Last year, NHL 15 was missing several popular features (including the EA Sports Hockey League and GM Connected modes) and several other quality of life adjustments that you’d expect from the NHL series. Fans were upset that they were given basically a demo version of the NHL game, and demanded better this year. To give you an idea of how unfinished NHL 15 was, it was released without the ability to view the three stars at the end of a game. How…how is that possible? The goalies are without much doubt one of the most important positions on the ice, especially in a close game.

 

As a result, there is a major focus on the position this year, by improving their movement and control of the crease at the most realistic level yet. This works very much in tandem with the Precision Skating mechanic, with momentum and movement playing a big part. Having the ability to shape your future is a fantastic feature that is great to see back again, with you having the option between teams from any of the three leagues that make up the CHL. This isn’t just a game or two to test your skills either, but a full season for you to try out. It would have been neat to have some nuances included to show somewhat of a difference between the two, but it is still a really cool addition.

 

On the presentation side of things, Team Arenas are more authentic than ever before with genuine props and effects including team specific celebrations, mascots, chants and props. As a die-hard Arizona Coyotes fan, I can only comment on the realism of the home experience of that hockey club, but it was extremely impressive. Gila River Arena actually looks like Gila River Arena, the fans wear a varied amount of team gear, our mascot Howler is always romping around the stands and scoring a goal triggers the famous howl and goal song “Howlin’ for You” from The Black Keys (I don’t envy the person that has to secure the rights to goal songs like this).

 

The only inauthentic things about the experience is the fact that none of the fans are wearing the new uniforms (which I’m assuming is because the game was already designed before the reveal and the arena is inexplicably called “Arizona Arena” instead of “Gila River Arena” (perhaps because it’s named after a casino?). Still, these are fairly minor nitpicks and playing the game truly makes me feel like I’m at home with the pack. Outside of that, NHL 16 is stacks and stacks of "more annual hockey." There are marginal changes and improvements across the board, such as GM Mode's new Player Meetings, which let you boost (or harm) morale when you choose from a selection of milquetoast multiple choice responses, or the return of EASHL, an online mode for people that like to play with full teams of friends.

 

On the GM side of things, there's a new morale system in which players will alternately complain about and praise your work. A mix of the player conversation system in NBA 2K and the morale system in FIFA, you will find yourself engaging with your players on a fairly regular basis. When I promoted the Wild's Zach Parise to captain, he was naturally pleased, reminding me on several occasions that I'm a great GM (in the exact same conversation... the morale can get a little repetitive). On the flipside, a relatively highly rated player who was repeatedly scratched eventually became disgruntled, with the probable result being that he would eventually demand a trade. When put against similar systems in other sports games, it's nothing special, limited as it is by NHL's typically drab menus and simplistic conversations. But it does add a bit of spice to Be a GM, especially if you find yourself on a bit of a losing streak.

 

So NHL 16 has arrived, and it’s brought back most of what was painfully absent from last year’s product. It doesn’t really solve the few riddles of the NHL franchise, such as some bothersome AI habits and a lack of new modes, but it does bring back one of the best multiplayer experiences in recent memory. The EASHL is clearly going in a skill-based direction, and the game is better for it. Modes like Be-A-Pro and Be-A-GM have been given a few new reasons to check them out, and the overall presentation is better than before, especially with the arena details, mascots, goal music and playoff beards.