanations and are clear as to which direction you should move them to get the desired effect. The way I had my sliders set, weaker players could hardly carry the puck without bobbling it eventually nor would they always receive passes cleanly....skilled guys were much better. So after all is said in done, player separation has sliders that impact the effect of their hands, size, balance ratings...on top of speed and shooting already being important.

# 15 Money99 @ 09/09/16 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	Yes the scoring overlays show running season totals, both in the graphic as they pass the bench and in the ticker. There is player differentiation. There are ratings that specifically use player ratings to impact how much ratings matter when receiving a pass and a couple other things. The sliders have very thorough explanations and are clear as to which direction you should move them to get the desired effect. The way I had my sliders set, weaker players could hardly carry the puck without bobbling it eventually nor would they always receive passes cleanly....skilled guys were much better. So after all is said in done, player separation has sliders that impact the effect of their hands, size, balance ratings...on top of speed and shooting already being important.

Great to hear!
Can you comment if those sliders also affect the CPU?

# 16 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 11:36 AM

There are so many sliders effecting agility with and without the puck that you can effect any perceived water bugging by the cpu. The cpu skill players did a majority of the damage both in scoring chances and goals. Seriously, you can effect pretty much everything with this many sliders that are so effective. You can play arcade hockey to straight up sloppy twenty minute periods with realistic stats and flow. It's really incredible.

# 17 Therion7 @ 09/09/16 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	Yes the scoring overlays show running season totals, both in the graphic as they pass the bench and in the ticker.

Thanks very much for answering.

Don't get as much time to play as I used to but it is apparent that a fair whack of the most annoying things about 16 for offline players have been addressed. Looking forward to the presentation and slider tweaks and getting my powerplay per game average closer to three in 7 minute periods.

# 18 franch1se @ 09/09/16 12:09 PM

Im actually seeing penalties on the cpu this year! Of course I jacked it up to 100 but still good to see.

Game doesn't feel like it's changed that much, and I'm hearing the same old commentary.

World cup mode is fun, but I wish you could mold the roster however you want.

Haven't dug too much into the game yet. The Kings have their correct goal horn but don't have their goal song correct but I've heard this may be a glitch as others have this issue.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

# 19 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therion7


	Thanks very much for answering. Don't get as much time to play as I used to but it is apparent that a fair whack of the most annoying things about 16 for offline players have been addressed. Looking forward to the presentation and slider tweaks and getting my powerplay per game average closer to three in 7 minute periods.

I play seven minute periods and was getting about that. Just because you may take five penalties and computer takes one or so doesn't mean it's broken.....They tend to even out over a span of games with a good amount of two man advantages....at least on my settings.

# 20 onlybygrace @ 09/09/16 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franch1se


	Im actually seeing penalties on the cpu this year! Of course I jacked it up to 100 but still good to see. Game doesn't feel like it's changed that much, and I'm hearing the same old commentary. World cup mode is fun, but I wish you could mold the roster however you want. Haven't dug too much into the game yet. The Kings have their correct goal horn but don't have their goal song correct but I've heard this may be a glitch as others have this issue. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

You can't say the game hasn't changed. Gameplay wise you can do things you've never been able to do replicating the random chaos of the game. Commentary wise you could say it's not much different, but this gameplay could be epic. This is a good buy. Opening up such a vast array of effective sliders may have been the best idea they've ever had

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