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

[KomicJ]

Personally, I can't say I'm too impressed by the demo. In fact, I'm disapointed because, other than a few small things, it feels like the same game I played last year, which I returned a couple of weeks later because I felt NHL 11 was a HUGE step down from NHL 10.

Right now, it's a "rent first" for me. And I've been buying NHL every year since the Sega Genesis days. It might be fixable through aliders adjustments (don't know why EA felt the need to locked 'em in the demo) but as it is right now, I'm not enjoying it. I play on All-Star, and players are way too agressive (2-man forecheck on a PK, when leading ? Come on...), the acceleration at that level still seem to be in favor of the CPU, the auto backskate, although better than last year, still seems like it's halfway on even when set OFF...

The one thing I truely enjoyed is the fact that players really seem to go where the puck is heading as oppose to where it is, as adevrtised. They also do a better job defensively when you try to pass from one blue-line to the other.

But when on the offense, the AI (again, judging from the demo with default sliders and no "created plays") is just plain aweful at positioning. In my very first game, right after the faceoff, one of my defenseman (controlled by the CPU) kept bumping the other one, who had the puck all the way to the left side, instead of playing the other side waiting for a pass...and it wasn't even HIS side.

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JezFranco

No, no, nooo... Don't hold it in. You only click it... Click once for small effect, twice for second gear and three times for full effect racing engine. And as soon as you let go of teh stick, your guy is back to "normal". It's quite subtle though, far from something like a turbo boost, but really does the difference in the proper situations.

Learn something new every day. Can't believe I've been doing it wrong the whole time.

[mkharsh33]

still waaaaaay too EASY to gain the offensive zone... played 4 more periods this morning...all-star / hardcore. only had to dump & chase TWO times to gain the zone. this was one of my biggest complaints from past games... i don't mean to sound critical, but does EA actually send their devs to REAL LIFE NHL games - sitting IN the arena and watch what it looks like?? I still find this demo to be a lousy representation of the true sport.

only slider adjustments can save this game, IMO...

[savoie2006]

Plain and simple, those expecting and reinvention of the wheel with this game are gonna be sorely disappointed. EA has been focused on the online aspect of the game and adding the little things. Little things that definately make the game more authentic, but don't make the game feel very "new".

I think NHL 13 will see a complete Presentation overhaul. They started it this year with the stat overlays and such, but the sim engine and physics were more important apparently. Then, as long as the commentary has been altered as well, the game will have somewhat of a "new" feel. I don't expect major changes in the AI until the new systems drop and the series resets.

[gopher_guy]

Just curious what those who said this is "NHL 11.5" were expecting?

I mean there comes a point when we have to understand that there's only so much they can do in a one year cycle.

They fixed some game play issues this year, I don't think anyone can deny that the game play is better. At least I think it is! If they would have fixed presentation, added tons of new angles, cameras, completely overhauled commentary, etc. People would have been stoked, but after playing the demo we all would have been ticked off about the game play being the same.

I'll probably get flamed by those who dislike the demo for this, but it's just how I feel. I guess it's because I don't have a cynical view on things, I assume the dev team did everything they could to improve the game, (And, for the record, I think they DID improve the game. I'm really enjoying it.) but there's only so many people they can please.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

Just curious what those who said this is "NHL 11.5" were expecting? I mean there comes a point when we have to understand that there's only so much they can do in a one year cycle. They fixed some game play issues this year, I don't think anyone can deny that the game play is better. At least I think it is! If they would have fixed presentation, added tons of new angles, cameras, completely overhauled commentary, etc. People would have been stoked, but after playing the demo we all would have been ticked off about the game play being the same. I'll probably get flamed by those who dislike the demo for this, but it's just how I feel. I guess it's because I don't have a cynical view on things, I assume the dev team did everything they could to improve the game, (And, for the record, I think they DID improve the game. I'm really enjoying it.) but there's only so many people they can please.

Yeah I'm right with ya. For me I got more than I expected, much much better puck physics, vastly more aware AI, and if the sim engine pans out, realistic stats. I've never understood those that think a series should 100% change every year. That's silly, look at NBA2k, it's been mostly the same game the last few years, or Madden, or any other sports series out there.

These guys have a 10 month cycle essentially to build a brand new game. Cut em some slack. That being said, would I like better presentation? Sure, you know I would, but as long as the gameplay improves every year, and it certainly has this year from my time with the demo, I'm not going to complain too much.

[adayinthelife]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

Just curious what those who said this is "NHL 11.5" were expecting? I mean there comes a point when we have to understand that there's only so much they can do in a one year cycle. They fixed some game play issues this year, I don't think anyone can deny that the game play is better. At least I think it is! If they would have fixed presentation, added tons of new angles, cameras, completely overhauled commentary, etc. People would have been stoked, but after playing the demo we all would have been ticked off about the game play being the same. I'll probably get flamed by those who dislike the demo for this, but it's just how I feel. I guess it's because I don't have a cynical view on things, I assume the dev team did everything they could to improve the game, (And, for the record, I think they DID improve the game. I'm really enjoying it.) but there's only so many people they can please.

I think part of the 11.5 feeling for me just stems from the fact that I found NHL 11 to be a HUGE improvement over NHL 10. Eventually there were issues that crept up (as can be expected when one puts as many hours into a game as I do hockey games), but I can still enjoy that game quite a bit.

I guess after seeing how much different 11 felt from 10 for me, I was expecting just a little more than what's been delivered in the demo. I still think they've improved on some things and I'll be picking up the game, it just seems like they had absolutely no focus this dev cycle and that more could've been done.

Say what you want about the community being whiners ('cause I agree for the most part), where the hell was the representation in these forums that was here in previous years? I don't think Redshirt has posted anything since last fall or winter. What ******* at that studio honestly thought that the game needed goalie fights before it needed improved presentation elements or further gameplay refinement? Who decided that adding in a measly 9 "legends" should take precedence over doing something like a BAGM overhaul.

Ultimately judging by the demo NHL 12 feels like a slightly improved product (by how much is arguable), that was a little slapped together/rushed. It's the first game in the series this gen that has felt the same as the previous version to me and that's why it bothers me. Let's hope that the reason for this is because they've already been working away on NHL 13 to make it the pinnacle of hockey gaming this gen.

[Rogie Vachon]

Quote: Originally Posted by HHHBigFan

I haven't read through this whole thread but is anybody else having ALOT of goals scored on slap shots? I've had 3 in 10 mins of gametime

It`s something I have been seeing a bit of in my reading.

I`ll be paying attention to it during my slider work once the game comes out.