NHL 2K10: First Look (Gamespot)

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

If I did that in the NHL 09 forum it would be called trolling.

It would be trolling if you went to the EA-NHL forum intent on posting negative comments, sure.

Anyway, reading this thread a second time through, all I see here are people giving their honest opinions on the article. The fact is, 2K/VC announced the very same thing regarding MLB 2K9, pre-release. And that game took a serious hit as far as gameplay and features go. VC seems intent on simplifying their games in an effort appeal to the casual gamer. They in fact appear to be in the process of reinventing their various sports series, given they no doubt realize they're behind the eight ball, and have to do something extreme and much more mainstream in order to survive and compete.

And no, that change is not all positive. Lisa posted a terrific overview a few months back comparing NHL 2K8 and 2K9, and outlining all the missing and removed features and options in NHL 2K9. This issue is not about VC simply putting out a sim game that will appear to casual gamers. This is about VC removing sim features, in order to appeal to the pick up and play crowd. They did it with both NHL 2K9 and MLB 2K9.

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

It would be trolling if you went to the EA-NHL forum intent on posting negative comments, sure. Anyway, reading this thread a second time through, all I see here are people giving their honest opinions on the article. The fact is, 2K/VC announced the very same thing regarding MLB 2K9, pre-release. And that game took a serious hit as far as gameplay and features go. VC seems intent on simplifying their games in an effort appeal to the casual gamer. They in fact appear to be in the process of reinventing their various sports series, given they no doubt realize they're behind the eight ball, and have to do something extreme and much more mainstream in order to survive and compete. And no, that change is not all positive. Lisa posted a terrific overview a few months back comparing NHL 2K8 and 2K9, and outlining all the missing and removed features and options in NHL 2K9. This issue is not about VC simply putting out a sim game that will appear to casual gamers. This is about VC removing sim features, in order to appeal to the pick up and play crowd. They did it with both NHL 2K9 and MLB 2K9.

See this is where I disagree. I thought MLB2K9 was much better than last years version. Sure it wasn't perfect and had the usual 2k flaws, but IMO it truly plays a good game of baseball. The presentation was far better than anything 2k had prior to this year, signature style is still unmatched, and the game play was much improved and the hiccups were fixed with the patch. I'm not sure what features people wanted, maybe some more sliders and that I agree with.

2k Hockey is still is head and shoulders above EA's IMO. The goalies are better, the A.I. although not perfect is still pretty good and doesn't cheat to beat you. I'm not sure how someone could say 2k9 was not an improvement over every other version of 2k hockey. EA has never been a true simulation of the sport of hockey. Having super goalies and tape to tape passing and having the AI turn it on whenever it wants to along with 3rd and fourth liners playing like superstars just means the game is difficult but not good or realistic in anyway.

I would like to know what "sim" features were removed from 2k9. Maybe I missed something.

[Flyermania]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

2k Hockey is still is head and shoulders above EA's IMO. The goalies are better, the A.I. although not perfect is still pretty good and doesn't cheat to beat you. I'm not sure how someone could say 2k9 was not an improvement over every other version of 2k hockey. EA has never been a true simulation of the sport of hockey. Having super goalies and tape to tape passing and having the AI turn it on whenever it wants to along with 3rd and fourth liners playing like superstars just means the game is difficult but not good or realistic in anyway.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I'm hard pressed to call 2k9 anything close to sim either. The AI "D" leaves so much to be desired...it has a "hit first" philosophy and consistently goes for the hit and is out of position. This leaves the human player constantly trying to make up for his CPU-controlled teammates. Offensively the CPU likes to try to skate into the middle of the zone and shoot rather than pass or try and set up any offense. And the CPU still has issues in the shootout, something that has been in this series since 2k6 -- despite being "built from the ground up" with 2k9.

Much like EA, 2k has never been close to being a true simulation of the sport of hockey either.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Eddie1967

See this is where I disagree. I thought MLB2K9 was much better than last years version. Sure it wasn't perfect and had the usual 2k flaws, but IMO it truly plays a good game of baseball. The presentation was far better than anything 2k had prior to this year, signature style is still unmatched, and the game play was much improved and the hiccups were fixed with the patch. I'm not sure what features people wanted, maybe some more sliders and that I agree with. 2k Hockey is still is head and shoulders above EA's IMO. The goalies are better, the A.I. although not perfect is still pretty good and doesn't cheat to beat you. I'm not sure how someone could say 2k9 was not an improvement over every other version of 2k hockey. EA has never been a true simulation of the sport of hockey. Having super goalies and tape to tape passing and having the AI turn it on whenever it wants to along with 3rd and fourth liners playing like superstars just means the game is difficult but not good or realistic in anyway. I would like to know what "sim" features were removed from 2k9. Maybe I missed something.

Have you played a 2k hockey game? Do you watch real hockey? Do you understand what positional play is? The AI on any level above pro gets speed boosts to compensate a challenge. (This isn't new either, its been there since 2k4 at least) Get a breakaway with a speedy foward like Phil Kessel be prepaired to get chased down by a slow Dman like Hal Gill. As for features that were in 2k8 and prior games that are now missing? How about a dedicated board pin button? Yeah thats right, 2k9's board play is pretty much like NHL09's board play. How about line chemestry? Yep thats gone too.

Its amazing to me that you jump all over certain people posting flaws in NHL2k, claiming 2k to be perfect, when those same people are very quick to point out the flaws with EA's game as well. Its really strange that you won't even acknowledge any of the bugs in 2k's title at all. Its like you put your fingers in your ears and hum la la la I can't hear you! Just really odd man. Honestly makes one wonder if you have some sort of agenda.

[ohyeahbaby123]

^He really is the 2k police.

[Scottdau]

I don't get run down with my sliders. Well, actually that part of my sliders are Orginal6.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scottdau

I don't get run down with my sliders. Well, actually that part of my sliders are Orginal6.

Speaking of those tried the first set you sent me. Thought they were awful, AI dmen doing spin a ramas and driving into the offensive zone themselves. I'll try the second set tonight though.

[savoie2006]

Quote:

Much like EA, 2k has never been close to being a true simulation of the sport of hockey either.

But, each do certain things right that the other does not. Just since moving to the 360 they have swapped places. EA is the one getting better and better, while 2K has been on a steady decline. I don't pick a favorite publisher, it's who makes the better hockey game overall. NHL2K for the Dreamcast through NHL 2K6 for XBOX/XBOX360, were the best to be had at that time. EA was crap. 07/2K7 were both subpar. NHL08 is when EA officially got my vote again, though I did play my share of 2K8, due to frustrations with 08. I will give 2K10 a shot, but I don't honestly see VC taking EA's title this year, maybe for 2K11.