NHL 19

1. CataBull

   Sep 17, 2018

   10

   Love it!
   The updated skating system in this year's edition is the most noticeable new feature, and it brings a massive upgrade to gameplay.Love it!
   The updated skating system in this year's edition is the most noticeable new feature, and it brings a massive upgrade to gameplay.
   One of the coolest additions to this year's game is "World of Chel." Although I still cringe at the name, the new hub brings a bit of freshness to game modes in NHL 19. To enter World of Chel, you create a playable character that can be dropped into a variety of game modes, the popular EASHL online team play mode, the arcade-style NHL Threes mode that was introduced last year, and an awesome new mode called NHL Ones.Playing Ones ( 1v1v1 free-for-all where you race to outscore your other two opponents on the ice ) may bring experienced NHL gamers back to the days of NHL 2006 and the very similar "Free For All" game mode. Either way, it's very welcome addition to NHL's collection of game modes, as it's an addictive and fun way to hone your one-on-one game.Along with World of Chel comes pond hockey venues and a massive upgrade in the player customization department. Users can outfit their playable characters in a wide variety of clothing and equipment, ranging from wacky jackets, sweatshirts and pants to NHL team-branded merchandise and jerseys. You'll rarely see two online characters take to the ice in the same loadout.
   
   The customization and breadth of drop-in options brings a bit more depth to the gameplay options and that's a good thing.
   
   For offline players, Franchise Mode appears to be largely similar to the product rolled out last year, but with one exception.
   EA Sports has overhauled the mode's scouting system from top-to-bottom. When you take over a franchise, you're tasked with assembling a team of 20 scouts that will evaluate both pro and amateur talent, meaning the quality of your scouting will likely affect the quality of drafting, trading, and free agency decisions. I didn't get too much of a chance to play around with it (at least not over a long period of time ), but it's something that may be valued by those who invest enough time into franchise mode to play across multiple seasons.… Expand

   • 3 of 12 users found this helpful
2. DarrMunny

   Sep 14, 2018

   9

   Love this years version, player control is way better this year finally you don't float away like trying to turn a semi truck. The New traitLove this years version, player control is way better this year finally you don't float away like trying to turn a semi truck. The New trait upgrade system is a good inclusion. NHL 19 for me is a better game all round.… Expand

   • 1 of 8 users found this helpful
4. colin1465

   Dec 14, 2018

   8

   'Nuff said......................................................................................

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful
5. Samheis

   Dec 5, 2018

   2

   It's simply time for EA to lose this license.
   
   I've been playing NHL games for the better part of 20 years now and this is probably my lastIt's simply time for EA to lose this license.
   
   I've been playing NHL games for the better part of 20 years now and this is probably my last one. After NHL 18 I swore I would no longer pay full price for the NHL series, so I purchased 19 half off on Black Friday. I think I may never purchase an EA NHL game again.
   
   (Note: this whole review is for offline single-player, as I consider online multiplayer to be nothing more than a vehicle for microtransactions)
   
   It sucks. Every single problem from previous iterations returns, essentially nothing is better, and on top of it some things are even worse. They touted the skating in this game as a big step forward and a lot of 'journalists' mention it in their reviews: don't be fooled, It still feels incredibly fake and arcade-ish, only now it's faster. That's not better, it's just different. You still get stuck on AI players who are playing their perfect 1 on 1 coverage (more on that later), and no matter how great a jump you get, you can't really get a breakaway because of the hilarious joke of a catchup mechanic the devs put into every NHL game that gives a speed boost to a defender that got caught. Turning is no longer like skating through mud, instead it's like defying physics itself to magically stop on a dime from a full sprint and then be going full speed the other way in two strides. It's very artificial.
   
   Have no fear though! Your teammate AI will never be useful enough for the new skating to really impact the game anyways. Blowing down the wing and cutting back into the middle of the ice (you know, like a good hockey player) will see you rewarded by the stunning vision of your teammates driving themselves.... right into the wall. Or, if you particularly angered the hockey gods, your teammate will instead come to a dead stop right in the middle of the ice... you know, right where you're driving. Because going to the net is not a thing in NHL and hasn't been for years. I assume it's because the devs are aware that their goaltenders are immediately blindfolded the instant a single opposing player passes their line of sight, but either way it's not hockey.
   
   Which is honestly the main issue with NHL 19. It's not hockey. At no point in time will you be tricked into thinking you're playing hockey on your favorite team. Or hell, any team. Your defenders don't defend, your forwards don't play lanes or take up assignments, and the offensive zone is essentially you running around with 1 guy while 4 of your AI teammates see just how frustrated you can get with them being in useless positions. Playing in Be a Pro is just an exercise in futility. Your teammates won't play like real hockey players, so no matter how hard you try to play 'correctly' you'll never be rewarded. The game will only reward you for ignoring your teammates and doing everything yourself. Want to pass it to a Defenseman and drive the net to screen? Tough, they'll just pass it right back to you no matter how bad the positioning. Want to set up a nice 2 on 1 with your winger? Tough, they won't take up the lane they should take, which leaves you to not only carry the puck but ALSO fix the lanes your AI friend won't do on his own. Want to set up a nice Power Play? Sucks to be you, because your AI friends are pylons when they shouldn't be, and rabid mice when they should be standing still. It's like the people who developed the AI haven't actually seen a hockey game in person but heard about it from a friend, so decided to write the AI based on that secondhand knowledge. Don't worry though, none of these issues is of particular effect on the opposing team, which meshes well, benefits from tilted ice when you're winning, and seems to have rudimentary mind control powers that force your own teammates AI to seemingly stop working at random intervals so they can skate circles around them.
   
   Speaking of Power Plays... what... the...*(@&. Did no one playtest this before it went live? I don't think i've played a game where I've been under 8 penalties, with most being much higher. And that's with penalties turned down. I had 17 penalties in my very first game before I turned them down. Seriously... I mean... I don't even have words for it. This is not hockey. NHL Hitz was closer to real hockey than NHL 19. This is a game that should get a license taken away from a company.
   
   I could go into other things, like the fact that shooting is still terrible, dekeing might as well be removed from the game, and that Franchise mode is still the worst possible version of ESHM shoehorned into the game; but the simple fact is, this is not a good hockey game. This wouldn't even have been a good hockey game ten years ago. The franchise needs to die so someone with skill, talent, and actual care for the game can take it up. Until then I suppose I'll have to get my fill of hockey from watching the real thing, because this game will be going back where it belongs: a store shelf where it can languish in obscurity.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
6. PlaystationRyan

   Jan 14, 2019

   0

   The worst NHL installment to date. Clunky & awkward menus that take forever to navigate, game modes that are designed to look better on theThe worst NHL installment to date. Clunky & awkward menus that take forever to navigate, game modes that are designed to look better on the eyes rather than function properly, and oh my **** god is the gameplay horrible. Do you like those fun, fast paced NHL games from the PS3? Sorry that doesn’t exist anymore. Slow gameplay with horrible player mechanics and a computer that instead of being difficult is just rigged to get all the right bounces makes playing this game a chore and not in the slightest bit enjoyable. What an embarrassing company EA has become. This game franchise is ruined, thanks to Rammer and the rest of the tards at EA sports.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. Brando

   Sep 28, 2018

   0

   This game is Trash, Take me back too NHL 14, This may very well be my last nhl i ever Buy. Please 2K save Nhl

   • 6 of 8 users found this helpful
8. Nhl19pissedmeof

   Sep 21, 2018

   0

   I remember when I can pop in a disc and play a game, those days are long gone... I remember after i waited hours to install a game then a bitI remember when I can pop in a disc and play a game, those days are long gone... I remember after i waited hours to install a game then a bit longer from updates, I could jump into a (team) game. No I'm forced to play this offline sweater wearing hippie bull****! WTF happened man? Matchmaking is screwed 23 + 46 ways to sunday monday and saturday. Ive never considered it before, even with the horrendous debut of nhl 15 on xb1 / ps4. I didnt get this impulse to want to trade it in and lose $40. Fix, god please, fix team play matchmatching and forced tutorials chel so i can just ******** get my $60 worth. BRING BACK LOBBY'S YOU ******* PILE OF DONKEY **** SNIFFING *** ****** **** TARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand

   • 9 of 10 users found this helpful

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