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

[Redshirt_EA]

Quote: Originally Posted by sroz39

The one leg glitch is not a good example of the skating engine's flaws, other than the fact that the animations sometimes get in the way of the actual movement. It's why it's a glitch. Do they need to tighten it up with some more animations so the game can better convey what you're trying to do with the controller? Absolutely! But between the two games, I much rather prefer this skating engine over 2K's. They both have some flaws, but for me, I think NHL's is better running away. This is especially true when you turn the game speed down a bit and the player acceleration. Like some have mentioned, this game's engine truly shines when you're using one of the slower guys. What they need to work on is making the fast, agile guys, feel just a little more natural. I think the engine is silky smooth otherwise.

The problem with the leg kick is actually a bug, it should have it's acceleration constrained but it doesn't, so I agree that it isn't a great example.

[DJ]

Well, aside from my complete lack of scoring (save empty nets goals), I've really grown to love this demo after an initial lukewarm reaction.

Loving the board play. Really allows you to dump and chase and then win battles in the corners to retain possession. I like how the passing mechanics have been tweaked. I still play 08 so it took me a while to adjust to not having every pass hit the tape of the skater I was passing to. I like that passes miss the target now.

Scoring is going to be tough against the CPU for me, it looks like. I've thrown shots up from all over but no goals. I have very limited stick skills so I rely on cycling the puck and getting garbage rebound goals. Definitely a big transition from 08 where you could fire wristers from the slot and score a good percentage of the time.

The more I play, the more I'm looking forward to the game's release.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Djwlfpack

Scoring is going to be tough against the CPU for me, it looks like. I've thrown shots up from all over but no goals. I have very limited stick skills so I rely on cycling the puck and getting garbage rebound goals.

I'm simply terrible at scoring so far with the demo Dan. But man...when that red lamp comes on the few times it has...wow!, it's satisfying. I wouldn't be surprised though, for me to get realistic results playing "Be a GM"...I think I may have to dip the cpu's goalie reaction time a bit.

I'm hoping one day I can consider my stick skills as "limited" Rather than what they are now...which is, well...I can't use words like that here on OS.

[infinityBCRT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redshirt_EA

The problem with the leg kick is actually a bug, it should have it's acceleration constrained but it doesn't, so I agree that it isn't a great example.

Even if acceleration was constrained he still shouldn't be able to move in those directions, whether it be fast or slow. Its not the only example but its an exaggeration of what the skating engine is at it's worst. There are many instances where the animation just doesn't match up with how the player is moving. For example: Poke checking, Protect Puck, when players are changing directions (they'll glide awkwardly for a split second *sometimes*), when a player celebrates a goal sometimes their momentum totally changes for no reason.

A better animation system would be able to take in assigned an vector/amplitude for each skate stride and it would be able to figure out which way a player should be able to move and which way they shouldn't be able to move. That way you don't get certain animations totally changing the momentum of the player unrealistically. Also, a better animation system would allow you to animate the legs independently from the torso so you could have a player skating while pokechecking/blocking passing lanes. It'd also allow other neat things like the ability for players to lose their sticks.

[Grrdot]

Fix the guy out of the penalty box "glitch" please!! You know when a Dman is coming out of the box, is playing wing and even when you manually change lines they are like stuck out there until a stop in play...

I don't see this mentioned ever.. maybe I am doing something to cause it.. but I will like go behind the net in my zone and change lines and the guy out of the box just stands there... while the rest of the team changes lines lol.. and its not like its back and forth rush hockey where there is no time to change...

Otherwise 3peat for sports game of the year coming up it seems ^.^

[Redshirt_EA]

Quote: Originally Posted by infinityBCRT

Even if acceleration was constrained he still shouldn't be able to move in those directions, whether it be fast or slow. Its not the only example but its an exaggeration of what the skating engine is at it's worst. There are many instances where the animation just doesn't match up with how the player is moving. For example: Poke checking, Protect Puck, when players are changing directions (they'll glide awkwardly for a split second *sometimes*), when a player celebrates a goal sometimes their momentum totally changes for no reason. A better animation system would be able to take in assigned an vector/amplitude for each skate stride and it would be able to figure out which way a player should be able to move and which way they shouldn't be able to move. That way you don't get certain animations totally changing the momentum of the player unrealistically. Also, a better animation system would allow you to animate the legs independently from the torso so you could have a player skating while pokechecking/blocking passing lanes. It'd also allow other neat things like the ability for players to lose their sticks.

Actually it really is as simple as constraining the acceleration in this case, I've tested a fix already.

Can you think of the downside of the animation solution you propose (and what it would take to overcome it)? It could (and someday will) be done, but it isn't so simple as you make it sound.

[ClarkKent]

Finally got to play the demo tonight(Silver user), excellent so far.

'09 was my favorite game ever, can already tell '10 will replace it. Board play is an excellent addition - very well done, fighting is cool as is the face washing though that might get old after awhile. Most importantly the AI is much better overall and that's without any slider tweaks.

On to my gripes,

Still too easy to gain the blueline, they said it would be fixed and I saw videos of it. Hopefully it's a slider issue.
I could be wrong about this one, but it seems like everyone is a fighter. I don't want to see the guys with 'Never' set for fighter, ever fighting.
Love how the CPU handles it though, I was face-washing Malkin and Guerin stepped in, great touch.

[patflexx]

Anyone knows how to perform a droppass on PS3?