The game engine and many of the core systems have been completely overhauled from the first iteration to create an amazingly in-depth and immersive hockey experience.
The following leagues are playable in Franchise Hockey Manager 2:
- United States: National Hockey League, American Hockey League, ECHL, Federal Hockey League
- Canada: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League
- Czech Republic: Tipsport Extraliga
- England: Elite Ice Hockey League, English Premier Ice Hockey League
- Finland: Liiga, Mestis, Suomi-Sarja
- France: Ligue Magnus
- Germany: German League
- Japan: Asia League Ice Hockey
- Norway: GET-Ligaen
- Russia: Kontinental Hockey League
- Sweden: Swedish Hockey League, Allsvenskan
- Switzerland: Swiss Nationaliiga A
The above is only a sampling of the new additions to FHM 2. There's also a host of smaller changes that will have a big impact on the game:
- A completely overhauled graphic user interface makes Franchise Hockey Manager much more visually appealing and easier to navigate
- Game Rating: FHM 2 features a new way for you to evaluate the performance of your players - the Game Rating (GR). During a game, each event (good or bad) will change the GR, so you always know how well a player performs on the ice. Since the calculation includes the role of the player and the situation on the ice, you can get a pretty good picture of the performance. Not all players are goal scorers and will have their names show in the score sheet - now you can accurately track how everyone is contributing to your team's success or failure, from your stay-at-home defensemen to your grinding 4th line forwards.
- Redesigned Fictional Mode: We have removed the fictional mode from FHM 2014 and replaced it with a new version that is much more streamlined and stable. Now you can play with just one league (or add major junior and/or a farm team level if you like) and form it to your liking by changing selected rules and option.
- Pre-season games: Need to make some tough roster decisions to get your team ready for the start of the season? Before the regular season starts, use these games to prepare your team for the regular season and find out who will make the squad.
- Head coaches: It is now possible to hire a head coach for your team and play as GM only.
- Historical changes: We've added new historical seasons to the game, so you can start even further in the past - all the way back to 1931. In addition, you can now continue your game when reaching the last historical year and turn your game into a fictional league. We've added historical dollar values and a season preview, so you always know the situation for every season you are just about to start.
- Greatly expanded news section: We added many additional news types and expanded the text of all news to give you more immersion and help bring your league to life.
- Basic online league support - Match wits with other human GM's!
- New player development system
- New training system
- New player roles
- New job safety system
- New player happiness system
- Retiring players can now become staff - Is your former star forward your next head coach?
- Revised staff contracts
- New player fatigue system
- New player consistency system
- GM and Coach scores
- All-Star Game added
- Redesigned screens, such as lines, tactics, manager-home, and playoff screens
- Extended draft logs - Looking back to see who some of your draft busts and booms were is quick and easy.
- New logo templates
- New player award icons on the player profile page
- New quick pop-ups when you hover over a player's name
- ...and many more new features and cosmetic changes!
