Online Versus, What Happened?

[scottyo60]

In some threads I’ve seen it talked about the crowd the game caters to and there’s been some discussion to online, but what has happened to this mode?

Hear me out, I’ve grown older (33) from 5-7 years ago when I’d be constantly in the top 100 online. I also don’t play as much as I once did. But is it me or has online versus went back to NHL 2009-2011? I’ve played a few games this year and my same frustrations as last year exist. Opponent waits for normally AI controlled player to leave their spot and sets up for a one timer. The speed, players, passing all feel just off from a hockey game.

I know forever there’s been some exploits as well in terms of getting in the slot and shooting certain spots. However it doesn’t feel like anyone even tries that anymore. It’s simply wait till the AI makes a mistake, then one time. This was the method back in those early 2010 games that ruined the fun of playing against someone. It’s almost like it’s been reverted back though from progress and gets worse by the year with the one timer.

Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone enjoy the online versus world? I just want to find that fun I used to have. Not rage quit because my backside defender left his man after I changed off of him for another one timer goal.

[tinpanalley]

I have to be honest, I don't even understand the online play world. I have never done it. Not once in 30 years of playing games has it occurred to me to play against someone else. However, recently I was able to play online on my PS4 and PC so I've tried. I thought you could pick a position and play in a game with other people. Or that you could play as a whole team against another person playing a whole other team. Instead all I see is card games, little challenges... where is the online community play I was expecting? Does that just not exist?

[VeNOM3099]

Quote: Originally Posted by scottyo60

In some threads I’ve seen it talked about the crowd the game caters to and there’s been some discussion to online, but what has happened to this mode? Hear me out, I’ve grown older (33) from 5-7 years ago when I’d be constantly in the top 100 online. I also don’t play as much as I once did. But is it me or has online versus went back to NHL 2009-2011? I’ve played a few games this year and my same frustrations as last year exist. Opponent waits for normally AI controlled player to leave their spot and sets up for a one timer. The speed, players, passing all feel just off from a hockey game. I know forever there’s been some exploits as well in terms of getting in the slot and shooting certain spots. However it doesn’t feel like anyone even tries that anymore. It’s simply wait till the AI makes a mistake, then one time. This was the method back in those early 2010 games that ruined the fun of playing against someone. It’s almost like it’s been reverted back though from progress and gets worse by the year with the one timer. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone enjoy the online versus world? I just want to find that fun I used to have. Not rage quit because my backside defender left his man after I changed off of him for another one timer goal.

I'd like to answer that I also don't enjoy VS. anymore. I used to enjoy playing the worst team in the league (Ottawa) and completely discombobulate the opponent using passing plays. That's no longer possible. With the heat seeking machine gun poking, the game degenerates into your opponent skating away from you while constantly hitting RB (L1 on playstation) and the puck goes to one of his players. Then he proceeds to go into the corner, or behind your net, wait for the dumber than a manhole cover AI to leave the backdoor open, cross-crease pass, score, repeat.

Some would tell you: "Well, just do the same yourself" or "Defend the backdoor better". But how fun is that?? Do the cheap stuff, or skill zone.

No thanks. I'd rather have fun. And that's not fun. Win or lose.

I'm actually disappointed because I uninstalled the game faster than I did last year. Wasted over 100$ CAD to not play the game. And I had such high hopes... *sigh*

Playing online should be fun. I remember my younger years and playing VS my brother for hours. Online was supposed to be that, but against a larger pool of opponents from all over, not just sitting next to you. Now instead of "play the game", you get "find the exploit and win". No thanks.

[Chad0034]

Im actually on the opposite side here. I've played nothing but online VS for about 3-4 years now. As soon as the NBC Presentation was discontinued, I couldn't force myself to play franchise anymore. Presentation is just too bad in the current games.

Anyway, I love the gameplay this year in Versus. Last year and in previous, the cross crease was so ridiculously easy and manipulated. I'm talking ~75-85% of goals were cross crease in the last few years of games. In this one, I'd go more like 40-50%.

With this new engine, its much much easier to play defense. At least for me. I can honestly say in most games I do NOT give up a single cross crease, or maybe just one. I do consider myself very skilled defensively however. I'm currently 41-7, ranked about 300th.

But overall, I am a big fan of the gameplay now(Next gen PS5) compared to what I had to put up with over the last couple years on last gen consoles.

[scottyo60]

Chad my biggest problem is it’s just wait to exploit. I play the puck, my AI weak side is clueless. I play the slot, passes zip through and boom. I play weak side, something happens and as soon as I player flip it’s like they move and there’s a goal.

I enjoy the game itself vs the computer. Against the computer I can work different styles. I just see the play now as an exploit fest that’s frustrating. Not really a skill for fun. I loved 2009-2011 even though it felt like one timers were impossible. There was so many other options to score when my friend hit one of the one timers it was most likely my slip up. Now it’s just two people waiting for the other to take advantage.

I won’t fault anyone who likes it, but from what it was to what it is, hurts me.

[Chad0034]

I feel ya. I think I've just really mastered on puck defense. I honestly have no problems with exploits most of the time.

I usually play as an offensive man in our defensive zone. Let your AI defenders guard the cross crease/net and keep them on something like "collapsing" and "defend lead".

Then use your offensiveman to play manually and guard the puck holder.

[VeNOM3099]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chad0034

I feel ya. I think I've just really mastered on puck defense. I honestly have no problems with exploits most of the time. I usually play as an offensive man in our defensive zone. Let your AI defenders guard the cross crease/net and keep them on something like "collapsing" and "defend lead". Then use your offensiveman to play manually and guard the puck holder.

(It's not about "mastering" the game. BTW, that's just another "I'm better than you" and/or "You hate it because you suck" argument, which is not with we're talking about. And quite frankly it's getting a little bit tiring. Anyways...)

Did I ever tell you the definition... Of insanity?

Insanity is, doing the same, exact freaking thing, over and over and over again expecting stuff will change. That. Is. CRAZY! Now, the first time somebody told me that, I don't know, I thought they were BS'ing me, so BOOM!! I hit him into the wall. But the thing is *chuckles*... He was right. And then I started seeing it everywhere I looked. Everywhere I looked I saw all these freaking mooks. Everywhere I looked, doing the exact... same exact freaking things... over and over and over and over and over again, thinking this time it's going to be different. No, no, no, no, no please! This time, it's going to be different.

I'm sorry I don't like the way YOU ARE LOOKING AT ME! Heh? Do you think I'm crazy? Do you think you are BETTER THAN ME? Well, !%#$!% you buddy, ok? !%$@%! you!.. It's ok man. Heh-heh-heh... I'm just gonna chill, Hermano. The thing is, ok... The thing is I've beaten you already.

And it's not like *I*, am freaking crazy. It's ok... It's like water under the bridge.

By the way...

Did I ever tell you the definition... of Insanity?

Now where was I going with all this? Repetition is "not" skill. If you learn to beat something that's being done over and over again, you're just learning to do the same thing over and over again to beat it. That's not fun. It's tedious. It's a chore. And I don't play videogames to do chores. I can do them, yes. But it's not fun...