I actually got to test out EASHL online with a full complement of 12 players, and besides a little lag at the start of the first period, it was just as exciting as ever. I helped lead my team to a thrilling 7-5 win in a scorefest, during which I picked up both a Gordie Howe hat trick and a regular hat trick from my natural gaming position of left wing, and choosing to play as a power forward. While the online focus will surely be on the rebirth of EASHL, Hockey Ultimate Team-the NHL series’ other beloved online mode-has undergone some changes, too. The majority of the experience remains relatively similar-including the UI for the mode, which still could use some work when it comes to making your lines and getting your team ready to play.

 

But a totally refreshed single-player mode has been added, providing players a less pressure-filled situation to try those new lines out in, earn pucks (HUT’s online currency that allows you to earn packs featuring additional players), and move up through a whole new set of divisions. If you’re struggling to adapt to the fast-paced nature of the game, you can turn on the new Visual On-Ice Trainer, which will make suggestions as to what plays to make, where to pass, where to aim your shot, and more. It’s a useful tool for those who are new to the series or simply need a little extra help with their game. Although the goalies in NHL 16 are still vulnerable to the odd blunder or two, they’re generally a formidable opponent for any player. User goalie controls have also been refined to make the experience of playing in net even more satisfying.

 

The game shines in these highly competitive matches with other players-in fact, the first two matches I played in the EASHL were intense overtime nail-biters. As players spend more time in the mode, they earn XP and badges as a form of progression. It adds an addictive quality to the online mode-as much fun as it is to just jump into a match and play with others, having some kind of extra incentive helps. Now I'm tempted to create my own online club to keep that addiction going. On the other token, the “Be a GM” mode now features a player morale system. Throughout the season, players will become happier or sadder based on your decisions and their play on the ice. Players will request to have a meeting with you at random points in the season.

 

In these, players will say something along the lines of “I’m not happy with my play” or “I love what you have been doing” and you will have four dialogue prompts that can either hurt or help the player’s morale. The choices are usually pretty clear-cut. For example, if they are unhappy with their play, tell them they will get better as the season goes on. This system is far from revolutionary, as it can be found in numerous sports games, but it is still implemented pretty well in NHL 16. Lastly, there is the technical polish of NHL 16. Visually, this is a gorgeous game that takes character models, animations and textures to a new level, as we would expect with a game on the latest-gen consoles.

 

Player faces are not quite photo-realistic, especially when you get a close-up, but they are very good. Gameplay animation is smooth and would definitely fool many people standing behind you into thinking that you were watching a game on TV instead of playing it. And this year, I saw lots of new details that really enhanced the realism, from Tampa Bay’s Tesla Coils, to the authentic mascots in each arena. And yes, there are gameplay improvements as well, these in addition to more and better modes. In fact, the gameplay improvements are substantial, in particular for people who really know their hockey. NHL 16 might be a bit tougher to get into for casual players, but people who know hockey will not be disappointed. It really feels like the game we love so dearly, and knowing a few tactics that work each and every time is no longer a guarantee for success. You can obviously still hit a cross pass upfield for a one-time finish, as you can in real hockey, but it's a lot harder to pull of these kinds of moves this time around.

 

Making bold plays requires great accuracy and timing, as the AI-controlled players, both on yours and the opposing team, are smarter than before. They read the game and move in a more natural, hockey-like fashion compared to previous iterations. This makes it more difficult to employ successful attacks and strategies, but it also makes it all the more rewarding when you pull off a good move.