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

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by ComaFaction

The suction in boardplay still exists too.....a player skating at a high enough speed should break right through.

I'm also not sure if size/speed/strength even matters.
Chara could be going at 100MPH and Jiri Hudler could still suck him into a board-pin animation.

[PureGM]

Quote: Originally Posted by SeaNNyT

Things I like -The better lighting looks more authentic, combined with the True broadcast camera angle, looks sweet. .The player models seem way more appropriately scaled and real. -The skating feels way more real and can lead to some interesting 3 on 2 breaks or other breakaway moments. Things I don't like -Your AI defenders still might be a few feet from the puck and make no attempt to go for it, so you have to click on them, but by then the opposing AI probably has picked up the loose puck. -Even on Hardcore the opposing AI can tape to tape pass way up ice. -The hitting still seems unrealistic -The stick and puck physics need a overhaul (probably won't happen until next gen) -The goalie on fast breaks seems to win most of the time. An unreal level of winning.

Thought it was to bad that we couldn't get a taste of some of the GM functions...but I do understand they can't put the entire game on the Demo or else who would need to buy the game

[bones79]

Undecided about this, I may skip again this year. I'm worried that once again, in order to have a competitive game, game play (slider settings) needs to be in favor of CPU (I'm talking offline play here).

Still feel like human-controlled players are at a disadvantage. Regarding demo:
- CPU player acceleration seems quicker
- CPU players seem more agile
- CPU can instantly gain control of a puck that is directly behind player
- CPU recovers from stick-lift too quick, making SL only good for getting penalties
- CPU can release shots and passes quicker (see below), and strip and intercept pucks much better
- CPU goalies also seem quicker and less "fumbly", though this could just be down to early inaccurate ratings and the goalies we have access to.
- Human defence positioning is wrong at times, such as not going to the walls when the puck is at the boards (therefore won't receive pass)
- Still too easy to gain the offensive zone
- As above, board play suction is terrible

Regarding the quicker CPU passing; it has always bugged me how the pressure-sensitive triggers use a "timed release" system for pass strength. Obviously if I've thought pass strength should be determined by "press strength", then I'm sure EA has considered it. It just seems logical. The only reason I can think of why it's not implemented, is because is would take away a human disadvantage (delayed passing). Shouldn't there at least be an option for it?

On a positive note, the game "feels" much better. Skating and momentum feels great, and racing CPU defenders to the puck is much more fair (that drove me mad in previous games). Player separation is also FAR better.

Apologies for the mini rant

[Tomba]

Beyond excited for this game.

This will truly be the first perfect hockey game...

The broadcast cam the skating and overall gameplay is steller AND they have HDR lighting to boot LOL.

Slider work for sure from Tomba!

[SlyBelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tomba

Beyond excited for this game. This will truly be the first perfect hockey game... The broadcast cam the skating and overall gameplay is steller AND they have HDR lighting to boot LOL. Slider work for sure from Tomba!

I hope your right about perfection, but guessing after release we will all find improvement opportunities just like after every game release

[18 eighty 5]

Looks like bezerker cpu is still definitely in. There are times when they have speed advantages, all loose pucks go their way which really destroys the idea that you can battle for the 50/50 loose pucks fairly. The way they take hits and retain possession is still there. Lots of this stuff has been in this series for ages.

Still, the skating is great, the game looks fantastic. I am certain though during offline play the stuff I mentioned will continue to be an annoyance. The new skating doesn't fix these issues. Looking forward to release though.

[18 eighty 5]

One more thing, on defense, my ai team mate no longer helps out by skating to the boards behind the net to create the option of passing off the puck when under pressure. Instead it seems to be a bit more chaotic on defense behind the net with ai team mates getting in the way and not skating to positions of advantage or help. This wasnt a problem last year. I hope the final version will have addressed it.

[BenVenom]

I would love to c a help d option like in FIFA. For those who don't play FIFA, a button is used to have an ai player on ur team press the the man with the ball, this could b used in hockey where u use it to send a guy into the boards to tie up/ pin and then u can use ur guy to anticipate where the puck will come loose along the board and make a play, just a thought.