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

[mercalnd]

Quote: Originally Posted by 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.

I had a few good games on default Superstar back when I got the patch (PS3) and was a little worried that it might get too easy but that went away after 5 games or so when the CPU came back to its old ways, cheap goals and all (although there are fewer cheap goals than there used to be). My guess is you are just currently in a good streak.

[nyisles16]

Must say I am liking the patch. In a "play now" game, I was playing against Philly (I was the Islanders of course). Each team had at least 5 power plays.

I managed to score two rather sweet goals -- one where I picked up a loose puck, drove to the net, and when Biron went down to cut off the bottom part of the net, I simply parked it right over him. The other goal I slapped past him from the right circle just inside the near post.

This was on All-Star level..

[Qb]

Great news, indeed. I was out of town for a few days to see Metallica in Columbus and was hoping to see this when I finally got around to checking in at OS. Can anyone confirm if the line changes were fixed (ie, separate off/def lines during stoppages)???

[Icelandair]

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.

[bukktown]

Can anyone comment about how well it plays online now. Is it more of a dump and chase game now with the improved flip dump?

[mudtiger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

Great news, indeed. I was out of town for a few days to see Metallica in Columbus and was hoping to see this when I finally got around to checking in at OS. Can anyone confirm if the line changes were fixed (ie, separate off/def lines during stoppages)???

Yes, that's fixed. You can put out line 1 on offense and line 2 or 3 on defense during play stoppages.

[Papa Burgundy]

Anyone else not really notice a difference after playing a game? I only had 2 power plays playing on 8 minute periods with Mudtiger's all star sliders. Goalies still seem to be flopping around a lot. Also I was able to throw huge hits still with guys like Toews and Kane. Almost makes me think I didn't install it properly or something.

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mercalnd

I had a few good games on default Superstar back when I got the patch (PS3) and was a little worried that it might get too easy but that went away after 5 games or so when the CPU came back to its old ways, cheap goals and all (although there are fewer cheap goals than there used to be). My guess is you are just currently in a good streak.

I think that's actually good news. I had only played three games and the cpu score 1-0-2 against me, so it's not really enough to be indicative of anything, but the cpu did seem less threatening.