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

# 341 SuperDave21 @ 08/18/10 03:50 PM

I have been waiting for the game/demo to come out for a long time now. My expectations were a little high so it may differ from some people on here. I am a huge hockey fan and buy the EA NHL series every year. With all that said, here are my thoughts...

Pros

-Hitting. Wow, what an upgrade! The new engine is alive and kicking for sure. A lot of thought went into the engine and it shows. This is why I was looking forward to NHL 11 for so long. The new hip check maneuver is a welcome addition because it takes more timing and patience to line up a hit check now.

-Pace and flow. It is definitely slower this year, but I like it. At first I was a little skeptical because hockey is very fast game. However, the new pace allows more plays/lanes to open up. I tried it on the Casual setting (no idea what it means because I was playing only on Pro since I couldn't find the more difficult settings) and that seemed to speed it up a bit more. So it's a dynamic pace that can altered.

-Goalies. Goalies seem a little more on their toes this year. The robo-goalie is gone and he is replaced with a goalie who knows (or at least should) the angles.

-The new dekes. Unbelievably awesome! I love the new toe drags and side steps that were implemented. It feels like I have a chance once a Dman closes in on me.

-The A.I. Like everyone else, I used to sprint down the wing and gain the zone with ease. Not this year. The first time I tried, I thought Pronger would keep backing up as always. I found myself completely laid out by a monster hit and suddenly it felt like real hockey. The cpu passing is more realistic, the set up is more fluid, and I didn't feel like any goal against me was cheap in any way for a change.

-New penalty animations. Tripping, hooking, etc, all feel more realistic. The diving trip animation is finally gone and a real one was put in place.

-Goal celebrations are amazing. The spot light was a nice touch.

-Ultimate Team. Enough said.

Cons:

-Scoring. It feels...different. The last iterations of this franchise felt more like a forward's game to me. Scoring was easier (if done correctly) between the circles with a move or two and/or a pass in the slot for a one timer. However, I found myself scoring ridiculous goals from out side the circles on bad angles. I can't get into replay so I don't know if the goalie was screened or what. I scored two goals in about 15 seconds by winning the face off forward, gaining the zone, and just snapping it between the two Dman above the circles. Other times, I feel like I have the goalie dead to rights only to have him make an incredible stop.

-Hip checking. I think if it's perfected, it can be abused. I was able to up end about 3 players in a row too easily. Hip checking in real life takes precision and timing. I felt that if I just sorta made contact with a hip check, I would flip a guy...that happens maybe 10 times a year or so in the NHL.

-Fighting needs to be revamped.

That's all I got so far. I really, really, really enjoyed my time with the demo and I will be picking this up day one as always. I hope online play has been improved as well. I love OTP a ton and playing with a group of friends is a total blast. September 7th can't come soon enough!

# 342 edwing @ 08/18/10 03:54 PM

Having loads of fun with HUT so far, all the "minor" additions really add a lot to the game.

One thing I noticed though, why does PK Subban have white hands ?

# 343 SuperDave21 @ 08/18/10 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	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."

I know exactly what you mean! I took a shot from the point and the rebound was bouncing in front. I took Okposo to the front and just started pressing shoot like a wild man. He got in one good whack and then got the rebound off that and put it five hole. Brilliant.

# 344 Percyswan @ 08/18/10 04:02 PM

Loved the demo one big problem I had though was the goal review. I took a point shot and it just nudged my forwards inside knee on the way in and didn't even change directions and the forward wasn't even moving. Yet they called it off. That would be really lame online.

# 345 adayinthelife @ 08/18/10 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	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.

That's pretty backwards of how it should be, but could also be the reason I'm not really noticing anything aside from the guy moving faster.

# 346 Jgainsey @ 08/18/10 04:16 PM

I finally had a chance to get some games in, and I'm loving it so far. At first glance, it looks like more of the same from NHL 10. But once you get going, it's obvious that this game has been tweaked in all of the right ways.

I've been playing on SS so far, and while I've been able to hold my own in the demo, it's clear that there is going to be a decent learning curve just to be competitive against the AI. Even with the some of the hardest sliders last year, I still felt as if I had an advantage over the CPU no matter what. It's too early to tell, but I can definitely see myself finding a difficulty sweet spot with this year's game

My only gripe to this point would have to be the Hustle button. The gameplay mechanic itself is fine(subtle, yet it serves a useful and realistic purpose). I'm just not crazy about using the awkward L3 button in the middle of a tense skating situation. If this could be mapped to a face button I think it may work out better.

# 347 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	That's pretty backwards of how it should be, but could also be the reason I'm not really noticing anything aside from the guy moving faster.

Well once you get moving a decent amount, it's not like it only shows once you are full speed.

Does anybody else see the player actually animating faster, with the hustle button?

EDIT- The chaotic moments in this game, feel just as chaotic as ever, but you have more control now. If that makes sense.

# 348 kai123 @ 08/18/10 04:16 PM

There is a lot to like about this game. First off, its the best NHL game to date, better than NHL 2k8 and NHL 08. Secondly, the game feels better. The physics make it feel different from NHL 10 even though the graphics are the same. I really love checking, the way you line it up is very rewarding.

On Offense, the game feels good too. The goals I have scored so far have been clean cross creasers. They were properly set up not abused. But when i played Battle for the CUP, HC AS, the CPU scored glitch goals on me. One of them was the dreaded wrapsround spin-o-rama thing, from NHL 06. I can't really describe it but I know I saw it in NHL 06. Other than that offense feels great. And I forgot to mention the deflections and screens. It felt strategic and effective. The CPU scored a blast by Stalberg that deflected off my player and went into the net. The puck moved too fast to track. It was a ping pong ball but nonetheless a cool goal. The CPU AI keeps you on your toes all the time. Moving the puck nicely. But most of the time it was tick tac toe, but this was because it was there #1 PP line for Chicago.

On Defense, the CPU AI on SS is crazy. I had 30 seconds time on attack on Battle for the Cup mode. They made sure to keep possession and whenever I got possession I was swarmed to make a bad pass or get stripped of the puck. Though I only had 30 seconds of attack time, those thirty seconds were a walk in the park, for the most part, I was able to outsmart the CPU most of the time, but due to HC, I gave a way the puck loads of times.

Goalies feel better. The Wrister in the slot goal doesn't work anymore. But there are glitch goals like I mentioned above. And there are new save animations and goalies play smarter. There are even differences in Goalie styles. Miller played the puck more often than Leighton.

Overall, I'm not buying this game because NBA 2k11 is coming but I will play the heck out of the demo until it releases, then I will rent it and then after that's up, I will go to my buddy's house everyday to play this.

And for once, I haven't seen Comeback/Elastic AI yet

# 349 kai123 @ 08/18/10 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgainsey


	I finally had a chance to get some games in, and I'm loving it so far. At first glance, it looks like more of the same from NHL 10. But once you get going, it's obvious that this game has been tweaked in all of the right ways. I've been playing on SS so far, and while I've been able to hold my own in the demo, it's clear that there is going to be a decent learning curve just to be competitive against the AI. Even with the some of the hardest sliders last year, I still felt as if I had an advantage over the CPU no matter what. It's too early to tell, but I can definitely see myself finding a difficulty sweet spot with this year's game My only gripe to this point would have to be the Hustle button. The gameplay mechanic itself is fine(subtle, yet it serves a useful and realistic purpose). I'm just not crazy about using the awkward L3 button in the middle of a tense skating situation. If this could be mapped to a face button I think it may work out better.

See I agree with you but if it were a face button you would let go of the RS, which is essentially your hockey stick. So IMO, the hustle button isn't needed, it should just be the push of the puck in front of you from 09/10.

# 350 Jgainsey @ 08/18/10 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai123


	And for once, I haven't seen Comeback/Elastic AI yet

Well, if you're looking for some kind of "comeback code", I'm sure you'll find it eventually.

# 351 adayinthelife @ 08/18/10 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	Well once you get moving a decent amount, it's not like it only shows once you are full speed. Does anybody else see the player actually animating faster, with the hustle button?

When I say I'm just seeing the player skate faster I guess I'm sort of seeing his legs move a tiny bit quicker (seriously not by much, and it might just be me wanting to see it) but it's just really not apparent enough/not at all how a player "hustles" in real hockey.

Also, please don't get me wrong, this really doesn't affect the game very much at all, just an animation I hope they add in next year.

# 352 Steven547 @ 08/18/10 04:28 PM

I don't have the demo yet (darn business trip), but from what I've been reading the game sounds fun. I love how I'm reading impressions that this is the "greatest game ever" when the game hasn't even been released yet.

I'm anxious to try this when I get back tomorrow night, but a couple posts mention that the game is still in a way, the same as last year, which worries me a bit.

Besides that, is the CPU still making tape to tape passes without missing? Has EA fixed that "superhuman" ability of the AI and made them more "human"?

# 353 FBeaule04 @ 08/18/10 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven547


	I don't have the demo yet (darn business trip), but from what I've been reading the game sounds fun. I love how I'm reading impressions that this is the "greatest game ever" when the game hasn't even been released yet. I'm anxious to try this when I get back tomorrow night, but a couple posts mention that the game is still in a way, the same as last year, which worries me a bit. Besides that, is the CPU still making tape to tape passes without missing? Has EA fixed that "superhuman" ability of the AI and made them more "human"?

It will always be the problem. NHL 09 was supposed to be the best game ever before they found that there was flaws in it, same thing with NHL 10 where some flaws made an almost perfect a good game.

I bought Madden 11 and saw tons and tons of cricism on the forums about it. Geez, it's been out for a week now, who did really wash the game to the point that theres certainty about what's not working.

It's going to be the same with NHL 11. Game will look almost perfect at first, then some problems will come up, and people will start asking for a patch.

I played the demo, I really like it, it's great, it's fun, but it still a demo. I want a few months to really wash the game before saying it's the best ever.

# 354 CS10029 @ 08/18/10 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adayinthelife


	When I say I'm just seeing the player skate faster I guess I'm sort of seeing his legs move a tiny bit quicker (seriously not by much, and it might just be me wanting to see it) but it's just really not apparent enough/not at all how a player "hustles" in real hockey. Also, please don't get me wrong, this really doesn't affect the game very much at all, just an animation I hope they add in next year.

Yeah the last 10 minutes or so I've just been paying a lot of attention to it. I think you are right, I may just want to see it. It does sorta look like his legs go quicker, but it really is hard to tell.

Agree that it could be improved, animation wise. The execution of it on the ice is really nice though, you get the feel of hustling, just not the look.

# 355 adayinthelife @ 08/18/10 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	Yeah the last 10 minutes or so I've just been paying a lot of attention to it. I think you are right, I may just want to see it. It does sorta look like his legs go quicker, but it really is hard to tell. Agree that it could be improved, animation wise. The execution of it on the ice is really nice though, you get the feel of hustling, just not the look.

Exactly. That's what makes me happy about it, it's implemented quite well and after a visual tweak it will be fantastic.

# 356 SinisterAlex @ 08/18/10 05:08 PM

I finally figured out how to toe drag. Just get you guy to do a wind up for a full wrister, then do the deke for the side step. It works magic when you have a all-star player like Hossa or Kane doing it, Almost scored a goal off of it.

I was one on one with Pronger, I was controlling Kane. Did the toe drag got around him, then protected the puck and drove to the net, snapped it far side only to hit the post...

Easily the best deke in the game.

# 357 plaidchuck @ 08/18/10 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven547


	I'm anxious to try this when I get back tomorrow night, but a couple posts mention that the game is still in a way, the same as last year, which worries me a bit. Besides that, is the CPU still making tape to tape passes without missing? Has EA fixed that "superhuman" ability of the AI and made them more "human"?

Well I can say if you're expecting major changes graphics-wise or presentation-wise (especially commentary) you will be disappointed. As far as the AI goes you'll be pleasantly surprised I think. They could probably miss more passes but who knows maybe the slider will be better this year.

# 358 tyler289 @ 08/18/10 05:32 PM

I like how frequently the goaltenders auto-freeze the puck. The animations look nice and it prevents me from making stupid passes.

# 359 Felipe526 @ 08/18/10 05:37 PM

I love the demo so far. The physics finally gets rid of "magnetic saves" and look really sick. The broken sticks seem to be occurring at a good rate. The only con I have is the new passing system which I think I just will get used to

# 360 meep316 @ 08/18/10 05:41 PM

Demo's great, but the passing should be how hard you push down on the trigger, not how long you push it down for. Anyone (not just NHL players) can make a hard pass in a split second, you shouldn't have to load up. That split second you need to load up, and bam your scoring opportunity is gone. That really needs to be changed.

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