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

[Scottdau]

Yeah the more I play this game the more I really like it. I am want the real game, I am tired of the demo.

[GreenReign86]

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm finding the faceoff system easy. I've even done a deke right off the face off, that lead to a breakaway goal, on SS. You start out depending on the handiness of your player either pushing right or left. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it imo.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by GreenReign86

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm finding the faceoff system easy. I've even done a deke right off the face off, that lead to a breakaway goal, on SS. You start out depending on the handiness of your player either pushing right or left. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it imo.

Wish I could say that, I really like the new system, I absolutely suck at winning draws now though and I'd win prolly 90% of em in 10. Practice makes perfect I guess though.

[plaidchuck]

Just a few specific critiques and likes after using player lock and playing more games...

1. The CPU does too many "rink wide passes".. also on 2 on 1s, the offensive players separate themselves too much i.e. a player will make a long pass and the other player will shoot when he is almost past the goal line.

2. I saw a little bit of the "Dman to winger, winger to dman" stuff today while playing goalie.
At the same time I think the AI still tries to cycle far too much without taking a shot.

3. The D tends to back up too much and leave the slot open. while playing goalie today Chris Pronger of all people snuck in took a pass and shot, which I would have saved but it deflected off one of my defenders (who backed into my crease) and went in.

more things I liked:

1. You can have scrums like in a real game in front of the goalie now, and knock in loose pucks. Hope there's no "intent to blow" rule in the game

2. The goalie controls have been perfected and you seem to be rewarded now for having good position.

3. If you see the goalie out of position or leave an opening, you have a good chance to score with a skilled player. Much more realistic.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by GreenReign86

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm finding the faceoff system easy. I've even done a deke right off the face off, that lead to a breakaway goal, on SS. You start out depending on the handiness of your player either pushing right or left. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it imo.

You must be a NHL11 Wizard than. For you younger crowd. I am talking about "Pinball Wizard" Youtube it. Any way I suck at face offs, but I like it a lot. So I am very happy that they added it in this year. I wish you could get kick out of it, but oh well, maybe next year.

[Vikes1]

I've now spend quite a bit more time with the demo. and my impressions of this years game is...I'm getting more impressed the more I play.

Just the general improvements to the AI alone, imo is worth the $65. The AI plays much more aggressive now, no where near the WTH was that?, that we saw in last years game. Just generally speaking, the game seems quite a bit more challenging for '11' simply due to the much better AI. Vs any cheap tricks to up the challenge.

I know for myself, I'm really going to have to focus on trying to play much more fundamentally sound. I use to be able to rely on the superhuman goal tending I'd have in '10'. Not any more. I'm sure getting the feeling there's lots of little nuances I've yet to learn about playing this game.

[Scottdau]

Has anyone said how old this demo is?

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vikes1

I've now spend quite a bit more time with the demo. and my impressions of this years game is...I'm getting more impressed the more I play. Just the general improvements to the AI alone, imo is worth the $65. The AI plays much more aggressive now, no where near the WTH was that?, that we saw in last years game. Just generally speaking, the game seems quite a bit more challenging for '11' simply due to the much better AI. Vs any cheap tricks to up the challenge. I know for myself, I'm really going to have to focus on trying to play much more fundamentally sound. I use to be able to rely on the superhuman goal tending I'd have in '10'. Not any more. I'm sure getting the feeling there's lots of little nuances I've yet to learn about playing this game.

I agree 100% Vikes, the more I play the more I'm loving it mostly because of the improved puck physics and AI. I'm also noticing on SS the CPU is at least a little better about giving some neutral zone pressure. The game just feels great. Extremely solid demo.