NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[RoyalBoyle78]

can't wait to play later.

[Qb]

I was able to get one CHI/PHI game in before leaving for work today. It felt very similar to what we played at the community event, minus some of the goofier stuff we saw due to the early build we had. I'll see if I can get J to give an estimate on how close this is to retail. Remember, even if this is the final code or close to it (highly unlikely), they can make tuner adjustments based on demo feedback, so please keep it coming...

I'm glad you guys are able to see things like the CPU AI and subtle tweaks to the skating, as well as the obvious big ticket items like physics, faceoffs, and broken sticks. I played my only period on All-Star hardcore and the CPU was all over me. Not much time to carry the puck and I had to make quick decisions... which is a good thing, of course! I scored the only goal, a slapper by Hjmarlssonsolsjson () over the shoulder of Leighton through a two-man screen.

I saw the CPU cycle from the halfboards to the corner & behind the net, not constant wing to D passes. The CPU also seems more focused on getting to "the house", which is something Redshirt & I talked about at the event after Jim Playfair's coaching session. Looks promising thus far...

Did anyone talk a few minutes to check out the sliders? Did anyone notice a few of the new ones? How about the one for pass reception ability? Or CPU strategy adjustment?


PS - I feel like a free man! Now if I could only talk about GM mode...

[JezFranco]

Watched some vids and this looks tasty!!! I need to get hoooooooome!!!

(Youtube, "NHL 11 demo", sort by date added)

[GameSeven]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lubey

First person to post the new faceoff controls gets a hug.

Right stick controls your stick and the left stick controls your body.

Before the drop, you can select a forehand or backhand grip on your stick by holding the RS left or right, depending upon who is taking the draw. Then you flick the RS back to try to win with your selected grip or forward to try to stick lift/tie up your opponent. Your wingers will jump in to assist. The LS can be used to jockey for position in conjunction with the above...

To shoot off the draw, you flick RS up with no grip (i.e. RS neutral).

When selecting your grip, the earlier you select it/hold it, the stronger your influence over the draw.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

I was able to get one CHI/PHI game in before leaving for work today. It felt very similar to what we played at the community event, minus some of the goofier stuff we saw due to the early build we had. I'll see if I can get J to give an estimate on how close this is to retail. Remember, even if this is the final code or close to it (highly unlikely), they can make tuner adjustments based on demo feedback, so please keep it coming... I'm glad you guys are able to see things like the CPU AI and subtle tweaks to the skating, as well as the obvious big ticket items like physics, faceoffs, and broken sticks. I played my only period on All-Star hardcore and the CPU was all over me. Not much time to carry the puck and I had to make quick decisions... which is a good thing, of course! I scored the only goal, a slapper by Hjmarlssonsolsjson () over the shoulder of Leighton through a two-man screen. I saw the CPU cycle from the halfboards to the corner & behind the net, not constant wing to D passes. The CPU also seems more focused on getting to "the house", which is something Redshirt & I talked about at the event after Jim Playfair's coaching session. Looks promising thus far... Did anyone talk a few minutes to check out the sliders? Did anyone notice a few of the new ones? How about the one for pass reception ability? Or CPU strategy adjustment? PS - I feel like a free man! Now if I could only talk about GM mode...

I did notice the slider for CPU strat adjustment, good to see more sliders to tweak the gameplay. BTW QB the cat is out of the bag, the demo mentions online BAGM, so if thats the info you were holding back, no need to anymore.

Love the CPU AI though, they move the puck so much better compared to 10, I don't know what happened in that department last year but its so much better now. Combine that with the physics and just the overall feel and I have a feeling people won't have much to complain about this year gameplay wise.

[crobert0247]

I absolutely love the demo. There are a lot of things in there that will make the wait for the game a little easier. A few things that really stand out so far:

- Breaking sticks off slap shots. It feels awesome and the sound of sticks shattering is excellent.
- The new physics engine is fantastic and makes hitting more authentic and more fun. Long gone are the days of the canned hit animations!
- Your momentum and skating direction really impact your hits just like in real life.
-The face off system works great, although I have yet to master it.
- After the whistle play has been paced down a tad and is not as chaotic as NHL 10. Players skate casually and turn slowly like in a real NHL break in play.
- The user celebrations are better than I was expecting. Very fun to pull off.
- 5 player goal celebrations is such a relief. It goes a long way.
- The ice looks so much better than in NHL 10.

The only con so far has been that the goalies have let some routine shots from 25-30 feet handcuff them and trickle in awkwardly.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

I did notice the slider for CPU strat adjustment, good to see more sliders to tweak the gameplay. BTW QB the cat is out of the bag, the demo mentions online BAGM, so if thats the info you were holding back, no need to anymore. Love the CPU AI though, they move the puck so much better compared to 10, I don't know what happened in that department last year but its so much better now. Combine that with the physics and just the overall feel and I have a feeling people won't have much to complain about this year gameplay wise.

Great news Realm! Thanks for the impressions.
And if there's an online BaGM then my only issue is what version to buy?
Most of my friends who play this game own a PS3. But I like the 360 controller and XBL better.
What to do, what to do!

[crobert0247]

Oh, the pressure sensitive passing is excellent too. Love it.