06:04 AM - September 3, 2008 by stahre News Post
06:04 AM - September 3, 2008 by stahre
NHL 09 Videos
Member Comments
# 61
kerosene31 @ 09/04/08 06:04 PM
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09 is improved in this area. Sometimes my hatred for Fifa spills out onto NHL unfairly.
Overall they have a decent balance to the game.
# 62
phillyfan23 @ 09/04/08 07:16 PM
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There was no score at will cheat either. Just because some people don't agree with you, please do not doubt their honesty/integrity by saying they are in denial. I never had any trouble taking the puck away from the cpu last year....NEVER...is it because I have better poke checking skills than you ? maybe/maybe not.....I put checking power all the way down and poke check success all the way up. So maybe those sliders were the key, since I didn't depend on hits for defense I got good enough with the stick checking it was on equal ground with the cpu. I don't know....bottom line is I never had any problems of AI cheating.
I played on superstar last year too and though I thought the game was difficult, I never thought I was cheated by the AI for loose pucks or in speed. Could it have been there? Sure. Did I notice it? Nope.
I'm really surprised at how much they have improved the game since last year.
BAP mode is going to be really addictive, I played it twice with each team and I had to stop as it was really fun and addicting.. had that one more period feel to it.
Playing against the CPU the game felt so much better, game speed is toned down and is perfect, imo.. shots are not as accurate, although still too many hitting the post... a VERY WIDE VARIETY of goals so far, goalie animations are excellent, hitting is a tad over the top, but better.. new controls are excellent..
I can finally play on AS and feel like I can play defense!!! Had more breakaways which means speed has been tweaked.. overall, I'm really liking the demo quite a bit.
Both hockey games have been pre-ordered and paid for.
BAP mode is going to be really addictive, I played it twice with each team and I had to stop as it was really fun and addicting.. had that one more period feel to it.
Playing against the CPU the game felt so much better, game speed is toned down and is perfect, imo.. shots are not as accurate, although still too many hitting the post... a VERY WIDE VARIETY of goals so far, goalie animations are excellent, hitting is a tad over the top, but better.. new controls are excellent..
I can finally play on AS and feel like I can play defense!!! Had more breakaways which means speed has been tweaked.. overall, I'm really liking the demo quite a bit.
Both hockey games have been pre-ordered and paid for.
# 65
ohyeahbaby123 @ 09/04/08 10:21 PM
I actually did it. I just flip dumped a puck into the net
. Hopefully that was a rare occurrence though.
. Hopefully that was a rare occurrence though.
I played NHL 08 a ton...09 is better but it still seems too mechanical to me. 08 felt the same way but I figured this would decrease as the series went forward....no such luck.
The AI defense reacts like a synchronized swimming team on the ice....just too robotic.
Don't get me wrong it is an OK game but I feel like I'm solving an algebraic equation when trying to score.....everything is premeditated in this series....very little spontenaity. I played 08 on SS level and did well scoring btw so I understand how to play this series.
Hopefully 09 will give us a few more breakaways than 08 where they were almost non-existant.
Finally I really wish EA would overhaul the cameras....they are tired. People rave about the graphics but you are too far away or too close to notice while playing. They really need a camera that is lower and closer than the Ice view......2k's hockey game on the Dreamcast got this right 10 years ago so I don't know why we are stuck with these.
Hockey is a fast paced game where you need to react on the fly....here's to hoping more of this spontaneous feel is incorporated in the final version than the methodical chess match that was 08 and is demo 09
ohiost
The AI defense reacts like a synchronized swimming team on the ice....just too robotic.
Don't get me wrong it is an OK game but I feel like I'm solving an algebraic equation when trying to score.....everything is premeditated in this series....very little spontenaity. I played 08 on SS level and did well scoring btw so I understand how to play this series.
Hopefully 09 will give us a few more breakaways than 08 where they were almost non-existant.
Finally I really wish EA would overhaul the cameras....they are tired. People rave about the graphics but you are too far away or too close to notice while playing. They really need a camera that is lower and closer than the Ice view......2k's hockey game on the Dreamcast got this right 10 years ago so I don't know why we are stuck with these.
Hockey is a fast paced game where you need to react on the fly....here's to hoping more of this spontaneous feel is incorporated in the final version than the methodical chess match that was 08 and is demo 09
ohiost
There is some lag on cut screens and such (360), while in no ways a game killer, I hope that's fixed in the retail verison.
# 68
kerosene31 @ 09/04/08 11:03 PM
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I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
Whatever. Sorry you can't look at the game objectively. Every game needs to cheat. 2k, PES, EA, they all cheat. No $60 game is going to have an AI to beat you fairly. It isn't possible.
# 69
kerosene31 @ 09/04/08 11:52 PM
Played some more games. More opinions (sorry I just suck at the game, or whatever) 
Pros:
-The magic keep away game from 08 is gone. You can't just play keep away from the CPU or vice versa all game long. 09 plays a lot nicer in this regard. You still set up plays, but you can't keep the puck in the zone for 10 minutes straight. The improved passing plus better D controls work really well together. The one-timers are toned down. You still see pressure at times, but it is more realistic (not every play)
-You have to move the puck side to side to get out of the zone and through the neutral zone. I think you could actually play a trap and be effective causing turnovers.
-Shooting is improved. A little less accurate overall. I still think they could make it even less accurate, but a move in the right direction.
-I'm more impressed with the CPU defense than before. At first they seemed a little passive, but they come after you fairly well. You can still do the spin around move along the boards every time though. The AI does not ever seem to adapt to that. You can't generate consistent chances from that though. I'm really interested in seeing different teams play.
-Play along the boards is much improved. Not perfect yet, but the dump and chase seems to actually work pretty well. You dump in and force the D to turn their backs to you and drive in.
Cons:
-The goalies worry me on all-star. No matter what team I play, my goalie gives up terrible goals on long shots. I switch teams and the other goalie does the same thing. Hopefully this is what they talked about fixing in the final version.
-Rebounds - for those getting good garbage goals... I'm not seeing them. All I see is a weird rebound that comes off the goalie at a 90 degree angle. A puck hit Fleury straight in the crest and flew off along the goal line for an easy goal. I see this happening a lot. I'm just not seeing loose pucks in the crease. Is anyone else? I'm trying to fire low, hard shots.
-The animations for your player are definitely slower than the CPU. The CPU can clearly do things you can't. You can adjust to it of course. Like I said before with the skating, it seems more floaty and you end up moving around more. Liked 08 better in this aspect. Not sure why it is different. It is more like 2k8 (which I didn't like at all) where you have to make these bigger circles to move. I thought 08 was a lot tighter than that. Even with vision control you can't stay in a tight circle.
Overall:
-The game isn't 100% sim by any means, but the more I play the more I am enjoying it. Remember too that I only play offline, so these CPU issues stand out more. For those who play online, you probably don't see most of these things at all.
Pros:
-The magic keep away game from 08 is gone. You can't just play keep away from the CPU or vice versa all game long. 09 plays a lot nicer in this regard. You still set up plays, but you can't keep the puck in the zone for 10 minutes straight. The improved passing plus better D controls work really well together. The one-timers are toned down. You still see pressure at times, but it is more realistic (not every play)
-You have to move the puck side to side to get out of the zone and through the neutral zone. I think you could actually play a trap and be effective causing turnovers.
-Shooting is improved. A little less accurate overall. I still think they could make it even less accurate, but a move in the right direction.
-I'm more impressed with the CPU defense than before. At first they seemed a little passive, but they come after you fairly well. You can still do the spin around move along the boards every time though. The AI does not ever seem to adapt to that. You can't generate consistent chances from that though. I'm really interested in seeing different teams play.
-Play along the boards is much improved. Not perfect yet, but the dump and chase seems to actually work pretty well. You dump in and force the D to turn their backs to you and drive in.
Cons:
-The goalies worry me on all-star. No matter what team I play, my goalie gives up terrible goals on long shots. I switch teams and the other goalie does the same thing. Hopefully this is what they talked about fixing in the final version.
-Rebounds - for those getting good garbage goals... I'm not seeing them. All I see is a weird rebound that comes off the goalie at a 90 degree angle. A puck hit Fleury straight in the crest and flew off along the goal line for an easy goal. I see this happening a lot. I'm just not seeing loose pucks in the crease. Is anyone else? I'm trying to fire low, hard shots.
-The animations for your player are definitely slower than the CPU. The CPU can clearly do things you can't. You can adjust to it of course. Like I said before with the skating, it seems more floaty and you end up moving around more. Liked 08 better in this aspect. Not sure why it is different. It is more like 2k8 (which I didn't like at all) where you have to make these bigger circles to move. I thought 08 was a lot tighter than that. Even with vision control you can't stay in a tight circle.
Overall:
-The game isn't 100% sim by any means, but the more I play the more I am enjoying it. Remember too that I only play offline, so these CPU issues stand out more. For those who play online, you probably don't see most of these things at all.
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I saw a goal tonight where the puck just sat there for a bit and a few seconds after the stick did its motion, the puck finally went forward and into the net. Looked really odd...
# 72
phillyfan23 @ 09/05/08 01:16 AM
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I disagree....the game keeps up with me because they do have good AI logic and me the user isn't perfect. Sometimes I use bad strategy, sometimes I take chances that I don't need to take which result in goals, etc.
I'm looking at the game very objectively, but since I differ in opinion with you....automatically I am in denial...and you're right
ironic you use the term "objective"
# 73
kerosene31 @ 09/05/08 01:43 AM
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My point is the way the CPU cheats can be annoying. The more I play, the "puck magnet" from 08 doesn't seem to be there in 09 now that I have the D controls down. The poke is much more effective when you use the button and right stick.
The turning and accelerating thing is there, but not bad really.
Playing more tonight the one thing that gets me, is my player reacts slowly sometimes. That's what really gets me. The puck is right near your player and you move to get it and it seems to take forever sometimes relative to the other players on the ice. I wish the animations were quicker. I don't really know how to describe it.
Anyway, the game is growing on me after some initial letdown. You can actually play D in the zone now and have fun with it.
# 74
bad_philanthropy @ 09/05/08 02:07 AM
I don't see the cheating. The cpu adjusts their strategies to become very aggressive. You see it all the time when teams are down but get some mometum and start to get really aggressive. What about last year when Montreal came back against the Rangers after being down live five goals? Or when Toronto came back being down 3-0 in the third period against Philly to win the game? Was that due to comeback AI? I've found that in the past two NHL releases on NG if you make adjustments it's really not all that difficult to defend.
After I figured 08 out I didn't think it was difficult at all, I still lost some games but it was usually due to me making some mistakes and getting down early. Rarely did I have a team come back for a win against me. There is no comeback AI in the game, it isn't like the EA football games where you know that you are destined throw a pick or fumble the ball at a certain point.
After I figured 08 out I didn't think it was difficult at all, I still lost some games but it was usually due to me making some mistakes and getting down early. Rarely did I have a team come back for a win against me. There is no comeback AI in the game, it isn't like the EA football games where you know that you are destined throw a pick or fumble the ball at a certain point.
I loved this demo! I especially like the checking...lot's of fun!
Not a big hockey fan so I may hold off a bit before I go out and buy it. Knowing EA, there will be some kind of bug that will hamper the game for the first month or so, anyway.
Not a big hockey fan so I may hold off a bit before I go out and buy it. Knowing EA, there will be some kind of bug that will hamper the game for the first month or so, anyway.
Did you guys know that you can play as the goalie through position lock in the demo? You can't get the goalie mode camera in regular play (you can in the SO), so it's far from ideal, but if you use the Action camera focused on the goalie (hit the back button) it's doable. If you go to the starting lineups screen and press X (360, square on PS3?) once, it will lock you onto the 'tender.
I was BAD at goaltending in 08 and I didn't do much of it aside from in shootouts, so I'm not the best judge of it. But it feels a little smoother to me and the post-hugging animation is better and seems to kick in automatically more appropriately. If someone who can actually play the position were to try, I'm sure they can give you a better impression of it...
I was BAD at goaltending in 08 and I didn't do much of it aside from in shootouts, so I'm not the best judge of it. But it feels a little smoother to me and the post-hugging animation is better and seems to kick in automatically more appropriately. If someone who can actually play the position were to try, I'm sure they can give you a better impression of it...
idk if anyone mentioned this yet, but during a break in play it showed the crowd doing the wave!
I hope they fix the camera angle for the goalie in shootout. Playing against a friend last nite, you could not see the goalie if the skater goes too far left or right, you have no control of the goalie since you can't even see the puck coming in.
Quick initial impressions. Probably nothing different than what's already been posted.
Anyway, very similar to 08, which is good thing, since there's always a concern with EA that they could screw up a good thing.
1. Speed is slower, but more realistic. You're not zipping from one end of the ice to the other as much as 08.
2. More defensive emphasis making it harder to score. Will require more practice for average players like me, perhaps slider adjustments or starting off on easier setting. But I like it.
3. Jerseys look a little different, can't put my finger on it, but I noticed it right away. They look even better than last year, which looked great.
4. Someone mentioned the lighting looks different than last year, but I'm not seeing that. Game still looks bright with vivid colors. A visual masterpiece. Makes 2k9 look like a last-gen game.
5. More players look like real-life counterparts, though they still need to work on some. On the Wings, for example, they nailed Lilja, of all people, but Filppula and Kronwall don't look like they do in real life.
6. Passes not as automatic, which is a good thing.
7. Shots seem slower. Again, a good thing, as you don't have quite the arcade feel that 08 had, though I enjoyed that as well.
8. Still need to get used to the button controls for lifting stick, poke checks, sweeping stick, but that will come with time, making the game more enjoyable.
9. Love the close-up cut-scenes. They were good last year, hope they added more this year. Really looking forward to seeing all those throwback and alternate jersey close-ups in HD.
Based on the demo, it's safe to say this will be a Day 1 purchase. Unlike football games, where there's so many intracacies, many that can go unnoticed until you spend some time with the full version, I can't imagine there being any game-killing bugs in the full version of NHL if they're not detected in the demo. At least not in the game play. Franchise could be a different story, so we'll have to wait and see about that.
But games like this really justify the existence and the purchase of next-gen systems, after the disappointing football efforts EA has given us thus far. It's nice to see how competition can push a development team to put out the best effort possible.
Anyway, very similar to 08, which is good thing, since there's always a concern with EA that they could screw up a good thing.
1. Speed is slower, but more realistic. You're not zipping from one end of the ice to the other as much as 08.
2. More defensive emphasis making it harder to score. Will require more practice for average players like me, perhaps slider adjustments or starting off on easier setting. But I like it.
3. Jerseys look a little different, can't put my finger on it, but I noticed it right away. They look even better than last year, which looked great.
4. Someone mentioned the lighting looks different than last year, but I'm not seeing that. Game still looks bright with vivid colors. A visual masterpiece. Makes 2k9 look like a last-gen game.
5. More players look like real-life counterparts, though they still need to work on some. On the Wings, for example, they nailed Lilja, of all people, but Filppula and Kronwall don't look like they do in real life.
6. Passes not as automatic, which is a good thing.
7. Shots seem slower. Again, a good thing, as you don't have quite the arcade feel that 08 had, though I enjoyed that as well.
8. Still need to get used to the button controls for lifting stick, poke checks, sweeping stick, but that will come with time, making the game more enjoyable.
9. Love the close-up cut-scenes. They were good last year, hope they added more this year. Really looking forward to seeing all those throwback and alternate jersey close-ups in HD.
Based on the demo, it's safe to say this will be a Day 1 purchase. Unlike football games, where there's so many intracacies, many that can go unnoticed until you spend some time with the full version, I can't imagine there being any game-killing bugs in the full version of NHL if they're not detected in the demo. At least not in the game play. Franchise could be a different story, so we'll have to wait and see about that.
But games like this really justify the existence and the purchase of next-gen systems, after the disappointing football efforts EA has given us thus far. It's nice to see how competition can push a development team to put out the best effort possible.
# 80
kerosene31 @ 09/06/08 11:16 AM
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Are you controlling the goalie? If not, then how do we "suck" exactly if the CPU controls the goalie?
My last few games, I've had a floater go in in the first 2 minutes of the period. I come back and win, as I'm getting pretty decent on all-star, but I can't overlook these things.
If I play Detroit, Osgood is a sieve. If I play Pitt, he turns into Hasek in his prime.
Just because we can outscore the CPU, doesn't mean it isn't annoying. Do I need to start diving in front of shots on the blueline to play D?
Do people even understand what we're saying? I'm still winning the game most of the time (or tying if I run out of time). Just because you win the game doesn't mean there isn't a problem.
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