@EA_Aljo It actually means a lot to see you’re on the same level gameplay wise. I’ve watched this game develop since the very beginning.
The connection issue: it really is a nightmare to play so fluidly let’s say in your squad battle matches or whatever offline mode you’re into, then hit the streets of the online world, hit that sweet 20 ping match, but for whatever reason you’re slow, clunky, and it’s just not reading the same. Makes it impossible to feel competitive. Especially, myself for example, who will hop over to let’s say Rocket League which is give and take very comparable on a complexly competitive level, and see this issue almost never.
The community: Honestly, as again I’ve been a part of it a long time now, know more people a part of it than for my own good. We just want fairness. We don’t need to necessarily hear what we want to hear, we want action. We’re all aware that the age of subscriptions is outweighing the classic yearly release system. If the needs of the community cannot be met, there’s no reason for a yearly release just because a new NHL season is underway. You know as well as I do I’m just buying or unlocking the same HUT cards, emotes and customizations (which the majority can only be used in 3’s) with little addition. For example my chel player name is So Sorry Eh. The name is loosely based off the emote Sorry About That. Haha I haven’t seen that emote in 2 seasons although it’s there. Do I seriously care? No, not really. But it is a bit pathetic I unlock it, just to unlock it, and probably means a lot more to the younger crowd. A minor example of a bigger problem for sure.
Only being able to use certain customizations in arcade modes also kills the desire to care about anything you get out of bags that isn’t emotes. People like myself you will never find in arcade modes as I’m there for the competitive realness.
My point is that this is all fine and acceptable, but have a subscription rather than a yearly release it’s just a major burn on us loyal customers. And let’s be real, EA has shown a lot less thanks to return buyers in regards to hut over these past few years and we notice.
Goalies: I know in a literal sense there’s been many changes to goalie since 16. But the problem with goalie is less is more. The less you actually do, the better you perform. Your job is simply positioning and the auto reactions do the work, meh.
Goalie is tough for sure, but I also used to be the guy in the top 50s at the end of the year when I had more time spent when I was younger. 15 was super engaging. You could almost play like you were Hasek on the breakaways, you could predict shots with your right stick, it rocked. Has never been that good since. It looks sweet, the automations are off the chain, but with all this new synergy nonsense builds are far more important than skill. I don’t enjoy playing net nearly as much as I used to.
Chel: I have to add this. There’s a huge lack of competitive nature within chel. If people want to run 5 enforcers with truculence or 5 close quarter offensive players, take it to drop-in. How bad is it that if I truly want to play in a competitive league I’ve got to deal with the jaded guys in third party leagues?
I understand you could simply say well back out, or build a team to counter it. The amount of time wasted backing out of games you know are going to be a joke, poor connection, or only 2s because you can’t set to your size to exact or more. I spend more time in the DR sometimes than games.
Limit ability points in club just like you do hut. It’s meant to be the more competitive team gameplay. Leave all the antics in drop in and make it so teams need to be more strategic in club. That’s the idea of it right? Build strategically together to beat your opponent. Close quarters and truculence are overpowered for club and gives the inexperienced an edge they really don’t deserve to have. Having one on a wing or defence is useful totally, an entire team of it is just a waste of time.
Honestly this recent synergy style gameplay imo is where 2k lost their edge back in the day. I was a 2k over EA until I realized EA had a more realistic and even playing field. Now we’re headed back to powerups and arcade hockey.
