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

[edwing]

Having loads of fun with HUT so far, all the "minor" additions really add a lot to the game.

One thing I noticed though, why does PK Subban have white hands ?

[SuperDave21]

Quote: Originally Posted by CS10029

EDIT- Also wanted to share something I saw. I took a shot from sorta deep, the puck popped up right in front of Leighton, and Tavares made a really nice stick play to tap it in 5 hole. It's kinda tough to explain, but once you see it you'll be like, "Yes, thank you EA."

I know exactly what you mean! I took a shot from the point and the rebound was bouncing in front. I took Okposo to the front and just started pressing shoot like a wild man. He got in one good whack and then got the rebound off that and put it five hole. Brilliant.

[Percyswan]

Loved the demo one big problem I had though was the goal review. I took a point shot and it just nudged my forwards inside knee on the way in and didn't even change directions and the forward wasn't even moving. Yet they called it off. That would be really lame online.

[adayinthelife]

Quote: Originally Posted by CS10029

It doesn't really happen right away, but once he is almost up to full speed you can see the difference in the players legs.

That's pretty backwards of how it should be, but could also be the reason I'm not really noticing anything aside from the guy moving faster.

[Jgainsey]

I finally had a chance to get some games in, and I'm loving it so far. At first glance, it looks like more of the same from NHL 10. But once you get going, it's obvious that this game has been tweaked in all of the right ways.

I've been playing on SS so far, and while I've been able to hold my own in the demo, it's clear that there is going to be a decent learning curve just to be competitive against the AI. Even with the some of the hardest sliders last year, I still felt as if I had an advantage over the CPU no matter what. It's too early to tell, but I can definitely see myself finding a difficulty sweet spot with this year's game

My only gripe to this point would have to be the Hustle button. The gameplay mechanic itself is fine(subtle, yet it serves a useful and realistic purpose). I'm just not crazy about using the awkward L3 button in the middle of a tense skating situation. If this could be mapped to a face button I think it may work out better.

[CS10029]

Quote: Originally Posted by adayinthelife

That's pretty backwards of how it should be, but could also be the reason I'm not really noticing anything aside from the guy moving faster.

Well once you get moving a decent amount, it's not like it only shows once you are full speed.

Does anybody else see the player actually animating faster, with the hustle button?

EDIT- The chaotic moments in this game, feel just as chaotic as ever, but you have more control now. If that makes sense.

[kai123]

There is a lot to like about this game. First off, its the best NHL game to date, better than NHL 2k8 and NHL 08. Secondly, the game feels better. The physics make it feel different from NHL 10 even though the graphics are the same. I really love checking, the way you line it up is very rewarding.

On Offense, the game feels good too. The goals I have scored so far have been clean cross creasers. They were properly set up not abused. But when i played Battle for the CUP, HC AS, the CPU scored glitch goals on me. One of them was the dreaded wrapsround spin-o-rama thing, from NHL 06. I can't really describe it but I know I saw it in NHL 06. Other than that offense feels great. And I forgot to mention the deflections and screens. It felt strategic and effective. The CPU scored a blast by Stalberg that deflected off my player and went into the net. The puck moved too fast to track. It was a ping pong ball but nonetheless a cool goal. The CPU AI keeps you on your toes all the time. Moving the puck nicely. But most of the time it was tick tac toe, but this was because it was there #1 PP line for Chicago.

On Defense, the CPU AI on SS is crazy. I had 30 seconds time on attack on Battle for the Cup mode. They made sure to keep possession and whenever I got possession I was swarmed to make a bad pass or get stripped of the puck. Though I only had 30 seconds of attack time, those thirty seconds were a walk in the park, for the most part, I was able to outsmart the CPU most of the time, but due to HC, I gave a way the puck loads of times.

Goalies feel better. The Wrister in the slot goal doesn't work anymore. But there are glitch goals like I mentioned above. And there are new save animations and goalies play smarter. There are even differences in Goalie styles. Miller played the puck more often than Leighton.

Overall, I'm not buying this game because NBA 2k11 is coming but I will play the heck out of the demo until it releases, then I will rent it and then after that's up, I will go to my buddy's house everyday to play this.

And for once, I haven't seen Comeback/Elastic AI yet

[kai123]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jgainsey

I finally had a chance to get some games in, and I'm loving it so far. At first glance, it looks like more of the same from NHL 10. But once you get going, it's obvious that this game has been tweaked in all of the right ways. I've been playing on SS so far, and while I've been able to hold my own in the demo, it's clear that there is going to be a decent learning curve just to be competitive against the AI. Even with the some of the hardest sliders last year, I still felt as if I had an advantage over the CPU no matter what. It's too early to tell, but I can definitely see myself finding a difficulty sweet spot with this year's game My only gripe to this point would have to be the Hustle button. The gameplay mechanic itself is fine(subtle, yet it serves a useful and realistic purpose). I'm just not crazy about using the awkward L3 button in the middle of a tense skating situation. If this could be mapped to a face button I think it may work out better.

See I agree with you but if it were a face button you would let go of the RS, which is essentially your hockey stick. So IMO, the hustle button isn't needed, it should just be the push of the puck in front of you from 09/10.