The game, compared to last year, is a lot smoother and cleaner in terms of presentation. Last year saw the first step to a new layout with more colour instead of a dark setting that made reading text hard and I think the contrast of the coloured menus alongside a dark background works better than NHL17. For me, it is too bright but I get why it has been done.
The menus are still simplistic in finding what you want though and their main aim is to be easy to navigate reducing time spent in the menus. There are some modes where it feels like more could be held on single screens, such as the banal requirement to go to your collection to add to sets in Hockey Ultimate Team. Franchise Mode has a few extra tabs too, especially in the player section for free agents or trading. It is something EA should look at.
In terms of actually gameplay, it is similar in terms of game presentation but there are some distinct and more subtle differences to NHL16. You can tell that goaltenders have been worked on as there are clear new animations which open more unique ways to score, or miss. Shooting feels the same and there are aspects of defence, particularly hitting that feels the same and there appears to be a strong weakness and ease to score in repetitive ways, the AI doesn't adapt as it should.
One of the big issues that people have had with this years version is the seemingly worsening ratings for players that have no real life replication if they were to be used. There seems to be no actual thought process behind them rather than just whacking numbers in to make a certain total. They need to revamp the way they rate players, especially when you compare the way that MLB and FIFA do theirs. In those series, players might be low rated but low rated players may be skilled in certain areas that make them worthwhile.
There are new features in various modes. The biggest addition was probably the inclusion of ECHL teams, which is nice to see. Sadly, they're not in the GM mode so you can't send prospects or players from your AHL team down to get playing time. Draft Champions is a new twist on the FIFA FUT Draft too in that you can draft any of a range of top players and play with them to earn some rewards to use in Hockey Ultimate team. It expands the mode and makes it more open.
There's also a new mode completely outside of HUT in the World Cup of Hockey which allows you to take any nation involved in the 8 team tournament and take them to World success. It would have been a big problem and surprise if NHL didn't include it seeing as it is the leagues premiere tournament. It is a great mode and works realistically to real life and is enjoyable to play.
In all, I think there are enough changes to make it worthwhile but it does feel like they could have done better in some areas. I would say there is a clear improvement from last year in actual gameplay and you should buy it if you want a hockey game to play. Overall, I'd give it 6.5/10.
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