NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

[Scottdau]

The ice feels like ice now. And the game has change big time. I have to play real now. It is amazing! I would like to see what some of the slider guys can come up with!

[eeyor]

I just changed a few right now and it plays well for now:

SKILL LEVEL All Star
PERIOD LENGTH 10 Minutes
PENALTIES Maxed
FIGHTING Turned it of

GAME SPEED 0
PUCK CONTROL 2
FIGHT DIFFICULTY 6
FATIGUE EFFECT 6
AI LEARNING 4

FATIGUE RECOVERY 1
PLAYER ACCELERATION 2

HITTING POWER 1
AGGRESSION 4
POKE EFFECTIVENESS 3

PASS SPEED 1
SAUCER PASS SPEED 3
PASS INTERCEPTIONS 4
GOALIE PASSING 2

SHOT ACCURACY 3
SHOT POWER 3

SHOT BLOCKING 4
HOOK EFFECTIVENESS 6
PENALTY SHOT FREQUENCY 4
GOALIE COVER PUCK FREQUENCY 4

[kt-od]

Played a couple of offline games last night after downloading the patch.

There were definitely a good variety of penalties. I blatantly interfered and it was called. Also, saw a great roughing call.
- But I did notice the CPU interfering and it was not called as
much. Jason, did the patch increase the CPU's chance of
interference as well?

Also, it seems like the speed was "cranked" up a lot. I could never get the puck away from the CPU in my own zone. It still seemed like that no matter what when the CPU wanted the puck or wanted to score they could.

I didn't tweak the sliders that much, but I'm hoping that if I mess with the aggression or AI Learning slider it might help with this.

I did see a difference with the goalies after the patch. Much improved!! I didn't see the goalie flop once.

Thanks EA for staying on top of this game and listening to the community.

[Redshirt_EA]

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit.

The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

[kt-od]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redshirt_EA

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit. The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

Thanks for the reply Jason. Actually I'm playing on All-Star, but I will try the Aggression slider to tone it down.

[Splitter77]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redshirt_EA

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit. The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

jason- quick question, but I see an animation from time to time where a player will take his stick and sort of pin a player with it. It results in a struggle between the 2 players. Its sort of like pinning him stationary with the stick. I know there is no way to [erform this maneauver, but I see it with battles in front of the net. Is there anyway to put this as a control for next years game?? I think it would be great for in front of the net controls, and maybe for some board pinning along the boards.

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Splitter77

jason- quick question, but I see an animation from time to time where a player will take his stick and sort of pin a player with it. It results in a struggle between the 2 players. Its sort of like pinning him stationary with the stick. I know there is no way to [erform this maneauver, but I see it with battles in front of the net. Is there anyway to put this as a control for next years game?? I think it would be great for in front of the net controls, and maybe for some board pinning along the boards.

I think what you're describing is the tie-up animation in front of the net, correct? If so, you can do that by pressing the hook/tie-up (Y on 360, triangle on PS3?) button when you're close to a player in front. It doesn't always happen, but you can do it manually...

[Ruffy]

Great Job on the Patch EA...as others have stated Kudos to the NHL team for making a greater commitment to taking out all the BS that can make sports games no fun to play online.

I play NHL Online only, 1 vs. 1 using the play now feature only.

I have two names, made a new one so I don't get bothered by my Socom friends.

Records
Ruffy Rye
408-166-44 DNF 4% - 1497 Rank

R-U-F-F-Y
74-23-5 DNF 3% - 3813 Rank

I play straight up sim tyle work the puck on the Powerplays to the points and actually kill penalties by icing the puck for the most part.

Since the patch I've played about 11 games and man o man is it great. I love watching the penalties pile up against my cheeser opponent makes me laugh. I've had 2 games so far where the opponent took 9 penalties...my PP in those 2 games were 2 for 7 and 4 for 8.

I'm seeing a few more shots from the points go in which is great. The goalies can save some pretty standard breakaway moves now as well which is awesome. The desperation saves are still there but only a few times was my goalie doing it or my opponents goalie doing it at an inappropriate time. (I honestly think its a game synching issue, in games which feel a bit laggy I notice the goalie desperation more, just a personal opinion).

I'm seeing a greater variety of penalties too! 2 mins for boarding and 2 min for hitting from behind, I've seen some 5 mins for hitting from behind pre-patch, even gotten that a few times myself. Roughing penalties, hooks, trips. No I actually can bait my opponent to tap me going for that chase for the lose puck as it will result in a penalty.

Something penalty wise I have only seen post patch is this. Offsetting minors! Dude took an interference penalty and my guy smoked him after while the puck wasn't there and got one too! Great stuff!

The only time this game is frustrating now is if there is some lag.

I'd love in the future for the play nows if they could add a ping beside your names so before the game starts you can see the opponents connection.

Great Job EA this game is going to be abused until the Show comes out.

Looking forward to a playoffs mode next year!! And the ability to have every NHL team controlled by a user offline. Until then I will only play online.

Kudos again.