NHL 14 Review: It lets EA on the PlayStation 3 again crashing?

If Electronic Arts is close to a monopoly in a genre, then there are the sports games. In addition to FIFA, year after year, one of the most successful games, there are also American football, golf or even NBA which on the Next Gen comeback this year. The successful games in Germany but also includes NHL, the annual Hockey simulation of EA. Thus brings Electronic Arts this year with NHL 14 Hockey on the Playstation 3. Whether NHL 14 on the quality of previous reaches as Electronic Arts or has only been little effort at the end of the generation, we clarify. In our test

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NHL 14 - stagnation without competition?

While FIFA has a direct competitor with PES and NBA Live the only brand has a stronger competitor with NBA 2K, there is ice hockey for EA really no competition. Many see it as a risk that the publisher rests on the successes and keep the changes in boundaries. NHL 14 Logo 128x90Doch in advance it was clear that it will in 2013 give some innovations that will change the game experience. But that while the wheel is not reinvented, each should be clear before buying, because the changes are also in this year more detailed than that for years known system is carded to complete.

Combining different engines

The gameplay in NHL is particularly characterized this year that not only one engine is used. The checks and collisions of the players are taken over by the well-known from FIFA Ignite engine that fist fights fall back on the familiar from Fight Night Enforcer Engine. This makes the game more authentic and gives even more the feeling directly into the Hockey Hall of attending. Especially the combat system on the ice could convince us in our testing. NHL 14Letztendlich remain the fights but a side issue in the game, because in essence, it comes down to the performance in ice hockey at. Which has not really changed in comparison to its predecessors, but since one already there Hockey got to see at a high level, there is nothing to criticize here. nhl14-nhl94-anniversary-mode Goal celebrationDie control succeed at first attempt and who was for some time engaged in NHL 13 will feel right at home on the ice and after some time getting used to hardly have problems. Have changed the most striking body deceptions that can now easily run with R2 and defenders thus can be easier to get out. Otherwise, in most core remains exactly as in the predecessor.

The situation is similar with the image, as well as the remains compared to the previous same and receives no real updates. But for one of the sport already looked very good and presented at a high level and on the other hand one can not expect that there might still be such a visible and jump to the end of the console generation or will.

More choice in the game modes

Compared to its predecessor have made it more game modes in the game. Besides the classic and familiar events such as the Be-A-Pro mode, which has been improved by only a few details, Ultimate Team or season, it is mainly the NHL-94 mode "the breath of fresh air bringing in the series. For before exactly 20 years was published with NHL 94, the first offshoot of the series and on the occasion of this anniversary, we have built this game mode at Electronic Arts. Post your NHL on old trimmed play and thus leave some retro advent atmosphere. Of course, the appearance is improved significantly been, the controller but have been as simple as it was back then. fun that even today, in our opinion, but a nice change.

NHL 14 (Conclusion) - change in detail

What remains is, if you want to put it that way, no more than a simple update of its predecessor. But who expected something else in an annually published sports game that has probably not notice the development in recent years. The changes are in the details and enhance the game, although only marginally, but nevertheless bring useful in the game. By well thought updates makes NHL 14 a slightly improved feel compared to its predecessor. Major updates one must then only with the next-gen versions of NHL expect that will come no doubt. Who is a real fan of Hockey, will be able to strike without hesitation here. All others can either remain with the predecessor or wait for the version for the Playstation 4. Both are probably a better alternative than to strike at full price.