NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Redskins_Hokies

I am happy broken glass is very rare

I have to agree, I was really hoping it won't be like broken stick (wich I saw less in 4-5 games last night than in 1 game of NHL 11 online). I only saw it once and that was a pretty hard hit in the corner from Lucic to Bieksa. I hope it stays that way.

[bwiggy33]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

I completely disagree with that statement for one reason. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Most of the criticism about NHL 11 wasn't the look when game is on, but the game itself. It's also everything around the game, the lack of presentation, the same menus, the exact same intro and cut scenes. If EA would have come on with a game that feel brand new, most people would have scream like crazy that again, EA is working on things that they shouldn't and not give enough time on thing we're asking for years. AI was a problem in NHL 11 and they work on that. Goalies animations and reactions was a problem, they work on that. I understand people that want a brand new game each year, but like in real life, if my wife is having lapses on various aspect of our couple life, I don't want her to get a new hair cut, a new set of boobs and some new shoes! I want her to work on what's not right and fix it! The only place we're I'll agree EA is doing a lazy job is over the presentation, but the way the game play, why change it all if for 2 years, it's not been what really bugs people playing the game? Just my two cents.

See I disagree with that. They have areas with the AI that need serious improvement. There is no feeling that one team is better than another because of a certain style they play. There is just zero strategy that goes into the game. You can score the same way pretty much everytime. Of course there are tip ins and weird rebound goals, but the majority of the time the same goals are scored because you don't have to play differently in order to beat a team. It totally decreases the playing time of the game. Why should every team allow you to enter the zone easily everytime (hardcore Superstar even)? That just should not happen. I've used this example before. The Isles probably would collapse into the defensive zone because they aren't very good defensively. The Red Wings on the other hand would not. They are known for their strong neutral zone play which denys the opposition from just skating into the zone at will. There has to be strategy and adaption that needs to take place otherwise this game will be the same year in and year out. IMO that's how it's been since NHL 08. 07 was fresh because of the controls and next gen graphics but now it's the same each year because they don't change the real problems in the game.

I really think they are too scared to fix the things that hamper the game. Mostly everyone buys the game anyway so whats the point for them taking a major risk. The part I mentioned above along with hyperspeed gliding goaltending just bring this game down for me. I'm a goalie myself and seeing how the goalies move and react just flat out kills me. Will I buy this game, most likely because it's the only hockey option and I love the sport. I just think that they still have a little ways to go to make every game different instead of the same thing over and over.

Edit: On another note, no I don't want change for the sake of change. I would love to have barely any change at all. That is why I absolutely love The Show. Sure that game has its problems, but not enough to not make me play a full 162 game season every year. Every game is different because each team plays like their real life counterpart. They pick up on how you play so you have to change your strategy up. NHL is not in this category yet. The only thing I want to accomplish is to play a full 82 game season, but for me that isn't possible with the gameplay that they have right now.

[shogunofharlem3]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

I have to agree, I was really hoping it won't be like broken stick (wich I saw less in 4-5 games last night than in 1 game of NHL 11 online). I only saw it once and that was a pretty hard hit in the corner from Lucic to Bieksa. I hope it stays that way.

It's a double edged sword. If we want "sim" broken sticks should happen a lot! The new sticks the NHL players use snap all the time.

But, breaking your stick and playing a videogame against other people, well, that can get old I guess.

[Pezell04x]

Yikes. What a mess we have here.

So I played about 4 games of the demo and I hate it. Down right hate the thing, which pains me because I've been a hardcore EASHL player since it was debuted in the NHL series and have played every EA NHL game since NHLPA '93.

The game feels like NHL 11.5 to me.

The goalies still have issues covering the puck. The faceoff system is the same from NHL 11 and it wasn't great in NHL 11 to begin with. The "physics" engine that EA keeps toting isn't anything special. For a game that has "physics" in it, the puck and players still do stupid things.

For some reason, the computer gets faster when going to loose pucks in the corner. I don't understand how I'm beating Zdeno Chara into the corner for a puck as Daniel Sedin and he catches me. Makes no sense.

Anyways, it really displeases me to pre-order NHL 12 from Amazon, cancel it, pre-order it again because my EASHL group pre-ordered it and then cancel it again after playing the demo. I'm sure it'll still sell well because much like Madden people "need their sports game" but I can't do it this year. Not at $60 a whack and not when good games like Batman: Arkham City and Gears of War 3 are coming out.

I traded in NHL 11 (for $18 bucks through Amazon) with the hope of putting the gift card amount towards NHL 12, but no thanks. No after this demo. What did the development team spend their time on?

[Fiddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mkharsh33

played about 10 periods - all-star and hard core. scored one goal total...but that's beside the point. it has some good to it, no doubt. but i hate to say this, it just feels like the same game repackaged with a few tweaks. sorry, but the commentary needs a complete overhaul. also, has anyone noticed the LACK of enthusiasm when a goal is scored?? No "jump out of your seat" type of excitement. i love hockey, so i'll probably end up buying this game because i'm a sucker for sports games. but i expected to be more overwhelmed, and with the disconnectedness of the commentary (and same old stuff) it just doesn't feel all that fun... kinda like what NHL 11 would have felt like with another patch and tuner...

im glad you said it, bc if i did, i would have been hammered for saying EA doesnt care about the product (even though i didnt actually say it, they assume) etc and that its basically the same game we have been playing for years..

again, while i like the demo, has a small different feel to it.. cant wait to see what the full game offers.. but i figure after a few weeks, it will feel the same as past few years.

Quote: Originally Posted by Splitter77

i really wish ea would put in a slider that would immediate blow the whistle when a goalie covers the puck or makes a glove save. I mean like save. whistle. right away. Not only would it stop myself and the CPU from playing the puck with a goalie and give up a goal. But it would also be more realistic as well.

EA stated before, they thought about that, but they want people to keep the play moving etc. thats for the casual fans etc, maybe an option for that for us hardcore guys? bc even with slider at 0, whistle doesnt come fast enough IMO..

funny reading through all these, while most are some what pleased in general, seems like a lot of casual guys dont like it, bc it feels to similar to the previous games, 10 and 11..

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by bwiggy33

See I disagree with that. They have areas with the AI that need serious improvement. There is no feeling that one team is better than another because of a certain style they play. There is just zero strategy that goes into the game. You can score the same way pretty much everytime. Of course there are tip ins and weird rebound goals, but the majority of the time the same goals are scored because you don't have to play differently in order to beat a team. It totally decreases the playing time of the game. Why should every team allow you to enter the zone easily everytime (hardcore Superstar even)? That just should not happen. I've used this example before. The Isles probably would collapse into the defensive zone because they aren't very good defensively. The Red Wings on the other hand would not. They are known for their strong neutral zone play which denys the opposition from just skating into the zone at will. There has to be strategy and adaption that needs to take place otherwise this game will be the same year in and year out. IMO that's how it's been since NHL 08. 07 was fresh because of the controls and next gen graphics but now it's the same each year because they don't change the real problems in the game. I really think they are too scared to fix the things that hamper the game. Mostly everyone buys the game anyway so whats the point for them taking a major risk. The part I mentioned above along with hyperspeed gliding goaltending just bring this game down for me. I'm a goalie myself and seeing how the goalies move and react just flat out kills me. Will I buy this game, most likely because it's the only hockey option and I love the sport. I just think that they still have a little ways to go to make every game different instead of the same thing over and over. Edit: On another note, no I don't want change for the sake of change. I would love to have barely any change at all. That is why I absolutely love The Show. Sure that game has its problems, but not enough to not make me play a full 162 game season every year. Every game is different because each team plays like their real life counterpart. They pick up on how you play so you have to change your strategy up. NHL is not in this category yet. The only thing I want to accomplish is to play a full 82 game season, but for me that isn't possible with the gameplay that they have right now.

Let me ask you a quick question. How do you expect a Dev. Team to make teams play different style, use different strategies and have different settings according to talent on the roster when you're unable to make the AI play the way it should in a hockey game at first?

Do you think I really expect a team like the Maple Leafs to play a run and gun offensive strategy like the Caps can play? If that's the case, then I will rest my case because there's nothing we can do to save myself.

Matter of fact is that even the same team but with a different coach will play different. The Penguins played a run and gun style with Michel Therrien. As soon Dan Bylsma took the team, they played a more 1-2-2 style and it was more about controlling the puck than trying to be cute and make nice plays. Even the Caps last year left their run and gun habits to play a more "core" system we're each player was supporting the teammates on the ice.

There is no way I would expect EA to come up with a neutral zone trap, a left-wing lock or any sophisticated system of play because the problems the AI is having for a long time just doing simple things makes me believe they can't push it to the next level.

By the way, the general NHL gamer isn't caring about the fact that the Islanders and the Wings don't play the same game in real life. All they want is to have fun and get access to the roster and play with their favorite players.

Remember EA is working to sell the game for these people, not for people who would like to have complicated system of play, more refine type of strategies, etc. It's sad for us, but money is running the show in that matter.

[kerosene31]

EA would never put in a true trap. That would drive all but the most hardcore fans away. The funny thing about realism is that people don't always really want it. I've run across a few EASHL teams that really do it well and it was really tough.

[LingeringRegime]

Judas Priest = Win.

Didn't see the big difference with the goalie physics though.