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NHL 09 Preview

02:39 PM - June 11, 2008 by Steve_OS

Last month Operation Sports visited the EA Canada studio in Vancouver, British Columbia. We sat down and listened to what NHL 09 Line Producer, David Littman, had to tell us about the game. We were impressed.

Patrick Williams has put together a very in depth preview of NHL 09.

Quote:


	"For the third year in a row on the next gen consoles the skill stick has evolved to include more of a dynamic factor in the offensive and now defensive game. Skilled players have more control this season. These players can try to deke around defenders and goalies alike, but must be aware that sticks and skates are truly and totally interactive this year. Such an example is Cup winner Pavel Datsyuk coming in one on one with a goalie and cutting one way as he drags the puck with one hand on the end of his stick around the goalie for a nice slide in style goal."

Game: NHL 09Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 47 - View All

NHL 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 Splitter77 @ 06/16/08 09:12 AM

I understand the periods cant be changed by minutes again this year.
How about playoff and season mode?
Is that in the game this season?

# 42 mkharsh33 @ 06/16/08 09:26 AM

ea sports...if it's in the game its...

# 43 Money99 @ 06/16/08 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianlast


	True enough...but one of the things I loved about NHLPA '93 is that, if you had some plug rated in the 30s or 20s (the then-expansion Lightning and Sens had several in the 10s and single-digits ) out on the ice, you were forced to play more conservatively. You knew Mike Peluso and Link Gaetz would never score, so your best bet was to just hang back with these guys, and maybe pick some fights. With NHL 08, for all its great gameplay, I just never get that feeling. I play with the Wild alot, and I never feel that having Derek Boogaard out on the ice is a liability (which it is in real life). Heck, I've even scored some goals with him, just parking his fat *** in front of the net and feeding him a one-timer. In real life, Derek Boogaard is too ungainly to even keep up with the play and get in a position like this, much less fire off a onetime shot.

That's one area that NHL2K8 blows 08 out of the water.
Skating with a no-talent goon, compared to someone like Gaborik is night and day. It forces you to play a completely different style when lesser players are on the ice.

And I believe I did read somewhere that the PA has blocked any NHL player from being rated a certain mark.

# 44 Jgainsey @ 06/16/08 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	That's one area that NHL2K8 blows 08 out of the water. Skating with a no-talent goon, compared to someone like Gaborik is night and day. It forces you to play a completely different style when lesser players are on the ice. And I believe I did read somewhere that the PA has blocked any NHL player from being rated a certain mark.

If that's true it's a load of crap. What, are they afraid some rookie is gonna have his feelings hurt? Who are they to tell them how low to rate the players anyway? Besides, It's all relative to the way the game is programmed. If they were to design the game to play realistically with players rated all the way from 0 to 100 they shouldn't be able to tell EA otherwise. Anyways, that's how I feel about that... lol.

# 45 catcatch22 @ 06/16/08 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitter77


	i remember there were players ranked in the 30s in nhl 92 and 93 for sega. Thats why those games were so damn good.

No disrespect but I don't want to play NHL 92 and 93. Ratings has nothing to do with the game its the game itself that has to adjusted.

If they came out with nhl 92 and 93 now it would be universaly crowned the worst game in years!

# 46 phillyfan23 @ 06/16/08 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baa7


	Nope, CPU cheats above Pro.

nah, superstar level never cheated me.

# 47 phillyfan23 @ 06/17/08 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	no no it doesn't, It adapts to what you do, learns, and changes its plays and strategies over the course of a game. If I can go on a 10 game win streak with sim settings on superstar, ie shot accuracy 1, shot power 2, and the cpu learing and aggression maxed etc., the ai is certainly not cheating. Littman has even said numerous times that there is zero catch up logic in 08. Some people just refuse to adapt and change their strategy when the ai learns to shut them down. Dump it in and forecheck, play solid defense, (yes I realize its difficult but it CAN be done) and don't just skate into the zone and shoot or one timer it, work it around, make some create a plays etc and switch it up. It also drives me crazy when people complain about the scoring in the game, I get varied goal totals for both user and cpu, my last 4 games were a 2-0 loss, a 3-1 win, a 5-2 win, and a 4-1 win. I've had games where the cpu blows me out 5-0, games where I'm down 2 goals in the 3rd and tie it to go to overtime or a shootout. I honestly believe the people who have such a hard time scoring aren't looking or making good scoring chances happen. Look for a screen to develop, crash the net after a point shot, throw an extra toe drag in your deke, all viable ways to score that work.

great post realm....

gamers are a fickle bunch.....it's hard to be a sports developper these days. You make the hardest level too easy like it is in the show people complain....now nhl 08 comes out and gives us the PERFECT difficulty where you need to learn the game to succeed...people will automatically bash the game because the cpu cheats....

some people just can't accept the fact that a human made A.I can dominate them in sports games.

# 48 catcatch22 @ 06/17/08 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baa7


	Get of the pedestal, please. My god, what flaming rubbish, LOL.

It's not rubbish, there are some people who are at a certain skill level and can handle the supposed cheating AI. While their are others such as yourself who refuses to play better when the AI falls behind and tries to score.

When I fall behind I do the same, take more shots be more aggressive, change my strategy to be less defense and more offense. That is what the AI does. You see it when you score and take a 2 goal lead, the AI changes it's strategy to aggressive or all out attack in order to get back in the game. This is your cue to clog up the middle and play aggressive D in your zone.

Unfortunately most people just don't want to adjust.

# 49 bad_philanthropy @ 06/17/08 03:36 PM

I never got the feeling of the cpu cheating in NHL on superstar (with my frame of reference coming from EA football games). I have played countless games and just don't see any of the overpowered cpu goalies, AI cheating, etc... that I've heard others complaining of on this board. I think once you figure out how to read and react to the cpu it is pretty easy to dominate possession with most teams in the game, and once you figure out the puck possession and skating aspect of the game it becomes pretty simple to set up effective scoring plays.

I also don't find it that difficult to play defense in the game despite the controls being somewhat lacking, it's all about anticipation and making sure you don't allow the cpu to have good possession in the offensive zone. Kill the cpu's offense off the rush by backchecking and forcing the opposition into a low percentage play with good body position.

Basically I feel the same way as the other guys who made posts similar to mine.

# 50 ianlast @ 06/17/08 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	I also don't find it that difficult to play defense in the game despite the controls being somewhat lacking, it's all about anticipation and making sure you don't allow the cpu to have good possession in the offensive zone. Kill the cpu's offense off the rush by backchecking and forcing the opposition into a low percentage play with good body position.

Backchecking is the key, IMO. I rarely take control of my defensemen unless it's along the boards, and I know I can rub the CPU attacker out. Although defensive controls may be lacking, it's still pretty hard for the CPU to get good penetration when you line up 4 guys across the blueline.

Biggest thing to avoid is stupidly forechecking; you have to know how and when to forecheck.

# 51 Cardot @ 06/22/08 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgalv


	the thing is, it works both ways, but the people complaing about it only see it when it works against them. the computer plays flat out stupid in the last minute of the game. i can't count the number of times i've needed a goal and all of a sudden the computer defense plays overaggresive and parts like the red sea for a breakaway. or after a goal scored against you, you win the faceoff, pass it to your winger and the defenseman on that side stupidly steps up and lets you cut to the middle and walk in all alone to tie the game up again.

So you're saying there is infact catch up logic...in favor of the human?

Having participated in many of these "Catch Up Logic" dicussions across multiple games and sports, I have come to the conclussion that perspective is driven by skill level....as some here have already hinted at.

The most skillful players can handle it when the CPU steps it up a notch. I am not all that skilled at video game hockey, and no offense, but I can't say it is a major life ambition of mine. I just play for fun, and I am quite content at a medium to lower levels.

But as much as I liked the game, the number of late goals by the CPU AND myself (especially the blue line floaters) did eventually become predictable and caused me to lose interest in playing.

# 52 ohyeahbaby123 @ 06/22/08 09:58 PM

My Question: I know that we can play dump and chase this year, but will the AI force us too? I mean, what is the point of playing dump and chase if you can just skate into the zone untouched?

# 53 catcatch22 @ 06/22/08 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgalv


	the cpu plays more aggresively at the end of the game, on offense and defense. and if you are unwilling to adjust your game then you will get caught up on. i don't see how it's unrealistic or bad.

I think what Cardot is trying to say is that in NHL 08, for the intermediate player there is no pick up and play kind of feel. The learning curve is too steep after pro. Since pro is too easy, the amount of energy needed to be successful in the game is far more then what many would like to invest.

Which is unfortunate cause if you have the energy to invest in it, it is a great game. The game is very skill based with not enough "team/coach/strategic" play involved on the defensive side.

However that has been the form with most hockey games. I think they should go a bit more in depth in giving us more defensive strategies and make the user team play out those strategies more and better.

# 54 kerosene31 @ 06/23/08 11:55 PM

People really think that the AI in NHL 08 doesn't cheat on higher levels? Puck magnet anyone? The lack of defensive controls are only part of the problem. You knock the puck away and it magically hits a CPU player perfectly in stride like 90% of the time. You just have to keep trying over and over and chasing until you get it.

I don't think there is catch-up logic though, I just think that defense is too hard. The CPU can score anytime, and they press hard when down. You can't just sit back and let them come at you or you get killed, so you go into their zone and play puck control to win.

I really hope they can make this a little more fair in 09. 1 on 1 battles are crucial in hockey.

BTW, all sports games have cheating AI.

# 55 Jgainsey @ 06/24/08 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyeahbaby123


	My Question: I know that we can play dump and chase this year, but will the AI force us too? I mean, what is the point of playing dump and chase if you can just skate into the zone untouched?

Good question. I would like to think that at the higher difficulty levels you would be forced to. Well.. depending on the defense you're playing against. Some lines on certain teams will give you the zone depending on the circumstance. But hopefully the AI will be forcing up to dump and chase and dig the puck out of the boards at a realistic level.

Btw, if you guys want to argue about catch up logic then why don't you start your own thread or bring back one of the dozen or so threads that already have pages upon pages of this argument. Maybe it's just me but it's getting kind of old. It's like you guys are arguing about politics. Certain people here believe that the game has catch up logic while others don't. I haven't seen to many people change their minds.

# 56 ianlast @ 06/24/08 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerosene31


	BTW, all sports games have cheating AI.

Okay...you're right to some extent, all sports games, at higher difficulty levels, will be programmed to grant the CPU opponent advantages in certain AI aspects or gameplay mechanics. But you know what it's called when CPU and human are on equal footing in this regard? Rookie level. It's going to be several years before AI can be programmed that will consistently outsmart a human opponent. Thus these advantages need to be granted.

IMO, the best games are the ones that give advantages to the CPU in areas that human opponents traditionally exploit. Madden 2005 is a perfect example of this...football glitchers almost always exploit on offense (this has become less true in recent years, what with nano-blitzing and such); Madden 05 had insane advantages for the CPU on D, albeit there were some odd areas you could still take advantage of.

Although the puck retention by the CPU in NHL 08 might get frustrating...this is the first NHL game I've ever played where I haven't completely dominated in the 'time on attack' column. So, hey, I'm not complaining.

# 57 tabulaRasa @ 06/24/08 05:07 AM

Like the additions, except more skillstick stuff, the skillstick in 08 is overpowerfull. Funny to see they add things that have been in 2k for years....

# 58 tabulaRasa @ 06/24/08 05:53 AM

EA has never had all the features 2k had, next gen or old gen. Seperate line changes now? Goalie interference? Old! Oh well, good to see EA finally add it. But alas, as a old 2k guy, most things have been in the competetions game for years. NHL08 was a good game, but the momentum shifts needs to be taken away or fixed, the skillstick needs to be in relation to the skills of the players on ice, Checking shouldn�t be homing, goalies playing the puck should be less accurate, goalies need more dynamic movement, less money goals please, post hits! Still to many, auto line change needs to be smarter, interference calls needs to be better.

# 59 kerosene31 @ 06/24/08 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	In all honesty aside from floppy goalies and board pinning there really wasn't much difference between 2k8 and 08 imo features wise.

Also:

-Regular season mode, including fantasy draft (why does every EA Sports game skip this?)
-Effective sliders
-Many more controls (zone dumps, etc)
-Other game modes (2 on 2 pond hockey with no rules would be a blast in 08)
-Timely roster updates

Not that 2k8 wasn't a total disaster this year.

I could actually like 08 if there were some sliders to reduce the perfect pass accuracy and slow the game down to a realistic pace. I doubt EA will allow us to customize the game like that though, for some reason EA wants you to play the game one way and only one way.

# 60 kerosene31 @ 06/24/08 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	The whole tons and tons of sliders thing is a double edged sword really. In the case of NHL2k who really wants to tweak 30 different sliders just to try and make the game play sim? I'm sure its not completely impossible, and the idea that the're available for those who want to do that sort of thing is fine by me, don't take me the wrong way, I just don't want to spend hours messing around with sliders. Been there, done that, burned the Tshirt.The sliders in 08 feel pretty sim to me for the most part really. shrug -Timely roster updates er um you're joking right? Did they actually even release a roster update after the trade deadline this year?

2k8 did sliders perfectly. They had different presets for sim hockey or more arcade-ish hockey. EA could do this so easily so that people who wanted a more sim-like game could.

You don't need to spend hours tweaking sliders. You play the game and find something that is a little off and tweak a slider here and there.

Bottom line is none of us will ever agree what a sim hockey game should be (obviously), so why not give the users individual control? In EA when I don't like something, I'm stuck. If I could make passing less accurate, I probably would be a huge 08 fan like everyone else.

The perfect passing means there is little play in the neutral zone and nothing to breaking out of your own zone (unless you have a guy on top of you). 2k7 actually made you think while breaking out of the zone, and forcing you to actually circle back just like in real life. Little things like that are what EA lacks.

As for rosters, 2k8 had a roster update out the day the game hit stores, then one more after that long before EA had any kind of roster update. IIRC it took months for EA to get any kind of roster update out. How are you supposed to start a franchise when half the summer free agent moves aren't in the game?

Anyway, hopefully both games can improve considerably. 2k9 needs a totally new skating engine and the AI there took a huge step back. EA needs some sliders and a REGULAR season mode.

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