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

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by KomicJ

Spent a few more hours playing the demo, and while I can enjoy the new puck physics, and the improved AI...I still can't bring myself to like that game. For the exact same reason I didn't like NHL11. Because, as much as I like the challenge, I constantly feel cheated by the CPU, who seems to be able to do a whole lot more than I can do. Things such as one touch tape-to-tape cannon passes that goes through my defenders no matter what. Spot on poke-checks. Taking control of a bouncing puck with such an ease, I think my players don't even control the puck that well when it's flat on the ice.

Turn the difficulty down??

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by rangersfan30

While people have been crying out for franchise mode/BAGM to be given a overhaul EA thinks its better to add these little insignificant additions that people could do without. The more i read about the gameplay being better the more i think great but then the realisation of the gameplay improvements not meaning anything to me in the grand cheme of things due to the fact franchise is largely untouched means this game would be a waste of time for me. Online i hate because i cant handle the constant cheese so the only thing that keeps me interested is trying to play a realistic franchise mode which is impossible in the EA series, sure i could play a season but its not the same. Its really looking like this will be the first installment of this series that i dont buy which is a shame as i have bought every EA NHL game. The sickener is we dont even have a fallback option

How bout you wait to see if the new Sim engine actually improves franchise play before writing the game off completely? Because really, aside from having things like injured reserves and a proper cpu roster management/sim system being accurate, I'm not sure what else they could really add to GM (aside from major presentation improvements for that particular mode) that would make that much of a difference and I am a GM guy first and foremost.

I know alot of guys want online franchises but eh. That's another new mode/feature I'd never touch to be honest. Blow out the presentation, make sure the CPU isn't ******** on signing guys in the offseason and have the sim stats realistically reflect real life and I'd be content.

[KomicJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

Turn the difficulty down??

Sadly, it doesn't do it. At least, not with the different set of sliders made by EA, which you can't change in the demo.

The thing is, if you turn the difficulty down (used to play on Superstar on NHL10) you get dumber AI, which isn't better.

The AI at All-Star is actually quite good in general, with the exception of the CPU being overly aggressive. So the only way to fix this is by sliders ajustments, which didn't solve any of the remaining issues I had with the game last year. Passes were still going through my defendemen, while mine were either intercepted with ease, or wide...couldn't get control of a bouncing puck in the corners, and had the same problem with pokechecks and sticklifts, no matter how I adjusted the sliders.

Gameplay-wise, I thought NHL 10 was almost perfect. I wish they would've just improved the AI, and keep everything else.

[KomicJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

How bout you wait to see if the new Sim engine actually improves franchise play before writing the game off completely? Because really, aside from having things like injured reserves and a proper cpu roster management/sim system being accurate, I'm not sure what else they could really add to GM (aside from major presentation improvements for that particular mode) that would make that much of a difference and I am a GM guy first and foremost. I know alot of guys want online franchises but eh. That's another new mode/feature I'd never touch to be honest. Blow out the presentation, make sure the CPU isn't ******** on signing guys in the offseason and have the sim stats realistically reflect real life and I'd be content.

I'm an offline player as well, and BeAGM is the mode I'm playing 90% of the time. But in order to enjoy that mode, I have to enjoy playing the game itself. Otherwise, I might as well re-install EHM.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by KomicJ

I'm an offline player as well, and BeAGM is the mode I'm playing 90% of the time. But in order to enjoy that mode, I have to enjoy playing the game itself. Otherwise, I might as well re-install EHM.

Eh to each their own I guess. I like having to chip the puck out due to the CPU forecheck being better, I like that my AI teammates move in the offensive zone and drive the net rather than stand around like idiots. The more I play the demo, the more I like the game play. That I can dump the puck in and due to the puck being more live, have a chance to get in on the forecheck and setup is great. Obviously YMMV but I'm content with where the gameplay itself has been heading the last few years.

Now if EA can get the lagging presentation where it needs to be. That's the area the series is most lacking in imo.

[KomicJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

Eh to each their own I guess. I like having to chip the puck out due to the CPU forecheck being better, I like that my AI teammates move in the offensive zone and drive the net rather than stand around like idiots. The more I play the demo, the more I like the game play. That I can dump the puck in and due to the puck being more live, have a chance to get in on the forecheck and setup is great. Obviously YMMV but I'm content with where the gameplay itself has been heading the last few years. Now if EA can get the lagging presentation where it needs to be. That's the area the series is most lacking in imo.

And I like that as well. I'm not complaining about the game being more realistic and difficult, or AI being smarter (altough I don't know many coaches who would ask for a 2-men forecheck on the PK, when leading by 1 goal with less than 5 minutes to play in the third.)

But I just don't get the feeling that me and the CPU are playing on an even playing field when his players are playing like true NHLers, and mine aren't even able to do the simplest things like a decent pokecheck. I feel like I have to make a choice between poor AI for my opponents, or poor CPU teammates. Sometimes feels like, in order to make the game more challenging and competitive, they dumbed down the ability of my players instead of just making the CPU better.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

The more I play the demo, the more I like the game play.

Me too, RealmK. And I'm thinking this is a very good sign. Vs the opposite, of disappointment starting to creep in.

With what sure looks like to me, the improved AI for User/cpu, much more variety in scoring chances, and far less predictable play...I think it's going to be another good year of NHL gaming for me.

[DJ]

Yes, I have to admit that I am starting to enjoy the demo the more I play it, although I wish we had a 3-period game so we could get more into a flow. With just one period, things just start getting good and I run out of time.

Anyway, it looks like I will riding the NHL 12 train this year, as I've decided to pass on Madden in favor of this game. NCAA provides me all I need with football and although I've harped on EA for the commentary and presentation, I do have more fun with NHL than Madden at this point.

Like RelamK and others have said, this is the last year I get the game without seeing upgrades to Be A GM, commentary and presentation.