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

# 541 ColdForged @ 08/22/10 10:47 AM

I've still experienced the best videogame hockey moments ever. I've gotten deked out of my skates on several occasions, seen the goalies absolutely humiliated with beautiful dekes by the AI, and even drew a delay of game by pressuring Niemi on a dump in when he tossed it over the glass. The penalties are believable, the movements of everyone are smooth and glorious.

The animations have been tightened up. For example, there's a goalie animation when he's trapped a puck in his pads and he looks left and right then stands up and tosses the puck down. Previously the transition between the looking and popping up was jarring. Now some transitions have been added that makes it just right.

They've even decreased the loading times to about 7 seconds from the time you get the game configured to the time you can hit the ice. That's a nice touch. Makes up somewhat for the unskippable Cup celebration. I, too, do the quit early thing which doesn't help when it goes to OT

. Thankfully it does let you skip part of it once you've seen the whole thing once in a play session. Still, would be nice to skip the whole thing. I know it's special but after the 5th time it wears.

# 542 idrisguitar @ 08/22/10 11:11 AM

Okay the facets that matter most to me about real time physics in a hockey game is the fact that it nearly obliterates the feeling of helplessness that just about every sports game has in spades, even the best ones.

In old NHL games, the goalkeepers worked in a different dimension to the everyone else, and it seemed down to the decisions the AI give you on whether a goal would go in or be saved.

This all resulted in massive frustration and to be honest even with the game-play being great, the overall feeling I got was that it was just randomness and its why I sold 09 and didn’t buy 10.

This demo however has me working hard and creating chances and finishing the ones you expect should be finished, whereas in 09/10 you had to do a few cheat moves and deke to make sure the robo goalie got confused and let it in, now you can just attack naturally and score realistic and (most importantly) rewarding goals.

# 543 crobert0247 @ 08/22/10 12:12 PM

Geno just broke a guys stick on a cross check and got whistled for it.

# 544 unkiedave @ 08/22/10 12:39 PM

First time post. Been playing NHL since the beginning. Yes I'm an old man and I've always loved this series above all other games. First, discovered the OS site this year, excellent site, quick updates, great info source, etc. My two cents are that the new demo is excellent. Improvement in a variety of areas, nice overall progression versus game in past years. Being "old school", the main area I'm always looking for improvement in is gameplay. Doesn't matter how many bells and whistles, graphics, extra modes, etc. a game has, if the gameplay is poor the game is poor. The demo leaves me feeling very optomistic regarding last years game.

My post involves the demo feedback the EA board community. The posts I've read on OS seem fair and to balance their likes and dislikes of the demo reasonably. In having visited the EA community board, its always funny to read some of the whining, complaining and overall b*tching that goes on after the demo is released. These people posting would complain if you hung them with a new rope. You dl the demo for free and a given a sneak peek at a great game and a good percentage of them want to gripe and whine. If the game is so awful, go dress up a doll and shut the h*ll up. No game you ever play is going to be perfect, but the ability of the game each year to mimic the real sport is amazing. Think of where this game has evolved from. I for one prefer those who refrain b*tching just for the sake of it and want to thank the dev team and EA for continually putting in a great effort each dev cycle to make this game better. Having never posted before, I hope its fair to say that most people who enjoy this title each year and also appreciative and keep coming back each year because of the effort put into the game and the overall quality. That is all. Keep up the GREAT work.

# 545 TripleCrown9 @ 08/22/10 01:13 PM

So far my favorite thing about the demo, other than how much better it feels from past games, is how exciting it is for a demo. If you have the lead in the final minute, and you get a big check on their winger to get the puck back, the crowd goes NUTS!

# 546 crobert0247 @ 08/22/10 01:45 PM

Harry Young just obliterated, I mean lambasted Taylor Hall against the boards at center. I took Myers up to the neutral zone, challenged Young and barely got the KO. The crowd went nuts. Hilarious.

# 547 idrisguitar @ 08/22/10 02:51 PM

i got in a nice late hip check but the camera lost view of his fall and no replay

anyway just got beat after being 1-0 up and i didn;t feel cheated, it felt awesome, trying to chase the equalizer in the last minute,

thats a great sign, whenever i got thrashed on harder difficulties in old nhl game i always felt like there was nothing i really could have done. but its not the case this time.

# 548 Steven547 @ 08/22/10 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	My biggest concern right now is which system to get it on. If BaGM is online I might have to get the PS3 version. I have a lot more friends who'll buy this game for the PS3 (Realm being one of them) so the chances of getting into an online league with people I know and trust is greater. However, the two biggest concerns I have for the PS3 version are this: 1. Framerate. 2. We use the PS3 primarily as a Bluray player. What if my wife wants to watch a movie in the bedroom and I want to play NHL11? That scenario doesn't present itself very often, but it would be nice to have the option of having both systems available for separate reasons. Realm, you said that the PS3 demo had a noticeable difference in framerate to the 360? Also, I'm so behind on the times. Do we now need to pay for online service with PSN?

Having both systems is nice. I've played the DEMO on both systems and don't see any difference. The glass even shakes on the PS3 version after a body check is delivered. I'll be getting it on the PS3 due to the roster updates that are put out by MattG on here. If XBOX had that ability to easily transfer roster updates (like 2k used to do), then 360 it would be.

# 549 Vikes1 @ 08/22/10 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampStomper90


	So far my favorite thing about the demo, other than how much better it feels from past games, is how exciting it is for a demo. If you have the lead in the final minute, and you get a big check on their winger to get the puck back, the crowd goes NUTS!

Yeah I've noticed this too.

The sound of mashing the guy into the boards/glass is very well done...and then hearing your home crowd roar it's approval is plain awesome.

# 550 SinisterAlex @ 08/22/10 05:50 PM

I just noticed this little detail but I found it kinda cool. I took a shot from the point and I had a guy infront of the net. Instead of letting the puck hit him, he lifted his leg to let the puck through.

Pretty cool.

# 551 idrisguitar @ 08/22/10 06:08 PM

fourth comment in two pages, love this demo!! woop.

seriously not an nhl fanboy, but this is the first time i feel like eeyrthing thats happening is appening honestly nd naturally because of the physics. instead of articial ai mistake to allow a goal (at least thats how 09-10 felt for me.

# 552 Sausage @ 08/22/10 06:36 PM

I have heard so much about this franchise the last 3 years. I have not played a hockey game since NHL 2002 with "Super" Mario.

Now, at the moment the default controls are a bit deep for me, so if I play with the "simpler" control schemes would I be at a huge disadvantage playing online and against the A.I.?

What are your opinions for a total beginner to simulation hockey?

# 553 idrisguitar @ 08/22/10 06:49 PM

honestly?

find someone else to play who equally is new to the game. with the proper controls and try and have fun learning them

because once you do this game becomes one of the best sports sims ever made. the control scheme is a BIG part of the games terrific gameplay.

# 554 crobert0247 @ 08/22/10 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sausage


	I have heard so much about this franchise the last 3 years. I have not played a hockey game since NHL 2002 with "Super" Mario. Now, at the moment the default controls are a bit deep for me, so if I play with the "simpler" control schemes would I be at a huge disadvantage playing online and against the A.I.? What are your opinions for a total beginner to simulation hockey?

I don't think you would be at a disadvantage with classic controls but you'd be missing out on a ton of gratifying moments and plays without using default controls. If you have the time, definitely stick with the default control class and use the demo as a training ground. Look at the controls and focus on one control for a few minutes and you'll have it down pretty quick, even as a beginner. You would definitely sell yourself short overall using any other configuration IMO.

# 555 onlybygrace @ 08/22/10 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crobert0247


	I don't think you would be at a disadvantage with classic controls but you'd be missing out on a ton of gratifying moments and plays without using default controls. If you have the time, definitely stick with the default control class and use the demo as a training ground. Look at the controls and focus on one control for a few minutes and you'll have it down pretty quick, even as a beginner. You would definitely sell yourself short overall using any other configuration IMO.

No...I'm sure he'd be at a huge disadvantage as classic controls do not have the 'hustle' feature or the 'push puck' options that other human players will most likely be using against him.

Thats just the beginning.

Take the time to learn the controls...

# 556 puckhead73 @ 08/22/10 08:18 PM

Gotta say i'm with everyone else on this one.... The skill stick is the way to go definitely. The curve is steep, yes, but there comes with it a connection to the player you are controlling. It just isn't the same holding down the square button to rip a shot from the point and having it deflected in for a goal. Totally different experience. Like was said before me, take your time with the demo and tutorials, and learn the skill stick. Miles ahead of button pressing.

# 557 crobert0247 @ 08/22/10 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	No...I'm sure he'd be at a huge disadvantage as classic controls do not have the 'hustle' feature or the 'push puck' options that other human players will most likely be using against him. Thats just the beginning. Take the time to learn the controls...

As far as disadvantage goes, it comes down to the player and how they execute regardless of the control configuration. You can't speak for every player, Grace. But, I'm sure your point is valid in many cases, especially with the availability of hustle(which I absolutely love - see previous posts) this year. To be clear, I'll reiterate my conclusion and overall recommendation to all beginners. *See bold text below from previous post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crobert0247


	I don't think you would be at a disadvantage with classic controls but you'd be missing out on a ton of gratifying moments and plays without using default controls. If you have the time, definitely stick with the default control class and use the demo as a training ground. Look at the controls and focus on one control for a few minutes and you'll have it down pretty quick, even as a beginner. You would definitely sell yourself short overall using any other configuration IMO.

# 558 Redshirt_EA @ 08/22/10 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sroz39


	(regarding face-off loop) I can totally appreciate the difficulty in pin-pointing the problem. Definitely appreciate that you guys eliminated known intentional causes from 10. That's a plus. And even though our club has found a counter that's almost 100% effective, it'd be great to not have to deal with all the bs. Fingers crossed here.

It isn't a single problem, many different things can cause it to happen so it is an ongoing battle.

# 559 norml @ 08/23/10 12:30 AM

I've been playing this demo all day and I really only have one complaint. Stick control on defense is still horrible. You should be able to position your stick while skating and maintaining your speed. It is something even the crappiest defenseman can do in his sleep. But still, I've been playing the DEMO all day. 2K10 and NHL 10 never made it more than a game or to before being shut off out of frustration. I have a 360 that hasn't been turned on in months and now I can't turn it off.

# 560 Vikes1 @ 08/23/10 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segagendude


	What authenticity!!! This game is owning me at the moment, and it's only a one period demo!!!!

Just wait Sega till you get your mitts on the GM mode.

I really enjoyed it in '10', and there's some very decent improvements to the mode for '11'. Some known...and supposedly a rather "Big one" yet to be announced. I know I can't wait to get started.

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