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

[Franchizz]

What has me frustrated is on Superstar I cannot score whatsoever. The goalie either makes the perfect save or the players pokecheck, hit, whatever as I setup in the slot or near the crease. Now this would be fine if it was occasional or even for a couple games however thus far it has been in every single game I have played. Meanwhile Crosby beat Price top shelf with barely the space of a tennis ball to work; Malkin did the same in the following period.

I of course have a beauty of a shot stoned by Fleury. The only goal he finally let in was a dirty five hole Laperrie was fortunate to tuck in after the rebound. Is it my inability to play Superstar - I was beginning to play on SS prior to the patch - or is the AI this ridiculous for everyone and thus sliders are a necessity? Tips would be extremely appreciated because this is unbelieveably furastrating.

Edit: I am beginning to wonder if this patch was meant purely for online play, essentially screwing though who prefer Dynasty.

[original6]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrUrsus

I haven't bought a hockey game yet this year. So after this patch, do you guys recommend NHL 09 or NHL 2K9?

Rent them both and make a decision. If you want my opinion though, neither is that great. Both have serious flaws that keep me from maintaining any kind of interest in continuing to play them. If choosing between the lesser of two evils, I'd go with 2k9 only because of the goalies and goal variety.

[JKidd10]

What flaws are you talking about O6?

[original6]

Quote: Originally Posted by JKidd10

What flaws are you talking about O6?

Which game?

[bad_philanthropy]

I think the patch is growing on me. The cpu has a hell of a time with trap teams, but against teams that play a more wide open style they can hold their own on SS.

For people having trouble scoring, if you aren't shooting from a good platform (ie with time at the top of the circle, or in the slot, a nice soft one-time pass with your player squared up for it, etc...), try to use the left stick more than the right stick to get the puck moving from side to side, it has a much greater effect getting the goalie to move and be in a less comitted position to face a shot.

It's difficult to explain but try to set up your right stick dekes with left stick movements.

[nyr30]

The AI in this game is just horrible, anything good about this game is wiped away by the fact that the AI is beyond stupid. EA could have a fantastic game if the AI was up to par with everything else.

In BAP the AI really doesnt know what it wants to do with itself, the mind set is give the user the puck no matter what. The defense just doesnt do anything it backs away until you are right on your goalies doorstep.

You spend the whole game trying to cover AI mistakes rather than trying to play your position as one of the team, its like it puposely doesnt try to stop plays as to make the user have to do something which you shouldnt be.

The Offense is much the same, having to come back and do the defense job because you know it wont. What i have noticed on dump ins is everytime is just about the same, the AI will dump the puck in the Dman cant get the puck under control the forward steals the puck then goes to the net.

The user team vary rarily wins the battles in the corners which i have noticed happpens in Dynasty as well. It needs to be less geared towards the AI's advantage thats why i said in a previous thread that with EA looking to implement more board play i think it may turn out to be a shambles. Imagine the AI advantage the way it is just now and then add to that constantly losing the board battles then the game will just be beyond frustration.

Of course this is on Superstar and as others have mentioned with the game feeling like it is already scripted when you are going to lose it isnt going to make it much fun unless the AI is much improved.

Just my opinion.

[ohyeahbaby123]

Quote: Originally Posted by nyr30

The AI in this game is just horrible, anything good about this game is wiped away by the fact that the AI is beyond stupid. EA could have a fantastic game if the AI was up to par with everything else. In BAP the AI really doesnt know what it wants to do with itself, the mind set is give the user the puck no matter what. The defense just doesnt do anything it backs away until you are right on your goalies doorstep. You spend the whole game trying to cover AI mistakes rather than trying to play your position as one of the team, its like it puposely doesnt try to stop plays as to make the user have to do something which you shouldnt be. The Offense is much the same, having to come back and do the defense job because you know it wont. What i have noticed on dump ins is everytime is just about the same, the AI will dump the puck in the Dman cant get the puck under control the forward steals the puck then goes to the net. The user team vary rarily wins the battles in the corners which i have noticed happpens in Dynasty as well. It needs to be less geared towards the AI's advantage thats why i said in a previous thread that with EA looking to implement more board play i think it may turn out to be a shambles. Imagine the AI advantage the way it is just now and then add to that constantly losing the board battles then the game will just be beyond frustration. Of course this is on Superstar and as others have mentioned with the game feeling like it is already scripted when you are going to lose it isnt going to make it much fun unless the AI is much improved. Just my opinion.

I never have had problems w/ gaining loose pucks... in the corner, just lift the stick on the forward and take the puck, or just level them into the boards.

[nyr30]

Quote: Originally Posted by ohyeahbaby123

I never have had problems w/ gaining loose pucks... in the corner, just lift the stick on the forward and take the puck, or just level them into the boards.

I lift the stick but the Cpu always comes out with it thats why i have started to leave the puck then cream the guy that gets it, when i did stick lift its not effective, its definitely not as effective as the Cpu.

Its undecisive, in fact that is how i would describe the AI as a whole, undecisive. Things like if you take a penalty and there is a loose puck but you cant collect it straight away, its like there is a delay. Its either to give the advantage to the other team to get a man on or it just doesnt react quick enough.

Its little things like this that spoil the game for me, Modes like BAP are great ideas but to make them play great i think the AI needs a lot of work.