The gameplay is way too "clean"

[mgoblue678]

Don't get me wrong NHL 09 is a good game but to me it doesn't really feel like NHL hockey for this one big reason. Passes are basically tape to tape every time, there are no battles along the boards for pucks and stick handling is a way too good. Defensive ai could also use some work too.

Overall for next year the game needs to be more "gritty". To me NHL 09 plays almost like an All Star game.

[baa7]

Anyone who has played 2K hockey has to agree with you. 2K's an awful game overall, but that's one area where they have NHL 09 beat. And I tell you, EA has to do something about the ridiculously simplistic auto-passing next year. If they don't include a manual passing option, I won't be buying the game, period.

[pf8363]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

Anyone who has played 2K hockey has to agree with you. 2K's an awful game overall, but that's one area where they have NHL 09 beat. And I tell you, EA has to do something about the ridiculously simplistic auto-passing next year. If they don't include a manual passing option, I won't be buying the game, period.

I disagree with you. You are right that 2k beats 09 in this category, but 2k is not an awful game overall, in fact, I prefer it to 09... with the right sliders of course. the online sucks in 2k, but thats not what im looking for. I'd rather see solid gameplay over gimmic modes (be a pro) any day. 09 just doesnt feel like hockey to me.

[JT30]

I just think this game is terrible all around.. almost as bad as 2k. Horrible hockey games this year unfortunately. This game doesnt resemble real hockey in the least bit. Terrible

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by pf8363

You are right that 2k beats 09 in this category, but 2k is not an awful game overall, in fact, I prefer it to 09... with the right sliders of course.

I'll agree the PS2 version of 2K9 overall is better than NHL 09. But 2K9 on the 360 is a horribly broken mess, regardless of slider tweaks. On top of that, it's ugly to look at and an ear sore to listen to. One thing NHL 09 has going for it is polish, regardless of how sterile the gameplay is. 2K9 on the 360 has grittier gameplay as the OP points out, but all that means very little when the game itself is so hard to stomach.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by JT30

This game doesnt resemble real hockey in the least bit. Terrible.

That I completely agree with, and I've been saying that for a long while. NHL 09 is arcade nonsense. But I can't say NHL 2K is much better as far as that goes. Not the last 2-3 versions of the series, anyway.

[JT30]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

That I completely agree with, and I've been saying that for a long while. NHL 09 is arcade nonsense. But I can't say NHL 2K is much better as far as that goes. Not the last 2-3 versions of the series, anyway.

Yep, I bought 2k9 when it came out and promptly returned it after 3 days .. and I was always a big 2k hockey fan. And then a buddy of mine bought ea nhl 09, despite my repeated warnings not to.. and obviously I wasnt surprised how horrible this game represents hockey.. no board play, no pinning, no puck scrambles.. endless tape to tape laser passes.. its just ridiculous. Hopefully one of the two companies will fix their hockey games this year

[BleacherCreature]

It wont matter.
You will still find something to whine about.