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

[Money99]

Okay, after playing a lot more over the past few days I'm still seeing something that I hope is fixed over the course of the '3-year-plan' they have with this new physics engine.

The game is still too 'clean' at times. Watch when you run into an opposing player. Not so much throw a hit, but just get the body into his. The two players will 'roll' off of each other like two negative-magnets. The skaters don't lose any momentum, and the puck carrier doesn't lose the puck or step.
It's like they have a force field around them that can only be penetrated when you throw a hit and it's at a perfect angle.

I think when EA can fix this, the game will really take off and have an even more organic feel to it. Scrums in corners, along the boards and in front of the net will take on a new life.

[adayinthelife]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

Okay, after playing a lot more over the past few days I'm still seeing something that I hope is fixed over the course of the '3-year-plan' they have with this new physics engine. The game is still too 'clean' at times. Watch when you run into an opposing player. Not so much throw a hit, but just get the body into his. The two players will 'roll' off of each other like two negative-magnets. The skaters don't lose any momentum, and the puck carrier doesn't lose the puck or step. It's like they have a force field around them that can only be penetrated when you throw a hit and it's at a perfect angle. I think when EA can fix this, the game will really take off and have an even more organic feel to it. Scrums in corners, along the boards and in front of the net will take on a new life.

I think this is exactly where it's going and I can't wait. This was the first thing that popped into my head when they told us about the physics engine. This year it seems to only be activated once a check has been thrown, and even then it's somewhat limited feeling.

I know the Madden guys are always complaining about WR's and CB's not slapping each other enough as they run their routes and fight for position, I guess this my version of that. To me hockey is the definition of a physical sport, something that has never been translated properly in a video game. Last year 2k had a few good (although canned and completely random in occurrence) wrestling for body position animations that went a long way in generating some moderately realistic plays. So much of the game relies on gaining position and just being strong and tough, battling for the puck. If EA's engine can start to factor in these away from the puck interactions, it will be incredible.

[akula]

and don't forget, player-net collisions, player-teammate collisions, player-goalie and ref and board collisions!

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

It's like they have a force field around them that can only be penetrated when you throw a hit and it's at a perfect angle.

Yep I've noticed this too Money.

Just kinda thrown this out there but...as far as I can tell, I think it's connected to the Hit difficulty slider, were this slider increases or decreases that "Force field" around the cpu players. Kind of like if you've ever, post whistle, tried to run your player right straight to the cpu goal...and the player gets deflected away. Kinda something like that.

I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well but, I do know what ya mean.

[Splitter77]

can you imagine how good this game will be in 2 years??
Id be all for EA not releasing a game at all next year, just so they can have the final product released quicker.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vikes1

Yep I've noticed this too Money. Just kinda thrown this out there but...as far as I can tell, I think it's connected to the Hit difficulty slider, were this slider increases or decreases that "Force field" around the cpu players. Kind of like if you've ever, post whistle, tried to run your player right straight to the cpu goal...and the player gets deflected away. Kinda something like that. I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well but, I do know what ya mean.

I understood your explanation perfectly. And I hope you're right. Hopefully the slider can help somewhat.

Quote: Originally Posted by Splitter77

can you imagine how good this game will be in 2 years?? Id be all for EA not releasing a game at all next year, just so they can have the final product released quicker.

Let's not talk crazy!

[jb12780]

What difficulty level is everyone playing at?

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by jb12780

What difficulty level is everyone playing at?

Myself...I've been bouncing back and forth between Pro [hardcore] and All-Star [normal]

When we get the retail game, and with the working sliders I can lower the cpu's pass accuracy, I think I'll end up playing on All-Star.