OS Fact or Fiction: NHL 13 will be the Sports GOTY

[FluffyTonka]

Quote: Originally Posted by balcobomber25

The same thing that happened to Madden is happening to the NHL franchise. They built up a superb game that killed off the competition and now suffers from the same problems year after year. NHL is hardly a bad game its just each years version is starting to feel like nothing more than a fresh coat of paint and a roster update. The commentary was top notch 5 years ago but now its getting old and annoying. EA had a golden opportunity this year to switch the broadcast booth and use the guys from NBC Sports or Hockey Night in Canada but failed to do so. This game needs a major overhaul for it to be enjoyable again. The franchise mode didn't change at all last year it was the same exact mode with the same broken trade logic and the same boring coma inducing off season. My biggest complaint with the game though is the lack of overall excitement in the playoffs. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are one of the most exciting and gut wrenching moments in all of sports, millions of non hockey fans flock to NBC to watch playoff hockey. In the game the playoffs and Stanley Cup feel like just another exhibition game.

100% spot on.

Anything short of a complete engine, AI, animation, commentary overhaul is just another marketing exercise.

NBA2K13 has some serious improvements to make after a few severe AI shortcomings last year, and Madden is disappointment after disappointment.

FIFA holds the crown, with the Show not too far behind. Any talk of GOTY at this stage, is just more fluff from the marketing department.

I find the game designer/ teams who talk up GOTY before any season titles are even released, are usually the ones who know in their heart of hearts their game falls short.

I mean ... why talk about it? Why not wait for the game to release and let the game speak for itself? The gaming community is smart and savvy. If your title walks the walk, word gets out on forum boards like these, and everyone flocks to buy your title.

Marketing fluff and corporate speak 101 won't cut it with us if the game is below par.

It'd be great for us to be recognised as such.

[/rant]

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by FluffyTonka

100% spot on. Anything short of a complete engine, AI, animation, commentary overhaul is just another marketing exercise. NBA2K13 has some serious improvements to make after a few severe AI shortcomings last year, and Madden is disappointment after disappointment. FIFA holds the crown, with the Show not too far behind. Any talk of GOTY at this stage, is just more fluff from the marketing department. I find the game designer/ teams who talk up GOTY before any season titles are even released, are usually the ones who know in their heart of hearts their game falls short. I mean ... why talk about it? Why not wait for the game to release and let the game speak for itself? The gaming community is smart and savvy. If your title walks the walk, word gets out on forum boards like these, and everyone flocks to buy your title. Marketing fluff and corporate speak 101 won't cut it with us if the game is below par. It'd be great for us to be recognised as such. [/rant]

You seem to be confusing the devs with OS Staffers. Just saying. Personally for me, while I love the Show, NHL is my sports game of the year every year. I just love hockey that much compared to the other sports, and the title imo improves yearly in some way shape or form. If the improvements on paper for 13 turn out factual, it'll easily be SGOTY imo.

[savoie2006]

I think the competition will be too tough this year for NHL to win. I just don't see it beating out FIFA, NBA, and The Show.

[B5KoshYou]

Until EA adds TeamBuilder to NHL, it will come in as a close second to FIFA for sports GOTY. The NHL has been around since 1917. Huge number of untapped classic teams from NHL, Canada Cup, Olympics and other leagues like ECHL would increase the fun and shelf life of NHL 13. NCAA Football and FIFA have fantastic wealth of user created teams available through TeamBuilder. So many great options for user created teams & leagues in NHL.

[jyoung]

I would love to see both teambuilder and game face implemented across all EA Sports titles.

[liberaluser]

Quote: Originally Posted by LuGer33

If you don't lose your mind over graphics and commentary, that's entirely debatable. NHL has a 100000000000000x better online suite than either of those games.

I don't consider online to be the end all and be all of gaming and don't judge the quality of sports games based on subjective experiences over crappy connections. In fact I hear nothing but complaints about the online experience from this and every other sports forum.

The gameplay depth and authentic presentation are the only qualities I think should be considered for GOTY. The fact your game might lag while taking a basket against a cheeser doesn't change a thing really.

[savoie2006]

Quote: Originally Posted by liberaluser

I don't consider online to be the end all and be all of gaming and don't judge the quality of sports games based on subjective experiences over crappy connections. In fact I hear nothing but complaints about the online experience from this and every other sports forum. The gameplay depth and authentic presentation are the only qualities I think should be considered for GOTY. The fact your game might lag while taking a basket against a cheeser doesn't change a thing really.

Yeah, but online could be put in with gameplay depth. It is the one area NHL actually has the upper hand on the competition. If EA had really revamped the entire Presentation as well this year I might have given them the nod. They did alot though, so I completely understand. I just don't see it this year.

[FBeaule04]

I will say no. I think NBA 2K13 looks to have the edge so far. The difference between NBA 2K and NHL for past few years is that 2K delivered a strong gameplay while adding few goodies making it more enjoyable while EA as offered us a bunch of goodies trying to make us forget about brutal AI.

Maybe NHL will get the nod in the end, but I doubt it. On top of it, 2K had to work thinking about EA making a comeback on the basketball market. EA team doesn't have any pressure on the hockey market to deliver the best they can, they are alone!

Like the real NHL, I'll be locked out to start the season. I'll wait if this time around, all the PR and Marketing EA made about NHL 13 is there or if it's like NHL 12, PR and Marketing only...