NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360 & PS3)

[tyler289]

One thing I would like to see is more counter-attack odd-man breaks and breakaways. As it is, there are few 2 on 1s like you see every night in the NHL. Breakaways happen for the computer but not so much for the user I feel. Still, great game.

[plaidchuck]

Quote: Originally Posted by Roscosuper II

I know the totals are from the simmed periods too but, if each team is easily getting 8, 9, 10 shots in the 5 minutes and double that and you get 16, 18, 20 shots for 10 minutes, that's kind of high. Keep in mind I'm playing on superstar, where the cpu seems to get shot's off and through however they want, I'm kind of skeptical.

Who knows maybe this year it tries to sim it realistically no matter how the time of the periods is set(or did it ever matter? Because my dynasties never changed even if I had it set to a full 20 mins). *shrugs* We can only hope.

And Superstar mode I kind of equate it to All-Madden, don't play the mode if you don't want to be p*ssed off. All-star with tweaked sliders is as close to sim as you can get IMO. It punishes you for mistakes (usually) but it isn't ridiculous about it.

[Roscosuper II]

Is it me? or does it seem on superstar hardcore, that when your players get the puck in your zone, there's a hesitation and you can't make a play, especially if opposing players are near, and then you get bashed, there's a turn over and 5 more shots on net for the cpu as they just keep picking everything off from any angle they want???

[kerosene31]

Just played a long game that went into many OTs and got a lot more feel for the game.

Some more impressions (hardcore + all-star):

-The teammate AI is much better this year. I can play defense and just watch my responsibility without having to watch who the CPU is letting open. In 09, you had to watch for the CPU mistake which would leave someone wide open. NHL10 is much improved.

For example, I was playiny as the Wings and Kunitz and Crosby were coming on 2 on 2 on Lidstrom and Rafalski. I'm controlling Lidstrom and pushing Kunitz wide, but he still gets a pass off to Crosby who's right in front of the net. However, the CPU is controlling the other D and has him covered. Last year, I'm screwed on that play if I don't make the switch to control the other guy. This year, the teammate AI is doing what it should.

-The play breaks down a lot more this year (a good thing). Last year, the team on offense would sit in their spots making passes and not do a whole lot else. Now, you'll see more players charging the net if the play dictates that. So much more like real hockey. Sometimes, things just break down into a big mess in front.

-The difference between skilled and less skilled players is more pronounced. When I'm trying to knock Crosby off the puck, he's more "slippery". While with someone like Guerin who's slower can be driven into the boards more.

This also comes across on D. Good d-men control the puck and play smart. The 3rd pairing guys rush passes and make bad mistakes. When you've got the 3rd pair out there, you can forecheck and get on them a ton more and get turnovers.

-Passing in the zone is so much more realistic. It isn't about looking for the guy to make a one timer. Passing into the slot is much harder. The CPU will not let you throw the puck to teammates in the slot easily. I find myself throwing passes to an area rather than a player. A pass to the top of the crease from a bad angle with guys in front is a great way to generate scoring chances. You see this all the time in real games. There's actually too few one timers now.

[Ridgeberg]

I saw something neat. Filppula (CPU) drew a slashing player on Adams (me) and after the slash, Adams skated to the bench pretty slowly shaking his hand. Then the ref announces that Filppula got a 5 min slashing penalty and a game misconduct. Cut to a sequence where we see Filppula walking down the tunnel to the locker room and pushing the camera away as he walks by. Pretty cool!

[mkharsh33]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ridgeberg

It's funny. I was so stoked for the demo (and luckily had yesterday off) and played it a ton. I got so frustrated with All-Star/Hardcore mode because I couldn't connect with passes and I couldn't make that red line to blue line pass to exit the zone, like you could so easily do in 09. I messed around with playing Pro/Hardcore and All-Star/Normal but it felt cheap after trying to pass on Hardcore, I just wasn't feeling it. I kind of went to bed last night with conflicted feelings, like hockey is my favorite sport and NHL has been my go-to game the past couple of years, but maybe I won't be as into it this year. I was able to get some more time in with it today, went back to Hardcore/All-Star and tried to keep it simple. If I had a guy like Gonchar, Lidstrom, Letang or Rafalski, I could skate it out of the defensive zone if the pass wasn't there. With guys like Orpik, Lilja, Scuderi, I started looking for the short pass, maybe a pass back in order to make a pass forward. It seemed to work better. I am still having difficulty maintaining possession in the offensive zone and I want to try to get better at cycling, but I was able to put some goals on the board, they did not feel cheap, in fact they felt EARNED. I think I scored a goal with like :30 sec remaining in the 3rd to tie up the game and I actually stood up and did a fist pump, it was that rewarding. Ultimately, it is this organicity (variability) that I think will keep me coming back for more. In fact, I read a blog post by Bill Abner speaking about how Madden 10 and MLB the Show have gameplay that is unpredictable, which is what makes them great. I think NHL has it this year too. Brushing up on NHL strategies and break out plays will help I think. I also think it is important to play within each player and not to expect to score a goal every time you get the puck, which didn't necessarily happen in NHL 09, but I think those expectations were not unreasonable. Another thing many people have been harping about is the slow pass speed or "charge" to pass. At first this was bothering me too, because sometimes when the CPU gains the zone, they zip it around. For example Red Wings on the PP. But then again, THE RED WINGS ARE HARD TO STOP ON THE POWERPLAY, that is what makes them so hard to beat. I will concede that it seems the CPU has an advantage because they do not have the restraints a human player has. I do not think the CPU's passes travel faster, but they are able to pass more accurately, quicker. I am hopeful that this can be resolved with the CPU pass accuracy slider. After some games today, I actually started to like the pass speed. Well, that was a mouthful. I look forward to your impressions.

OUTSTANDING post!! you read my mind exactly (and saved me a lot of typing - LOL!). i believe this game will bring me a lot of joyful frustration...

[Knight165]

I got a little time in with the demo and I must say FINALLY...the pacing seems right.
I don't just mean speed, but the way the teams flow in creating their play.
Passing is going to take some getting used to, but I like it.
Hopefully two things are gone.....the two things that really ruined '09 for me.
The CPU tape to tape passing.....especially inside the offensive zone where it was so very obvious they were going to score and.....leading up to my next peeve......the CPU controlled players on my team being mind numbingly vacant.
From reading impressions...both seem to have been addressed!
Can't wait to get my hands on the retail version.

M.K.
Knight165

[plaidchuck]

Quote: Originally Posted by VeryEvilAsh

Yep I did get an A+ in everything. I didn't score a goal though, just an assist.

Craziness, especially that an enforcer would get picked first (let alone in the first round at all) But it is just a demo.