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

[BlueNGold]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gagnon39

Well, you read my mind, because that's all I really want to know. For every hockey game there's always just a few questions that I have to know that allows me to enjoy the game completely. (NHL 09 and NHL 10 did this perfectly). 1) Can you score on non-screened, blue line slap shots (every once in a while)? 2) Can you score on straight wrist shots (every once in a while)? 3) Can you successfully deke the goalie and score? All of these questions apply to the super star level. I know these are all possible on rookie and pro. I'm guess the answer is yes for all the in NHL 11.

I've scored all 3 ways on All-Star.

[CS10029]

The only thing that is gonna stink about HUT, is not getting Malkin or Seguin each time.

[CS10029]

Quote: Originally Posted by adamgod8

I wouldn't call it revolutionary, IMO I actually I wouldn't even call it very good at all. I was very under-impressed with the "real physics"...they aren't always on it has to detect a collision and it just doesnt feel as smooth as NM's physics engine. Maybe I just had too high expectations, but I was very under-whelmed with how well the physics worked and looked

It's revolutionary because of what it will be, and what it is.

[infinityBCRT]

I'm loving the game. Every element outside of what I mention below (which is like a million things) I love every little detail about. That being said, its feedback time!

• They need to fix the Flyers nameplates. First thing on the slate for NHL 12 should be that.

• They really need to add more team options like changing player numbers & goalie equipment to HUT. I remember Online Leagues were pretty bare bones with those features last year too.

• Hoping Ultimate Team has a Custom Jersey card. If not, I definitely want to see that next year. (I know EASHL has custom jerseys now based on the achievements)

• Don't like that they took out the mandatory tutorial, one of the great things about the NHL series is that they keep teaching people how to play so if you're a new player its still easy to understand how to play, its the start down a slippery slope that Madden has gone. The NHL tutorials have always been great because they aren't this overproduced 30 minute thing like Madden has tried in past years and they aren't totally worthless either.

• No hooking/holding? I know theres only so many buttons on a controller but try to bring it back.

• Still don't like Y being auto-fighting (haven't played around with it enough to see if thats still the case but looks like it). You should be able to initiate a push/tussle/Avery style yapping but it shouldn't fight unless you press it again after you're prompted. And the CPU whether on your team or the other team should be able to auto-start fights, albeit at a less often rate than in previous NHL games (like maybe once every 3-4 games).

• I'm not liking the new faceoff system

• It wasn't easy for me to understand what I was supposed to do, the tutorial is not detailed enough. I sat there trying to win the faceoff like 20 times before I somehow lucked out and won. I still win only like 5-10% of faceoffs right now.

• The great thing about 2K's faceoff system (at least circa 2K8-2K9) is the 1 to 1 real-time control. The stick moves exactly where you move the RS before the puck drop, during the puck drop and after the puck drop. In NHL 11 I'm moving my RS and it seems like it makes the player arbitrarily change their stance, and theres only 5 canned stances. Sometimes I can't even tell if moving my RS has done anything to change the stance because it doesn't seem like they change from the default stance when you push the stick a certain way. I don't even know if you have to hold RS in a direction before the faceoff to win a draw

• The other great thing about 1 to 1 real-time control on the faceoff is you get immediate feedback. Half the time in NHL 11 when I swing the RS when the puck is dropping my player doesn't even move at all! Its so frustrating. With the 2K faceoff system you get the immediate feedback and after a few times its easy to figure out what to do, and even if you're not winning faceoffs (because of your player's skill) you still know whether or not your timing is on and if theres anything wrong you can figure it out. I'm just baffled right now with the NHL 11 faceoff system in comparison and I don't think I'll ever figure it out at this rate.

[CS10029]

Keepl playing infinity, I was really lost at first, especially after the tutorial, that thing struggled. Now though, I feel like I can kinda do what I want, for the most part at least. I wish I could explain how it works to you, but I feel like I'd probably confuse you more than anything.

Just keep playing. Maybe go through the tutorial once more.

[BlueNGold]

^^^

For faceoffs, at the beginning select your grip by holding left or right on the R stick.

At the drop of the puck you can:

-Press up on the R stick to lift the opponent's stick

-Press down on the R stick to try and win the faceoff cleanly

-Press up on the L stick to try and tie up your opponent

-For more skilled players (Toews, Richards, etc) you can hold down LB and press up on the R stick at the drop of the puck to deke around the opposing center

-Also to shoot the puck off the draw, do not select a grip and at the drop of the puck, press up on the RS to try to shoot off the draw

BTW, the earlier you select your grip (excluding shooting the puck), the better your chances of winning the draw increases.

[infinityBCRT]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

^^^ For faceoffs, at the beginning select your grip by holding left or right on the R stick. At the drop of the puck you can: -Press up on the R stick to lift the opponent's stick -Press down on the R stick to try and win the faceoff cleanly -Press up on the L stick to try and tie up your opponent -For more skilled players (Toews, Richards, etc) you can hold down LB and press up on the R stick at the drop of the puck to deke around the opposing center -Also to shoot the puck off the draw, do not select a grip and at the drop of the puck, press up on the RS to try to shoot off the draw BTW, the earlier you select your grip (excluding shooting the puck), the better your chances of winning the draw increases.

I'll keep trying. That being said, I still don't know what I should be doing before the faceoff in terms of which grip I should select. Even if I figure out how to win draws with this system, I'll still say 2K's faceoff system is way better. Its very intuitive due to the immediate and accurate feedback of what you're doing being shown on the screen, much like the skill stick is for puck handling in EA's game.

edit: so theres only two grips that you can select? Just forehand or backhand? No wonder when I was pushing my stick forward it didn't seem like it was reacting. So really, its not even as detailed of a system as I thought it was, and not even close to 2K's.

I'm sure once I get used to it, it won't be as big of an issue, but I'm really disappointed considering 2K had it down years ago.

[Money99]

Played a handful more games tonight. I'm really liking this game. The puck physics create more organic moments and I've scored some nice goals as well.

Jeff Carter scored a SICK goal against me. I totally blew my defensive assignment attacking Richards leaving Carter all alone in the slot. Richards found him, Carter made a quick Gordon Bombary triple-deke and roofed it past Kipersoff (HUT).

In the semi-finals I played the Hawks and lost in OT. Got caught again on a two-on-one and Kane made a perfect flip pass to a streaking Toews who tapped it in for an easy goal.

The CPU is much more competent offensively and doesn't rely on cheap floater goals from the blueline. All of their goals have felt earned, as have mine.

Can't wait for September 7th.