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

# 481 CS10029 @ 08/21/10 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	About this free trial thing, I've done it before but the Xbox I did it on died out and I got a replacement one from MS. I still have the same HD though. Do you get 3 new free one month trials if you have a new system or is it the HD that needs to be new to get new free trials?

As far as I know, it's the HDD.

# 482 Vikes1 @ 08/21/10 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	As I've been playing the demo, I keep thinking how awesome it is that size is finally going to make a huge difference this year. Having big, gritty forwards and defensemen really pays off now with the physics system. There's a big difference when you have a guy like Pronger or Chara instead of Carle or Hjalmarsson. I love it. This is going to add some nice depth to Be A GM because now if you're putting an undersized team on the ice, you could pay for it.

Great point to bring up Blue.

With the '10' game...yep, I basically just looked for speed, more than any other thing. Now with '11', as you said, the players size and hopefully aggression ratings will matter a lot. And by what I'm see with the demo, your AI controlled players actually do quite a bit on their own...without you nearly always having to do it for them. I mean I'm seeing my defensemen plowing over opposing forwards in my crease area.

And on the flip side, I've seen some of my forwards [such as Kane] getting waxed driving to the net. As you mentioned Blue...this new physic engine will add some nice depth to BEAGM.

# 483 actionhank @ 08/21/10 03:40 AM

Forgot to mention how happy i am that the physics engine has something to do with tripping now.
GOOD RIDDANCE UGLY TRIPPING ANIMATION.
I can't wait for this game.
I'm already contemplating what to do with my Blues. (They better make the playoffs now that we have Halak in net...)
I wish we could bring back retired players.
It was sad to see Sakic's player model in NHL10's intro, but not available in game.
I mainly just want to crush people with Tkachuk

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Yeah great points Blue and Vikes. I'm seeing the same thing, alot more glancing blows from smaller players like a Hossa or Kane, vs say a Pronger or Richards who's a flat out beast in this game. I'm also noticing that even though the attribute effect slider is only half way, theres a far more noticeable difference abilities wise between stars and 3rd and 4th liners. Which I know is a big thing alot were asking for, Hank especially. One of the things that I'm noticing more and more the more I play, is I honestly don't see myself having to tinker alot with sliders this year if the retail build is roughly the same as the demo build. Aside from dropping hitting power and maybe tweaking fatigue rates the demo imo at least, plays a pretty solid game right out of the gate. Definitely a promising sign.

My main thing will be slowing the game down a slight bit.
I love the gameplay though.
I can't wait to see what people come up with slider-wise.

# 484 Money99 @ 08/21/10 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	As I've been playing the demo, I keep thinking how awesome it is that size is finally going to make a huge difference this year. Having big, gritty forwards and defensemen really pays off now with the physics system. There's a big difference when you have a guy like Pronger or Chara instead of Carle or Hjalmarsson. I love it. This is going to add some nice depth to Be A GM because now if you're putting an undersized team on the ice, you could pay for it.

You got that right! While playing HUT, when given players like Chara or Bugfyulin you can absolutely destroy people without even needing too much momentum.
But with smaller guys, there's far more subtle bumps. It really raises the level of realism and makes you concentrate on getting certain players against others.

# 485 nddurst @ 08/21/10 10:03 AM

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread or not, but here is my one issue after playing the demo for a bit:

When on the rush, AI defensemen let the puck handler get WAY too deep into the zone, practically between the circles, without engaging him. Also, the goalies seem a bit confused at times.

Other than that, love the demo. 11 feels much more organic than 10. Can't wait until 9/7!

# 486 MizzouRah @ 08/21/10 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Yeah great points Blue and Vikes. I'm seeing the same thing, alot more glancing blows from smaller players like a Hossa or Kane, vs say a Pronger or Richards who's a flat out beast in this game. I'm also noticing that even though the attribute effect slider is only half way, theres a far more noticeable difference abilities wise between stars and 3rd and 4th liners. Which I know is a big thing alot were asking for, Hank especially. One of the things that I'm noticing more and more the more I play, is I honestly don't see myself having to tinker alot with sliders this year if the retail build is roughly the same as the demo build. Aside from dropping hitting power and maybe tweaking fatigue rates the demo imo at least, plays a pretty solid game right out of the gate. Definitely a promising sign.

Need a full game to fully agree.. but yes I feel the same way, which really has me pumped!

I could see myself thinking alot more in Be a GM when the trade deadline gets close. Seems like default AS could be my setting this year and when the stars are on the ice, it's definitely noticeable.

# 487 norml @ 08/21/10 11:20 AM

I've only played a couple periods in the demo and I am still trying to switch from 2K8's control scheme but compared to NHL 10 this game looks promising. My biggest problems with 10 were the goalies and playing defense. I play solid positional defense and try to cut off passing and shooting lanes. In 10 I would constantly watch the puck go right by or even right through my perfectly positioned player. In my short time with the demo I'm intercepting passes and blocking shots without issue. The puck physics and collision detection are exponentially better which by itself would be enough for me to buy this years game. My other problem was scoring on the robo-goalies. I could score but it was the same couple of goals and only when the cpu decided they would let one in. Not anymore. It just feels great to go in on a breakaway and blow a straight wrist shot by the goalie. Ive been playing 2K8 exclusively for the last couple of years because even with its horrible AI, it played the most like hockey. But as of today its been retired and traded in towards my pre-ordered copy of NHL 11. Great work EA.

# 488 Steven547 @ 08/21/10 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nddurst


	I'm not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread or not, but here is my one issue after playing the demo for a bit: When on the rush, AI defensemen let the puck handler get WAY too deep into the zone, practically between the circles, without engaging him. Also, the goalies seem a bit confused at times. Other than that, love the demo. 11 feels much more organic than 10. Can't wait until 9/7!

It might be due to the aggression slider. If it's low on the default DEMO setting, the CPU will play back more. I haven't checked it yet, but that could be the cause. I know in NHL 10 with the aggression slider low, the CPU defense would hang back more.

# 489 crobert0247 @ 08/21/10 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norml


	I've only played a couple periods in the demo and I am still trying to switch from 2K8's control scheme

I went through the same transition on Tuesday.

I put NHL 10 away in June and switched to 2k8 for the summer. I was lost the first couple of periods and then it all came back.

# 490 Kaanyr Vhok @ 08/21/10 01:14 PM

Is there a setting to lock the poke check on the right stick like NHL 2k? That should be standard.

# 491 crobert0247 @ 08/21/10 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaanyr Vhok


	Is there a setting to lock the poke check on the right stick like NHL 2k? That should be standard.

Yes. It can be locked in the demo and surely in the full game. Go to Settings/ Controller Settings and set the "Preset" to "Custom". The poke check is mapped (by default) to the Right Stick. Play around with it and see if ya like it.

# 492 puckhead73 @ 08/21/10 02:27 PM

Blue, I totally know what you mean about missing Tkachuk! I was going through the very same thought process about how it would actually make a difference this year's game to have someone like him in front of the net... It just had to be the year he retired.

On the bright side tho, we still have oshie, backes, and perron. Now if they would do something about brewer and jackman. I know i will in my beagm.

On topic tho...

I played for probably almost 2 hours straight with a buddy of mine playing as opposing teams. How many of you all have done this? It really really i think shows off just how the ai actually has improved. I know we are all talking about how its better but let me rave a little more

i haven't noticed in any of the games anything along the lines of the ai making any stupid defensive mistakes, i.e.; diving in the completely wrong situation to dive in, or go all the way from one side of the rink, completely abandoning their man, to help me guard someone on the opposite side of the night. The fact that during our match i tried all the glitch goals and only found one that actually worked, (if there is someone i should tell about it, let me know, i am new here) really made me excited about playing multiplayer online, it seems like the game is almost exactly where it should be. Great job ea!

# 493 Kaanyr Vhok @ 08/21/10 02:29 PM

Thanks^^ good to try

# 494 MizzouRah @ 08/21/10 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckhead73


	Blue, I totally know what you mean about missing Tkachuk! I was going through the very same thought process about how it would actually make a difference this year's game to have someone like him in front of the net... It just had to be the year he retired. On the bright side tho, we still have oshie, backes, and perron. Now if they would do something about brewer and jackman. I know i will in my beagm.

At least we should be stronger in net this year.. I'm shopping Brewer right off the bat.

# 495 Gagnon39 @ 08/21/10 02:44 PM

Can't stop thinking about this game.

# 496 Gagnon39 @ 08/21/10 03:25 PM

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

# 497 Money99 @ 08/21/10 04:14 PM

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed.
I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot.

Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

# 498 Vikes1 @ 08/21/10 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gagnon39


	After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

Yep, I sure am noticing the much improved AI.

The good thing is, the AI looks improved for both cpu and Human...thankfully. And I agree, '11' is imo also more challenging than '10' because of the better AI. For some of the reasons you mentioned Gagnon.

I've been playing on All-Star too, and so far, it looks like this year I may have to play on the normal setting rather than hardcore. I'm getting pretty much whipped on hardcore this year. I should mention though, one of the biggest improvements imo for the User is...you seem to get a good amount of traffic out in front of your opponents net this year. Unlike it was with '10'.

# 499 Sakuraba19 @ 08/21/10 04:47 PM

Sick move in 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL4hAKDYKPQ

# 500 MizzouRah @ 08/21/10 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gagnon39


	After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

The game just feels like a hockey game and I agree, on AS the CPU AI plays smart hockey and constantly has me thinking ahead.

I'm getting less chances to score and it's great!

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