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

# 421 gopher_guy @ 08/30/11 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	I'm with you, Dan. I don't belong here either... I guess I just don't see how a game that is NHL 11 version 2.0 gets a game-of-the-year potential just because of a few tweaks, and there are still questionable cpu AI decision-making, goofy goalie animations still popping up, and the ability to gain the offensive zone too easily. I know you, like I have, dug into NBA 2K11 and know that game inside-out. NHL 11 cannot hold a candle to the improvements that game made, and 2K12 is gonna blow that one out of the water...

I read your posts and I feel like we are playing 2 different games. I think calling it NHL 11 2.0 is ridiculous. The game plays SO much differently than last year's game does, imo.

I am REALLY enjoying the gameplay improvements in the demo, can't wait to get the retail version in my hands!

edit: took the first line out, because reading it back it kinda sounds condescending :0

# 422 bwiggy33 @ 08/30/11 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	I don't know if it's because you're more of a basketball guy than you are a hockey guy, but I read your posts and I feel like we are playing 2 different games. I think calling it NHL 11 2.0 is ridiculous. The game plays SO much differently than last year's game does, imo. I am REALLY enjoying the gameplay improvements in the demo, can't wait to get the retail version in my hands!

While you may be right that there have been some good changes, MKharsh is 100% right with the AI. There was barely any change. The AI feels exactly the same as last year. The puck physics and what not are better, but the AI is the exact same except for the AI things EA showed in their short clips. I don't think that it's because he's more of a basketball fan either. I'm pretty sure he knows hockey. Even if someone didn't know much about hockey they could totally see the things that he mentions in his post by just playing a few games. If people don't see the problems with the AI then that is great for them because this game would be that much better. I wish I didn't have a watchful eye for things that are wrong with the AI. When people complain about Madden or NCAA I would rarely ever find those issues on my own because football is not like hockey to me. Hockey is my sport and big AI flaws that happen in NHL bug the hell out of me. I wish that wasn't the case. I would enjoy the game a whole lot more.

# 423 gopher_guy @ 08/30/11 04:20 AM

Idk, I just think we should wait until retail drops, and sliders can be put in before we judge the AI as being the same. It is just the demo after all.

# 424 bwiggy33 @ 08/30/11 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	Idk, I just think we should wait until retail drops, and sliders can be put in before we judge the AI as being the same. It is just the demo after all.

Very true, but the thing is the sliders didn't change the easy entrance into the zone and other problems in NHL 11. After playing the 12 demo it was the exact same. I wish they would have allowed us to move the sliders around like madden did with their demo. I just don't have the confidence that they actually fixed the really known AI problems for the final retail version. Now I do have faith that if the AI issues get spread to the NHL devs, hopefully it can be fixed with a tuner or patch. I'm really hoping for that. This game can be really good once that gets cleaned up.

# 425 Vikes1 @ 08/30/11 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ


	It's all good. I feel like I don't belong in the hockey forum a lot of times, only because I'm not very good at this game, lol. We'll see how I do on the 360 demo because I have yet to score on the PS3 demo. I am seriously thinking about using Auto-Aim this year as I feel like I've left too many goals out there b/c I am aiming incorrectly; I always wind up shooting high on manual.

Boy Dan...if ya had to be good at the game to belong posting here, I might as well sign off right now!

If I were to sum up my playing skill in one word, I'd choose....terrible. Awful would work too. But somehow or another, I just dig this game a lot!

Yep...I'm having a heck of a time scoring too. I started using Auto aim a while back with the '11' game. For two reasons...1. I sux at aiming. 2. I like to think it makes the players shot acc mean even more. Mostly #1 though.

Like you, Dan...I always shoot high too. I think my main problem is...I'm just not patient enough when shooting the puck. I get so worked up to take a shot, most times I just plain forget to freaking aim.

# 426 tabulaRasa @ 08/30/11 08:04 AM

Anyone thought about the fact that AI moves in alot of momentum defying starts and stops and criss cross moves. Which for sure will be used online by humans too. They are on skates not on concrete wearing shoes.

# 427 Qb @ 08/30/11 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwiggy33


	Very true, but the thing is the sliders didn't change the easy entrance into the zone and other problems in NHL 11... Now I do have faith that if the AI issues get spread to the NHL devs, hopefully it can be fixed with a tuner or patch.

It would help if people would be a little more specific than "easy entrance into the zone and other problems" or "AI issues" or other generic comments.

What problems do you see? This isn't a challenge or anything, it is a genuine question.

# 428 Money99 @ 08/30/11 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	Boy Dan...if ya had to be good at the game to belong posting here, I might as well sign off right now! If I were to sum up my playing skill in one word, I'd choose....terrible. Awful would work too. But somehow or another, I just dig this game a lot! Yep...I'm having a heck of a time scoring too. I started using Auto aim a while back with the '11' game. For two reasons...1. I sux at aiming. 2. I like to think it makes the players shot acc mean even more. Mostly #1 though. Like you, Dan...I always shoot high too. I think my main problem is...I'm just not patient enough when shooting the puck. I get so worked up to take a shot, most times I just plain forget to freaking aim.

I'm in the same boat Vikes.
My skills are pathetic. That's why I choose auto-aim and auto-passing as well.
To me, that forces the CPU to use the players attributes accordingly. If everything is manual, then the skill of the player you're controlling depends on you, and not what kind of player they are.
Some might love it, but for my line of thinking, I like to leave some things up to the computer and attributes.

# 429 DJ @ 08/30/11 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Money99


	I'm in the same boat Vikes. My skills are pathetic. That's why I choose auto-aim and auto-passing as well. To me, that forces the CPU to use the players attributes accordingly. If everything is manual, then the skill of the player you're controlling depends on you, and not what kind of player they are. Some might love it, but for my line of thinking, I like to leave some things up to the computer and attributes.

I'm going to give Auto-Aim a try this year. I do like to have the ratings matter in games, which is why I use Real FG% in NBA 2K and Timing hitting in MLB The Show.

# 430 gopher_guy @ 08/30/11 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwiggy33


	Very true, but the thing is the sliders didn't change the easy entrance into the zone and other problems in NHL 11. After playing the 12 demo it was the exact same. I wish they would have allowed us to move the sliders around like madden did with their demo. I just don't have the confidence that they actually fixed the really known AI problems for the final retail version. Now I do have faith that if the AI issues get spread to the NHL devs, hopefully it can be fixed with a tuner or patch. I'm really hoping for that. This game can be really good once that gets cleaned up.

Hopefully that is something that can be patched!

# 431 mkharsh33 @ 08/30/11 01:33 PM

Are all the arenas going to continue to look the same again this year? One thing I'm loving about Madden is the uniqueness of each stadium...those images are jaw-dropping. Every EA NHL game feels canned...

# 432 BobSacamano @ 08/30/11 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	Are all the arenas going to continue to look the same again this year? One thing I'm loving about Madden is the uniqueness of each stadium...those images are jaw-dropping. Every EA NHL game feels canned...

One of the problems is the arenas themselves. They're not really all that distinguishable, or at least not nearly as much as NFL stadiums or MLB ballparks.

I do think that arenas have different "feels" though, and I'd love if NHL could replicate that atmosphere better. When I play as the Bruins I should be terrified going into Montreal. I don't really get that impression right now.

# 433 FBeaule04 @ 08/30/11 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qb


	It would help if people would be a little more specific than "easy entrance into the zone and other problems" or "AI issues" or other generic comments. What problems do you see? This isn't a challenge or anything, it is a genuine question.

I won't answer for Bwiggy, but for myself.

I like to play as the goalie and it's the better place to see zone entrance in that game. 10 times out of 10, the AI D in the game will give the blue line. Worse than that, 8 times out of 10, after giving the blue line, the AI D will give the slot. It is exactly what you don't see in hockey usually.

In real life, even in Pee-Wee AAA, you don't see the D back off and 95% of the time, the D-man will get closer, so they take out the slot for passing from side to side, and let the C or W get to the corner we're it's the easier way for the goalie to stop a shot. If a guy score from the outside, it's goalies fault.

It's not a secret for anyone that cycling and diagonal dumping made their way to the NHL because you had to find a way to break out the collapsing in the D-Zone and the Trap in neutral zone.

Even with new rules that prevent interference, hooking and holding since the lock-out, you don't see "coast to coast" rush. More often then not, goals will come from the blue line (because without holding, interference and hooking in front of the net), the C need to get lower to help in front of the net or chase while forwards are cycling, so the point are more open.

I guess that the problem for EA is that we all seen the rush from Ovechkin, Crosby, Toews, Kane, Gaborik, etc. from coast to coast, dangling between two D and making the goalie having to get his jock in the rafters. EA want's that in the game, so the programming makes the D back of so offense has an edge.

The only problem with that, is those plays happen only 3-4 times per season, not every game. For every rush from one end to the other, you have 500 rush that stall in neutral zone because the guys on the ice adapt and clog it (Exhibit A : Go see Tampa's D play against the Caps last year in playoffs.)

Also, the deking success in the EA game makes it almost impossible to clog the blue line. All you have left is hitting the guy and hope for one of your teammates to pick up what's left. I've been asking for a way for D-Man to follow a dangling forward. Guess EA will never make something for this.

As long dangling will be that successfull and that the programming makes the D-man back off to the slot and stand still, you'll have people like me screaming that you can't say you tweak AI by letting this happen!

# 434 JimmyPelican @ 08/30/11 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkharsh33


	Are all the arenas going to continue to look the same again this year? One thing I'm loving about Madden is the uniqueness of each stadium...those images are jaw-dropping. Every EA NHL game feels canned...

I didnt download the demo yet but the first thing EA could work on is what side the home team benches are on. They are different in every arena. I know this is a very minor issue but its a start as far as getting arenas right. This is something the 2k series had right.

# 435 Strings74 @ 08/30/11 03:27 PM

Played the demo and considering picking it up this year. I haven't played a hockey game in years.

I think the game is really, really hard for a noob. However, I'm intrigued and I love the presentation.

I'm definitely a hockey fan and understand the game well, but for some reason I don't get as hung up on hockey video games not being "true sims" like I do with football and baseball games. Hopefully that will work in my favor.

I'm so backlogged with games to play I'm not sure I'll have the time for a new sports game but since NCAA is so lackluster this year, I might dive in.

# 436 Qb @ 08/30/11 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBeaule04


	I won't answer for Bwiggy, but for myself.

OK, thank you for expounding on the subject of the easy zone entry. I think most people get what it means, but it always helpful to have more details than generic "bad AI" statements.

One thing that comes to mind for with the zone entry issue is the speed of the puck carrier when they hit the blueline. I think an under-appreciated aspect of it is that players are too often moving at full speed as they enter the zone. The proper reaction to this by a d-man is to give the blueline to avoid getting burned.

This is part of the reason I always nerf puck control, pass accuracy/reception, and play with manual passing. I have a much harder time stringing perfect passes together on the breakout or carrying the puck through a crowd. I'm looking forward to settings like that combined with CPU AI that pressures more in the neutral zone and actively plays the passing lanes (which I am seeing in the demo to some extent).

# 437 Vikes1 @ 08/30/11 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Segagendude


	One more thing...... When I score a td in Madden, I'm like "cool". When I score a goal in this demo, I literally jump up with hands raised and a "YESS!!!" Especially playing as the home team, Canucks. The crowd is deafening, I love the pa announcer afterwards, the music playing, the celebrations, etc. What a game! And this is only the demo....... Wow!

My experience has been exactly the same, Sega. Exactly.

Not meaning to bash the football games but...they just simply got boring for me personally to play. Like you Sega, getting or allowing that big TD, was just like...whatever. The immersion and feeling that it mattered just wasn't there for me. Just..bahh.

But yeah...with NHL, I'm still yelling..."He scores!" And it feels great. And trying to hold on to a late 3rd period lead, is dang exciting. And I even get a bit pissed when I don't.

In the end...for me now, NHL is just plain fun and interesting to play. Unlike the football games that well...bore me.

# 438 gopher_guy @ 08/30/11 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobSacamano


	One of the problems is the arenas themselves. They're not really all that distinguishable, or at least not nearly as much as NFL stadiums or MLB ballparks. I do think that arenas have different "feels" though, and I'd love if NHL could replicate that atmosphere better. When I play as the Bruins I should be terrified going into Montreal. I don't really get that impression right now.

Agreed. Most of the NHL arenas all kinda have the same feel to them. Sure they are all different, but without the colors and logos, you wouldn't really be able to tell the difference between a lot of them.

Unlike MLB and NFL stadiums, which have tons of intricacies in them. I think I could identify a bunch of NFL and MLB stadiums without the logos and colors.

# 439 bwiggy33 @ 08/30/11 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	Strongly disagree even with the locked sliders not only is the CPU more aggressive for the puck on the whole, by my AI teammates drive the front of the net rather than hang out and do nothing, and AI forwards on both sides attempt to pick off passes in the neutral zone. Is it perfect? No, but it's laughable to say its exactly the same because it isn't.

FBeaule this is exactly the same thing I've seen. Perfect way of describing it. Realm see I see it completely different. I've played on every level but rookie just to see what the game was like on each level. My main level however is superstar. I find that even on superstar I can enter the zone with ease about 90% of the time. It's the exact same thing I felt when I played NHL 11. In fact I can take Chara from in his own end and rush the puck up untouched and enter the zone to take a shot. The AI defense forces me to do nothing differently each time I enter the zone. It's annoying. Now I know there are two sliders CPU difficulty, and AI learning. When raising them up in NHL 11 it does make a difference with how the CPU reacts to your game style.

I've also come to realize that I should not be judging the demo as harshly in this department as I have been. The reason is because the CPU normally doesn't start to change their gameplan until the second period. Since the demo is only one period the CPU really can't adjust. I'm just going to have to wait until the retail comes out in order to find out.

# 440 DrSpaceman7 @ 08/30/11 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tofubrain2


	has anyone scored on shot from the point yet? i haven't thru like 20 demo periods.

I had all point shot goals last night, so much that I was hoping it wasn't a trend. 4 point shots and a breakaway were my goals. But then again, point shots and screens/deflections are my favorite offense, so it was probably a small sample size.

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