NHL 11 Demo Review Roundtable

Feature Article

Submitted on: 08/18/2010 by

Four of our writers check in today with their own take on the NHL 11 demo. Check out their impressions after the jump.

What part of the demo impressed you the most?

Jayson Young - The offensive AI is outstanding. Not just in the offensive end, but in the neutral zone as well. The way your teammates find the open spaces on the ice by constantly repositioning themselves is something I have never seen before in a hockey game.

Christian McLeod - The new physics engine, specifically puck physics. I have been complaining about the NHL series' "robo goalies" since the series first made the jump to the 360 with NHL 07. The new puck physics eliminate the magnetic puck to goalie syndrome that seemed to be the root cause of robo goalie, which results in some very organic looking and feeling goals. I'm also digging the overall polish on the graphics. I put NHL 10 in for comparison's sake, and the NHL 11 demo looks glorious in comparison. Plus, I am loving that the camera angle seems slightly lower this year. It may be my imagination, but it seems more true to the camera angles of the games last gen when compared to the last three years on the current-generation consoles.

Justin Pacheco - I was impressed by how much they let you do. You get the standard one-period game, plus a really solid look at the Hockey Ultimate Team mode. On the gameplay side of things, I like everything. I like the surprise of a broken stick and the new checking seems a lot more realistic than before. Also, I'm absolutely in love with the board play and faceoffs. However, some of these are improvements from NHL 10, which I never ended up buying and playing for an extended period of time for various reasons. So I might be overly impressed since I'm essentially going from NHL 09 to NHL 11.

Juha Leskinen - I like the overall feel of the game. Skaters feel like they have mass now -- no more floating on the ice. Physics seem to work very well but I long for some more "ooomph" when I check someone. Maybe the controller's rumble/vibration should be upped a bit?

What areas seem like they still need some improvement?

Jayson Young - I'm not 100 percent sold on the new physics engine. While the collisions feel very lifelike, it's still too easy to grab the puck and go on a one-man skating exhibition, weaving circles around the entire AI defense.

Christian McLeod - Honestly, this is a tough question, and I like to think I'm tough on games. To give an honest answer, I'm going to have to be extremely picky and say that I'm upset that authentic goalie masks do not appear to be in the game. Yeah I know, that's a lame answer, but this demo is that good.

Justin Pacheco - I don't like the Hockey Ultimate Team interface. It seems like there should be a better way for me to see my players and their attributes. The commentary also seems a bit stale but that's hard to judge from a demo.

Juha Leskinen - Like mentioned before, HUT's presentation and menus seem a bit messy. Maybe I just need more time to get used to them.

After playing the demo, what is your excitement level for NHL 11?

Jayson Young - I was excited to see what the new physics engine would do to the game, but I left the demo feeling like the developers were right when they called the new physics a "three-year renovation" process. The hitting has definitely changed for the better, but the skating seems to me mostly the same as it was in NHL 10: too "arcade-like"

Christian McLeod - First, I have to disagree with my colleague Jayson here -- the new skating physics are perfect, and you can really feel the differentiation between a star like Zetterberg and a scrub that you end up with in the Ultimate Team demo. As far as my anticipation? It is through the roof. Exploring the demo menus I can't even believe how much content this game is going to deliver. Ultimate Franchise, revamped Be a GM, new tweaks to the EASHL, tons of customizable sliders and the best hockey gameplay I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Being from Hockeytown, it goes without saying that I am a fan of the sport, but I honestly think that based on the demo alone NHL 11 could do for the NHL what NHL 94 did for it 17 years ago -- make the game relevant to a whole new demographic. The demo was exceptional, so unless EA totally botched the final product, we could be looking at a potential greatest sports video game ever created.

Justin Pacheco - Maximum excitement. I am pumped for this almost as much as I am for F1 2010 and NBA 2K11.

Juha Leskinen - 9.7/10. The game looks better, feels better. By the way, in the "HELP" section the game mentions the following: "Dressing room will show the matchup taking place" if you go online and your EASHL clubmates are already playing a game. (Spectator Mode for your own club?)

NHL 11 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 OddyOh @ 08/19/10 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimPaek


	I love the demo, but things that need fixing. - I don't like the .5-1 second delay of a window that pops up when you want to change lines.

Agreed. I'm so used to those just popping up when I need them, the fade in is a nuisance. Hope a dev reads this and changes it back, or speeds up that fade. There's no time for it when you're in the heat of the moment...I usually call line changes as I skate the puck down the ice, so if I take my eye off the puck for that half second, I'm dead!

# 22 jyoung @ 08/19/10 11:20 AM

I think online play is the reason EA's NHL series is winning over people who never cared about hockey before.

Most of the hardcore NHL fans seem to spend most of their time in the offline modes, which in EA NHL, have only been 'OK' the last couple of years; as of last year, I still thought NHL 2K still had the better franchise mode.

But the appeal of being able to pickup-and-play a game of 6 vs. 6 online hockey is what seems to be bringing over new people to EA's game.

# 23 LuGer33 @ 08/19/10 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	I think online play is the reason EA's NHL series is winning over people who never cared about hockey before. Most of the hardcore NHL fans seem to spend most of their time in the offline modes, which in EA NHL, have only been 'OK' the last couple of years; as of last year, I still thought NHL 2K still had the better franchise mode. But the appeal of being able to pickup-and-play a game of 6 vs. 6 online hockey is what seems to be bringing over new people to EA's game.

Agreed. The series definitely made the "jump," if you will, w/ 6v6 and the EASHL in NHL 09.

Hockey, more than any sport (imo) lends itself to team play. It sounds fun in FIFA but 11v11 is kind of crazy, and I'm sure all the soccer fans in the world will love it, but the casual sports gamer isn't going to enjoy playing as a defender in FIFA and having only a few touches a game. Madden's a good start w/ OTP this year as well, but NHL is light year's ahead of it w/ club based play and 6v6. It should be interesting to see how NBA Elite does OTP (5v5, yes?), but I still think hockey is much more a team sport than basketball. Every player on the ice matters, and every player can have fun. Forwards obviously work the offense, the defense can jump in as well, with the added bonus of being able to crush guys w/ the new real time physics. Goaltending is also a lot of fun (even though I suck at it in-game) and I'm hearing the controls for that are much smoother this year as well. I think ultimately, OTP will always work best w/ NHL.

You have to give credit where credit is due. I feel bad that 2K hockey appears to be finished, and let's face it - they had less resources, less marketing, and made some bad decisions w/ what they did have (party now games, broken control schemes, ignoring their core fans, etc) but EA still needed a damn good product to run them off the road entirely. Not sure that's ever happened before in sports gaming w/ one franchise literally eliminating another w/o exclusive licenses or something similar coming into play. The fact there there is no NHL 2K11 or competition on next-gen, and that NHL 11 looks like the best NHL to date (by far), as well as being a much bigger jump from 10 to 11 than 09 was to 10, I think it speaks a lot as to the quality of the product.

# 24 ianlast @ 08/19/10 12:35 PM

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the demo. While the skating still feels arcadey (as Jayson mentioned), I was really impressed by all the other improvements.

-Passing feels slick and intuitive on 'manual' setting this year, and I'm incredibly happy to hear they've included a 'pass receiving difficulty' slider this year! For the ultimate sim experience, I'll be keeping that at 0.

-SS difficulty is awesome. From what I can tell, this difficulty is no longer about berserk CPU passing, but instead about upping the defensive difficulty. The CPU is active in cutting off your passing lanes and only giving you low percentage shots...you really have to thread the needle and work the puck around to get quality chances.

-Skating actually feels marginally improved in terms of agility and momentum, and the default game speed (normally it's waaay too fast) is somewhat close to being realistic

-The new physics engine is pretty impressive...at first it seemed like the only emphasis (based on the trailers) was on massive hits, but I'm glad to see they've used it for more subtle things, like glancing blows and such

-My biggest problem is that the puck still feels glued to the player's stick, and there aren't enough loose pucks in non-hitting contact situations and on sharp cuts. Hopefully sliders can fix this somewhat.

# 25 Qb @ 08/19/10 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoie2006


	...then we could turn off annoying things like the auto skate backwards. I also noticed they have the Cpu Difficulty slider cranked for the demo, so playing on All Star feels more like Superstar, which in turn feels virtually impossible.

My fault on the auto back-skate option... we can change it in the demo as RealmK said. I said we couldn't because I forgot it was moved to controller options for 11.

CPU Difficulty is not maxed in the demo. In fact, it is set to zero by default for all difficulty levels & game styles, as stated by Redshirt here in another thread. I think the challenge offered by the CPU in the demo -- and what I experienced at the community event -- is legitimately because it plays better more aggressive hockey on both offense & defense. But, obviously time will tell how the challenge holds up as we adapt to the new style.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuGer33


	Goaltending is also a lot of fun (even though I suck at it in-game) and I'm hearing the controls for that are much smoother this year as well. I think ultimately, OTP will always work best w/ NHL.

Thanks to you I was able to player lock last night, so I gave goalie a whirl. I think the controls are smoother/tighter, although I wish there were a better way to manually square up to the shooter. But this is coming from someone who hasn't played a ton of goalie, so perhaps I'm missing something.

# 26 savoie2006 @ 08/19/10 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	My fault on the auto back-skate option... we can change it in the demo as RealmK said. I said we couldn't because I forgot it was moved to controller options for 11. CPU Difficulty is not maxed in the demo. In fact, it is set to zero by default for all difficulty levels & game styles, as stated by Redshirt here in another thread. I think the challenge offered by the CPU in the demo -- and what I experienced at the community event -- is legitimately because it plays better more aggressive hockey on both offense & defense. But, obviously tell will tell how the challenge holds up as we adapt to the new style. Thanks to you I was able to player lock last night, so I gave goalie a whirl. I think the controls are smoother/tighter, although I wish there were a better way to manually square up to the shooter. But this is coming from someone who hasn't played a ton of goalie, so perhaps I'm missing something.

I realied that Q after I playd again, my bad. Kudos to Realm, you made my demo experience way better.

# 27 Keirik @ 08/19/10 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoo98


	Jayson Young said: [i]"The offensive AI is outstanding. Not just in the offensive end, but in the neutral zone as well. The way your teammates find the open spaces on the ice by constantly repositioning themselves is something I have never seen before in a hockey game."[i] Wow. Jayson Young's leadoff comment makes me shout... Really??? I guess you've never played a 2K hockey game before! Especially 2K10. Quite the contrary.. in the demo, I found that my forwards are standing at my blueline when they should be getting open in the neutral zone, even with it set to Attack : Full Out. I popped in my copy of 2K10 after playing the NHL demo, and was shocked at how good the positioning A.I. is in 2K, compared to what is supposed to be 'improved' A.I. in NHL11 I can't argue anything anymore, i know.., because there is no 2K game this year for PS3/360, and I will be playing NHL11 to death this season... but really, folks, 2K hockey never got it's due, partly because of the EA 'goggles' people wear.

trolllllllllllllllllllll alert

# 28 Qb @ 08/19/10 04:11 PM

Even if you don't agree with him, we don't need any name-calling here. Thanks.

# 29 Keirik @ 08/19/10 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	Even if you don't agree with him, we don't need any name-calling here. Thanks.

not trying to call any names, but lets call it as it is. I'm not the one talking about EA goggles. You know as well as i do what happens when you start going down that road.

# 30 onlybygrace @ 08/19/10 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoie2006


	I realied that Q after I playd again, my bad. Kudos to Realm, you made my demo experience way better.

Realm's the man...

# 31 notoriouzwun @ 08/19/10 04:50 PM

Is it just me and my not playing NHL for two months, but does the ice/player skill look different? I thought the players either looked bigger or the ice looked smaller than on NHL 10...maybe it was just me

# 32 CS10029 @ 08/19/10 05:04 PM

I can;t stop playing either. HUT has me coming back over and over.

# 33 CS10029 @ 08/19/10 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottdau


	I really like the way the ice looks this year and the player models are sweet looking too. The game is slower too, so I am happy about that. I can't wait to get that one guys music project uploaded and I can't wait to try some sliders from the OS gurus. I still like the puck physics in 2K better. It just feels more heavier, but the game's controls are so huge for me right now. I love that about this game.

What I really like is, like you said the game is naturally slower, at default. Which makes the transition game, with the hustle button, seem much faster. Really gives you the stop and go feel you get from hockey.

# 34 cheechoo98 @ 08/19/10 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keirik


	trolllllllllllllllllllll alert

I'm not a troll... I play both hockey games.

It's just that, the statement by Jayson Young kind of bewildered me. He has never before seen the A.I move to open spaces in a hockey game?

I was commenting about the Demo, in that when I set my Breakout to: Aggressive or Full, I still find 3 of my forwards standing still at my blueline. Try it, take your D-Man behind the net to start a breakout, and look where your Forwards are. In hockey, your forwards are always moving, if there is no option, they are circling back looking to receive a pass as they circle forward...

Conversely, in 2K, when I set my breakout to 'aggressive/all out' and 'free-flowing' my forwards are criss-crossing, doing anything to try and get into a nice passing lane for a real 'breakout'. With aggressive strategy in 2K, you can make one guy hang out at the opposing blueline looking for that super-long breakout pass up the middle. I just wish EA's would do the same thing...

Another example of A.I.: There is a strategy in 2K, where if you cycle the puck down low enough, the diagonally opposite D-Man, if he sees an opening, will swoop down low, backdoor, looking for a pass for a tip in/ or one-timer, I've never seen that in EA's game, yet.

I will give the Demo credit, in that the forwards don't just stand off to the side away from the net anymore. They actually go to the front of the net... I scored a couple with Hossa in front screening...

I'm not the 1st person on these boards to complain of the static A.I. in the NHL series. But for the people who have played 2K, they know how good the A.I. is/was.

peace.

# 35 TreyIM2 @ 08/19/10 05:47 PM

I haven't been into the NHL franchise since my last purchase circa PS2's early days but I have played the demos on my PS3 since getting a PS3 in late 07.

One thing that still bothers me is how the players turn around. Seems like they need more animation frames. Very unrealistic and arcadish. One of the "roundtablers" mentioned that and it is something I have noticed for a while since the NHL 08 demo. I've gotten over it with the 09 demo and already have my pre-order for my first NHL game in a very long time, but still, it needs to get worked on, for real, for next year.

Also they need animations for when a player just happens to go directly into the board on his own. At least have the player stick out his arm to brace himself against the wall and have his body turn appropriately. No way that should be still going on in this current gen. Reminds me of that hockey game for the NES. Lol.

Other than that, I still think the game lacks some oomph. I just read about how to use the hustle feature correctly than what I originally knew so I will try that to see if I get more oomph, in a moment, but otherwise, the game feels too slow, overall....yet I like it and want this game.

# 36 swil @ 08/19/10 07:03 PM

Hats off to the Dev team!

This is the unpolished demo and it still freakin rocks!!! HUT mode is going to keep me busy for a long time.

Love the new hits - I cant get enough of smashing players on the boards. I took Kane and tried to check Pronger and got blasted into next week- gotta love that. Also really glad that skaters do cross-overs when they are protecting the puck and trying to wheel around a defender. 100% more realistic there!

The biggest improvement that has me grinning is the AI, however. The Def is rock solid - pushes puckcarriers to the outside and clogs the hell out of the slot lanes. Almost NONE of my old tactics work on these guys. LOVE IT.

The offense, well, actually looks like a real hockey offense! Pong passing is gone! Praise the lord!

# 37 cheechoo98 @ 08/19/10 07:22 PM

I'm going to take back what I said earlier about the breakout strategies. I do see lots of aggressive breakouts with my forwards.. I'm loving the demo, especially, now that I've gotten into the Ultimate Team more.

EA has keyed on the collecting mentality that we all had as kids. I also like the return of user celebrations (I think 2002) was the last time it was in... Hey! That was also the last time there was card collecting too!
Although, I wish the celebrations lasted maybe, a couple of seconds longer.

It's gonna be a great game this year!

# 38 cheechoo98 @ 08/19/10 10:03 PM

No, RealmK. 2K still has fantastic Breakout plays. I was commenting on how in NHL11 Demo, my forwards are stuck stationary at our own blueline w/ FULL ATTACK breakout on. But now I see that it varies depending on the situation. Sometimes, I see a guy waaay up there in the neutral zone, and sometimes they hang back.
No more 2K talk here, ok? I'll agree to disagree. cheers.

I'm getting addicted to the carding of Ultimate Hockey League...

# 39 gosensgo101 @ 08/19/10 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoo98


	I'm not a troll... I play both hockey games. It's just that, the statement by Jayson Young kind of bewildered me. He has never before seen the A.I move to open spaces in a hockey game? I was commenting about the Demo, in that when I set my Breakout to: Aggressive or Full, I still find 3 of my forwards standing still at my blueline. Try it, take your D-Man behind the net to start a breakout, and look where your Forwards are. In hockey, your forwards are always moving, if there is no option, they are circling back looking to receive a pass as they circle forward... Conversely, in 2K, when I set my breakout to 'aggressive/all out' and 'free-flowing' my forwards are criss-crossing, doing anything to try and get into a nice passing lane for a real 'breakout'. With aggressive strategy in 2K, you can make one guy hang out at the opposing blueline looking for that super-long breakout pass up the middle. I just wish EA's would do the same thing... Another example of A.I.: There is a strategy in 2K, where if you cycle the puck down low enough, the diagonally opposite D-Man, if he sees an opening, will swoop down low, backdoor, looking for a pass for a tip in/ or one-timer, I've never seen that in EA's game, yet. I will give the Demo credit, in that the forwards don't just stand off to the side away from the net anymore. They actually go to the front of the net... I scored a couple with Hossa in front screening... I'm not the 1st person on these boards to complain of the static A.I. in the NHL series. But for the people who have played 2K, they know how good the A.I. is/was. peace.

There's a simple solution to this: create a play.

# 40 XFactor2481 @ 08/20/10 08:37 AM

NHL is definitely my favorite game out there, NHL 10 was amazing - NHL 11 demo was solid but gameplay was a lot slower, too slow, but hopefully you can adjust that in the real game.

Not sure if I am entirely sold on the new checking - too many big hits and players going down, you rarely see open ice hits like that in a NHL game

New faceoff mode is cool

« Previous 123 Next »

More Links