NHL 12 News Post

NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

06:52 AM - August 23, 2011 by Steve_OS

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NHL 12 demo is available now, please play a few games and post your impressions here. The demo weighs in at 1.34 GB. Available now for 360, later this afternoon for PS3.

UPDATE: PS3 demo is available now.

What's included in the demo? Check out the NHL 12 demo announcement blog.

Game: NHL 12Reader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 26 - View All

NHL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 381 Josam27o7 @ 08/27/11 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Honestly? That doesn't sound like much fun to me personally. Give me better presentation elements and a sim engine/CPU Line & Roster management that works properly and I'm good.

All they've added is a stupid sim engine! How the heck can you play Be a Gm again LOL. That stupid blackberry system blows and needs to be revamped.

And this is coming from someone who likes the gameplay advances, except the silly canned smash the glass animation, and the goalie fight stupidity.

# 382 MizzouRah @ 08/27/11 08:53 AM

I'm finding the game very realistic on AP in the demo.

# 383 TDKing @ 08/27/11 10:39 AM

All I want for BAGm mode is SHORTER seasons and Multiplayer Online!

# 384 jb1 @ 08/27/11 12:22 PM

I've played about 25 periods now mostly on All Star - Hardcore and i'm finding that the more I play it the more I am enjoying it. My initial reaction after my first period was disappointment but that was mainly down to the look of the game and it still feeling a lot like NHL 11 but after more playing time I can see real gameplay improvements. Better shooting, goal variety, passing, skating, CPU AI is smarter (not perfect though by any means) resulting in better positions being taken up by the AI and i'm really enjoying how much more they are shooting on my net.

There clearly are still issues, it's too easy to go coast to coast and too easy to force the AI to dump and turnover the puck still which I feel results in too much puck possession for me. Also the goaltenders still require some work as they have given up some stupid goals, examples include sweeping the puck about 2 feet away to the side giving an open net to shoot into and just doing nothing while the puck is just in front of them after giving up a rebound.

We all know that presentation needs a huge overhaul aswell. Same cut scenes, commentary (although I could listen to Gary Thorne read the phone book and be entertained!) not enough stats on show during stoppages in play etc.

Overall though i'm really enjoying the demo and can't wait for the game to be released. Just hoping now the new sim engine lives upto the hype and Be a GM mode can keep me hooked as I just can't enjoy playing this game online.

# 385 gopher_guy @ 08/27/11 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josam27o7


	All they've added is a stupid sim engine! How the heck can you play Be a Gm again LOL. That stupid blackberry system blows and needs to be revamped. And this is coming from someone who likes the gameplay advances, except the silly canned smash the glass animation, and the goalie fight stupidity.

A "stupid" sim engine?

If it works well it will revolutionize BaGM for me.

# 386 Eddie1967 @ 08/27/11 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KomicJ


	Spent a few more hours playing the demo, and while I can enjoy the new puck physics, and the improved AI...I still can't bring myself to like that game. For the exact same reason I didn't like NHL11. Because, as much as I like the challenge, I constantly feel cheated by the CPU, who seems to be able to do a whole lot more than I can do. Things such as one touch tape-to-tape cannon passes that goes through my defenders no matter what. Spot on poke-checks. Taking control of a bouncing puck with such an ease, I think my players don't even control the puck that well when it's flat on the ice. Has no problem whatsoever to lift my stick, and take control of the puck, but everytime I do it, the CPU either keeps the puck, or I get called for slashing. While I'm a fan of getting rid of the turbo button, the balance between speed with/without the puck needs to be reviewed. I don't care if he has the puck on his stick or not, Henrik Zetterberg shouldn't not be slower than Andrew Alberts...NEVER ! The default positioning, especially in the offensive zone, is just plain aweful ! No matter what strategy I'm using, defensemen aren't playing the blueline as well as they should. The CPU is overly aggressive in the offensive zone, leading to way too many 3-2, even when playing the PK leading by a goal. And while the goaltending AI seems to be better than what it was in previous games, their play outside the net got worse. Played HUT a my team had Carey Price as a starter...couldn't even stop the puck behind his net. Been playing the game since '93, never skipped a year, although I did return NHL11 a couple of weeks after buying it last year. Often getting it on both consoles and CPU (back when Thunderpuck was active). Not wasting my money on the game this year...hoping 2K will eventually come back and blow us away like they did with NBA2K, which is by far the best sports game around these days.

Great Post and I agree, this is far from a true simulation of the sport of hockey, how many years will we have to wait before EA gets it right. While it seems like a fun game to play it still has a ways to go to satisfy me.

# 387 Vikes1 @ 08/27/11 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb1


	There clearly are still issues, it's too easy to go coast to coast

By far...my biggest issue with the gameplay.

I'm hoping the game reviewing sites get on them about this. Who knows...maybe they'll listen to them.

# 388 mkharsh33 @ 08/28/11 12:33 AM

the problem I have with the "coast to coast" ease of gaining the offensive zone: that is not even close to real hockey!!!!!!!!!!

to blow that off as a "no big deal" is like a team pressing you in a college basketball video game, for example, and you being able to beat it every time by just dribbling your way through... that looks nothing like a real college basketball game.

question: if that is totally unacceptable in a basketball game, why in the hell is it acceptable for a hockey game? sorry, but this is a HUGE issue for me, not some small thing. again, it doesn't resemble anything close to what i see in an NHL arena... not trying to be debbie downer, guys, but this aspect alone makes this game near unplayable...

# 389 Vikes1 @ 08/28/11 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	the problem I have with the "coast to coast" ease of gaining the offensive zone: that is not even close to real hockey!!!!!!!!!! to blow that off as a "no big deal" is like a team pressing you in a college basketball video game, for example, and you being able to beat it every time by just dribbling your way through... that looks nothing like a real college basketball game. question: if that is totally unacceptable in a basketball game, why in the hell is it acceptable for a hockey game? sorry, but this is a HUGE issue for me, not some small thing. again, it doesn't resemble anything close to what i see in an NHL arena... not trying to be debbie downer, guys, but this aspect alone makes this game near unplayable...

Yeah Mk, I'd say it's a fundamental weakness in the gameplay.

I don't expect total realism, but I'd like to at least have the basics pretty much covered. And everyone, and anyone being able to pull a Bobby Orr...is not having the basics covered, imo.

I dig the game a lot, and play as much as I can. And will be in line on 9/13. But I do believe the game deserves to have this coast to coast stuff pointed out. On the higher playing levels...it's just not right.

# 390 Lordofthething @ 08/28/11 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jattbreed


	^Yeah, I just had Skinner go coast to coast against Chara and Seidenberg with a tie game with 20 seconds left. I went right to the slot, went right then left, then wrist shot opposite corner and scored. Man, it felt amazing....... ............. .............. Until I did it again with Hall....then Tavares....then Perry.....then Nugent Hopkins. Takes away that special feeling.

Obviously with the players you mentioned you're going coast-to-coast on pro in HUT...have you tried playing "play now" on all-star or superstar? Pro is intended to be easy....just saying.

# 391 Lordofthething @ 08/28/11 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	I know alot of guys want online franchises but eh. That's another new mode/feature I'd never touch to be honest. Blow out the presentation, make sure the CPU isn't ******** on signing guys in the offseason and have the sim stats realistically reflect real life and I'd be content.

I agree, the only thing I would add is some sort of goalie fatigue. I remember a few years ago if your goalie got fatigued a little zzz would show up beside his name. Goalie management is a big part of coaching...and speaking of coaching it would be cool if you could hire/fire coaches....last time I checked, that was a big part of being a GM.

# 392 BlueNGold @ 08/28/11 06:30 AM

Got to play 2 play now games of the demo at a friend's tonight and yeah, it's nothing groundbreaking and has the same look and sometimes feel of NHL 11, but I really like what they've done to the gameplay.

There's a lot of nice little touches I noticed in just 3 periods and a shootout, and my biggest complaint from last year - the AI (something I really tried to emphasize in my post in the wishlist thread), is a lot better. That alone makes the game good for me. I'd much rather they work on how the game itself plays than try to reinvent the wheel, at least for this year. Because really, the biggest thing that gives a sports game "replay value" is a well-playing, smart, and challenging but fun game. The Show is a perfect example of that. A game like that keeps me coming back to play it because I can enjoy the gameplay and get a good, fun experience out of it almost every time. And I'm not even a baseball fan.

Anyways, there still are things that aren't where they need to be. The one that sticks out most being the fact that it's too easy to enter the offensive zone. I'd like to think some slider changes will help this and hopefully that's that case because I like what I've played and wish I could play the demo more.

Really as long as there isn't any Be A Gm-killing issue and they've addressed the frustrating issue with teams mismanaging their cap to the point that really good players are left in free agency and never get signed, I think I'll be getting the game.

# 393 Therion7 @ 08/28/11 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jattbreed


	On All Star/SS the same thing I can go with Kelly and do the same thing except the shot doesn't go in. Point is this, I shouldn't be able to gain the slot that easy and get a shot.

It's a valid point. However, in singleplayer, I would find it to be a risky tactic as on the higher difficulty the CPU would punish you if your defenceman tries a Bobby Orr and was caught out of position after a turnover.

All depends on your playing style I suppose. You can do it, but I try not to. Like you said, it's not how real hockey works 99 percent of the time. Similarly, I've scored a few curve shots to test out things in 12, but I'm not going to be using them in games, because I feel cheap - even against the CPU.

# 394 TIm @ 08/28/11 09:16 AM

When will I be able to DL the demo on a XBL Silver account?

# 395 DJ @ 08/28/11 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIm


	When will I be able to DL the demo on a XBL Silver account?

Tuesday, I believe. I've been playing the PS3 demo but will get the 360 one this week, as that's the system I play NHL on.

# 396 Flamesfan102 @ 08/28/11 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	Got to play 2 play now games of the demo at a friend's tonight and yeah, it's nothing groundbreaking and has the same look and sometimes feel of NHL 11, but I really like what they've done to the gameplay. There's a lot of nice little touches I noticed in just 3 periods and a shootout, and my biggest complaint from last year - the AI (something I really tried to emphasize in my post in the wishlist thread), is a lot better. That alone makes the game good for me. I'd much rather they work on how the game itself plays than try to reinvent the wheel, at least for this year. Because really, the biggest thing that gives a sports game "replay value" is a well-playing, smart, and challenging but fun game. The Show is a perfect example of that. A game like that keeps me coming back to play it because I can enjoy the gameplay and get a good, fun experience out of it almost every time. And I'm not even a baseball fan. Anyways, there still are things that aren't where they need to be. The one that sticks out most being the fact that it's too easy to enter the offensive zone. I'd like to think some slider changes will help this and hopefully that's that case because I like what I've played and wish I could play the demo more. Really as long as there isn't any Be A Gm-killing issue and they've addressed the frustrating issue with teams mismanaging their cap to the point that really good players are left in free agency and never get signed, I think I'll be getting the game.

There won't be killing issues. EA spent a lot of time working on Be a GM for NHL 12, addressing and fixing the issues that plagued NHL 11's gm mode. They also added some other additions like retired jerseys, mid-season contract extensions, and suspensions.

# 397 gopher_guy @ 08/28/11 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	the problem I have with the "coast to coast" ease of gaining the offensive zone: that is not even close to real hockey!!!!!!!!!! to blow that off as a "no big deal" is like a team pressing you in a college basketball video game, for example, and you being able to beat it every time by just dribbling your way through... that looks nothing like a real college basketball game. question: if that is totally unacceptable in a basketball game, why in the hell is it acceptable for a hockey game? sorry, but this is a HUGE issue for me, not some small thing. again, it doesn't resemble anything close to what i see in an NHL arena... not trying to be debbie downer, guys, but this aspect alone makes this game near unplayable...

I think we should wait until we can mess with sliders before we deem it "near unplayable"

# 398 Vikes1 @ 08/28/11 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	I think we should wait until we can mess with sliders before we deem it "near unplayable"

It'd be fantastic if the sliders got a real nice boost this year. Especially the aggression sliders.

Someone else had the imo, great idea of having separate aggression sliders for offense/defense. I was hoping that would be the case with '12'...but sadly that didn't happen.

My little dream was to play on Superstar this year, with say the defensive aggression set at 5 or so..and the offense at maybe 2. I was thinking/hoping, this would put the gameplay right where I'd like it. Oh well...it was a nice dream while it lasted.

# 399 DJ @ 08/28/11 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	This, I see neutral zone pressure on superstar, not near what I would like to see, but with locked sliders even, it's there. People who are expecting perfection and 100% realism imo are asking too much. At the end of the day it's a video game. This series does a fairly good job at playing a realistic game as is even with it's issues. I think some here just expect way too much. Especially the few usual suspects who put publisher bias about the actual games themselves. Just enjoy the game for what it is, and be constructive, calling a demo with locked sliders unplayable is just a tad silly. Personally I'm really enjoying it, perhaps its a to each their own situation.

Realm, is there a big difference between SS and AS? Even though I struggle to score, I'd be willing to go up another difficulty if it meant seeing things like better CPU Aggression.

# 400 bwiggy33 @ 08/29/11 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	I'd still like to see better pressure in the neutral zone on the whole but it is better than it was in 11 by far.

See if they just made gaining the offensive zone even a little bit harder this game would be much better. It would actually make me have to pick and choose when I can skate in the zone and when I have to dump and chase. As it stands now you basically never have to dump the puck in because of the lack of pressure. You pretty much dump and chase for the sole purpose of you wanting to, which is what I don't like about it. I just want to be forced to change my style of play throughout the game.

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