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

[MizzouRah]

Quote: Originally Posted by puckhead73

Blue, I totally know what you mean about missing Tkachuk! I was going through the very same thought process about how it would actually make a difference this year's game to have someone like him in front of the net... It just had to be the year he retired. On the bright side tho, we still have oshie, backes, and perron. Now if they would do something about brewer and jackman. I know i will in my beagm.

At least we should be stronger in net this year.. I'm shopping Brewer right off the bat.

[Gagnon39]

Can't stop thinking about this game.

[Gagnon39]

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

[Money99]

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed.
I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot.

Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gagnon39

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

Yep, I sure am noticing the much improved AI.

The good thing is, the AI looks improved for both cpu and Human...thankfully. And I agree, '11' is imo also more challenging than '10' because of the better AI. For some of the reasons you mentioned Gagnon.

I've been playing on All-Star too, and so far, it looks like this year I may have to play on the normal setting rather than hardcore. I'm getting pretty much whipped on hardcore this year. I should mention though, one of the biggest improvements imo for the User is...you seem to get a good amount of traffic out in front of your opponents net this year. Unlike it was with '10'.

[Sakuraba19]

Sick move in 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL4hAKDYKPQ

[MizzouRah]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gagnon39

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

The game just feels like a hockey game and I agree, on AS the CPU AI plays smart hockey and constantly has me thinking ahead.

I'm getting less chances to score and it's great!

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

The more I play the more I like. I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification. I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill. With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through. But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy. And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV). I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me. But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level). Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed. I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot. Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

Seeing it on SS as well Hank. Same thing with pass receiving even though the new ease of receiving slider is in the middle, I'm seeing if my 4th line is out, they're more apt to have a puck explode off their stick on a hard pass or miss it entirely. The refined puck physics seem to play a roll in it as well obviously. Much less magnetism in regards to puck on stick.