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

# 381 Jgainsey @ 08/18/10 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CS10029


	I liked it last year, but felt it needed a little more work. Safe to say, I'll be using it this year.

I didn't give manual passing much of a chance last year, but I did like the overall feel of it(the few times that I tried it out). But you're right, the manual passing in '10 felt like it needed some more work.

I think it is safe to say that it is working great now. At times I feel like I'm play Fifa, which is perfect, because in a couple months I will be going back and forth between the two quite a bit.

Has it been confirmed that the passing in the demo will be the default for online matches? I really think that this would help balance the game, and prevent some of the more cheese-ish exploits.

# 382 Inapprope @ 08/18/10 10:39 PM

The last time I was this excited to play a full EA NHL game was with 07 when it first came to next gen. I've played the demo for 4+ hours so far, which is a lot for me. Just pre-ordered the game today because of it.

So far I like the physics, but I think they're a little over-hyped. HUT looks like it will be some sick fun. I'm probably going to go broke buying card packs. Wish the HUT presentation was a little better on the edit lines screen, it's kind of clunky. Seems like it could be made a lot smoother, like the Madden 10 card game.

Goalie play is really dumb at times, not bad enough to be a complete deal breaker, but I hope it's patched up nice.

Broken sticks haven't happened to me as much as some people on here. I'm seeming to get the perfect ratio.

I didn't really play NHL 10 that much, don't know why, but this year I'll play 11 a ton. I'm back to fist pumping every time I get a goal. It feels great.

# 383 SinisterAlex @ 08/18/10 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Another thing I really like about it in 11 is if a pass is fired too hard its not an auto complete, often times it'll explode off the receiving player's stick. Subtle change but one I like. While the puck physics won't be perfect this year and really that will always be an ongoing thing I think, the improvement from 10 to 11 is imo one of the most impressive and important changes we've seen to the game the last few years.

I've noticed the passes being to hard as well, not much but I've seen it the odd time.

Can't wait to get my Dynasty going. My NHL 10 dynasty didn't last long, the AI, I felt just didn't feel right to me. But my NHL 11 is going to rock with this AI!

# 384 plaidchuck @ 08/18/10 11:34 PM

just played a few more games.. Hip checks are way too easy.. I'm knocking over people like bowling pins

# 385 BlueNGold @ 08/18/10 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaidchuck


	just played a few more games.. Hip checks are way too easy.. I'm knocking over people like bowling pins

How do you even do hip checks? I remember they originally had it by pushing down on the R stick but I think they changed it.

# 386 plaidchuck @ 08/18/10 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	How do you even do hip checks? I remember they originally had it by pushing down on the R stick but I think they changed it.

If you mean R3 on the PS3 controller(same on Xbox?) then yes that's still it. Don't get me wrong it looks great and should be easily avoided online, but right now the CPU lets you come from 20 ft away and just bowl them over.

# 387 BlueNGold @ 08/19/10 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaidchuck


	If you mean R3 on the PS3 controller(same on Xbox?) then yes that's still it. Don't get me wrong it looks great and should be easily avoided online, but right now the CPU lets you come from 20 ft away and just bowl them over.

Oh, so you click it in to hip check? I thought you flicked down (should have worded it better in my last post). Thanks.

# 388 CS10029 @ 08/19/10 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukktown


	How do they find the time to add so much into the game?

I think they really plan well, and understand what can be accomplished. Then they just kinda do it. I don't know how they do it though...? I'm guessing they are hella smart.

# 389 plaidchuck @ 08/19/10 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	Oh, so you click it in to hip check? I thought you flicked down (should have worded it better in my last post). Thanks.

Yes, when you're on D skating backwards, you just hold it for as long as you want to attempt the check.

# 390 MizzouRah @ 08/19/10 12:52 AM

A freaking demo that is keeping me up much too late at night.

I'm really impressed so far and I want the retail version right now so I can skate with my Blues!

Seriously, everything about the game is excellent. I love the default speed, the AI enhancements, the faceoffs, the physics, the goalies, the stat overlays, etc.. etc.. I could go on and on.

It just amazes me that this team of programmers understand how to take a game and improve on it each and every year, never just sitting back and saying, it's good enough.

To Redshirt and the rest of the NHL team, hats off to you guys!!!

To play NHL 10 as much as I have... I can't even put it back into the cd tray now. There are so many moments in this demo that have me smile and say to myself, "did that just happen"

# 391 actionhank @ 08/19/10 02:03 AM

I was happy to have just scored a wrister past the goalie.
No deke, just pulled back and fired.
It was on a breakaway, but still.
Very nice.

# 392 Vikes1 @ 08/19/10 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	It just amazes me that this team of programmers understand how to take a game and improve on it each and every year, never just sitting back and saying, it's good enough. To play NHL 10 as much as I have... I can't even put it back into the cd tray now.

Agree completely Mizz.

I really get the feeling that these devs are truly listening to us. Seems like a number of issues people had with '10', have been addressed for '11'. Rather than seeing the same issues repeat themselves year after year.

You mentioned the only complaint I really have Mizz...yep, after playing the demo for a few hours, I don't want to continue my GM mode in '10' now. I'm digging the demo just too much. Damn...and I loved last years game! Thanks a freaking lot EA Canada!

# 393 Lubey @ 08/19/10 03:34 AM

It's pretty much the only game I know I'll be buying each year. I could lock myself in my closet, know nothing about the new version, and still feel comfortable spending the money.

# 394 puckhead73 @ 08/19/10 05:00 AM

I scored a pretty sick goal in battle for the cup mode earlier. Hawks took an icing, so I was taking the faceoof in their end on niemi's blocker side. won the faceoff by pushing the puck between the hawks' center's legs, and deking around him, my winger (can't remember his name) went straight to the goal off the draw, was the only cross crease pass i've completed since turning off '10'

Also, another thing i noticed, i was playing another battle for the cup game on allstar, and i love the new ai, the last game i played, the ai was up by a goal with a little over a minute left, well as i was trying to attack more and was pushing my forecheck a little harder, the ai started playing more of a "more focused on wasting time and not making any mistakes than on scoring" style of game. They would get posession, and then gain my blue line, and just dump the puck in. at first i thought it was just for a line change, which in and of itself made me excited, but then they did it again right after i gained the neutral zone, so i figured that they were playing dump and chase, except then i realized that no one was chasing and that it looked like they were just playing it safe. anyone else notice this, or am i just to high off if this demo that i'm reading into it?

# 395 JezFranco @ 08/19/10 05:31 AM

Ok, I've had more time with the demo, and found my one and only gripe so far...
On the PS3 version I noticed (once again!) loss of frame rate/graphic slowdown... Especially noticed it a few times were the CPU bench their goalie and you got 11 players + a goalie battling off a faceoff oin your zone.

God, this shouldn't need to happen... New physics engine, sure. But this game shouldn't have to lose framerate, it's not that comlex really.

# 396 JezFranco @ 08/19/10 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	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.

Agree!
I first thought manual passing was kinda a cool, but slow and clunky... but after a few games on last years game, as you said, there was absolute no going back.
And this year it seems to me it has changed for the better. I get the feeling that you actually get a harder pass if you quickly press the button all the way down, rather than just tapping it... It's not as much waiting time for the hard pass to "charge".
I think I'm gonna speed it up a bit with the sliders, but this feels like a great little change.
And also, noticed that it's easier to do a direct pass now. This was impossible on manual passin gearlier. Don't know if it's a change in the passing mechanic or the fact that the game switches player after your first pass much faster now...

Luvin it.

# 397 18 eighty 5 @ 08/19/10 07:32 AM

Hahaha I am laughing at what just happened.

Playing 3rd period as the Flyers. The B'Hawks turn it over in my defensive zone. I make a nice pass to the center moving foward up the middle. He makes a forward pass to my left winger (Asham) who has to stretch to reach the puck, gathers it and takes off.

It's 2 on 2. Asham has the puck and I try to boost but he doesn't have much going for him. He enters the Hawks off. zone on a 45 degree angle to the goalie with a defender skating backwards trying to block the shooting lane. On the opposite side of the ice Hartnell is motoring keeping up with the play. He too has a defender covering him but not too closely.

I wind up a slapshot with Asham and the stick breaks as it hits the ice. The puck goes sliding out perfectly infront of Hartnell who moves over it. The goalie in the meantime who was guarding Ashams side of the net scrambles and over compensates for the unpredictable change in the pucks direction by moving too far over to cover Hartnell's side of the net.

Hartnell in a flash one times it and puts it back over the goalies right shoulder to the gaping left hand side of the net for the score. The defense was bombed silly, nothing they could do.

I laughed I was that pleased with what I saw.

Easily the best goal I have scored in the demo and probably the best goal I have scored for the last few years playing EA's game.

Was brilliant!

# 398 ComaFaction @ 08/19/10 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckhead73


	Also, another thing i noticed, i was playing another battle for the cup game on allstar, and i love the new ai, the last game i played, the ai was up by a goal with a little over a minute left, well as i was trying to attack more and was pushing my forecheck a little harder, the ai started playing more of a "more focused on wasting time and not making any mistakes than on scoring" style of game. They would get posession, and then gain my blue line, and just dump the puck in. at first i thought it was just for a line change, which in and of itself made me excited, but then they did it again right after i gained the neutral zone, so i figured that they were playing dump and chase, except then i realized that no one was chasing and that it looked like they were just playing it safe. anyone else notice this, or am i just to high off if this demo that i'm reading into it?

I've seen this too. They'll even waste time behind their own net if you don't force them out of the zone. They seem to pin the puck to the boards more and really try and draw out the clock.

With respect to the boardplay, I really wish you could plow through a player who tries to hold you if you had the speed/strength/angle. Perhaps next year.

# 399 18 eighty 5 @ 08/19/10 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComaFaction


	With respect to the boardplay, I really wish you could plow through a player who tries to hold you if you had the speed/strength/angle. Perhaps next year.

Thats a good point. Some side ways movement in situations where it is likely to occur would be a good addition as boardplay does consist of scrapping sideways, or along the boards.

# 400 Splitter77 @ 08/19/10 09:15 AM

played again last nite.
one thing i noticed is that the new toe drag seems to be too successful. I was playing on all-star level and probably pulled it off 90% of the time just for testing purposes.

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