NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[The Bimmer]

Absolutely digging this demo. I havent played NHL series for a few years, but this demo sold me. True Broadcast camera IMO is an awesome view.

Time to get reorientated to all the controls.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by mkharsh33

I really hope you're right... This has been THE concern regarding this game for the last several years, and the demo shows no improvement. Again, before I get crucified by a certain person here, I recognize no sliders can be touched. But I'm seeing much of the same stuff from prior years in this demo that concerns me, most notably the items you noted, along with the stupid teammate AI that's clear. I hope whoever from EA checks in here really takes our thoughts to heart. Your list is SOLID, and we also have some great input here that should be strongly considered.

Naw not going to crucify you, if you can't see any improvements at all you prolly won't like the retail version anyway. If one sets themselves up hoping to be disappointed, they're probably going to be disappointed.

[hurdinator]

Looks promising.

I've not played this series since 2010 so have definately noticed a big leap in presentation quality. The new modes are a great addition and I cant wait to GM the Avalanche.

Demo shows the true broadcast camera to be a great development. I'm not sure of its value when controlling players on the ice though. Definately a good view if you are going the pure coaching approach.

The ice looks great and you dont get the over contrast of uniforms loosing colours and shades from the blinding white like in previous editions.

[S C 0 0 Z E]

Can/how do you do the spin moves and all those other fun moves that you use to use the L trigger for?

[canucksss]

i havent played yet as home...but quick question.. do you line change advantage like that in nhl 11? meaning you can see which lines the away team going to play so you can match the line?

[Qb]

Finally getting a chance to play a few. Seeing some positive things on hardcore settings, as well as some things that make me want to adjust sliders. Need to play a lot more to really have worthwhile impressions, but the skating alone puts it ahead of NHL12. Time will tell how much other areas have improved, although the overall feel on hardcore is encouraging.

[Gagnon39]

Been playing some more and as it stands I feel pretty confident that there's no doubt this game a) has made some major improvements but b) will also have to have some major slider adjustments for me to enjoy it.

I'll probably mess around with the free skate option quite a bit but as far as playing the Kings and Devils demo I'll probably stop playing it. The game is fun for sure but not very realistic at the default levels. The shot totals are what completely kill the realism for me. I've played enough games now to see that the CPU will generate easily 50-60 shots per game with the default settings and 10+ minute period.

I don't want to play 5 minute period games because its just not my style. The problem that EA has always faced was that they have to appeal to the hardcore hockey/gaming fans and bring in people that aren't familiar with the game at the same time. With that in mind I think the default settings are geared toward the latter. Its fun be reminiscent of the old arcade-type NHL games we saw in the early 2000's.

All that aside, I have total confidence that slider adjustments will make this game as authentic as we've seen. And as I've said multiple times, as well as other users on here, the pass reception slider will be huge.

I do wish however, that EA would tune the game to make the CPU just shoot less in general. It seems that they often take low percentage chances and throw everything they can on net. They also rarely miss the goal.

Lastly, one other concern that I have is that I've now played 15-20 games and the CPU is yet to take a penalty. Maybe its just coincidence but didn't EA say that this was no longer an issue?

All-in-all, I'm looking forward very much to the release of NHL 13. Unfortunately, I do have very high expectations for this years game, so hopefully I won't be disappointed.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gagnon39

I think there are a few key sliders, which have been mentioned before that can make all the difference. 1) Pass reception: If we can make it so that pucks bounce off blades at a more realistic rate, that should help reduce shot totals. 2) Pass accuracy: The more errant passes there are, the fewer shots there will be. 3) Puck control: The easier players lose control of the puck, which is already better on default than last year, the more loose pucks and less shots. 4) Game speed: I may end up lowering this a notch or two as the game is still pretty quick and there's just too much open ice. The last three games I played I had a lot of up-and-down action. Which is fun every once in a while but shouldn't be the norm.

Yep Gagnon...these are the sliders I used with '12' to hold down the SOG. Of course with '12' [and hopefully not with '13'] a few of these sliders had little effect. With '12'...the game speed slider seemed to get me mostly where I wanted to be for SOG. Pass accuracy helped some as well. But sadly only for the User.

I'm sure hopeful that all of the sliders you mentioned are alive and well for both Human/cpu with NHL '13'. I'd ideally like to use 12-14 minute periods and get at least close to realistic stats.