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NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

06:53 AM - November 11, 2008 by bad_philanthropy

Quote:


	Changes from the EA boards http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread....61380&tstart=0 The patch has been released! Quick re-cap of what it is covering: The jersey on the EASHL side select screen is more visible than the team logo. This will make it easier for people to see when jersey colors clash Deking controls normal when shooting downscreen with "Always Up" controls Checking has been tuned so you will see less big hits from guys that aren't traditionally known for hitting Less CPU AI one-timers Increased the height of dump ins, for a better dump and chase game. No more goals from flip dumps Better CPU AI logic near offensive blueline so they don't go off-sides as much CPU goalie will not drag the puck back toward himself in a shootout We have fixed the goals from outside shots that people are scoring. We have reduced shot accuracy when on the rush and when turning quickly, and from far out. You will now have to be more conservative when shooting on the rush. If you aim all the way to the left or right, your shot will go wide a lot more. Try aiming more towards the middle to hit the net from outside. This fixes the cross goal where you shoot back the other way, and the goal that goes in with the "curve" animation, and a few others. There's a reason NHL players don't shoot from outside on the rush very often. Dumping or trying to set up is a better play unless you have an odd-man situation. We reduced the time it took to get control of the goalie by 1/3. When line changes are set to auto, and a user changes lines/defense manually between whistles, the line/defensive pair you asked for will come out (or stay out). If you have line changes off in Be a Pro, line change player chatter will be turned off. When using a defenseman in BAP, BAP player won't get stuck on the bench and will be able to call for change The EASHL will now go to continuous 5v5 overtime until one team scores. This way nobody has to sit out, and you get to decide who wins (this is now just like the NHL Play-offs) The proper own-goal cut scene will be shown where the player who scored on himself is upset. All cut scenes should now show players sitting in their respective team's bench. Increase AI team aggressiveness and the likelihood of them getting called for a penalty on an infraction. If Vision Control is pressed, you do not throw a hit when in front of the attacking net. This helps with rebound shots. Increase the likelihood of a penalty if the stick hits the body during a stick lift. Reduce the accuracy of shots for penalty shots and shootouts. Aiming for just inside the post is a lot tougher now.

Just got prompted for an update. Have been trying things out, the most telling thing to me that I immediately tried out was the dump height, which after my d/l is different than before. Also, puck physics seem quite a bit different in a good way.

EDIT: It's the patch alright. Checked out the always up controls, dekeing is fixed. Unfortunately shot aim is still not correct.

EDIT: I don't know what some people were talking about in regards to shot accuracy being a problem. As long as you're shooting from a good platform the accuracy is just as good as before, some shots even seem to be better quality. You just can't be an idiot and shoot while skating full speed on the rush and expect to hot the net. Also whoever said this game was much better on SS post-patch was absolutely right. It's not even close, SS is fantastic after the patch. Haven't had any stupid goals or seen the cpu one-timer crazy. Can't wait to see what QB and some of the others have to say about this.

Edited by Millennium for front page posting. Good Job, Bad!

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

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# 41 Steven547 @ 11/12/08 12:48 AM

Ok..here are my thoughts on the patch...I play position lock (RD). Previously (with the same sliders i've posted here), it seemed tough to score a goal...POST patch, it's very offense oriented. There is something about the gameplay that just "feels right"...more loose pucks, better AI, and when they score on a rebound, it was because my def was out of position and not some "cheese goal". Anyway, these are the stats from my game:

Pitts (me) vs Det
Goals 5 - 4
Shots 35 / 28 (stayed same as before)
Hits 48 / 68 (Seems to be more hits)
FO 10 / 26 (It was Detroit so I expected this)
Attack 7:06 / 8:03 (this has gone up. previously was avg 4 mins)
PIM 2:00 / 10:00 (CPU taking more Penalties, but not my team?)
PP 1-4 / 0-1

That was only one game, but you can tell a difference in play. I'll have to move some sliders down some. I'm pretty happy so far, but like I said, I think some slider adjustments need to be made. Maybe now we can figure out what exactly the aggression does...if we lower that, will it lower Penalties, etc? Lower shot blocking=more shots on goals or more goals? etc..

Either way, EA addressed some important issues with this patch and it's much appreciated. Oh...and for some reason, my arena music seems to be a tad louder now...did they fix this?? Pretty happy with this. If anyone wants to try my slider set out, it's in the slider section. Nice job, EA.

2nd Game:

Bos vs Chi (me)
Goals: 3 / 1
Shots 19/ 31
Hits 54/ 33(Seems to be more hits)
FO 14/ 9
Attack 6:06 / 7:13 (this has gone up. previously was avg 4 mins)
PIM 8:00 / 2:00 (CPU taking more Penalties, but not my team?)
PP 0-1 / 1-4

After the 2nd game, two things I noticed that maybe someone can advise on:
1: CPU is taking less shots
2: My team, in two games, has only had 2 penalties...

Also, if I increased to Superstar, does that allow for more shots? Or should I raise Player Accel?

# 42 DJ @ 11/12/08 01:19 AM

I don't have the game yet, but am likely getting it soon. Does the patch address the late-game play by the CPU? I remember reading that it was awfully tough to hold a lead b/c a lot of cheap goals were scored by the CPU in the final minute.

# 43 bad_philanthropy @ 11/12/08 01:33 AM

I have to say that I'm pretty concerned about the cpu offensive play so far. I think that the single player game may have fallen victim to the heavy emphasis on EASHL this year and stopping online cheesers.

It seems as though the thing that was allowing users to score all sorts of cheap goals was a goalie/shot mechanic that allowed the cpu players to be able to score goals consistently. That was removed, and now the cpu logic is considerably off.

On SS I thought the gameplay was pretty engaging, the cpu definitely scored some cheap goals now and then, but their overall play was much better than it is now. It's difficult to explain but the cpu just seems dead, and when they attack it is not nearly as threatening as before. So far I've had no problems beating the cpu easily and I feel like I'll never lose another game.

# 44 Ziostilon @ 11/12/08 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	No. Just be logged into your silver account and start up the game.

is there some confirmation that you have downloaded the patch or not

is it an XBOX live update, i got one when i logged into my silver account with the disc in.

# 45 mcstub @ 11/12/08 02:19 AM

Not sure if anyone has seen this pre or post patch, but during an online game i couldn't make any changes to my lines in the menu. The only change it would let me do was put the backup goalie onto a line. When that line was on the ice, i actually had two goalies in net and only four skaters on the ice. I haven't seen this issue before the patch, this was my first game online after the update.

# 46 Franchizz @ 11/12/08 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy


	I have to say that I'm pretty concerned about the cpu offensive play so far. I think that the single player game may have fallen victim to the heavy emphasis on EASHL this year and stopping online cheesers. It seems as though the thing that was allowing users to score all sorts of cheap goals was a goalie/shot mechanic that allowed the cpu players to be able to score goals consistently. That was removed, and now the cpu logic is considerably off. On SS I thought the gameplay was pretty engaging, the cpu definitely scored some cheap goals now and then, but their overall play was much better than it is now. It's difficult to explain but the cpu just seems dead, and when they attack it is not nearly as threatening as before. So far I've had no problems beating the cpu easily and I feel like I'll never lose another game.

Definitely something I became aware of during my initial test. Granted I was playing poorly due to not being in the mood to play the game however on all-star I believe I ran up 30 shots to Pittsburgh's 10, yes 10. I certainly hope this is not the case or if so altering the sliders will repair the game as I am not one to play online much.

# 47 tabulaRasa @ 11/12/08 05:00 AM

Well that�s all good if you play the CPU, but online in ranked games this patch really shows it�s shortcomings, sure the penalties are up, the stick lift is less super effective.

But the checking is worse (big teams are getting a boost because heavy hitters are playing like it�s old school NHL ala New jersey 2001), the AI plays alot more automatic for bad players (plays better cover and pokes etc)

Scoring is pretty much based in between the circles. And the new craptacular aiming if you are outside the space in front the goal and between the circles really forces you to focus alot more attention to abuse the middle alot.

Also shooting superclose to the goalie seems to be the new flavour after the patch, were goalies fumbles like morons.

After the patch there�s alot of odd bumping and loosing pucks too, way more than before , don�t know why but it sucks.

And before some morons come and say : It�s only because you loose now. No it�s not I have 15 game winning streak , and I�m ranked in the 1000s but the game is way more lame now, despite the fixes, because they added alot of poop in the patch.

This patch mostly benefitted players who can�t play anything but collapse D and only can defend between the circles. And players who need the AI to play more for them. Players using check heavy teams also benefitted by this (which makes this game feel more like the NHL in 2001 than the new NHL based on skill and flair).

Patch playing CPU and little thumbs up, patch playing ranked online BIG THUMBS down. Talk about craptacular.

# 48 bad_philanthropy @ 11/12/08 05:22 AM

I really hope we get another small patch to fix the cpu AI and also to finally get the "Always Up" control fixed properly. I know it's unlikely but just throwing it out there if anyone from the NHL dev team is perusing the boards looking at the patch feedback.

# 49 marino13 @ 11/12/08 08:46 AM

I am really liking the patch on superstar. I put shot accuracy and shot power to five and the cpu was scoring. I was never great on scoring before so my goals per game are about the same. I played ten games yesterday and the cpu averaged anywhere from 1-5 goals a game. The best thing about it for me is the cpu scoring against me in the first minute almost every game with the one timer is gone now.

I guess if you are not happy with it you can always delete the patch.

# 50 Qb @ 11/12/08 09:11 AM

I only got to play two EASHL games last night, so my impressions are limited to that and I can't comment on the CPU AI difficulties BP & some others are reporting obviously. Placebo effect or not, the overall gameplay felt different to me. Perhaps it was just the teams we played, but it seemed that I was able to carry the puck a little better (my guy is a PWF, so my puck control isn't too great). I'm thinking part of it was that the two teams weren't big stick-lifters as I can only remember it happening to me a few times.

But the other side of it was the apparently toned down checking. EA said that they wanted to decrease hits (or big ones anyways) from guys who aren't "known for hitting" and they seemed to have done just that. I saw fewer successful hits along the boards on the puck carrier when he went wide (more bumps & stumbles). I still crushed some guys when I had a good run at them and saw others do it a few times as well, but not nearly as many as before, especially when the checking player was flat-footed (skated?) or at an awkward angle to the check recipient.

Holding vision control in front of the net to avoid checking when going for rebounds or in close one-timers seemed to work well, thank you very much. Although my one teammate uses the alternate control scheme and he said that he still often poke-checked when he wanted to shoot, but I obviously can't be sure that he was holding L-trigger. I spend a lot of time in front of the net, so I was already used to doing it to get in position for scoring opportunities, making it second nature to do it for rebounds now.

Picking the corners is definitely harder now and while I think it will be an improvement in the long run, it will take some adjustment. I missed the net or limp-wristed some shots into the belly pad on several occasions that I thought were a bit unfair. Again, I use vision control a lot to square up to puck as I play RW as a left-handed shot (you might have seen Keith Jones talking about it during intermission of the Pens/Wings game last night in reference to Sykora, Hossa, etc) so I'm usually in a good body position when I shoot. Like I said, I think there will be an adjustment period and the change is probably for the better.

I have only one concern after last night -- I think people now think that they can't score on an outside shot, so offensively everyone is looking for cross-ice/crease one-timers (including my teammates, frustrating!) rather than putting the puck on the net. Definitely better than cheese wristers, money goals or whatever you want to call them, but it could get old quickly. Hopefully it's just part of a feeling out process. I made a living in front of the net scoring garbage goals in the EASHL prior to the patch, so needless to say I'll be reminding my teammates to shoot a little more often...

Looking forward to playing some offline games and eventually starting a dynasty. The fixed separate line changes alone has me more enthusiastic about single-player and increased CPU penalties will be good as well. I'm not looking forward to having to go through the whole slider tweaking process again, but I wasn't entirely satisfied with what I was using anyways...

# 51 catcatch22 @ 11/12/08 09:26 AM

Online felt ok to me however I do agree that on superstar in dynasty the AI can't score. You really have to boost the AI shot accuracy or they won't score.

They can't even score cheap ones against me like they used to. In 2 games I gave up 1 goal and it was a fluke luck one at that. Plus you can still score with the cheap "dangle" goals out in the slot if the goalie is screened. Screened shots go in alot now, more so than I have ever seen.

The AI does'nt try to comeback if you know what I mean. Once you get the lead it's like it has nothing left. It definitely feels too easy.

# 52 kerosene31 @ 11/12/08 09:52 AM

Only played 2 offline games, but noticed a few things:

(I played as Buffalo vs Montreal) on all star.

-I got a lot of rebounds. I actually got a nice realistic rebound goal. These were rare before the patch. I'm not sure if they tweaked this or if it is just a product of the less accurate shooting. I actually get goal mouth scrambles now, rather than just a shot, save and a whistle every single time.

-The one timer fest is cancelled! Finally the game isn't dominated by one timer after one timer after one timer after one timer.

-Shooting is amazing. If you are in good position, you can still score, but you can't beat goalies from way outside in bad position. It is hard to describe, but everything just felt much more realistic.

-Defensive line change bug fixed - this irritated me more than penalties.

-Powerplays! Lots of them! When I drive in on net sometimes the CPU will take me down very realistically to prevent a goal but will take a minor penalty.

-The flip dump is actually effective now as far as I can tell. The Sabres aren't much of a dump and chase team so I didn't use it much, but it isn't so easy to automatically clear it against the CPU.

-Overall I really enjoy the game now. I'm not sure what else was tweaked but the whole thing just "feels" better. I'm glad I restarted my franchise. At one point, my disappointment with 09 was causing me to not play offline at all, but now I will get a franchise going for sure.

-I did not have problems with the CPU scoring on all star, but I was playing a weak defense (Buffalo) against the Habs who are good. My first game I got blown out 4-2 (although I was out of practice and hadn't played in a bit). The next game I won in OT 3-2. I won the draw and Vanek broke in on a partial breakaway and buried a nice wrister past Price. Nice to see the shooting tweak didn't hurt good shooters in good shooting position. I had a wrist shot goal from Roy too from a good spot in the slot.

I'll have to play some other teams to see if I have problems being scored on. The Sabres D is not very highly rated in the game, so that could be part of it. I'll take a lack of scoring to get rid of all the CPU cheese that was out there before the patch.

Overall I love it. It feels like a new game to me. I didn't try online yet, but will soon.

# 53 Steven547 @ 11/12/08 11:23 AM

Sorry to hear about your problems online, but yea, I'm talking offline. I pretty much stopped playing online because of some people acting like little rude kids. So I can't really defend or critique your qualms about online. For me though, offline, I think the loose pucks are better. In the real NHL there are a ton of loose pucks in a game. My only issue is the lack of shooting by the CPU. However, I originally had AI Learning at 0. I notched it up to 1, and now Detroit had 30 shots against me instead of barely reaching 20.
I do think another patch would be great to put a final "fix" to a few more issues, especially the ones you mention with online play. I also think the goalies still flop way too much.
I had originally changed all butterfly goalies to hybrid and left the stand ups alone, but now I think the best way is to just make all goalies "stand up". Is it realistic? No. Will it eliminate the constant "sliding into 2nd base effect" by the goalies? I hope so!

# 54 Steven547 @ 11/12/08 11:27 AM

I'm enjoying it more. The gameplay feels more "realistic" in a way. However, I feel that the penalties against my team have dropped to almost nothing, and the CPU is around 4 per game. Also, the goalies still drop down too quick (stacking the pads?).

But I do like the loose pucks I see a lot of now. I think this patch just strengthened the effect of the sliders. Shots were very low by other teams, but I raised the AI learning to 1 and suddenly they shot more....so, we'll see...more testing ahead before hawks dynasty starts.

# 55 ucas005 @ 11/12/08 11:28 AM

I've played about 8 games post patch with my new offline franchise. What an improvement! The shooting and penalties were the most noticeable improvements. I had a realistic amount of missed shots mostly by 3rd and 4th line guys. I think Im averaging between 4-8 power-plays a game. I actually use the dump chase now. Overall the game feels awesome. The patch really improved this game. Im most impressed with the shooting. My last game I was up 3 going into the third, got a little stick lift happy and spent the first six minutes of the third a man down. The cpu went 2 for 3 on PP and then scored a late goal when Vanek actually deked me out on a one-on-one and went upper shelf. (That has never happened to me before so not sure if that was part of the patch. Still really cool) In OT my pass was deflected into center ice and I picked it up with a streaking Kessel, went in all alone and scored from the top of the circle with his mighty snap shot.

# 56 Qb @ 11/12/08 12:04 PM

To those of you expressing concern with the CPU offense after the patch, are you playing with AI Learning lowered? It seems that many people were playing with it down from the maxed-out default, some even had it at zero. I haven't been able to play an offline game since the patch so I don't know for myself, but it might be worth a try to see if it makes them "smarter" or at least more aggressive.

The consensus seemed to be that the AI was too overpowered with it at 6 prior to the patch, hence lowering it to balance things out. Now people are saying the AI is underpowered, so perhaps turning it up (assuming it's still low) would have the reciprocal effect.

PS - I just wanted a reason to use reciprocal. Too bad I couldn't work reciprocity in there too...

# 57 catcatch22 @ 11/12/08 12:11 PM

I never changed AI learning from 6.

# 58 Fiddy @ 11/12/08 12:21 PM

i to notcied the AI on superstar not being themselves like before the patch lol (superstar). i had AI Learning at 2 or 3, i bumped it back up to 6. i play 7 min periods, default speed, but all other sliders adjusted with the exception of shot acc and power, i leave them at 3.

i played Pens vs Flyers and won 5-2 but notcied the cpu being so much more in my face then before i made the AI learning adjustment. they out shot me 32-27, went 0-4 on the PP, while i went 4-6 on the PP.

i may bump shot acc up to 4, that could help IMO.. the only other thing i can think of doing is taking agressivness from 2 click up to 4 or even max it out and see what it does.

but overall i really like the patch.

# 59 Steven547 @ 11/12/08 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	To those of you expressing concern with the CPU offense after the patch, are you playing with AI Learning lowered? It seems that many people were playing with it down from the maxed-out default, some even had it at zero. I haven't been able to play an offline game since the patch so I don't know for myself, but it might be worth a try to see if it makes them "smarter" or at least more aggressive. The consensus seemed to be that the AI was too overpowered with it at 6 prior to the patch, hence lowering it to balance things out. Now people are saying the AI is underpowered, so perhaps turning it up (assuming it's still low) would have the reciprocal effect. PS - I just wanted a reason to use reciprocal. Too bad I couldn't work reciprocity in there too...

Hey QB,

I had my AI Learning at 0 PRE PATCH. Post patch, I saw more goals by the CPU and my team as well (position lock), but the CPU shots were down drastically. I haven't had much time to play (at work now), but I did increase it in one game, to 1. It seems that the CPU, as you suggested, is "underpowered" with the AI learning lower now, as opposed to pre patch. Example: I was playing Detroit with the AI at 0...they had 19 shots on goal, but scored 5 goals. I then raised it to 1, and Detroit had 30 shots on goal and roughly 5-7 goals. I'll test more when I get home, but I think the sliders have more affect or maybe work the way they should now post patch. The higher AI learning might equal a more aggressive CPU offense.

# 60 Qb @ 11/12/08 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcatch22


	I never changed AI learning from 6.

Ha, there goes that idea... I need to get some offline games in to investigate this myself. I've still probably only played 20-25 games offline since release as my EASHL teammates also seem to catch me when I try to sneak a few in. They need me 'cause all I do is score goals... well, not really, but Ivan Drago has been known to put a few biscuits in the basket in addition to being the best darn high/passive forechecker this side of Moscow...

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