Keys to Success for NHL 09

[savoie2006]

Ok,from that view point,I can agree.08 definately lacks,especially in the areas you mentioned.The passing and dump and chase are suppose to be much more realistic in 09.I actually have faith in EA hockey right now,which is kind of scary,but I think the development team is really committed to making it as realistic as possible.I just think they aren't in any rush and want to improve in baby steps.

[catcatch22]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

I'm not talking about 2k8 (a game even 2k fans don't like). We're talking about NHL 08 from a huge company. This game plays little like real hockey. Passes are laser perfect and never miss. There is no play along the boards. Dump and chase is pointless... The AI is overrated. The CPU can do amazing things because passes never miss. Look at the real NHL vs 08. There is no neutral zone play at all because of the perfect passing and the AI backing off. Many real teams are playing trap or the left wing lock, yet in 08 these things are pretty much non-existent. There is much more to hockey than just skating, passing and shooting.

Actually there is a way to get the ai to play that way through the sliders but then they will never hit. You will out hit them 50 to 2.

However there is a way to get the AI to play its defense up and the fowards back in a neutral zone defense. It just messess up everything else in terms of gameplay. They need to add a few more sliders to seperate one aspect from another.

1. Penalty shot frequency controls how far up the defenseman play. It does not actually control penalty shot frequency, just the level of depth for the defenseman playing so aggressively.

2. Aggression slider controls backcheck and forecheck for the AI. Max it out and the fowards only forecheck and no backcheck. Minimize it and the fowards rarely forecheck but backcheck alot more into the neutral zone. Problem is the AI will stop hitting (both fowards and defenseman) if you lower the aggression slider below 3.

There needs to be a few more sliders to seperate the functions between what each slider does. Several of the sliders control too many aspects all at once making it impossible to make it play perfect.

[tabulaRasa]

It was my hockey game of choice last year. But it can be frustrating at times.

Like the amount of money goals online and the insane momentum shifts that are way way to influencial on the games. Also something needs to be done with the homing checks at the blueline.

But I love what EA has done with the positioning and covering. Really nice to reflect the true NHL.

[SaintPatrick33]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

I There is much more to hockey than just skating, passing and shooting.

Dont tell mr bettman this enjoy your new lhn boys lol

[savoie2006]

Quote: Originally Posted by tabulaRasa

It was my hockey game of choice last year. But it can be frustrating at times. Like the amount of money goals online and the insane momentum shifts that are way way to influencial on the games. Also something needs to be done with the homing checks at the blueline. But I love what EA has done with the positioning and covering. Really nice to reflect the true NHL.

Supposedly the homing checks have been lessened quite a bit,we'll see.

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

Actually there is a way to get the ai to play that way through the sliders but then they will never hit. You will out hit them 50 to 2.

The sliders in this game never seem to work right. Every slider change I make breaks something else. If we had a better set of sliders, I bet it could be a great game.

I am optimistic that the dump and chase is supposedly viable in 09. I'm still not sure if they are making a hockey sim or not.