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

[KomicJ]

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.

Well, for my part, NHL 10 is still the edition I enjoyed the most. If NHL 11 (or 12 for that matter) would've played the same, with expanded roster and fixes to the sim engine, I would've been more than happy to pay $60 every year just for a presentation upgrade. I realise they can only do so muc in a 10-months span, but for me, they focussed on the wrong things for NHL 11, fixing something that wasn't broken, and didn't touch the areas that needed to be upgraded. So basically, they went backwards in my opinion.

And as someone who plays offline a lot more than online, there's very little for me to get excited about the last two editions of the game.

[Fiddy]

im wondering when the dev's are gonna give us an actual demo.. this demo stuff was nice at first, play a period in a few different modes etc, but come on already..

can we get a 3 period demo please? with adjustable sliders etc, just like Madden..

[kerosene31]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

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

I played 5 games last night with the demo and I think I just scratched the surface. I think it is going to take a lot more time to see all the little things that changed. One little thing is nothing, but when you add them together you get a game which we can enjoy long term (just like last year).

Gameplay is king and can never, ever be perfected.

[bwiggy33]

Quote: Originally Posted by FBeaule04

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.

I'm not expecting sophisticated systems. I'm expecting the good teams to play like the good teams and the bad teams to play like the bad teams. The only seperation right now is the amount of talent on the teams. As it stands right now each team does the same thing over and over. The AI is told in this situation this player goes here every time. In this situation that player goes there. The AI isn't dynamic which means the same goals are scored time after time. There is no fun when the CPU never changes their game plan or has a different game plan then another team. How can you seriously play a game where you know exactly what the AI will do each time? As I said I'm not expecting sophistication but they need to find a way to create seperation between the good teams and the bad, as well as the good players and the bad. That's the point I'm trying to get across.

Also why couldn't EA create the different styles and allow us to choose which teams do what style? NHL 2k8 allowed this. Also Madden has virtually every teams playbook in their game. Sorry but creating each teams playbook takes a hell of a lot more time then creating 10 different systems. There really aren't many different systems in the NHL. They are all kind of similar. Whatever team wins the cup, the next year the teams try and do that same thing.

[FBeaule04]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

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.

You know Realm, it's tough to give them some slack. My main grief is setting the priorities. Unless they are wrap in bubble film, inside a building without any access to the world and unable to read what people are saying, then I could understand.

Sincerely, you get that Dev. Team in a War Room and what came out was goalies fight, helmet popping out and bumping goalies? No matter how you want people to understand what they are doing, you can't.

Presentation of the game as been so ordinary for the last few years (even worse when you see what NBA 2K11 did and what Madden 12 is up to) that it's tough giving these guys a slack.

You can't do miracle in 10 months, I agree. But there's nothing to defend when you come out with stupid features and aren't even able to update gameface and players profile pictures.

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerosene31

I played 5 games last night with the demo and I think I just scratched the surface. I think it is going to take a lot more time to see all the little things that changed. One little thing is nothing, but when you add them together you get a game which we can enjoy long term (just like last year). Gameplay is king and can never, ever be perfected.

Well said, it can never be perfected.

I wonder if sliders can fix issues like gaining the zone too easily.

[Rogie Vachon]

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.

I`ve been saying this for years and years.

They leave it in because it`s a way to exploit the cpu and get plentiful,easy to create, odd man rushes and breakaways.

It`s a giant brick of stinky cheese.

[Panther84]

Question about the goal celebration cutscenes. Is EA planning on having a 5 man celebration or is it just going to show the player fist bumping the players on the bench? hopefully its just a demo thing.