I completely gave up on the game the day it came out. Partially because I really didn't like how it felt, partially because I was getting dropped or lagged out of every game I tried to play.
Came back probably a week and a half later, whatever server/network issues were up seem to be gone. So that's a plus.
I tried to give it a very fair shake this time, and while I still really don't like how it feels compared to NHL 14... I find myself appreciating it a bit more. Did a few drop-in games, playing LD and being as completely defensive minded as possible, and after a game or two I was in a really nice groove. Playing the puck, breaking up the odd breakaway, dishing up some really nice, patient breakout passes and even jumping into the play as I got more comfortable. Helps the randoms I played with were worth their salt.
Went back to Online Versus with that same mentality and shockingly things started going my way. Won a few games quite handily. The game rewards patience and smart defensive play... but severely, SEVERELY punishes you if you're the type to make awkward passes through traffic or do anything that takes you out of position for too long. That's my take on it so far.
Though, since you can't pass it between players legs anymore, the strategy for the dregs of Online Versus seems to be "pick the highest rated team, and do the best you can to surround the guy with the puck with as many players as possible". Which usually leads to the puck bouncing around all of the players and lord knows where it goes from there. You just have to hope the puck ends up with your guy, which isn't as likely since as I mentioned the guy picked the highest rated team hoping that he'd have as much of an advantage as possible without having to actually play well... and that the cluster**** isn't right in front of your net.
I've also noticed an odd strategy of slowing down on the rush and zig zagging as a way of goading you to try and body check them. Since body checking is very spotty in when it wants to work, most of the time when you try to get close to them you'll just bounce off and they skate on past you. Same general issue with getting close enough to stick lift. Your only option being to play the puck and poke check, which seems to require pinpoint precision in this game. I'll fall into the trap of leaving too much distance between me and the other player because again... my only option is to poke check and you never know when the game might randomly consider it a trip... so you need to keep your stick as far from their feet as possible. You only have a few short seconds to figure all this out before they zig zagged their way into a nice scoring spot and pop in a free wrister because my goalie is a *******. XD
tl;dr - The people online are out to do nothing more than exploit the games weaknesses for a few cheap wins. But what else is new.
