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

# 701 idrisguitar @ 08/31/10 08:26 AM

hey guys, playing the nhl 10 game on superstar last night, (got it recently for cheap) just had a few more questions about the demo. I just wanted to bring up some things i find off with 10 and hopefully you guys can say if they have been improved or eradicated.

1: firstly the agressiveness of the defense, (with full slider) is oddly lwow in this game. they just hold the pentagonal shape in the middle of the ice, not really pressuring the boards or anthing. so it end up becoming repetative on offense because you are just passing around the edges for ages until you can work it in for a decent shot attempt.

2: the way they can lift the stick and poke check from more than a stick length behind you and rob the puck, whereas if you try the same at best you will just poke it off the side and have no chance of getting it.

3: the magentic forces that they seem to have when the puck is behind my goal or on the boards. even when im out in front and skate right over the puck, they skate in behind me and skate back out with the puck. without even a poke check or stick lift.

4: lastly, on hardcore superstar, went to a shootout. took me 12 shots to score, (that just be being not very good) but i was thinking the opposing SUPERSTAR ai would be able to out deke my goalie once in 12. seems goalies are way to good (from my little time playing 11 demo when it first came out i noticed that was better this time, as its more physics based now rather than Magnetic super goalie force) oh and for the record goalie reaction for both human and AI was on 0.

sorry for the long post, hope you can answer.

# 702 idrisguitar @ 08/31/10 09:59 AM

it does thanks

,

i remember scoring a great deking goal in the demo before getting hl 10, of which i have scored ZERO.

# 703 idrisguitar @ 08/31/10 12:38 PM

thats aweosme, because even with all the sliders tuned to favour the attacker in nhl 10 95% of penalties and breakaway would be saved.

in fact i dont ever remember conceding a great deked goalie fake out goal. just shots from the points and a few closer and some defelctions.

its fun (nhl 10) but hearing these thigns about the nhl 11 demo may make me stop playing it sooner than id hope (i only got it for cheap so im not bothered about buying it) but yeah, nhl11 sounds more realistic, physical, dynamic, and varied.

its the free puck physics in 11 though thats really making give up on nhl 10 because it just feels so pre-planned and contrived in nhl 10 when the AI is on a rampage. but at least with nhl 11 the RTP system almost convinces you that everythign happening is organic and fair.

# 704 MizzouRah @ 08/31/10 03:51 PM

One... more.... week...

# 705 DJ @ 08/31/10 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segagendude


	Too freakin cool...... Game was tied 2-2, and I was playing as the Hawks. Went into OT, and in OT, I don't know how I did it, but, I had a two-on-one, and must've hit the pass button, because I passed it to the other guy, and scored on a one-timer! I'm thinking (As it all happened soo fast) I must've had the right stick back and let it fly right away. Either way, I've never jumped outta my seat and yelled like I did while playing "just a video game"! I was so excited, I didn't even get a chance to try one of the various celebration buttons! The crowd went so crazy, it actually gave me chills!!!! Pure awesomeness.......

NICE! Sounds like you are improving by the day.

# 706 Vikes1 @ 08/31/10 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segagendude


	I've never jumped outta my seat and yelled like I did while playing "just a video game"! I was so excited, I didn't even get a chance to try one of the various celebration buttons!

Yep Sega, I know just what you mean.

I've never personally played a sports game that is this fun and exciting to play. Many times with other sports games, playing vs the AI gets really dull. While it's always the most fun playing vs another person...but with NHL, I still enjoy games against the cpu.

# 707 DJ @ 08/31/10 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	Yep Sega, I know just what you mean. I've never personally played a sports game that is this fun and exciting to play. Many times with other sports games, playing vs the AI gets really dull. While it's always the most fun playing vs another person...but with NHL, I still enjoy games against the cpu.

I think the only game that compares to NHL, in terms of enjoying games against the CPU on a consistent basis, is MLB The Show, just because of the nature of baseball, games are so unpredictable. You can score or give up 10 runs one game and then get shut out or pitch a shutout the next game.

# 708 ezio @ 08/31/10 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	I think the only game that compares to NHL, in terms of enjoying games against the CPU on a consistent basis, is MLB The Show, just because of the nature of baseball, games are so unpredictable. You can score or give up 10 runs one game and then get shut out or pitch a shutout the next game.

I also think PES in it's hayday on the ps2 had the same effect. I had some amazing games on PES on the ps2. I am hoping they get that back this year.

# 709 BPK @ 09/01/10 02:46 AM

Two questions:

1. What is the button to do a saucer pass? I can't tell how many two-on-ones I've had where I wished I knew how to skip the puck over the defenceman's stick.

2. What will the default difficulty be for online? I really hope it's All-Star since the AI is much more positionally sound at that level. If it's pro, the games could become really boring. Thoughts?

# 710 norml @ 09/01/10 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPK


	Two questions: 1. What is the button to do a saucer pass? I can't tell how many two-on-ones I've had where I wished I knew how to skip the puck over the defenceman's stick. 2. What will the default difficulty be for online? I really hope it's All-Star since the AI is much more positionally sound at that level. If it's pro, the games could become really boring. Thoughts?

The saucer pass button is the right bumper button for xbox and I'm guessing R1 for ps3. I think Pro normal for the online setting but I could be wrong.

# 711 RoBbY1983 @ 09/01/10 10:54 AM

I live in Europe, but since i discovered NHL 09 I was totally hooked on that game! To me NHL is still the greatest sports game up to date, NHL 11 is going to be the greatest sports game ever, can't wait for this

# 712 crobert0247 @ 09/01/10 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoBbY1983


	I live in Europe, but since i discovered NHL 09 I was totally hooked on that game! To me NHL is still the greatest sports game up to date, NHL 11 is going to be the greatest sports game ever, can't wait for this

Couldn't have said that any better, myself.

# 713 CallCenterZombie @ 09/01/10 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	Yep Sega, I know just what you mean. I've never personally played a sports game that is this fun and exciting to play. Many times with other sports games, playing vs the AI gets really dull. While it's always the most fun playing vs another person...but with NHL, I still enjoy games against the cpu.

Very great point, Vikes. This is exactly what will set this game apart from the stale cpu ai with other sports games out there.

I mean its not perfect but it's getting to a very realistic level that hockey games haven't seen.

# 714 ComfortablyLomb @ 09/01/10 12:56 PM

Thoughts: I haven't seriously played a hockey game since NHL 99 on the N64 and haven't touched one since maybe NHL 04 on the PS2 and after having given the demo a shot I'm shocked at how far advanced this game is compared to those. The control scheme is really brilliant (I know it was in the last couple games but it's new to me), the AI is actually pretty good for AI, and the physics are a blast. One goal was scored on me off an AI shot from the slot that ricocheted off the hip of one of my defenders, hit the post, and went in. Facepalmingly awesome. The bounces and deflections on harder shots are fantastic too. It's just good stuff.

# 715 DJ @ 09/01/10 01:40 PM

Scored an awesome goal in OT last night, playing as the Hawks. Had a nice 3-on-1 rush, carrying the puck with Toews, I passed it over Hossa, who quickly passed the puck over to Sharp who then beat Leighton to win the Cup!

Great goal and I was very pleased with myself for not shooting with Hossa like I would normally and instead making the extra pass that led to the game-winning goal.

# 716 Vikes1 @ 09/01/10 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djwlfpack


	Great goal and I was very pleased with myself for not shooting with Hossa like I would normally and instead making the extra pass that led to the game-winning goal.

I'll tell ya what DJ...you hit one of my biggest scoring problems right on the head.

Way too many times I've watched replays, and saw all the great scoring chances I left out there by not doing this very thing. Taking the shot, instead of that one last pass. I'm terrible at aiming my shots. So getting the last pass to a teammate who has the goalie out of position....I need to start doing this a lot more.

One other thing I wanted to mention...the more I play the demo, the more impressed I am at how much better your AI teammates are in '11'. That feeling of being alone out there has been much improved imo this year. I now feel as though I can truly trust my AI players on both ends to do more of what you'd expect...to help me.

I'm seeing AI defensemen clearing opposing players away from my crease area. And actually getting in deep offensively with me to possibly bang home dirty goals. For me, the AI improvements alone are worth the $65.

# 717 DJ @ 09/01/10 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	I'll tell ya what DJ...you hit one of my biggest scoring problems right on the head. Way too many times I've watched replays, and saw all the great scoring chances I left out there by not doing this very thing. Taking the shot, instead of that one last pass. I'm terrible at aiming my shots. So getting the last pass to a teammate who has the goalie out of position....I need to start doing this a lot more. One other thing I wanted to mention...the more I play the demo, the more impressed I am at how much better your AI teammates are in '11'. That feeling of being alone out there has been much improved imo this year. I now feel as though I can truly trust my AI players on both ends to do more of what you'd expect...to help me. I'm seeing AI defensemen clearing opposing players away from my crease area. And actually getting in deep offensively with me to possibly bang home dirty goals. For me, the AI improvements alone are worth the $65.

I think that is why I used to take the shot b/c I didn't have the confidence that my AI teammates would do enough to get open or find a crease to receive a pass. At least in the demo, like you said, the AI teammates are actually that, teammates. They will help you out a lot more than in the past and it is a welcomed sight.

# 718 ezio @ 09/01/10 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	I'll tell ya what DJ...you hit one of my biggest scoring problems right on the head. Way too many times I've watched replays, and saw all the great scoring chances I left out there by not doing this very thing. Taking the shot, instead of that one last pass. I'm terrible at aiming my shots. So getting the last pass to a teammate who has the goalie out of position....I need to start doing this a lot more.

Maybe I should try that too because I have trouble scoring as well. thanks for the tip

# 719 Vikes1 @ 09/01/10 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CallCenterZombie


	This is exactly what will set this game apart from the stale cpu ai with other sports games out there. I mean its not perfect but it's getting to a very realistic level that hockey games haven't seen.

Totally agree Call.

I love the time I have, kicking back in the peace and quite of the ole Man cave, and playing a few more games of my BEAGM.

And looks like things will be even better this year. Yep, I enjoy playing vs the cpu quite a bit. But of course it's always the best when my son comes over and kicks my butt at NHL.

# 720 crobert0247 @ 09/01/10 02:31 PM

Another thing I'll mention as we eagerly await next Tuesday, the puck pursuit aspect of this game is amazing. I love going on the forecheck, being one step behind a guy, and trying to win the puck battle. Not only on the forecheck, but puck battles all over the ice are extremely fun and gratifying when won. This is yet another area of pure awesomeness to look forward to in NHL 11.

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