X15 Toronto: NHL 16 makes up for NHL 15 Blunders

The latest NHL title from EA Sports is outstanding. After playing through a few games with various media members at X15 in Toronto, I realized I really was playing an improved NHL game. To be fair, for NHL 16 to be better than the first NHL release on current generation consoles is not very difficult. NHL 15 played great, but lacked features previous titles had. NHL 16 fixes all of that.

The on ice game play in 16 is outstanding. Skating mechanics are definitely improved, and the first time you walk the blue line with a defender will be a magical moment. Fine, perhaps not magical, but it will make you happy you picked up NHL 16. Aside from the improved skating mechanic, EA Sports have also introduced other tweaks that make playing the game more strategic. When going in on goal a target appears on the net depending on where you are aiming. The better the player, the more accurate the shot.

It appears as if EA Sports have also introduced a new passing mechanic, that will provide an outlined path on the ice when you begin pressing the pass button, giving you a bit of flexibility in where you make your pass. Hitting a player on the fly – even if he has to reach to grab the puck ahead of him – allows more precision in the passing, which equates to a better, more accurate game play experience.

If NHL 15 turned you off, make sure to grab the inevitable NHL 16 demo that will be available on PS4 and Xbox One. NHL 16 will be worth the purchase price.