News Post

NHL 09 Hands-on (IGN)

09:15 PM - July 8, 2008 by metallidevils

IGN has posted their hands-on with NHL 09.

Quote:


	"Last year brought the revolutionary right analog stick-controlled shooting mechanic. Now EA Sports Vancouver is putting that same thinking towards defense. Chasing after the puck, slamming a guy into the boards and swooping in with your stick to regain possession worked swimmingly in the early build I played."

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

NHL 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 savoie2006 @ 07/08/08 09:30 PM

# 2 Flyermania @ 07/08/08 10:40 PM

Not-as-accurate passing is new and fantastic news! It sounds like pass accuracy will vary depending on the situation which is a good thing.

# 3 bad_philanthropy @ 07/08/08 11:40 PM

Yeah not as accurate passing as well as learning the balance of not being able to just skate full out with the puck on your stick is amazing, the puts an even greater emphasis on skating. This game is going to make us change how we play hockey games all over again just like last year. This is going to be a steep learning curve but I for one cannot wait.

# 4 Spanky @ 07/09/08 01:02 AM

Cool, I spotted a lot of throwback jerseys in the crowd on that defensive skill stick video:

-- Pittsburgh's power blue from the outdoor game and back/gold from the Mario era
-- Buffalo's original jersey
-- Vancouver's original (rink with stick in it logo) and the ugly black/gold V jersey
-- Toronto vintage Original 6
-- Islanders original
-- Flyers orange original
-- Oilers from Gretzky era (I think)
-- Atlanta Flames
-- Quebec Nordiques
-- Plus, Marty Turco was in a North Stars jersey, which is cool, since earlier versions of EA's game had the Wild using the North Stars throwbacks instead of the Stars (Doh!).

# 5 Qb @ 07/09/08 10:54 AM

Quote:


	Intercepting passes was also a rewarding experience on the off-chance I was able to position my stick in direct line with the puck. Aiding in this was the fact that passes are actually a little less accurate in this year's game. Based on the length of a pass and what's happening on the ice, the puck may not always find its target.

Hallelujah! If they also eliminated the automatic backwards skating, two of my biggest gameplay gripes will be cured...

# 6 mdgoalie37 @ 07/09/08 01:00 PM

If they take out edge clipping and have the guys actually get off the ice for line changes I will be happy.

# 7 Money99 @ 07/09/08 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyermania


	Not-as-accurate passing is new and fantastic news! It sounds like pass accuracy will vary depending on the situation which is a good thing.

My thoughts exactly.

Not only that, but with the promise that not every player can deke the same, hopefully each player will feel different as well.

I can't wait to hear what the E3 impressions are.

# 8 ChiTownKid @ 07/09/08 02:43 PM

Will the AI defend their own zone more aggressively? That's what I want to know. If I can continue to skate across the CPU's blue line without contest, then all the other improvements mean f***-all.

# 9 meh @ 07/09/08 03:37 PM

awesome - if they can really pull this off and better 08 than damn ill flip them �100 for the game

# 10 chia @ 07/09/08 03:44 PM

I'm not even a hockey fan (I know I could get blasted for that statement) but after reading about the improved Be-A-Pro mode I am eager to pick this game up on release day, it sounds freakin amazing!

# 11 kerosene31 @ 07/09/08 05:18 PM

It sounds like they are fixing two of my biggest problems from 08. Toning down pass accuracy should help the game play much better.

Defensive controls.... all I can say is FINALLY! NHL 08 was only half finished because they left out the entire defensive side of the game.

# 12 bucs44 @ 07/09/08 08:34 PM

yes...definitely adding D-fense to the game is a big plus...hopefully the hits are good..I enjoyed hitting in NHL 99/2000 on PC where the hits were size and physics based and glass would shake subtly adding to realism.
They should add individual goal horns for each team, edit music in arena, animated scoreboard, arena specific chants, audio-Blues drums,octopusses in Detroit,etc

More puck physics, less accurate passes depenedent on player rating ability and situation, more individual abilities and tendencies.

Cmon EA give it to us in August...

# 13 BigL @ 07/10/08 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTownKid


	Will the AI defend their own zone more aggressively? That's what I want to know. If I can continue to skate across the CPU's blue line without contest, then all the other improvements mean f*-all.

You pretty much nailed it. NHL 08 made great strides last year, but was overrated in my book because defensively the game was still lacking by both your own AI and your AI opponent. It was sitll way to easy to break out of your zone, break centerice and the AI put up no resistance at the blue line.

If EA can improve the defense, add more boardwork deep in the corners then NHL 09 will be a fabulous game.

# 14 ohyeahbaby123 @ 07/10/08 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigL


	You pretty much nailed it. NHL 08 made great strides last year, but was overrated in my book because defensively the game was still lacking by both your own AI and your AI opponent. It was sitll way to easy to break out of your zone, break centerice and the AI put up no resistance at the blue line. If EA can improve the defense, add more boardwork deep in the corners then NHL 09 will be a fabulous game.

Great Post.

More Links

NHL 09 Hands-on (IGN)