NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

[MC Fatigue]

I don't know yet.

I haven't kept up with EA's at all.

The thing I most enjoyed about 2008 was playing goalie, but I really felt the controls were lacking in that department. If it gets good enough reviews (from 2k and EA fans combined) I may grab it, but as of now I haven't really looked into it at all.

[daflyboys]

Quote: Originally Posted by Timmay

Somehow they took a step back in the graphics department.

Well, when they switched it up after K3, I wouldn't assume that their work/files got passed on to Kush, so maybe they were building from what they had and that's why some have that K3 "feel" about this demo? dunno.

[Klocker]

Brief impressions... I liked it a lot better as soon as I switched controls to "Hybrid'. A combo of classic and Pro Stick... Pro Evo Stick is also available


game play was solid (on easy) and scoring was fun and the game seemed a bit slowed form the last couple of years, more deliberate, especially speed burst.

As for the graphics, opening sequence ROCKS... and the graphics are definitely more polished with less of that "cartoon animated" feel of previous versions and more of a 3D look to the players. although as noted faces were kind of weak from what I can tell. the modeling of the players and lighting definitely have more dimension IMO

[Stroehms]

Long live NHL 09!

[MizzouRah]

Scott, you were right!

Love the new Pro Evolution controls.

Gone is the massive checks that knock you off the puck as soon as you shoot it.

Skating feels realistic... speed burst is finally like it should be.

Game flows very smooth, just like last year.

I think with the commentators, penalties, and a harder difficulty, I'm going to love this game. Game speed seems good and although the players don't look like EA's game, everything else is beautiful.

Oh.. crowds are the best in any sports game - really get into the game, nice!

Is it the end all of hockey games? No... but for me, it's what they set out to do, create a fun hockey game.

[kerosene31]

Just played the demo. My impressions:

Pros:

-Much improved from 2k8 (which I thought was awful)
-Defensive controls are very good
-Realistic passing (EA needs to copy this and remove laser passing)
-AI seems somewhat improved (hard to tell on unknown difficulty level)
-skating much better
-with the tons of sliders available in the final game, this might play a really good game of sim hockey
-controls are much improved, although I wish they did not copy EA's shooting with the right stick. They should stick with a button to shoot and let you control the puck completely with the right stick.
-the checking from past games is toned down and very realistic
-presentation is nice

Cons:
-player models look... awful
-goalie animations are not much improved
-I'd like to see how the AI does on higher difficulty. So far, it was not really setting up plays in the zone very much beyond one pass. Miles better than last year, but that isn't saying much. Still too much "driving the net like a zombie".
-players are a little slow to control, might be fixable with sliders

Overall:
This is a pretty good game for a 1st year build. You have to expect 2 years to get everything playable, but this plays pretty well as-is.

I really need to see it on higher difficulty levels to see if the AI has made significant improvements. If the AI is great on higher levels, we could have a great game.

[allBthere]

Very impressed. I didn't think I would be either since videos of the game (although usually small and grainy) make it seem like the same thing as the past couple of years.

It's not at all, it feels so much better, there is so much more weight, and I'm so glad they completely ditched the stretched-out no frills, bulk-barn style menues of the past. It's 3D, it's intense, even the sounds is so much more 3D and way more compelling.

After playing the demo, and seeing the new fighting, I've got to say that I'm seriously considering picking this up and absolutley going to rent if not buying right at release. The last hockey purchase for me was a few years ago so this is saying a lot.

[Qb]

I'm my way to get this now! BTW, I merged the other demo thread into this one. There are a post or two that seem out of place, but I don't want to be deleting people's posts...