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

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

Just curious since I haven't been able to play this demo, is the R trigger/R2 player switching still the same as every other year? I hate trying to switch to one of my enforcers on the ice post-whistle, but instead it just keeps cycling back and forth between the same 2 players.

It's still the same. Annoys me too at times.

[MizzouRah]

I'm finding the game very realistic on AP in the demo.

[TDKing]

All I want for BAGm mode is SHORTER seasons and Multiplayer Online!

[jb1]

I've played about 25 periods now mostly on All Star - Hardcore and i'm finding that the more I play it the more I am enjoying it. My initial reaction after my first period was disappointment but that was mainly down to the look of the game and it still feeling a lot like NHL 11 but after more playing time I can see real gameplay improvements. Better shooting, goal variety, passing, skating, CPU AI is smarter (not perfect though by any means) resulting in better positions being taken up by the AI and i'm really enjoying how much more they are shooting on my net.

There clearly are still issues, it's too easy to go coast to coast and too easy to force the AI to dump and turnover the puck still which I feel results in too much puck possession for me. Also the goaltenders still require some work as they have given up some stupid goals, examples include sweeping the puck about 2 feet away to the side giving an open net to shoot into and just doing nothing while the puck is just in front of them after giving up a rebound.

We all know that presentation needs a huge overhaul aswell. Same cut scenes, commentary (although I could listen to Gary Thorne read the phone book and be entertained!) not enough stats on show during stoppages in play etc.

Overall though i'm really enjoying the demo and can't wait for the game to be released. Just hoping now the new sim engine lives upto the hype and Be a GM mode can keep me hooked as I just can't enjoy playing this game online.

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josam27o7

All they've added is a stupid sim engine! How the heck can you play Be a Gm again LOL. That stupid blackberry system blows and needs to be revamped. And this is coming from someone who likes the gameplay advances, except the silly canned smash the glass animation, and the goalie fight stupidity.

A "stupid" sim engine?

If it works well it will revolutionize BaGM for me.

[Eddie1967]

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. Has no problem whatsoever to lift my stick, and take control of the puck, but everytime I do it, the CPU either keeps the puck, or I get called for slashing. While I'm a fan of getting rid of the turbo button, the balance between speed with/without the puck needs to be reviewed. I don't care if he has the puck on his stick or not, Henrik Zetterberg shouldn't not be slower than Andrew Alberts...NEVER ! The default positioning, especially in the offensive zone, is just plain aweful ! No matter what strategy I'm using, defensemen aren't playing the blueline as well as they should. The CPU is overly aggressive in the offensive zone, leading to way too many 3-2, even when playing the PK leading by a goal. And while the goaltending AI seems to be better than what it was in previous games, their play outside the net got worse. Played HUT a my team had Carey Price as a starter...couldn't even stop the puck behind his net. Been playing the game since '93, never skipped a year, although I did return NHL11 a couple of weeks after buying it last year. Often getting it on both consoles and CPU (back when Thunderpuck was active). Not wasting my money on the game this year...hoping 2K will eventually come back and blow us away like they did with NBA2K, which is by far the best sports game around these days.

Great Post and I agree, this is far from a true simulation of the sport of hockey, how many years will we have to wait before EA gets it right. While it seems like a fun game to play it still has a ways to go to satisfy me.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by jb1

There clearly are still issues, it's too easy to go coast to coast

By far...my biggest issue with the gameplay.

I'm hoping the game reviewing sites get on them about this. Who knows...maybe they'll listen to them.

[Jattbreed]

^Yeah, I just had Skinner go coast to coast against Chara and Seidenberg with a tie game with 20 seconds left. I went right to the slot, went right then left, then wrist shot opposite corner and scored. Man, it felt amazing.......

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Until I did it again with Hall....then Tavares....then Perry.....then Nugent Hopkins. Takes away that special feeling.