NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote:

Changes from the EA boards http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread....61380&tstart=0 The patch has been released! Quick re-cap of what it is covering: The jersey on the EASHL side select screen is more visible than the team logo. This will make it easier for people to see when jersey colors clash Deking controls normal when shooting downscreen with "Always Up" controls Checking has been tuned so you will see less big hits from guys that aren't traditionally known for hitting Less CPU AI one-timers Increased the height of dump ins, for a better dump and chase game. No more goals from flip dumps Better CPU AI logic near offensive blueline so they don't go off-sides as much CPU goalie will not drag the puck back toward himself in a shootout We have fixed the goals from outside shots that people are scoring. We have reduced shot accuracy when on the rush and when turning quickly, and from far out. You will now have to be more conservative when shooting on the rush. If you aim all the way to the left or right, your shot will go wide a lot more. Try aiming more towards the middle to hit the net from outside. This fixes the cross goal where you shoot back the other way, and the goal that goes in with the "curve" animation, and a few others. There's a reason NHL players don't shoot from outside on the rush very often. Dumping or trying to set up is a better play unless you have an odd-man situation. We reduced the time it took to get control of the goalie by 1/3. When line changes are set to auto, and a user changes lines/defense manually between whistles, the line/defensive pair you asked for will come out (or stay out). If you have line changes off in Be a Pro, line change player chatter will be turned off. When using a defenseman in BAP, BAP player won't get stuck on the bench and will be able to call for change The EASHL will now go to continuous 5v5 overtime until one team scores. This way nobody has to sit out, and you get to decide who wins (this is now just like the NHL Play-offs) The proper own-goal cut scene will be shown where the player who scored on himself is upset. All cut scenes should now show players sitting in their respective team's bench. Increase AI team aggressiveness and the likelihood of them getting called for a penalty on an infraction. If Vision Control is pressed, you do not throw a hit when in front of the attacking net. This helps with rebound shots. Increase the likelihood of a penalty if the stick hits the body during a stick lift. Reduce the accuracy of shots for penalty shots and shootouts. Aiming for just inside the post is a lot tougher now.

Just got prompted for an update. Have been trying things out, the most telling thing to me that I immediately tried out was the dump height, which after my d/l is different than before. Also, puck physics seem quite a bit different in a good way.

EDIT: It's the patch alright. Checked out the always up controls, dekeing is fixed. Unfortunately shot aim is still not correct.

EDIT: I don't know what some people were talking about in regards to shot accuracy being a problem. As long as you're shooting from a good platform the accuracy is just as good as before, some shots even seem to be better quality. You just can't be an idiot and shoot while skating full speed on the rush and expect to hot the net. Also whoever said this game was much better on SS post-patch was absolutely right. It's not even close, SS is fantastic after the patch. Haven't had any stupid goals or seen the cpu one-timer crazy. Can't wait to see what QB and some of the others have to say about this.

Edited by Millennium for front page posting. Good Job, Bad!

[bad_philanthropy]

I am kind of concerned about the cpu play on superstar, they seem nowhere near as able to punish you for your mistakes like they were before. The weak goals are gone but the cpu in general seems less able to counterattack and create offense. I might have to increase shot accuracy to help the cpu score.

[tabulaRasa]

I don´t get it...is this a second patch? I got an update today, but some people claim to have played with the patch for weeks? COnfused as I play NHL09 almost every day.

Ps3 got it earlier??

[Flyermania]

Yup, PS3 got the patch a few weeks back.

[tabulaRasa]

Ok, get it. BTW, played a game today (which I won), but the guy I met scored some cheese goals. 2 turn around close to the post and shot high closest post, you know the half wrap around.

BTW, is there any need to hold down Vision control when you shot? Except on rebounds?

[Poro24]

My feelings are quite positive. There actually were penalties and that did make the game feel a lot different than it was before.

I played my first game with All Star and 8min periods, i was Wild and CPU vas Maple Leafs. Just wow, look at how many penalties i got:

00:37: Alexander Steen (TOR) Cross Cheking 2min
05:41: Jiri Tlusty (TOR) Tripping 2min
09:12: James Sheppard (MIN) Tripping 2min
11:06: Nick Schultz (MIN) Delay Of Game 2min :D
11:34: Marc-Andre Bergeron (MIN) Delay Of Game 2min :D
18:12: Marian Gaborik (MIN) Obstuction - Tripping 2min
18:42: James Sheppard (MIN) Delay Of Game 2min :D

25:44: Nick Schultz (MIN) Slashing 2min
26:59: Nikolai Kulemin (TOR) Holding 2min

43:65: Andrew Brunette (MIN) Obstruction - Tripping 2min

Game ended with my 2-1 OT win. I must say that i really enjoyed playing, but there were still too many hits and goalies were too good and did not make any mistakes :/.

[Franchizz]

Well I tried a game just now using the Habs and am hesitate as to whether or not this will be an effective patch. I was pleased to have five powerplays on the default All-Star penalty setting however the computer lacked any offensive output whatsoever. Pittsburgh amassed a resounding 10 shots and spent a mere four minutes and change on the attack in comparison to my nigh 30 shots and fourteen minutes on the offense. The hits were also grossly inaccurate with the Pens having 68 (wow) compared to my low 20 or so.

If this is any indication the patch seems to have heavily removed offense, instead having the computer favor the dump and chase gameplay. This is an improvement in theory, yet in practice it forces us to mimic the AI's new style otherwise you can easily dominate them in everything beyond goals. The goalies now can stop shots extremely more effectively then ever before.

[marino13]

I am very happy with the patch, but people will have to play on superstar with shot accuracy at least 4 to have the cpu get some goals.