News Post

NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

05:12 PM - August 19, 2008 by RaychelSnr

As we continue our series of previews this week, Chase Becotte checks in with a look at EA Sports' newest hockey title NHL 09 in his hands-on preview.

Quote:


	"The NHL 09 team isn�t falling into a trap this year, even though, according to EA, NHL 08 won something like seven sports game of the year awards in 2008. Before I recently got my hands on the game though, I�ll be honest and say I was a little bit worried about NHL 09. As remarkable as some of the new online features sounded, the gameplay didn�t look that different in videos. It still seemed to be based around dishing up the wing, skating in, and firing on helpless goaltenders who would inevitably be facing a barrage of shots for the entirety of the game. You�d think at this point I would know better than to assume things before getting hands-on time with a game."

NHL 09 screenshot gallery - Click to view

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 mudtiger @ 08/19/08 05:21 PM

Sounds good! Bring on the demo!

# 2 rellix1 @ 08/19/08 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudtiger


	Sounds good! Bring on the demo!

yar!

# 3 Flyermania @ 08/19/08 05:38 PM

I can't wait to try this game. They really seem to have fine-tuned a great game in all the right ways with the defensive control additions. I continue to be amazed at how this development team refuses to rest on their laurels, and instead strives to improve this fantastic title.

# 4 Diehardfan @ 08/19/08 05:45 PM

"It also seems like goalies may still have a tough time stopping the dreaded fly-across-the-crease-and-flip-it-up-high-top-shelf maneuver -- a tactic that has been effective since the inception of EA�s NHL series."

If its executed correctly, show me an NHL goalie who stops this regularly. Only gripe I have, is that in EA's game its executed correctly WAY too easily.

# 5 mudtiger @ 08/19/08 05:51 PM

Very true. Why doesn't this happen in real hockey more? Because you get punished physically for doing it. In game there is no fear of actual injury or simulated injury, so just repeat ad nauseum.

# 6 ChaseB @ 08/19/08 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diehardfan


	"It also seems like goalies may still have a tough time stopping the dreaded fly-across-the-crease-and-flip-it-up-high-top-shelf maneuver -- a tactic that has been effective since the inception of EA�s NHL series." If its executed correctly, show me an NHL goalie who stops this regularly. Only gripe I have, is that in EA's game its executed correctly WAY too easily.

I just don't like that it's so easy to flip it up high all the time.

# 7 ChaseB @ 08/19/08 09:40 PM

I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't let a few negative things that I say tarnish an overall impressive game -- at least from what I've played so far.

# 8 Ruffy @ 08/19/08 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't let a few negative things that I say tarnish an overall impressive game -- at least from what I've played so far.

Sounds good and now with being able to swing your stick down on d you can block this pass or at least interfere with it.

The goalies need an AI boost to poke away that pass most of the time.

Hopefully the goalies are just tougher in general as id love to have tons of trouble scoring goals without substsained pressure...

Lets hear about the PP and the PK??

# 9 teebee @ 08/20/08 01:38 AM

Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say

Same game for the past 15 years

# 10 theblueprint @ 08/20/08 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebeebee1


	Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say Same game for the past 15 years

# 11 ChaseB @ 08/20/08 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebeebee1


	Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say Same game for the past 15 years

Teebs just trying to antagonize like usual.

# 12 Money99 @ 08/20/08 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	Teebs just trying to antagonize like usual.

To say the least.
His statement only proves that he hasn't played an EA hockey game in quite some time.
I'll fully admit that a lot of their games on last-gen have felt the same.
But in my opinion, NHL2004, NHL07 and NHL08 have felt so different from previous games, you can tell they were developed by a different crew.

# 13 ChaseB @ 08/20/08 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	To say the least. His statement only proves that he hasn't played an EA hockey game in quite some time. I'll fully admit that a lot of their games on last-gen have felt the same. But in my opinion, NHL2004, NHL07 and NHL08 have felt so different from previous games, you can tell they were developed by a different crew.

You'll come to understand Teebs humor in time. He and I played NHL a bunch this year actually, he just tries to toy with people when he thinks they're being ridiculous about stuff -- aka getting down on a game after one or two negative things were said.

# 14 DJ @ 08/20/08 12:07 PM

I'm still playing 2k7 and really enjoy that game, but I must admit that NHL 09 has me intrigued. I tried 08 last year and liked the feel of the controls, but never made the purchase.

# 15 mercalnd @ 08/20/08 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbrandon


	I wonder if there will be more penalties this year? Another EA week point.

Penalties were pretty good in 08. They lacked variety but with 10 minute periods you got a lot of games with a realistic amount of penalties. 5 or 6 PPs per side.

# 16 kerosene31 @ 08/20/08 12:44 PM

Penalties are really bad in the real NHL too. How can EA get it right when the NHL still can't figure out what a penalty is?

An interference call in October turns into a "good hit" in April.

# 17 Qb @ 08/20/08 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercalnd


	Penalties were pretty good in 08. They lacked variety but with 10 minute periods you got a lot of games with a realistic amount of penalties. 5 or 6 PPs per side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerosene31


	Penalties are really bad in the real NHL too. How can EA get it right when the NHL still can't figure out what a penalty is? An interference call in October turns into a "good hit" in April.

Have to agree with both of these points. It sounds like they've added some variety to the types of penalties that can occur. I know I can't wait to get that first major for boarding Danny Briere!

# 18 buzzguy @ 08/20/08 04:32 PM

They should focus on the important issues. Like whether or not Gerber has a straight-black mask this year!

Anyway, just reading this makes me want to go play some 08 RIGHT FREAKIN' NOW!

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NHL 09 Hands-On Preview