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

# 121 jr86 @ 08/23/11 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaylorBearBryant


	I started out as a minimal hockey fan. I could name the top 5-10 players in the league. Always had fun watching the sport, but not near as much as with footbal. Don't necessarily live in a hockey "hotbed," but pulled for the Avs and the Stars. Then I played NHL 09. Everything changed. This series blows all other sports games out of the water. Because of this game, I'm hooked on the NHL. I order NHL CenterIce and watch hockey non-stop now. Reason being? The Be A Pro and Online Team Play mode is sooooo addictive. Makes RTG and Superstar modes in EA's football games look like childs play. I recommend this game to anyone who is a mild hockey fan, but has had a lot of fun playing hockey games on Genesis and N64 in the past. It's to the point now, where I buy it every year on release day, without even looking at the added features, just to play EASHL.

Never played 'The Show' then?

# 122 FBeaule04 @ 08/23/11 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiNiDiTkA


	Another vid H.U.T mode.

I wondering how much Honda paid to have their logo and cars name plastered all over the place! ;-)

# 123 toadiev @ 08/23/11 05:02 PM

Didn't have much time yet to enjoy the demo but from a couple of quick games I really like what I saw.

The skating looks so much more natural and fluid I really like the way that looks. It was nice to be able to play a good game without every hit seeming like and explosive one and lots of good bumps. Also love how much more intelligent the AI is on my team. Really allowed me to go to open space and expect a pass.

All in all pretty happy so far. Excited for my yearly pre-budgeted video game purchase.

# 124 Mikey88 @ 08/23/11 05:09 PM

anyone notice there's no sound when you crunch a guy against the boards? It's probably one of the most satisfying things i remember from NHL 10.. cant remember if it was in 11.

# 125 FBeaule04 @ 08/23/11 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goh


	In case anyone was wondering you can't DL it on 360 with silver even with the season pass. Classy move MS,classy move.

Two completer separate service, but I agree with you, this shouldn't be the case. The 25$ you pay for the Season Pass should give you access to the Demo.

# 126 ChrisDanger @ 08/23/11 05:24 PM

Its finally up on PSN. Search for NHL 12, cause as of right now its not on the demo download screen.

30 minutes in d/l left

# 127 bcruise @ 08/23/11 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDanger


	Its finally up on PSN. Search for NHL 12, cause as of right now its not on the demo download screen. 30 minutes in d/l left

Seconded, Demo is live on PS3.

Nice early store update today, it looks like

Edit: It's on the storefront now, too.

# 128 savoie2006 @ 08/23/11 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceteris Paribus


	It boggles my mind that someone could drop $25 on EA's Season Pass but consider XBL Gold too much to pay for. I'm not saying XBL gold is a good deal for everyone, but EA's Season Pass is about as much of ripoff as you can find.

I beg to differ. Considering that not everyone is gonna rush out and pay $60 for a sports game, it could be quite beneficial. Three days with Madden, NHL or whatever before its release could save me upwards of $100, rather than blindly rushing out to buy the game outright.

# 129 humaca80 @ 08/23/11 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiddy


	i def like what im seeing on superstar hardcore, while position locked at RW. the CPU and my CPU teammates actually played a solid game of hockey. more shots missing the net is great... the dump ins have been fun to watch as well!! im having more fun being position locked, seems to play a better overall game of hockey. with slider tweaks this could be the mode i can actually get into now.

Totally agreed with shots missing the net Fiddy man. Im just looking for a quality online game.

# 130 toadiev @ 08/23/11 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goh


	In case anyone was wondering you can't DL it on 360 with silver even with the season pass. Classy move MS,classy move.

I pay good money for XBL Gold and I am glad that they have the decency to give us paying members access to demos and other things prior to people who choose not to pay. It helps reduce the download time because there are fewer people downloading and the truth is I just flat out deserve a bonus for paying. I hope MS never changes that. However if you paid for season pass be mad EA doesn't have a demo download available its not the problem of MS to deal with that.

Irks me that people who chose not to pay are mad because those of us who chose to pay get something for our money. If you want the demo on day 1 then fork out the money for the yearly on XBL if you don't care enough to shell out a few bucks don't whine.

# 131 LuGer33 @ 08/23/11 06:15 PM

There's a lot to like about the demo. First and foremost is the nice graphical upgrade the game has gotten. Game seems much sharper / crisper than before. I don't plan on ever playing NHL 11 again but I feel like going back to it would make the game seem sort of fuzzy now.

Now as for elements that actually matter much more. The AI seems noticeably better. I can run pretty decent cycles and breakouts without wanting to slam my head into the wall. They have finally, after years, fixed the passive "let's never shoot the puck" AI mentality. It's very refreshing to see the AI ripping shots on 2-on-1's, shooting from the point more often, carrying it into the slot from down low and shooting, etc. Combined with the player traits, and general AI improvements, the Sim Engine, and Action Tracker, I feel like off-line play should be a blast this year.

Puck physics are better. I saw a puck roll on its edge (finally) in the corner after a flip dump -- that was an excellent touch. The skating engine feels pretty much the same but looks better (for the most part) with more varied and natural looking animations. Shot power is spot on this year -- it feels more like you're stepping into slapshots because the puck is loose and because the shots are much harder. Still possible to curl and drag wristers but it doesn't seem too overly effective in any situation... yet.

LOVE that dekeing is slower this year. No doubt the Skill Stick was a great innovation in NHL 07 and everyone has loved dangling like superstars w/ just everyone the past few years, but it seems like NHL 12 has finally made the GOOD decision to slow down dekeing and gimp non-superstars on breakaways (as it should be). I know this will be tuned before launch and I'm hoping beyond hope that it stays similar to what it is now.

Hitting is glitchy in the demo. Hip checks especially don't seem natural at all, and I'm noticing less interaction between bodies and the boards, which was one of my favorite aspects of NHL 11. Maybe this is because they toned down the big hits (which was needed) but a lot of times it just doesn't look right.

Goalie collisions look pretty good for the most part but interference is not being called properly when hitting them or any player without the puck. I'm certain this will be corrected by release.

I love the live benches now. They don't look 100% natural, but IMO they look just as good as The Show does bullpens and dugouts. Guys on the bench cheer goals, look up at the scoreboard after penalties, dodge bodies that land in the bench, and even will duck out of the way if you shoot a puck towards them. GREAT touch.

With all that said, the game doesn't feel tremendously different from last season, and that's to be expected. If you look at the critically acclaimed games like The Show, NBA 2K, FIFA, they really don't change much year to year. The Show added Analog Controls in 2011, and not a whole lot else. People expecting a complete overhaul year in and year out are always going to be disappointed.

To me this feels like a very finely tweaked and tuned NHL 11, with major improvements in AI, puck physics, and goaltending. The goalie V-H technique is very nice. Curbing the dekeing and hopefully preventing the figure skate / dangle-to-the-net lifestyle of so many EASHLers is pretty much enough for me to buy this game on its own.

# 132 gopher_guy @ 08/23/11 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaylorBearBryant


	I started out as a minimal hockey fan. I could name the top 5-10 players in the league. Always had fun watching the sport, but not near as much as with footbal. Don't necessarily live in a hockey "hotbed," but pulled for the Avs and the Stars.

Well at least the team in your city is affiliated with a hockey hotbed

# 133 BaylorBearBryant @ 08/23/11 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	Well at least the team in your city is affiliated with a hockey hotbed

True. And I am a big Aeros fan. The team gets more support than you would think.

I like the Wild; they remind me a lot of the Texans. Hope that doesn't come across as insulting. Just the whole idea of a franchise returning to a city where the previous franchise should never of left from a city that LIVES for the sport. The return happened about the same time too. If Matt Hackett somehow becomes a starting goaltender for the Wild, I'll pull for them even more.

P.S. This is taking forever to download. Only at 55%. Hope it's worth it.

# 134 gsize19 @ 08/23/11 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuGer33


	There's a lot to like about the demo. First and foremost is the nice graphical upgrade the game has gotten. Game seems much sharper / crisper than before. I don't plan on ever playing NHL 11 again but I feel like going back to it would make the game seem sort of fuzzy now. Now as for elements that actually matter much more. The AI seems noticeably better. I can run pretty decent cycles and breakouts without wanting to slam my head into the wall. They have finally, after years, fixed the passive "let's never shoot the puck" AI mentality. It's very refreshing to see the AI ripping shots on 2-on-1's, shooting from the point more often, carrying it into the slot from down low and shooting, etc. Combined with the player traits, and general AI improvements, the Sim Engine, and Action Tracker, I feel like off-line play should be a blast this year. Puck physics are better. I saw a puck roll on its edge (finally) in the corner after a flip dump -- that was an excellent touch. The skating engine feels pretty much the same but looks better (for the most part) with more varied and natural looking animations. Shot power is spot on this year -- it feels more like you're stepping into slapshots because the puck is loose and because the shots are much harder. Still possible to curl and drag wristers but it doesn't seem too overly effective in any situation... yet. LOVE that dekeing is slower this year. No doubt the Skill Stick was a great innovation in NHL 07 and everyone has loved dangling like superstars w/ just everyone the past few years, but it seems like NHL 12 has finally made the GOOD decision to slow down dekeing and gimp non-superstars on breakaways (as it should be). I know this will be tuned before launch and I'm hoping beyond hope that it stays similar to what it is now. Hitting is glitchy in the demo. Hip checks especially don't seem natural at all, and I'm noticing less interaction between bodies and the boards, which was one of my favorite aspects of NHL 11. Maybe this is because they toned down the big hits (which was needed) but a lot of times it just doesn't look right. Goalie collisions look pretty good for the most part but interference is not being called properly when hitting them or any player without the puck. I'm certain this will be corrected by release. I love the live benches now. They don't look 100% natural, but IMO they look just as good as The Show does bullpens and dugouts. Guys on the bench cheer goals, look up at the scoreboard after penalties, dodge bodies that land in the bench, and even will duck out of the way if you shoot a puck towards them. GREAT touch. With all that said, the game doesn't feel tremendously different from last season, and that's to be expected. If you look at the critically acclaimed games like The Show, NBA 2K, FIFA, they really don't change much year to year. The Show added Analog Controls in 2011, and not a whole lot else. People expecting a complete overhaul year in and year out are always going to be disappointed. To me this feels like a very finely tweaked and tuned NHL 11, with major improvements in AI, puck physics, and goaltending. The goalie V-H technique is very nice. Curbing the dekeing and hopefully preventing the figure skate / dangle-to-the-net lifestyle of so many EASHLers is pretty much enough for me to buy this game on its own.

Can't stand this Luger guy

from my days on the EA forums, and mods thinking their poopy don't stink, but I agree with everything he said here... Spot on to what I think and love the improvements I am seeing!!!

# 135 gopher_guy @ 08/23/11 06:42 PM

As far as the issue of a penalty not being called after hitting the goalie. I was looking in the settings and "Post whistle penalties" or whatever it is called is set to relaxed [and can't be changed]. I'm sure if that is set to strict, that would be a penalty.

Although I hope it's set to strict for online play. Going to be super annoying to have cheesers laying out my goalie after every whistle if it isn't -_-

# 136 toadiev @ 08/23/11 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goh


	You sir do not understand the point of a demo. You also don't seem to understand no other company does this. You don't need PSN+ to download on it on PS3 and if it was on PC you wouldn't have to pay there either. You're not getting a bonus for paying it was something taken away from those that don't. You get online play for your money is what you get. Something I don't use for free on PC and didn't use on PS3 so am not paying $60 a year for. I was pointing out it should've been included in the EA season ticket deal when applicable and I know it's not EA's fault. I'm sure further discussion of the such would be frowned upon so I won't say anything else about it. Also change your sig,it's against the rules.

The benefits of XBL are whatever they decide it to be and EA decided that they would release it early to XBL Gold members. If you aren't happy get off your wallet a spend a few bucks. Don't whine and moan here that you can't get it because you are a tight wad. If you aren't happy go to PS3 and have your demo early.

I hope in the future they slowly make XBL Silver memberships more restricted so my purchased access to XBL gold is more value for my money.

# 137 The Amaizen Blue @ 08/23/11 06:51 PM

Am I the only one experiencing terrible framerate on the PS3? Takes away the fun of the game when the sound keeps spazzing out and players are skipping around.

# 138 Mikey88 @ 08/23/11 07:03 PM

Just had my 1st glass breaking hit!.. I had Chara and lined up Daniel Sedin into the corner glass.. CRUNCH!

# 139 thedudedominick @ 08/23/11 07:09 PM

I am loving the changes I am noticing in the demo. While there are a lot of subtle things that don't completely stand out, there are enough of them that I feel this game plays a lot better than NHL 11.

-New shot block animations that add to the realism of D men in front of the net as well as forwards blocking shots from the point.
-Puck physics are very much improved, no more bouncing in the air off the goalie and landing on his back.
-I am hoping the checking is just tuned up for the demo and will not have as many big hits as we do now.
-With the checking I have seen some things that just amazed me. I hit a guy who was coming by the net, it was a big hit where my player ended up on the ice pretty much on top of the guy he hit.
-Lot's of little bumps that knock the puck away or drop a guy to his knees. Players size and attributes come into play more in checking.
-The AI is much improved. CPU actually takes shots from different spots, and I have had to play much smarter on D or they will find an opening and take advantage of it. The toe drag to make a defender stop doesn't work anymore, which is amazing.
-The computer plays much better defense. They take away passing lanes in the neutral zone, and sometimes their forecheck seems suffocating. In the defensive end they play aggressive on the point, and when entering the zone they have active sticks to take away the cross crease and don't allow you to just deke by them.
-I would love to see more penalties called, I hope they just have them turned down for the demo. I checked Thomas behind the play and no penalty was called.
-The variety of goals I have seen is a breath of fresh air.

I think this is a much improved game. I have enjoyed the past versions of NHL, but they are finally adding to the "sloppy" and gritty parts of hockey that real hockey fans have been waiting to be translated into this game for years.

Edit: Forgot to mention I love the ability to throw the puck around the boards in the offensive zone with RB+shot stick

# 140 gopher_guy @ 08/23/11 07:11 PM

do we get anything for sharing the demo?

I seem to remember some games where you get extra little perks for sending it to x number of people.

If so, I will send it to a bunch of my friends who haven't been on XBL in like 6 months

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