NHL 09 First Look: GameSpot

[Jgainsey]

An online dynasty would be awesome. Especially after the lackluster online league features last year. What would be even better is if you could have an online dynasty and be able to do the six on six team play as well. Granted, you'd need like 180 guys to complete a whole league but having the option to do it would be incredible.

I really hope that they focus alot on board play. When you watch a game of hockey on tv or live and then play a game of NHL 08 this has to stand out as one of the most unrealistic aspects of NHL 08. Just think about it... you've got one of the major factors in the game of hockey that is almost non-existant in NHL 08. Maybe alot of casual hockey fans don't care about board play but for me it's like not being able to deke or not being able to take a one timer.

[copecowboy]

once again they continue to add features that have been in other games for years

[Vince]

Quote: Originally Posted by getinthevan87

An online dynasty would be awesome. Especially after the lackluster online league features last year. What would be even better is if you could have an online dynasty and be able to do the six on six team play as well. Granted, you'd need like 180 guys to complete a whole league but having the option to do it would be incredible. I really hope that they focus alot on board play. When you watch a game of hockey on tv or live and then play a game of NHL 08 this has to stand out as one of the most unrealistic aspects of NHL 08. Just think about it... you've got one of the major factors in the game of hockey that is almost non-existant in NHL 08. Maybe alot of casual hockey fans don't care about board play but for me it's like not being able to deke or not being able to take a one timer.

Agreed. Playoffs = all about board play and chip and chase.

[Trick_]

i'm so excited about this. i intentionally did not follow until after the 08 season (sort of not wanting to get my hopes up) but i can't help it. haven't been this excited for a sports game in years...i always get madden and ncaa on release as its tradition now but i'm stoked about nhl. i will be able to do the sweden 94 deke in perfection. maybe the unveiled feature will be the create a goalie helmet...that would be sweet. 6 on 6 is going to be crazy. and i already know i'm gonna create at least 3 pros...goalie, enforcer and sniper. Enforcer is my dream job, get paid to try and take people out.

Board work i'm sure will be addressed because its a major part of hockey...fights could use improvement but i could care less. I just hope they added where you could check people into the bench...i miss that.

[Lisa_Bonami]

Was there any mention of 'dirty-ing up the gameplay a bit? NHL 08 was too clean. Real NHL hockey has scrumms, garbage in front of the net, sloppy play, fanning on shots, the puck bouncing over sticks and flipping and fluttering. Real hockey has all of this sloppiness in it....so when a perfectly executed play and goal are pulled off, it is much more appreciated


There should be more aggressive board play and scraps in the corners, facials and after whistle pushing and shoving in front of the goalie.

Any mention of any of this?

Also better puck physics like NHL 2K8.....In NHL 2008, the puck seemed to feel magnetically parallel to the ice, it didnt flutter, carom, flip or deflect realistically

[Jgainsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa_Bonami

Was there any mention of 'dirty-ing up the gameplay a bit? NHL 08 was too clean. Real NHL hockey has scrumms, garbage in front of the net, sloppy play, fanning on shots, the puck bouncing over sticks and flipping and fluttering. Real hockey has all of this sloppiness in it....so when a perfectly executed play and goal are pulled off, it is much more appreciated There should be more aggressive board play and scraps in the corners, facials and after whistle pushing and shoving in front of the goalie. Any mention of any of this? Also better puck physics like NHL 2K8.....In NHL 2008, the puck seemed to feel magnetically parallel to the ice, it didnt flutter, carom, flip or deflect realistically

Very true. This game could definitely benefit from some sloppiness. Every pass shouldn't be tape to tape. I'd love to see some new animations where a pass is off a bit and the player recieving it has to lunge for it or reach his stick behind him to control it. I'd also like to be able to make a through pass with out having to saucer the puck.

I'm not really concerned about the fighting, even though is sucks horribly.. But I hate how the human player is the only one who can initiate the fight. I like how it was in older versions where it would come up on the bottom of the screen and you'd just have to press a button to accept.

[Trick_]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lisa_Bonami

Also better puck physics like NHL 2K8.....In NHL 2008, the puck seemed to feel magnetically parallel to the ice, it didnt flutter, carom, flip or deflect realistically

i agree with everything except this...so many of my replays i watch my goal wishing i could save them (thats for a total different note though) but lots of times the puck going in was ugly, by that i mean rolling in on its side, being deflected or bounced in off my opponents stick or skate or the goalie knocking it in Marc Andre Fleury style j/k. it may not be perfect but i was really impressed. but then again i hadn't played a hockey game since 02. just my .02 cents

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trick_

i agree with everything except this...so many of my replays i watch my goal wishing i could save them (thats for a total different note though) but lots of times the puck going in was ugly, by that i mean rolling in on its side, being deflected or bounced in off my opponents stick or skate or the goalie knocking it in Marc Andre Fleury style j/k. it may not be perfect but i was really impressed. but then again i hadn't played a hockey game since 02. just my .02 cents

I thought the puck physics in 08 were pretty good, but I also believe that 2K8's puck physics were nearly life like. It bounced around a lot more and made for better goal mouth scrambles.

In 08, there were times it did feel like it was on a rail or that it had too much elasticity to it. But it wasn't like it was horrible.