EA Sports' NHL 16, launching in September, bring back numerous features and gameplay modes that were missing from the series' disappointing Xbox One and PlayStation 4 debut, but previous-generation consoles will get little more than a reconditioned release of last year's game, with updated rosters and player uniforms. That product, called NHL Legacy, will also be available in September. NHL Legacy "brings together the most popular modes and award-winning gameplay features from nine years of NHL hockey," according to the game's website. FIFA 14 and FIFA 15, also developed at the EA Canada studio, each received a roundly criticized "Legacy Edition" on Wii that delivered the same game as the year before with no new features or modes.

 

The moment you boot up NHL 16, you are greeted with a menu system brought to life by your favourite team, as chosen in the settings. For us it's Tampa Bay Lightning, and the formidable Steven Stamkos. A small feature perhaps, but one that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. After all, who would want to risk being greeted by a rival team each time you fire up the game? Furthermore, several well-known and loved features make their return in NHL 16. First we have EA Sports Hockey League, or EASHL, a mode we spent countless hours enjoying back on PS3. After gathering feedback from the EASHL beta earlier this year EA has moved away from the system where you and your friends could only play as one unified club.

 

First off, Season Mode is back, period. You can once again jump right in, and play as your favorite team, and edit away to your heart’s content. Want to trade that sieve goalie who drives you nuts in real life? Done. Want your team to finally win that Stanley Cup they haven’t won since, oh … 1967? Yeah, that’s right, you can do that too. And there is a full selection of hockey leagues to choose from – besides the NHL, you can choose a host of minor and junior leagues including the AHL, WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. There are even the European leagues including the Swiss, German and Scandinavian leagues. No KHL though – I guess that’s understandable. But I will say, it was disappointing not to see women’s hockey leagues, real players, or teams represented. You can, oddly, choose a female head for your player, but that is the only nod to women’s hockey in NHL 16. It feels a bit out of step with the times, especially when we have had such major strides in other games, most notably FIFA 16.

 

Last year's edition of the game was the first next-gen NHL game, and it left gamers wanting more. Obviously taking away features struck a nerve even with EA Sports, so with NHL 16 they vowed to make things right and even put a dedicated team together to focus primarily on what the gamers wanted. I think it's tough for a developer to continue to provide solid games every year with no other competition, but I feel like EA Sports has definitely recovered from last year's shutout by delivering better refined modes from the past and also by adding new flair to the mix. But most of all they listened to the fans. There is a little too much variety for my taste, but there is a niche for everyone to find their comfort zone and stick to it for the next year to come.

 

Some other features have got small upgrades, even though they are not immediately recognizable. Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk are once again heading NHL’s commentary table. There are some new lines written this year, and they continue to build on a pretty solid performance by the duo. This time around, they tend to focus more on the actual action happening. NHL’s card-based feature, Hockey Ultimate Team, has received some new player management options as well as a single player season. The single player season feature is long overdue, as many people do not particularly enjoy playing sports games online due to opponents outmatching them.

 

Despite the draw of the EASHL and the core gameplay in NHL 16, there's a layer of familiarity that might turn away some folks. But after the missteps of last year's series entry, NHL 16 represents a step back in the right direction for EA's virtual hockey franchise and its fanbase. Some of the game modes feel underdeveloped in key areas, namely Be a Pro, but the variety on display and the hook of online multiplayer make NHL 16 an easy recommendation.