NHL 16: Cover Athlete, Release Date and New Modes

EA Sports is working hard to tighten up its ice game. NHL 15 played a nice game of hockey, but the overall package was a little limited. From the looks of the feature set of NHL 16, options won't be an issue this time around.   

Release Date	Platforms
Sept. 15	Xbox One and PlayStation 4

NHL 16 started the championship-level hype with the best player from the best team on the cover, per EA Sports NHL:

When a Stanley Cup champion like Jonathan Toews graces the cover, the game itself needs to be solid. Originally, the cover featured Toews and teammate Patrick Kane, but with the latter in the midst of a criminal investigation, EA Sports removed him from the cover.

As for the game itself, NHL 15 is looking to bring the substance its predecessor lacked. Single-player experiences have received a much-needed boost.

Be a Pro has been fleshed out from the frail version that frustrated gamers last year. For example, you can now simulate to the time when your pro is on the ice as opposed to being forced to watch from the bench.

EA Sports has made the same types of improvements to Be a GM as well. Virtual general managers can participate and control the NHL draft. That wasn't an option when the brand released NHL 15.

The overall package goes even further. The trailer below gives a glimpse of the visual and presentation improvements in the upcoming game:

Now that we've seen the eye candy, here's a look at the online modes that EA Sports has added or has returning to the series.

Online Team Play

EASHL

Prior to release, EA Sports released a beta version of the EASHL mode to give fans a taste of what's in store once the game releases. 

For those who didn't get an opportunity to play the preview, this is the gist of the mode: Using your created player, you join online team-up games to battle it out with players from around the world. Giving your created players specialized classes (goalies included) helps to distinguish the skill sets of each player on the team. Playing as a unit is the most important aspect of the mode.

Ideally, one can band together with friends or other gamers within the EA Sports NHL community to create the perfect team.

This is not just some thrown-together option with little depth. While there are some "pick up and play" qualities to this mode, the hardcore fans of the sport and the series can best enjoy it. As you can see from the testimonies from the gamers who visited EA Canada to offer feedback during the developmental process, EASHL caters to folks who know hockey.

That's a good thing. EASports.com broke down the classes and more.

The feedback on the beta experience was mixed, but most agree it's a massive step in the right direction—even in beta form. Here's what Matt Bertz of Game Informer wrote after his experience:

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All in all, we're bullish on the opportunity that a revamped EASHL presents for EA Canada and hockey fans alike. The core offering of this mode - competitive hockey without the shortcoming of A.I. - is inherently compelling. If the studio can build a robust suite around this mode and hone the gameplay, it could once again be a destination mode. But doing so will require more than simply offering bare-bones functionality, and if this beta is an indication, then we may still be a few years away from realizing that dream.

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EA Sports extended the beta beyond its original planned time of availability and worked to tweak tuner settings. We'll see how many of the changes it implemented once the game is released.

Six vs. Six Online Play

This mode can serve as good practice for EASHL. You can play online with up to 12 human-controlled players from around the world or have a private session with friends.

Instead of using created players, gamers will use stars from real NHL rosters. This makes it easy to use for beginners. It could also work for gamers who don't want to bother creating a player and would rather skate with the Jonathan Toewses and Alex Ovechkins of the world.

Couch Co-op

Like six vs. six, Couch Co-op can be an introduction or a preparatory experience for EASHL.

There aren't enough modes that allow you to play co-op with friends against opponents online. That's exactly the experience Couch Co-Op provides. If you and your friends are thinking about taking a run at EASHL but want to get together to work on strategy first, this is an excellent way to team up.

By having the team-up experience within the same room, you can not only have some fun with friends, but you can also discuss approach and whether you have what it takes to succeed in EASHL.

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