NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

[Redshirt_EA]

Here are the patch release notes.

Exploit fixes:

-Prevent players from entering games with attributes that are raised beyond the level they can reach with the card they are entitled to have. Players who have elevated their attributes this way should reset their character by changing the type and reassigning their points.
-Limit the size of human goalies in OTP/EASHL games to 6'4" (NOTE: it will still allow them to be set larger, but the actual height in game will not go above the new limit).
-Fixed some problems that could cause the game to hang or go out of sync when pausing.
- Prevent use of LB to get up instantly after being knocked over.
-Reduce accuracy of shooting while using vision control to skate backwards.
-Prevent high, accurate slap shots from in close to the net.

Other changes:

-Reduced the ease of beating the goalie on the short side.
-Decrease the tendency of the goalies to use a desperation save unnecessarily.
-Strict calling of interference, though you can still clear players directly in front of the net without getting called for interference.
-Added stick lift to Classic controls using LB+X(XBox) /L1+Square(PS3). It is also on R3 (press Right Stick).
-Fixed shot targeting using the Always Up control when skating down ice.
-Added new NHL rule to locate face- offs in the attacking zone to start a powerplay.
- Prevent CPU players from getting delay of game penalties frequently while clearing the puck from their zone.
- Prevent puck from being poke checked away from the goalie when he has it covered under his glove.
-Reduced the amount of time it takes to get control of the last man back, holding RT(Xbox)/R2(PS3)
-Reduced the amount of time it takes to get control of the goalie, holding LB+A(Xbox)/L1+X(PS3)
-Reduce the range of heights on randomly generated CPU players, including goalies.
-Eliminate the ability to accelerate and maintain high speed while stick lifting.
-More penalties for high sticking when stick lifts are done from behind the opponent.
-Made the colours of the OTP/EASHL indicators more distinct (yellow and orange).
-Made face-off outcomes slightly more random and slightly less dependent on attributes.
-Added assistance to prevent one-timer and shot attempts from leading to accidental hits and interference penalties.
-Goalie tuning to increase goal-scoring a bit to compensate for taking away the easy short-side high goals.
-Improve hit stat tracking to not count all of the small bumps in front of the net.
-Increased injuries caused by CPU teams.
-Prevent puck from being launched with very high speed following a hit.
-AI tuning for superstar. The Aggression slider now affects how intense the CPU team is on that difficulty level.

(http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread....55804&#4755804)

[Scottdau]

Very good, now we have to play real hockey. I love it.

[JMBOO]

Ok, this seems to be the right place to post about the patch. After playing a few more games today and sitting in the lobby reading others impressions, here is what I have gathered:

For me personnally, I am really enjoying this new patch. The Parade to the penalty box is definitely in full effect for those who still try to play this game as if it were NHL Hitz and refuse to amend their ways. Most of the people who have been complaining in the OTP lobby seem to be those who hit away from the puck a lot. Some have complained that you can not even breathe on a guy and that it is now hitless hockey. I couldn't disagree more. You can still hit the hell out of the puck carrier, you just can not use the Check stick on players away from the puck. Learn the rules .

I have also noticed more types of penalties being called in game, such as roughing and charging, which is nice. Also, the behind the player stick lift will definitely get you a slashing or High Stick if you are careless with it. Seems to be more tripping calls as well. Maybe just the players I played with though.

The goalies are much better on the side shots but overall weaker on the front shots from what I have seen so far. I played a couple of games where people tried to jam it in continuously from the side of the net to no avail, although nobody I played with tried to dangle the goalie from the side, so, I can not comment on that aspect of it.

Goalies do seem to flop a lot less now as well. I did read of some players who boasted about finding new cheese, but, unconfirmed at this point. Oh, and there was one player who used the right stick shuffle (where you have your stick out in dangle mode and pull a bit down then fire a shot. Not sure what the technical name for it is.) to score a couple from the faceoff circle though.

The one time a player tried the Bubble Boy shot (Spin so facing away from goal and flip your player as if you were playing Bubble boy hockey for a hard shot that usually goes in. I think it is Technically called the 180.) the goalie stopped it with ease.

Have not played center yet to see how the new faceoff style works. My player only has 75 for faceoff rating, so, should be interesting. I will say though, that in the games I played, the actual faceoff totals for both teams usually ended up being fairly even.

The rebounding in front of the net also appears to have been cleaned up, as I have been able to get the puck on a rebound or when the goalie has tried an ill-advised pass out instead of the puck just passing through my stick.

So, that is really all I have to report for now on my impressions. Like I said, there are some who are not liking the patch, due to the fact that they are the ones for whom the patch has been made for. However, overall, there seems to be a general sense of, "Finally!! Time to Play Some Hockey!!" kind of vibe and I think a lot of the players, at least on PS3 and from what I garnered while sitting in the OTP lobby, are happy with the results.

All in all, an excellent job on the patch. I think there might be players who put this game down, especially those who play online OTP, who will pick it back up now that a majority of the issues have been addressed. And for those who have hung in there and played through the dark times, they are definitely finally reaping the reward of playing a realistic style of hockey.

[LP]

Before I get to my impressions, I want to commend the NHL 09 team for their efforts. Patching a hockey game twice shows a commitment to putting forth the best product possible. I can't wait for next year. The support of NHL 09 has made NHL 10 a first-day-must buy. Thank you NHL 09 team.

On to the impressions. I am loving this patch. The penalties are now balanced between user and AI, goalies are a bit more realistic, and hits are calculated much closer to real life. These small changes have made a dramatic difference in gameplay.

If we can get better face-offs, board play, better goalie AI, and a better fighting engine, NHL 10 will be a fantastic game.

[savoie2006]

Haven't got the 360 patch yet, but from the sounds of it, I have a feeling I'm gonna enjoy this patch. Thank you Jason(Redshirt) for all you time and patience with us. I hope you and maybe others can do something similar closer to the release of 2010.

[Jgainsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by LP

...I want to commend the NHL 09 team for their efforts. Patching a hockey game twice shows a commitment to putting forth the best product possible. I can't wait for next year. The support of NHL 09 has made NHL 10 a first-day-must buy. Thank you NHL 09 team.

Co-sign. It's really refreshing to see this much work put into improving a game that was already pretty good. I've only played q couple of games post patch, but so far I like what I see. Great work.

[Splitter77]

So far, so good.
the penalties are alot better. Still some fixing for 2010 though.
the goalies are more to my liking than the last patch. Ive played 2 games , and already had 3 5-hole goals. Those were non-existant for me in the first patch.
Thanks for all your work. This version will hold me over until next year.
thanks.

[savoie2006]

Quote: Originally Posted by Splitter77

So far, so good. the penalties are alot better. Still some fixing for 2010 though. the goalies are more to my liking than the last patch. Ive played 2 games , and already had 3 5-hole goals. Those were non-existant for me in the first patch. Thanks for all your work. This version will hold me over until next year. thanks.

You mean until September?