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

# 621 Qb @ 08/26/10 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocho cuatro


	I'm just thankful that I haven't seen any CPU players pass back to the blue line on a breakaway yet. Has anyone else seen that? It was a major issue with NHL 10.

I don't recall seeing that yet. But I have seen the CPU use the push-puck once they were behind my defense...

# 622 norml @ 08/26/10 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven547


	Can't comment on the Defense part, but with the CPU coming up with loose pucks more... Last year, I put the game on Hardcore and felt like that fixed the issue of my players not grabbing the loose puck. Seems like on Hardcore, it eliminates that "auto" puck grab by your players, and enables you to get the puck without any "errors". If I'm correct, Hardcore means you have no assistance by the CPU. This means the CPU won't make bonehead moves in trying to grab the puck and overskate it. I could be wrong, but try that out and see if it helps.

I don't think it's the normal/hardcore setting I think it's the pro setting. I switched to Allstar/Normal and playing D is actually easier. Why, I don't know, but when I'm in position to intercept a pass or block a shot it happens on a more realistic basis. Thanks for the suggestion.

# 623 CS10029 @ 08/26/10 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPK


	I really want to like this but the defensive play is really frustrating me. I just don`t feel like I have that much control over my players when I don`t have the puck. How are you guys handling defence? I`ve started just using a forward to chase the puck carrier - hardly an ideal scenario.

I would say try turning off auto back skate. You have to use LT, to face up the attacking forward. To me it feels more natural, kinda like how madden works when playing safety.

It really lets you pound a guy into the boards, or turn quicker to deflect a pass or shot. It also works nicely on offense too.

EDIT- You change this option in the controller settings.

If you already play like this then I'm sorry for wasting your time, hahaha.

# 624 actionhank @ 08/26/10 05:02 PM

I'm so glad i found how to turn off auto back-skate.
I forgot how much i hated that.

# 625 Steven547 @ 08/26/10 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norml


	I don't think it's the normal/hardcore setting I think it's the pro setting. I switched to Allstar/Normal and playing D is actually easier. Why, I don't know, but when I'm in position to intercept a pass or block a shot it happens on a more realistic basis. Thanks for the suggestion.

With a DEMO, it's always going to be hard to pinpoint what it can be. I'm playing NHL 10 on Hardcore and it's fixed the issue for me. But, NHL 11 could be very different slider wise. We'll find out in 2 weeks!

# 626 Super Glock @ 08/26/10 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb12780


	What difficulty level is everyone playing at?

I'm pathetic I have been playing on pro-normal and usually have a very hard time scoring even a single goal. I then will switch to pro-casual and it is almost too easy. I wish there was an in between, lol. Any suggestions anyone?. And also what is the average score of a pro hockey game?

# 627 onlybygrace @ 08/26/10 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Glock


	I'm pathetic I have been playing on pro-normal and usually have a very hard time scoring even a single goal. I then will switch to pro-casual and it is almost too easy. I wish there was an in between, lol. Any suggestions anyone?. And also what is the average score of a pro hockey game?

Don't worry, there are sliders for goalie reaction and all sorts of things...it will be much easier to find the right level of difficulty when the full game comes out and the sliders are adjustable.

Usually the league leading NHL teams will score about 3.25-3.5 goals per game whereas the lower scoring teams will score around 2.3-2.5 goals per game.

Still there are times when a team will score 6 or 7 goals...sometimes more.

# 628 6194life @ 08/26/10 09:53 PM

- Hitting is ten-fold better this year. I had a hit on me in BFTC when Leino drove to the net(puck protect) and Seabrook pushed him from behind right beside Neimi and Leino falls and crashes into the boards from a few feet out on his knees.

- Faceoffs are so much more realistic.

- Celebrations are cool maybe a few more realistic ones and slow down the speed at which I skate doing them. Trying to use the B button celebration your guy goes into Mach 4. As well they need to add a second or 2 to them. Also if your playing in the EASHL or 2 plays have them allowed to join in.

- Broken sticks seem to be occuring at a normal rate. I haven't had one cost me a goal neither have I scored because of one.

# 629 Redskins Pride @ 08/26/10 10:30 PM

it seems like i can just completely bury the CPU without any kind of recourse, even late hits and everything. Playing on the default settings. If my team played like I do in the NHL, first off I would get deked out of my skates ... second, the other team would clear the bench to stomp me in to next tuesday ... or third, their enforcer would head hunt my stars.

none of this happens in the NHL series and I kind of wish it did. Then again the deke me out of my skates thing might happen on the harder levels so I suppose I should reserve this judgement for the retail version.

# 630 onlybygrace @ 08/26/10 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redskins Pride


	it seems like i can just completely bury the CPU without any kind of recourse, even late hits and everything. Playing on the default settings. If my team played like I do in the NHL, first off I would get deked out of my skates ... second, the other team would clear the bench to stomp me in to next tuesday ... or third, their enforcer would head hunt my stars. none of this happens in the NHL series and I kind of wish it did. Then again the deke me out of my skates thing might happen on the harder levels so I suppose I should reserve this judgement for the retail version.

Sliders will change much of this, I'm sure. Don't you think that the devs wanted the new physics to be shown off without a bunch of penalties that may be a bit too 'sim' for the more casual crowd??? I do.

There are a lot of people who know nothing about hockey playing this game just to try the new physics engine...and a lot of them are getting hooked. The Gospel of NHL 11.

Excessive penalties might push many potential fans away.

# 631 Super Glock @ 08/26/10 11:58 PM

I appreciate the helpful responses. It has really helped a hockey noob like myself. I am definitely sold on this game and it will be a first hockey game purchase for me.

# 632 DJ @ 08/27/10 02:18 AM

Anyone else feel like the odd-man rushes are a lot better than previous years? I've had a couple of nice 3-on-1 and 2-on-1 breaks that either resulted in goals or solid shot attempts that were stopped by the goalie. The CPU also looks to take advantage of the numbers as well.

# 633 Vikes1 @ 08/27/10 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	Anyone else feel like the odd-man rushes are a lot better than previous years? I've had a couple of nice 3-on-1 and 2-on-1 breaks that either resulted in goals or solid shot attempts that were stopped by the goalie. The CPU also looks to take advantage of the numbers as well.

Yep DJ, I'd say even overall the..."Where the hell is everybody?", feeling that I had at times with '10', isn't nearly as prevalent.

I've seen a few very nice odd man rushes develop for me. But man...has the ease of the cross crease pass, been taken care of nicely this year. The cpu seems to do a much better job of protecting the middle area of the slot. And really liking what they've done to humanize the goalies for '11'.

# 634 BR0NXB0MBERS87 @ 08/27/10 06:37 AM

To confirm that they do call goals at first, with the players n goal light going on as if it was a goal, I was playing the demo and it was the coolest thing. Cpu took a shot (don't remember the certain player, my goalie saved it with the blocker, puck went into the air and on way down, crosby whacked it into the net for a goal. But I swear as soon as I saw it, my immediate reaction was no goal cuz his stick was above the crossbar. It really was crazy that it looked so legit but I could actually tell it shouldn't of been a goal. Sure enough the ref came in, and it went to review. Replays were perfect, best view coming from the side where u can clearly see the stick above the crossbar. No goal and I was just like wow that was cool

so yes there will be goals that happen but get reviewed and don't count.

# 635 18 eighty 5 @ 08/27/10 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	Anyone else feel like the odd-man rushes are a lot better than previous years? I've had a couple of nice 3-on-1 and 2-on-1 breaks that either resulted in goals or solid shot attempts that were stopped by the goalie. The CPU also looks to take advantage of the numbers as well.

Good call! Totally agree. Had an awesome 3 on one goal the other night and it made me think 'crikey, that was different'. But all it was was a straight forward 3 on 1 goal you see in the NHl all the time.

# 636 JezFranco @ 08/27/10 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fierce Robot


	Good call! Totally agree. Had an awesome 3 on one goal the other night and it made me think 'crikey, that was different'. But all it was was a straight forward 3 on 1 goal you see in the NHl all the time.

I've also come to love another nice little addition.
On NHL 10 many was the times I had the puck behind the goal line waiting for a pass situation to my guy in the slot, but he was either not there or he was standing there without moving an inch while the defenders trashed him.

Now in the demo, I've seen a few times I'm in the same situation waiting to send out a deadly pass, and all of a sudden one of my defenders does an offensive rush from the point to just outside the slot just like he want's me to give him a pass so he can do a one timer.
ABSO-LUTELY-EFFIN-AMAZING! My defender is acting like his is a live team mate playing co-op. He's moving into an open spot because he wants to score.

The first time I saw it, I was so amazed I forgot to pass him... and he went back to his D-position as he realised the opening wasn't there anymore.

I've noticed this not only in the situation mentioned but many occasions where I hold the puck waiting for someone to pass, my players are moving around, where's in the 10 they'd just go to their default position and stay there... and perhaps moved a bit when I "triggered" a play.

Thank you EA - This game is officially better than sex.

# 637 18 eighty 5 @ 08/27/10 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JezFranco


	I've also come to love another nice little addition. On NHL 10 many was the times I had the puck behind the goal line waiting for a pass situation to my guy in the slot, but he was either not there or he was standing there without moving an inch while the defenders trashed him. Now in the demo, I've seen a few times I'm in the same situation waiting to send out a deadly pass, and all of a sudden one of my defenders does an offensive rush from the point to just outside the slot just like he want's me to give him a pass so he can do a one timer. ABSO-LUTELY-EFFIN-AMAZING! My defender is acting like his is a live team mate playing co-op. He's moving into an open spot because he wants to score. The first time I saw it, I was so amazed I forgot to pass him... and he went back to his D-position as he realised the opening wasn't there anymore. I've noticed this not only in the situation mentioned but many occasions where I hold the puck waiting for someone to pass, my players are moving around, where's in the 10 they'd just go to their default position and stay there... and perhaps moved a bit when I "triggered" a play. Thank you EA - *This game is officially better than sex*.

Firstly, your obseravtions about team mates getting open and playing offense is great to hear, will watch for the behind the net stuff.

BUT

If I just arrived home from the shops with a brand new copy of NHL 11 and my wife said to me 'lets rock', I'd leave NHL 11 till later (adding another 120 seconds to wait for NHL 11 is worth it surely) and choose sex with the missus haha.

Still, this game is shaping up to be stellar.

# 638 onlybygrace @ 08/27/10 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fierce Robot


	Firstly, your obseravtions about team mates getting open and playing offense is great to hear, will watch for the behind the net stuff. BUT If I just arrived home from the shops with a brand new copy of NHL 11 and my wife said to me 'lets rock', I'd leave NHL 11 till later (adding another 120 seconds to wait for NHL 11 is worth it surely) and choose sex with the missus haha. Still, this game is shaping up to be stellar.

I rocked last night for about 45 minutes.

# 639 onlybygrace @ 08/27/10 11:13 AM

Well...after my wife gets back from the doctor with my son, I'm going to pick up my Xbox at UPS.

All I hope for now is that it has a long second life...or works at all. I always expect the worst.

# 640 18 eighty 5 @ 08/27/10 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlybygrace


	I rocked last night for about 45 minutes.

Haha rock on mate! I might get the call up tomorrow.

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