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

[SlyBelle]

Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

[Gagnon39]

Quote: Originally Posted by SlyBelle

Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

[Weapon X]

I just saw the CPU pull Brodeur when they were down two.

WX

[Vikes1]

One flaw in the AI I'm hoping was fixed for '13' is....when the cpu is on the PK inside of two minutes left in the game and down by a goal, the cpu starts trying to score, rather than continuing to try to kill off the penalty.

I'm sure all of us have seen the cpu still just dumping the puck outta it's zone in that situation.

[SlyBelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gagnon39

Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

For some reason I am thinking one of the sliders dictated this last year since I think I remember the same thing from last year.

[unisol_us]

Been playing EA NHL series for a long time now. This demo offers some really exciting game play advancements. It remains to be seen how well the GM Brain and different team strategies will impact the game.

Obviously the skating is improved. Where I am seeing the biggest difference is when playing on D and the forward stops and starts again. I am losing my check much easier this year than in any other year in this generation. Honestly I cannot remember if this has ever been reproduced in any generation. I can see how playing on Offense with a talented forward will cause the defense fits!

The next big change I am seeing is how random scoring chances are in the demo. Last year, besides the occasional deflection for a goal, there were only a few different ways to score. I have already see several deflections which resulted in great scoring chances for me. This has alot to do with the puck physics which must have gotten a big upgrade this year.

A minor but noticeable change is how the players look when moving. They seem more bulky and real. This was the first thing I noticed when I started playing the demo. I'm sure I will become accustomed to it rather quickly, but it looks cool.

Lastly, the goaltenders are more fun to play against. The kick save and the blocker save are way more realistic. I like how the goalies direct the kick save into the corners. Somehow it seems as if the goalies are using individual body parts this year and this addition makes the game look fresh.

Some other little things I like:

* Back skate feature
* Chop puck
* CPU poke check improved
* NHL moments

Assuming that offline GM mode and team strategies works as advertised, I think next year will be a good time for the EA Canada team to overhaul goal tending. It is improved this year, but it still needs work. Goalies should not be able to fly around the net like superman!! That is just crazy. It would be nice to see more animations to differentiate between goalie styles.

Maybe I need more practice, but the puck chop needs some tweaking. I am giving up so many scoring chances because I keep missing this move. Every time I try to use it I whiff and give up a scoring chance.

I have not seen a legitimate wrap around goal ever in the EA series. Why is this move so hard to pull off? I will keep tinkering with the back skate feature, but I really do not have my hopes up.

Some other things I dislike:

* Faceoffs (better mechanic needed)
* Better behind the net plays
* Still easy to skate the puck into the offense zone

[JezFranco]

Bug feedback. Goal review did not work.

Played two player co-op on the demos HUT mode.
We were down 0-1 but in the last minute, we scored a goal.


However, the ref came in and waved off for a goal review.
Watched the replays a few time, and Gary Thorne was talking about how this could've been a kick, as it went skate in.
After the review, the ref pointed towards the center point as to allow the goal, my players cheered, and the camera showed the goal scorer.


However, when going back to the play and center ice face off, the score was still 0-1, and we ended up loosing the game.




100% a bug. Hope it doesn't transfer to the retail.
And I might add this is the one and only goal review I've seen in the demo. Probably have over 150 games (periods) played.



This was the NA Demo, on PS3 in HUT mode.

[SlyBelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by JezFranco

Bug feedback. Goal review did not work. Played two player co-op on the demos HUT mode. We were down 0-1 but in the last minute, we scored a goal. However, the ref came in and waved off for a goal review. Watched the replays a few time, and Gary Thorne was talking about how this could've been a kick, as it went skate in. After the review, the ref pointed towards the center point as to allow the goal, my players cheered, and the camera showed the goal scorer. However, when going back to the play and center ice face off, the score was still 0-1, and we ended up loosing the game. 100% a bug. Hope it doesn't transfer to the retail. And I might add this is the one and only goal review I've seen in the demo. Probably have over 150 games (periods) played. This was the NA Demo, on PS3 in HUT mode.

Although a bug, pretty cool that goal reviews are in. Never have seen that myself in any version.