For the most part, NHL 17 feels familiar. And that is not a complaint. This series has consistently delivered a fundamentally sound, engaging hockey experience year in and year out. Sure, some features get tweaked here and there. But the core, on-ice gameplay has been practically identical from season to season over the last few years. This remains true for NHL 17. The most noticeable change to the actual in-game hockey experience is the addition of the new semi pro level of difficulty. This difficulty level is meant to provide a smoother transition from rookie to pro, yielding a nice blend of the simulation style and arcade style playing experience. As the unofficially undisputed reigning ‘NHL 99 Champion of All Universes, Known and Unknown…For All Time,’ this mode really did strike me as being only slightly harder than Rookie. Newcomers and casual players should find this to be enough of a challenge to keep things from getting too boring as they cruise to a 6-2 victory.
Another new addition to NHL 17 is the Draft Champions mode. Those familiar with the recent Madden titles will recognize this fantasy sports style roster building game. The concept is simple. You move through a 12 round draft selecting players from a limited set of options. Making things more interesting is that you get to set a theme for the pool of players from which you draft. For example, I chose ‘All-Star Alumni’ yielding a pool of players who had all been to the All-Star game. Round by round, I had to make tough decisions like picking between Olaf Kolzig and Curtis Joseph. (I went Kolzig.) Once the draft is finished, you take your team through a tournament earning rewards along the way. You can go online and take your custom squad through a tourney featuring other players. Or match wits with the CPU, playing solo…much like the sad, sad single practice skater from NHL 15. (NOTE: This is most likely the last time I will make a joke about the practice mode of a game.)
NHL 16’s ‘Be a GM’ mode is reborn as ‘Franchise Mode’ in NHL 17. Only this time there is much more management minutiae to review, adjust and monitor. Fortunately, those less likely to experience a euphoric rush at the prospect of tracking a marketing budget can trim back the amount of responsibilities to take on in Franchise Mode. Personally, I never much cared for the owner syle modes in sports titles. I turn to games to escape the mundane trials of adult life like managing budgets, keeping a boss happy or making sure the restrooms are clean. And that’s seriously the first task I received in Franchise Mode. I had to address the fans concerns for the state of the restrooms in my arena. Day one. So if reading that last couple of sentences blew your hair back, allow me to put you further over the moon – the default length of Franchise Mode is twenty five seasons!
Rounding out the new game modes is the World Cup of Hockey. This mode arrives just in time to celebrate the actual World Cup of Hockey that kicks off in Toronto later this month. Outside of the international rosters and interesting color schemes on jerseys, there is nothing new to see here. That is no reason to ignore it, friends. I mean, anyone can take the Blue Jackets to the Stanley Cup, right? Why not take a break from the NHL clubs and help your country shine on the ice? Now that I think of it, though, referencing the Blue Jackets may have earned me the World Cup of Bad Examples. I mean, that franchise has never sniffed the Conference Finals. But hey, the next season is right around the corner. The streak could possibly end this year…maybe.
One crucial element of NHL 17 that is easy to overlook despite how pervasive it is in the game is how hard it works to help you get comfortable on the ice. I cannot think of any other title that provides half the feedback NHL 17 does to help players both identify and manage their preferred in-game experience. This game is constantly giving you information intended to enhance your enjoyment and make you a better player. The Visual On Ice trainer returns with an expanded array of feedback covering every aspect of your time in game. No longer do you have to sit in frustration wondering why something went wrong. The game gives you the answer and provides guidance on how to be less frustrated. Between periods, you get a load of commentary on what you did well and what needs improvement. More so than any other title I have ever seen, NHL 17 respects your time and wants you to be able to make the most of it in game.
A key element of NHL 17 that is hard to miss is the beautiful in-game presentation. The integration of the NBC broadcast style is seamless. I love the the pre-game video of the actual stadium exteriors. That little touch really makes you feel like you are watching an actual game broadcast as you play. Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk provide adequate but largely unremarkable commentary. And that’s ok. My favorite piece of commentary from my time with NHL 17 came after an opposing goaltender decided to play the puck, passing it up to his teammate. It was a mundane play for which Emrick explained that, ‘There are 6 guys on the ice and one of them is the goalie. He can pass. And he did that.’ Truly profound words.
If NHL 17 had a motto, I would expect it to be, ‘Baby Steps.’ The experience here marks forward progress. Just not a lot of it. And that’s OK given they were starting from ‘really good’ and made their way to ‘somewhat more really good.’
