NHL 11 News Post

NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

06:32 AM - August 17, 2010 by Lubey

EA Sports NHL 11 demo is now available on Xbox LIVE and the PLAYSTATION Network. Powered by a revolutionary real-time physics engine, the franchise that has won 22 sports game of the year awards over the past three years will showcase two game modes in the demo: Battle for the Cup and the all-new Hockey Ultimate Team.

Battle for the Cup:

In Battle for the Cup, players will experience all the emotion and drama of the third period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup� Championship between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks. The mode features an all new faceoff system, new quick dekes and the ability to score amazing goals even while lying on the ice.

Hockey Ultimate Team:

The all-new Hockey Ultimate Team brings Online Dynasty play to the EA SPORTS NHL franchise for the first time ever. In the demo, players will be able to pick up a starter pack of cards to build their Ultimate Hockey Team. Take your new team to the ice and play against either the Canadian Hockey League�s Windsor Spitfires, or the NHL�s Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. Play and win games in the demo with your Ultimate Team and earn up to two additional packs in the full version of NHL 11, when it is released on September 7, 2010.

The demo will also feature an interactive tutorial that will allow those new to the franchise to learn the controls, and allow long-time fans to practice some of the new controls in the game, including Faceoffs.

Game: NHL 11Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 36 - View All

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Member Comments

# 321 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	Another reason I think having something visual would really help this feature. Other than that I'm really liking it and I was pretty skeptical when I first heard of it. I'm really liking the look of the ice surface this year and I think I can echo some of the comments regarding the size, it really does seem a little bit smaller than years past - this is a good thing. Of course I could be crazy (haven't touched 10 since March) or it could just be some optical trickery as a result of the fancier ice or something.

The game does have something visual, the player will actually skate harder.

Next time you have a good 10-15 feet in front of you, click it three times and really watch his legs. Definitely pumps much harder and faster.

# 322 adayinthelife @ 08/18/10 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	The game does have something visual, the player will actually skate harder. Next time you have a good 10-15 feet in front of you, click it three times and really watch his legs. Definitely pumps much harder and faster.

I'll definitely look again a little more closely, but I haven't really seen much difference to this point. I think there really needs to be a reasonable dramatic difference between normal skating and "hustling", just as there is in real life.

# 323 mkharsh33 @ 08/18/10 02:25 PM

I think we're going to have to really toy around with the fatigue slider this year. In previous years I always felt it best to max it out, but in the demo it just seems like guys are peeling off and you can get nothing going.

The good thing is that line changes look to be more crucial (which they should be), but the downside is a lack of offensive zone time.

Could this be THE YEAR that we actually have to play 20 minute periods to get the stats to play out right? If so, count me in...

# 324 ChitownFan526 @ 08/18/10 02:45 PM

The hitting is excellent with the new engine, really good variation in how different hits play out. The skating is different too, and that's a good thing, someone at the Community Day event said "heavier" and that's a great way to put it, more momentum-based perhaps...

I've found it very easy to score in HUT, but that's on Pro. Will say that I love the variation in goal scoring. Seems like getting the puck into the slot and shooting makes a difference. Let's hope that doesn't change when tuner sets start coming out during the year. I found scoring much more challenging on All-Star hardcore setting playing Battle for the Cup, but I only played one game, and I was killing penalties a lot (took 5 minor penalties, I believe).

I do have to admit a little concern over a possible exploit shot, but I found it difficult to pull off in BFTC, while very easy to do in HUT. Again, hopefully that's just the difference in difficulty level, since online play will likely have the most difficult settings. If a forum admin or Redshirt wants to know about it, please PM me and I will share what I've found.

Shooting is a bit too accurate in my opinion. I know it's adjustable in the final build, and was likely set to be this way since it's a demo...

# 325 Burbruee @ 08/18/10 02:59 PM

Hm, any tips for scoring? (All-Star or above) It took me 10 games to even score one goal.
Also I tried Superstar and got scored on 5 times in a minute or two. It's much harder to play defense than in NHL 10.

# 326 The Visualizer @ 08/18/10 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	We have to break our bad defensive habits. I'm in the same boat in needing to pokecheck less and focus on keeping gap control & proper positioning/angles... because now the AI will actually make you pay for it! I wish we had better control of sticks defensively, as I'd love to be able to get my stick in the way while skating with an attacker. The manual pokecheck is still a little clunky -- maybe it's user error? -- and I often end up doing an accidental check when I stop. I love how AI attackers will come down the wing towards the corner (assuming you take away the middle of the ice) but now if you don't make a play on the in the corner, they'll drive to the net along the goal line. In 10 you could lay off them and protect the slot, but now they keep you honest. Beautiful!

Yeah you are right about positioning and angles being more important, and yes the manual pokecheck has always been clunky for me too, I don't think it's user error, the stick just doesn't sweep very easily.

# 327 frank70 @ 08/18/10 03:14 PM

Here my short impressions:

The Good:

- Skating feels good. More weight to the players. More realistic imo.
- A.I. not quite there but well improved. Maybe even better with some slider changes A.I. Defenders could be even more aggressive in pressuring the puck handler. But again: Sliders may help.

The Bad:

It is in there vor over ten years now, but it struck me when playing the demo:

- Defenders should clear the puck alot more around the boards. In the game they turn on a dime when they gain possession of the puck while looking towards the goal. Instead they should use the goal as a shield and clear the puck going behind the net. Looks goofy and is really unrealistic and is a dangerous play. Don't know if EA can do something about this before release. Seems to be hardcoded as it is the same for many years

- Too many cross ice passes. In the neutral zone and in the attack zone. Again: More use of the boards and cycling behind the net would be more realistic

- Puck could even be more lively. It's better than in the years before but it is glued to the stick again. So, skill differential in technique and puckhandling ability isn't implemented well

All in all the game seems to play more realistic than NHL 10. But there are some movements of the players that aren't seen in a real hockey game or are boneheaded and would result in being benchend by the coach.

# 328 Fiddy @ 08/18/10 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burbruee


	Hm, any tips for scoring? (All-Star or above) It took me 10 games to even score one goal. Also I tried Superstar and got scored on 5 times in a minute or two. It's much harder to play defense than in NHL 10.

did you play NHL 10 at all? if so, you can score all the same ways in the NHL 11 Demo. im not being a jerk either, all the same crap from 10 is in the 11 demo.

# 329 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	did you play NHL 10 at all? if so, you can score all the same ways in the NHL 11 Demo. im not being a jerk either, all the same crap from 10 is in the 11 demo.

I don't really agree with that. This game is much different. Cross crease passes are way harder to get through. Plus the CPU defense stays in position, making everything offensively more difficult.

# 330 BigBlue10989 @ 08/18/10 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	did you play NHL 10 at all? if so, you can score all the same ways in the NHL 11 Demo. im not being a jerk either, all the same crap from 10 is in the 11 demo.

I disagree. I have tried many times to get a cross-crease pass to score a goal, and 99.5% of the time I've failed. It was either pokechecked by the goalie, deflected off of a skate or intercepted by the D-man.

# 331 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	did you play NHL 10 at all? if so, you can score all the same ways in the NHL 11 Demo. im not being a jerk either, all the same crap from 10 is in the 11 demo.

How much did you play the demo?

# 332 jrgom81 @ 08/18/10 03:32 PM

sorry cant search the thread on my phone, but is any one else's goalies giving up really soft goals? I was playing UT and Ryan Miller was my goalie and he let in one shot from center ice and another from the blue line that looked like a dump in..

# 333 sanders @ 08/18/10 03:35 PM

At first it doesn't seem like so much is different from NHL 10 but as you play you realize just how much different it is....way different.

Things I liked:
1. When you protect the puck you player still skates. This is great when working the outside of the offensive zone.
2. The push puck doesn't push the puck out nearly as far as it did in NHL 10. This makes it way more useful.
3. In NHL 10 one-timers worked the opposite of how they do in real life. Passes that went across the players body could be one timed and in real life one-timers are done with passes that come from the side of the receiving players handedness. This year it seems to work that way (in limited testing).
4. Thud when shots hit the goalies leg pads just sounds awesome.
5. On defense if you're agressive and go for the hits all the time you get burned. Nice to see.
6. In the skate deke is just flat out cool.
7. Spinorama effectiveness has been toned down so it's only effective in exactly the right circumstances.
8. Being able to one-man show against the computer is very hard if not impossible on the harder settings.
9. You can REALLY tell the difference from the all star players and the third liners.
10. Passing through defensive players is much harder. I may have to actually use the saucer pass this year to make cross crease passes.

Things I didn't like:
1. The pass speed being tied to the duration you hold down the trigger. Should be tied to how far down you press the trigger. When players in the NHL see an opening and need to fire a hard pass it just happens the same timing as a soft pass. Needing to load up a hard pass causes an unneeded delay in getting the pass off and can often result in a missed opportunity.
2. Goalie logic on soft shots and rebounds still seems somewhat poor.

# 334 Splitter77 @ 08/18/10 03:36 PM

dont remember if this was in the game last year, but one of my players got 2 min for high sticking, and 2 minutes for holding on the same play. Did they have multiple different penalties for the same skaters last year?

Also- how can i tell if the hustle button is working? Im on ps3 and it doesnt seem like its working at all. The push puck works great, but I get nothing with the hustle button.

# 335 Qb @ 08/18/10 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	About the only thing that bothers me is the new sensitive passing.... But maybe I just need more work with it.

As someone who used manual passing exclusively playing offline in NHL10, believe me, there is a learning curve. But once you "get it", there's no going back. Much more freedom -- try passing ahead of a streaking forward along the boards and skating onto the puck -- and much more rewarding when you connect on the perfect pass for a goal or even when you put it behind your target on a prime scoring opportunity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06woz


	Anyone notice that you are given control of the player you are passing to, really early. I thin it's awesome and allows you to "skate into" your passes more.

It does seem to switch you faster compared to '10. I keep doing dinky one-touch passes to no one after I receive the puck because I'm in the habit of quickly switching to my target after I pass. Looks like I have another bad habit to break...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyAction


	Anyone know how to change the difficulty? I see how some of you have played on SS. I'm not able to change that setting. Thanks again in advance for any help.

You can only do it in Battle for the Cup, not HUT. You can change the difficulty & game style in the pre-game menus before a BFTC game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06woz


	Qb, while you're here, mind telling me how to do the new toe drag?

Not sure off the top of my head. I suggest watching the deking tutorial... which is something I've been meaning to do as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	Another reason I think having something visual would really help this feature. Other than that I'm really liking it and I was pretty skeptical when I first heard of it.

We asked for that at the community event, but I'm not sure if they were able to do it. We wanted to see something along the lines of guys getting low & really driving their legs.

I know CS says he sees it and I can tell when it kicks in, but I'm not sure if I'm seeing a different skating animation or just recognizing the increase in speed/acceleration. Will have to play around & watch closely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChitownFan526


	TThe skating is different too, and that's a good thing, someone at the Community Day event said "heavier" and that's a great way to put it, more momentum-based perhaps... I do have to admit a little concern over a possible exploit shot... If a forum admin or Redshirt wants to know about it, please PM me and I will share what I've found. Shooting is a bit too accurate in my opinion. I know it's adjustable in the final build, and was likely set to be this way since it's a demo...

1. I said it felt heavier (for the lack of a better description) after playing it in May. I know some guys here who know what they're talking about disagree, but I stand by my opinion. I can see where players seem to "float" a bit, but I think that is more due to decreased agility and the increase in gliding confirmed by Redshirt (which I guess could be looked at as more momentum). It's still not 100% where I'd like to be, but definitely improved.

2. You can either PM your concern directly to Redshirt_EA here at OS or you can PM it to me and I'll make sure it gets to him. I know they want feedback so they can explore potential tuning fixes for release.

3. I agree that shots are too accurate in the demo. I played for several hours yesterday and unless I'm losing it, I don't remember many missed shots at all. I distinctly remember missing wide & high playing at the community event, especially when going for a hard snapshot or slapper at full speed. Maybe it's a demo tuning issue since we only get a five minute period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Visualizer


	Yeah you are right about positioning and angles being more important, and yes the manual pokecheck has always been clunky for me too, I don't think it's user error, the stick just doesn't sweep very easily.

I'd like to be able to disrupt/harass the puck carrier with my stick while skating, not just an all-or-nothing poke check. I believe the manual poke/sweep still stops skating or at least slows down your player significantly which means you can't stay with him. Not sure if I'm explaining it very well, but at times I feel I need another defensive tool to block the passing lanes, combat dekes & contain the puck carrier when I'm skating with him.

EDIT: OK, a little youtube searching and this is the best I can find right now. Keith Acton talks about getting an angle the puck carrier and using your stick to take away his options:

And here's a better one about stick-on-stick defending:

# 336 SinisterAlex @ 08/18/10 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FootballForever


	WOW, Oh My WOW, that's all I have to say, I played the Demo last night and I will tell you that in my so many years of sports gaming this game seems to have the tightest game play ever, yes EVER. It played so life like I was shocked, all toughen little things that bothered me no longer seem to existed, again, I was so in aww on how the game played. Just from the drop of the puck until the end of the demo, I loved everything about this game. I can't wait, NHL 11 is number 1 on my list of game I want bad, even more then NBA 2k11. Great JOB EA!!!

I think I have you on my friends list on the 360, when the game releases, we should do some versus or some OTP stuff.

# 337 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrgom81


	sorry cant search the thread on my phone, but is any one else's goalies giving up really soft goals? I was playing UT and Ryan Miller was my goalie and he let in one shot from center ice and another from the blue line that looked like a dump in..

Yeah I saw this, I checked a guy into the boards at the half wall, he took the hit then fired a shot at miller. He barely got a piece of it and it barely slid inside the post. Definitely something that shouldn't happen.

# 338 Splitter77 @ 08/18/10 03:41 PM

another sweet thing i saw- the cpu took a shot with seabrook from the point and his stick shattered, I pick up the puck, and he starts backchecking without a stick. While in the defensive zone madden gives him his stick. The haeks break me up, and rush up the ice. The puck comes back to seasbrook at the point, playing with a wrong handed stick, and his slapper misses the net wide by the faceoff circle, and doesnt leave the ice.

# 339 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	I know CS says he sees it and I can tell when it kicks in, but I'm not sure if I'm seeing a different skating animation or just recognizing the increase in speed/acceleration. Will have to play around & watch closely.

It doesn't really happen right away, but once he is almost up to full speed you can see the difference in the players legs.

EDIT- Also wanted to share something I saw. I took a shot from sorta deep, the puck popped up right in front of Leighton, and Tavares made a really nice stick play to tap it in 5 hole. It's kinda tough to explain, but once you see it you'll be like, "Yes, thank you EA."

# 340 BobSacamano @ 08/18/10 03:48 PM

Here are a few of my thoughts:

Overall, it doesn't really "feel" all that different from NHL '10 off the bat. That's not a bad thing, IMO, since all '10 needed to be perfect was some better AI, IMO.

Pros:
- When you go after a bouncing puck in the corner your guy can actually pick up the puck before the CPU swoops in. This really bothered me in '10 so I'm glad to see it was fixed.
- I can't get anything cross-crease unless I have an open lane. This is great. I haven't had many chances to see how this works on the CPU's end, so hopefully THEIR passes are just as difficult as mine.
- CPU is definitely more aggressive in their offensive end. They haven't made any backwards passes on an odd-man rush yet, so that's very nice.
- I had a puck hit a broken stick. That was very cool.
- Goalies do not seem as superhuman. I'll take goalies that are too weak over goalies that don't let in anything that isn't a cross-crease pass.

Cons:
- CPU is still not very aggressive when I'm controlling the puck in my offensive end. When I'm on the rush they're better at forcing me to the boards or clogging the passing lanes, but I can still skate circles around them with the puck in the offensive end. This is particularly glaring on the powerplay. Of course they're going to stay "home" a little on the PK but they're also going to pinch eventually.
- I've seen a broken stick every period I've played. I see there's a slider for this, so this shouldn't be a problem.
- That weird backhanded-wrister-one-timer thing is still in the game and still seen frequently.
- That awful "canon" line is still in the game (I have no idea what the play-by-play guy is saying, it sounds like "It's a Kennedy!").
- I, too, am not really "getting" the hustle button. It's very awkward pressing L3 when I'm already pointing the L-stick in the direction I'm skating. It is L3, right?

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