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

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ziostilon

do you need a XBOX live GOLD Memership to get the patch, or will a silver one do?

No. Just be logged into your silver account and start up the game.

[Kingfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steven547

Came out today.

Alrighty and thanks for the info...she's getting booted off now!!!

[Steven547]

Ok..here are my thoughts on the patch...I play position lock (RD). Previously (with the same sliders i've posted here), it seemed tough to score a goal...POST patch, it's very offense oriented. There is something about the gameplay that just "feels right"...more loose pucks, better AI, and when they score on a rebound, it was because my def was out of position and not some "cheese goal". Anyway, these are the stats from my game:

Pitts (me) vs Det
Goals 5 - 4
Shots 35 / 28 (stayed same as before)
Hits 48 / 68 (Seems to be more hits)
FO 10 / 26 (It was Detroit so I expected this)
Attack 7:06 / 8:03 (this has gone up. previously was avg 4 mins)
PIM 2:00 / 10:00 (CPU taking more Penalties, but not my team?)
PP 1-4 / 0-1

That was only one game, but you can tell a difference in play. I'll have to move some sliders down some. I'm pretty happy so far, but like I said, I think some slider adjustments need to be made. Maybe now we can figure out what exactly the aggression does...if we lower that, will it lower Penalties, etc? Lower shot blocking=more shots on goals or more goals? etc..

Either way, EA addressed some important issues with this patch and it's much appreciated. Oh...and for some reason, my arena music seems to be a tad louder now...did they fix this?? Pretty happy with this. If anyone wants to try my slider set out, it's in the slider section. Nice job, EA.

2nd Game:


Bos vs Chi (me)
Goals: 3 / 1
Shots 19/ 31
Hits 54/ 33(Seems to be more hits)
FO 14/ 9
Attack 6:06 / 7:13 (this has gone up. previously was avg 4 mins)
PIM 8:00 / 2:00 (CPU taking more Penalties, but not my team?)
PP 0-1 / 1-4

After the 2nd game, two things I noticed that maybe someone can advise on:
1: CPU is taking less shots
2: My team, in two games, has only had 2 penalties...

Also, if I increased to Superstar, does that allow for more shots? Or should I raise Player Accel?

[DJ]

I don't have the game yet, but am likely getting it soon. Does the patch address the late-game play by the CPU? I remember reading that it was awfully tough to hold a lead b/c a lot of cheap goals were scored by the CPU in the final minute.

[bad_philanthropy]

I have to say that I'm pretty concerned about the cpu offensive play so far. I think that the single player game may have fallen victim to the heavy emphasis on EASHL this year and stopping online cheesers.

It seems as though the thing that was allowing users to score all sorts of cheap goals was a goalie/shot mechanic that allowed the cpu players to be able to score goals consistently. That was removed, and now the cpu logic is considerably off.

On SS I thought the gameplay was pretty engaging, the cpu definitely scored some cheap goals now and then, but their overall play was much better than it is now. It's difficult to explain but the cpu just seems dead, and when they attack it is not nearly as threatening as before. So far I've had no problems beating the cpu easily and I feel like I'll never lose another game.

[Ziostilon]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

No. Just be logged into your silver account and start up the game.

is there some confirmation that you have downloaded the patch or not

is it an XBOX live update, i got one when i logged into my silver account with the disc in.

[mcstub]

Not sure if anyone has seen this pre or post patch, but during an online game i couldn't make any changes to my lines in the menu. The only change it would let me do was put the backup goalie onto a line. When that line was on the ice, i actually had two goalies in net and only four skaters on the ice. I haven't seen this issue before the patch, this was my first game online after the update.

[Franchizz]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

I have to say that I'm pretty concerned about the cpu offensive play so far. I think that the single player game may have fallen victim to the heavy emphasis on EASHL this year and stopping online cheesers. It seems as though the thing that was allowing users to score all sorts of cheap goals was a goalie/shot mechanic that allowed the cpu players to be able to score goals consistently. That was removed, and now the cpu logic is considerably off. On SS I thought the gameplay was pretty engaging, the cpu definitely scored some cheap goals now and then, but their overall play was much better than it is now. It's difficult to explain but the cpu just seems dead, and when they attack it is not nearly as threatening as before. So far I've had no problems beating the cpu easily and I feel like I'll never lose another game.

Definitely something I became aware of during my initial test. Granted I was playing poorly due to not being in the mood to play the game however on all-star I believe I ran up 30 shots to Pittsburgh's 10, yes 10. I certainly hope this is not the case or if so altering the sliders will repair the game as I am not one to play online much.