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

[catcatch22]

Quote: Originally Posted by bjackets

I'm with you....I had enough as well and have been really enjoying 2K hockey which is very unusual for me......EA's game has the most blatant cheating I've ever seen. I've noticed all the things you mentioned plus I saw numerous instances of the AI's stick traveling right through my players body parts in order to perform clean puck steals. There is one particular cheat when the AI is behind late in the game where you can not skate the puck out from behind your own net anywhere close to an AI defender or you will risk the stick through the body.... swipe the puck super clean ....and perfect shot quick score cheat. It happens so fast and is so fixed that I just finally said enough already. ohiost

I only see this happen with high pass intercept. With it at 6 they literally take the puck right off your stick.

[draven085]

I'd suggest that anyone concerned with an overwhelming feeling of 'cheapness' on the part of the AI turn down the AI learning slider. After messing around with different settings for a while I feel fairly confident in saying that this slider really ought to be called 'AI Cheapness'. With a lower setting the AI wins less loose puck battles, maintains possession of the puck under defensive harassment less effectively, and generally plays what feels like a much more fair game. This slider seems to be the catch-all way to improve the AI's game vis-a-vis a human user since there are not seperate sliders for each.

For the record I'm playing on Superstar with AI Learning set at one click.

[catcatch22]

To be honest the game is king of ruined for me but for a different reason then what all you guys are complaining about. The AI for whatever reason post patch can not beat me anymore unless I just play a bad game which after playing this series for 2 years, just isn't happening much at all. The changes they made have made the AI too easy. Now I wish they can score cheap goals on me again.

It is really frustrating since I like that they take less onetimers and the shots have a less accurate feel to them. However I find that the AI to this years game in scoring and passing the puck to be worst than last years game. They are too slot, behind net and board happy. Last year they would incorporate the defenseman and beat you with goals from the blue line. I don't think they have ever beaten me with a blue line goal this year. I can beat them with blue line goals but the AI defense can't do it. So as of right now offline is a waste for me cause it seems that pre patch the AI made up for blue line defficiencies by having them score the weak goals.

I like the changes online except for one item. The passing is just rediculous. All people do is pass - pass - pass like it is pingball with out ever aiming or anything with strong tape to tape passes thus make the game feel like pingball. There is no missed passes and the game speed is too fast making it not really fun.

Weak AI offline, poor online feel because of the super accurate fast passes causes me to not wanna play anymore.

[BIG CAROLINA]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

To be honest the game is king of ruined for me but for a different reason then what all you guys are complaining about. The AI for whatever reason post patch can not beat me anymore unless I just play a bad game which after playing this series for 2 years, just isn't happening much at all. The changes they made have made the AI too easy. Now I wish they can score cheap goals on me again. It is really frustrating since I like that they take less onetimers and the shots have a less accurate feel to them. However I find that the AI to this years game in scoring and passing the puck to be worst than last years game. They are too slot, behind net and board happy. Last year they would incorporate the defenseman and beat you with goals from the blue line. I don't think they have ever beaten me with a blue line goal this year. I can beat them with blue line goals but the AI defense can't do it. So as of right now offline is a waste for me cause it seems that pre patch the AI made up for blue line defficiencies by having them score the weak goals. I like the changes online except for one item. The passing is just rediculous. All people do is pass - pass - pass like it is pingball with out ever aiming or anything with strong tape to tape passes thus make the game feel like pingball. There is no missed passes and the game speed is too fast making it not really fun. Weak AI offline, poor online feel because of the super accurate fast passes causes me to not wanna play anymore.

Have you tried player lock mode? Maybe that will help you out some offline.

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

To be honest the game is king of ruined for me but for a different reason then what all you guys are complaining about. The AI for whatever reason post patch can not beat me anymore unless I just play a bad game which after playing this series for 2 years, just isn't happening much at all. The changes they made have made the AI too easy. Now I wish they can score cheap goals on me again. It is really frustrating since I like that they take less onetimers and the shots have a less accurate feel to them. However I find that the AI to this years game in scoring and passing the puck to be worst than last years game. They are too slot, behind net and board happy. Last year they would incorporate the defenseman and beat you with goals from the blue line. I don't think they have ever beaten me with a blue line goal this year. I can beat them with blue line goals but the AI defense can't do it. So as of right now offline is a waste for me cause it seems that pre patch the AI made up for blue line defficiencies by having them score the weak goals. I like the changes online except for one item. The passing is just rediculous. All people do is pass - pass - pass like it is pingball with out ever aiming or anything with strong tape to tape passes thus make the game feel like pingball. There is no missed passes and the game speed is too fast making it not really fun. Weak AI offline, poor online feel because of the super accurate fast passes causes me to not wanna play anymore.

Try playing with the puck control at 3 and poke check at 2 (SS defaults I believe). One thing is definitely does is not give you and advantage over the cpu, and it has made them more potent again against me.

[clarkerots]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

To be honest the game is king of ruined for me but for a different reason then what all you guys are complaining about. The AI for whatever reason post patch can not beat me anymore unless I just play a bad game which after playing this series for 2 years, just isn't happening much at all. The changes they made have made the AI too easy. Now I wish they can score cheap goals on me again. It is really frustrating since I like that they take less onetimers and the shots have a less accurate feel to them. However I find that the AI to this years game in scoring and passing the puck to be worst than last years game. They are too slot, behind net and board happy. Last year they would incorporate the defenseman and beat you with goals from the blue line. I don't think they have ever beaten me with a blue line goal this year. I can beat them with blue line goals but the AI defense can't do it. So as of right now offline is a waste for me cause it seems that pre patch the AI made up for blue line defficiencies by having them score the weak goals. I like the changes online except for one item. The passing is just rediculous. All people do is pass - pass - pass like it is pingball with out ever aiming or anything with strong tape to tape passes thus make the game feel like pingball. There is no missed passes and the game speed is too fast making it not really fun. Weak AI offline, poor online feel because of the super accurate fast passes causes me to not wanna play anymore.

Catch - after your sliders, videos, and posts regarding 08 I've come to view you as a respectable and knowledgeable hockey fan when it comes to video games. If you see an issue with 09 I would read and believe your post faster than the online cheeser who can't do the S-move anymore. My question to you is.......have you tried 2K9 at all? I'm not trying to direct you away from EA as I haven't played either one.....but right now I'm enjoying 08 while being stuck as to whether I want to move on to 09, 2K9, or stay with 08. I feel that if you've tried 2K9 and thought it was pretty poor it would save me a rental. Just wondering.

[catcatch22]

Quote: Originally Posted by clarkerots

Catch - after your sliders, videos, and posts regarding 08 I've come to view you as a respectable and knowledgeable hockey fan when it comes to video games. If you see an issue with 09 I would read and believe your post faster than the online cheeser who can't do the S-move anymore. My question to you is.......have you tried 2K9 at all? I'm not trying to direct you away from EA as I haven't played either one.....but right now I'm enjoying 08 while being stuck as to whether I want to move on to 09, 2K9, or stay with 08. I feel that if you've tried 2K9 and thought it was pretty poor it would save me a rental. Just wondering.

I am going to rent it as soon as possible.

[clarkerots]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

I am going to rent it as soon as possible.

Really? For some reason I'm surprised. I would be very interested at your findings.