NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[Super Glock]

Quote: Originally Posted by Djwlfpack

Trust me, I've far from an expert on this game. I'd say I'm very, very average at this game and if I were to play online, I'm sure it would not be pretty. I will say that changing the camera angle to "Classic" really helped me. It's pulled back a little more than the default camera and allows you to see more of the ice and that really helps in terms of passing and cycling the puck in the offensive zone.

Changing the camera to "Classic" has helped me big time.

[Segagendude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vikes1

Yep Sega, I know just what you mean. I've never personally played a sports game that is this fun and exciting to play. Many times with other sports games, playing vs the AI gets really dull. While it's always the most fun playing vs another person...but with NHL, I still enjoy games against the cpu.

Not only how sweet the goal was, but, isn't it everyone's dream to score a game- winning-Game 7-Stanley Cup Final-goal-----on home ice!!??

Hence my over-excitement. Lol!

6 more days, fellas!

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Segagendude

Not only how sweet the goal was, but, isn't it everyone's dream to score a game- winning-Game 7-Stanley Cup Final-goal-----on home ice!!?? Hence my over-excitement. Lol! 6 more days, fellas!

Yeah that wouldn't be too bad of a way for the season to end.

All the praise, adulation, money, chicks, etc.. Yep, I could do with some of that.

PS: That is if my wife would let me.

[BPK]

Quote: Originally Posted by norml

The saucer pass button is the right bumper button for xbox and I'm guessing R1 for ps3. I think Pro normal for the online setting but I could be wrong.

For people who played NHL online last year: is there a way of playing ranked games at a higher setting? Does it not concern anybody else that the AI is a little dumber on pro and so online games on this setting won't be nearly as realistic as they would be on All-Star.

[crobert0247]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vikes1

Here's more things I need to improve on. I just haven't taken advantage of all that you can do to help your cause in this excellent game. Rarely do I ever really forecheck, and pin players against the boards. Or really get physical vs the cpu, which does work to shake them up. I guess things just happen so fast, and sometimes I get kind of intimidated by all the different controls.

Hence the need for the game speed to be reduced just a tad bit. It would lead to even more realistic sim-like play. I'm sure it will get even better in the retail release. It's near happy time again.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by crobert0247

Another thing I'll mention as we eagerly await next Tuesday, the puck pursuit aspect of this game is amazing. I love going on the forecheck, being one step behind a guy, and trying to win the puck battle. Not only on the forecheck, but puck battles all over the ice are extremely fun and gratifying when won. This is yet another area of pure awesomeness to look forward to in NHL 11.

Doesn't hurt that the hustle feature was implemented in such a spot on way either. Especially in regards to dump and chase.

[Lubey]

When you think about it, has there ever been a sports game that has been this realistic and this fun? I mean, we're sitting in a thread discussing how fun FORECHECKING is. When have you even been able to forecheckat all in a game before? This is the first series you can effectively cycle the puck. First series you can actually set up a powerplay. They even tried to put in the momentum resulting from physical play. It's the first time I've felt developers really know hockey.

When I heard about goal reviews I was skeptical but they are awesome to watch, create suspense, and don't get in the way. That's pretty much all you can ask for. Adding to the experience.

Just imagine this game with NBA 2k10's broadcast presentation.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lubey

When you think about it, has there ever been a sports game that has been this realistic and this fun? I mean, we're sitting in a thread discussing how fun FORECHECKING is. When have you even been able to forecheckat all in a game before? This is the first series you can effectively cycle the puck. First series you can actually set up a powerplay. They even tried to put in the momentum resulting from physical play. It's the first time I've felt developers really know hockey. When I heard about goal reviews I was skeptical but they are awesome to watch, create suspense, and don't get in the way. That's pretty much all you can ask for. Adding to the experience. Just imagine this game with NBA 2k10's broadcast presentation.

Aside from NHL2k3? No no there hasn't. The fact that there's actual CPU neutral zone pressure this year on a major scale when the cpu is behind for me alone is nothing short of fantastic. Its the little things in the actual game that this demo portrays very very well that has me really excited for the game this year. If we can get some form of presentation like NBA2k in next year I'd be totally in heaven.

Really though, I've been high on this series since the 07 reboot, the last couple years I've been happy with the game but not over the top excited, pulling my hair out for the release. This year however its on a whole different level with how well the initial physics implimentation has been done, the AI upgrades, the gritty feel.

It seems every year they get just a little bit closer to making it more and more realistic and have really nailed it in alot of ways in the core gameplay for 11. All while adding other interesting things to do like BAP, HUT, and the EASHL. This dev team deserves alot of credit for paying attention to the fan base, and delivering.