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

[Dalsanto0026]

I thought I'd play a few games before giving some brief impressions.

I agree that the more you play this game the better it gets. It took me a little while to get the hang of manual passing but I think it's great. It adds some depth to passing and is more rewarding. The new physics system makes hitting more dynamic and the puck physics seem like they've improved a great deal.

I haven't played an NHL game since 08 on the 360 and downloaded the PS3 demo, so at first it felt a little weird using my PS3 controller, I prefer the anologue sticks on the 360 so this is my console of choice for NHL11.

I see so much potential depth for this game and can't wait to delve into franchise mode.

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redshirt_EA

The custom cameras only work from the end to end style cameras, not the side (broadcast) view. (Please don't kill the messenger).

Wasn't sure if I could talk about it since it wasn't officially discussed by EA, but I'm glad I wasn't the one to have to break the news. A customized broadcast camera was the first thing I tried when I saw the option and I was disappointed as well. But I was able to make something similar to the Action camera but with a better view of the ice... kinda cool.

[bonannogiovanni]

Qb how does it work, you have something like height, tilt and zoom?

[Qb]

Quote: Originally Posted by bonannogiovanni

Qb how does it work, you have something like height, tilt and zoom?

Still not sure how much I can discuss, but yeah, that's more or less how it works if memory serves. I only had a few minutes to play with it as it was at the end of one of our sessions and I never got back to it.

[actionhank]

Quote: Originally Posted by JezFranco

Ouch. I had a "bad AI moment" this morning. I was on the attack but, the CPU's center took the puck from me in my offensive zone and I was chasing behind him with one of my forwards. My two defensmen had already got back "home" standing in their default position in the slot. The CPU opponent rushed with the puck in the middle of the ice into my zone and then went out along the boards. I was as mentioned chasing just behind him and accelerated and caught him with a nice check to the boards with my forward. But just before I checked him, both my defenders left their spots in the slot and came to "my rescue" by the boards so all of a sudden we were three players surrounding their center by the boards, and he of course just passed the puck into the slot before being mashed, where his two wingers were all alone with my keeper. Did I press the 911-button or what? I've never seen both defenders leave the slot like that before... It was just a quick game on the UT so I can't tell who the defenders were but they gotta have the Stupidity sliders maxed out.

That's lame.
I haven't had that happen yet, fortunately.
Although, i do with there was a button like in FIFA10, to have your nearest player come towards you.
It would help a lot for behind the net play, so you could actually come at a guy from both sides and try and trap the puck.
Also, a button to tell your guy to move forward in the neutral zone instead of staring at you would be cool. Also like FIFA10.

[goosedennis]

A clip for the ages:


Chara was taking a slapper from the blue line, hit my guy's stick, it broke, then went in the goal. The ref came in, waved it off, and reviewed it. Called no goal and the game went to OT because it hit his glove. Off the faceoff, Richards tied up Backstrom and Gagne took it. Chara laid him out and Doughty went the other way, and hit the crossbar. It hit off of the back of the goalie's head and in.

EA, I love you.

[goh]

At least I can win a face-off this year. The AI gets 90% of the rebounds regardless of who's shooting where and the passing is worse than Backbreaker with the patch...I know that's a football game but that's the only game I've had a worse time passing in. I'm also fairly certian this is the only game that puts its ending in the demo. My initial impression was that it feels more cheap and rigged than ever but I'm not sure anymore. Give it a rent I guess.

Edit: Nvm. It is cheaper and more rigged than ever. Not even worth renting.

[idrisguitar]

you know wha. EA canada are the best sports game developers in the world, probably without question.

so the fact their NHL game is the best by a fair margin makes sense since its canada's most popular sport. im not complaining, more fun than any soccer/football/basketball game for me and cant wait for the full version

i play fifa 10, get frsutrated then play this demo and its just alarming how much control and realism this game has compared. stupid things like bad AI, predictable movement etc. in fifa are the opposite in nhl, it feels alive, dynamic, and most importantly you as the player retain control throughout. that the key point. its why this has blown me away compared to older versions of nhl, where magnetic forces played a big part, but its feels free and fair and you are in control of the result out there.

id say 90% of sports games have code iin them that makes the game feel like its cheating you. PES and fifa especially. im hoping the full version of nhl 11 like the demo breaks this trend.