NHL 13 News Post

NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

06:14 AM - August 21, 2012 by Steve_OS

This video is also available on the OS Youtube channel, please subscribe while you're there.

The above video showcases everything that is in the demo. Sliders, cameras, options, etc.

The NHL 13 demo is available now for the 360, later this afternoon for PS3. (We'll update this post when it is available.)

Queue it up right here, if you're not near a console. The NHL 13 demo weighs in at 1.33 GB.

The NHL 13 demo features four different modes. Play Now, NHL Moments Live, Hockey Ultimate Team and Free Skate.

In Play Now, you will control either the Los Angeles Kings or the New Jersey Devils in the 3rd period with a random score each time you play.

To learn more about the NHL 13 demo, click here and check out the latest blog.

Post your impressions here!

Game: NHL 13Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 23 - View All

NHL 13 Videos

Member Comments

# 221 plaidchuck @ 08/22/12 08:52 PM

Guess it's random. I've been spamming the stick lift and even the face wash buttons and haven't even gotten a penalty called on me yet.

# 222 Section_25 @ 08/22/12 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaidchuck


	Guess it's random. I've been spamming the stick lift and even the face wash buttons and haven't even gotten a penalty called on me yet.

Yeah I have already gotten a couple of unsportsmanlike calls for trying to start fights.......what can I say? I'm a brawler

# 223 Blzer @ 08/22/12 09:26 PM

Haven't read any other posts, nor have I played the retail versions of 10, 11, or 12 (just the demos, and quite a bit of all of them).

Honestly, the videos didn't seem to do much for me as far as a new look and feel. Yeah, I saw a few differences here and there, but I truly didn't feel them. Playing the demo, however... at face-off, it felt like everything had changed about the skating, off-puck movement, and interaction. It breathes much more loosely now as well, and transition animations are incredibly better. Momentum is also seemingly much more important. The AI is more solid and provocative than before. I haven't felt the new commentary set in yet after just one demo play through, but I never had a problem with it during action.

I also decided to spruce things up a bit: True Broadcast cam. Holy hell, if/when I get this game, this is the camera I'm using. Like baseball and basketball (unlike football IMO), an NHL game is playable with this camera. I still need to figure out the stick configuration with it (it's not the easiest) unless I'm told exactly how it's oriented this way, so far.

I just wish this game was released on Vita. I'm not saying it's possible to replicate this exact experience on Vita, but if they could (framerate and all), I would undoubtedly pay $60 for it on the handheld on release day.

Good stuff! I hope to play more later tonight or tomorrow. EA did us a real solid this time. NHL 09 might not stick around much longer (not enough changes in the last three years to warrant a new purchase, IMO).

# 224 Blitzburgh @ 08/22/12 09:48 PM

I just want to say that I am really loving the demo and the true broadcast cam! Change the controller settings to always up and turn off auto zoom and its great! I only wish the demo had a full game to play.

# 225 FluffyTonka @ 08/22/12 09:49 PM

So NHL 13 ... for those who've played the demo.

Is it the best one yet?

# 226 mkharsh33 @ 08/22/12 10:08 PM

Just spitballing here, so I might be out in left field...

But has anyone tried using two controllers - set up the pre-game line adjustments (clicking down the right thumb stick in the select lines menu). Put the other team's adjustments to make their defense more stout - then in the controller settings just put it back in the middle so it's you vs. the cpu.

Didn't know if this was possible or even worth a try or look. Will admit that gaining the offensive zone is still too easy, but maybe we have a potential fix for this? Don't know...

# 227 Blzer @ 08/22/12 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzburgh


	I just want to say that I am really loving the demo and the true broadcast cam! Change the controller settings to always up and turn off auto zoom and its great! I only wish the demo had a full game to play.

Thanks, that helps with the configuration issues I had with this camera!

# 228 BlueNGold @ 08/22/12 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluffyTonka


	So NHL 13 ... for those who've played the demo. Is it the best one yet?

Hands down. Good luck trying to go back to older versions.

# 229 mrcultureshock @ 08/23/12 12:19 AM

Here are my thoughts:

Love the skating physics and the game looks great graphic wise. I've played 15 Play Now and Moments games combined and I haven't been able to score a single goal and I've oinly won 1 faceoff. It's really frustrating because the CPU is completely dominating me on shots. As for goals, I've tried everything, but the CPU goalie is like a wall. However, when I make a mistake defensively, the AI flies in my zone with almost perfect passing tape to tape and scores goals easily.

I play on Pro and I'm not looking to win every game. But I would like to be challenged fairly. I know I need to play more and try new ways to score, but not being able to score is frustrating. Hopefully the sliders will make NHL 13 more to my playing style.

# 230 Flithy @ 08/23/12 12:21 AM

I love it except on the rush my team wont stay in the passing lanes. also, i suck lol. if i was a hockey fan i would definitely buy

# 231 Weapon X @ 08/23/12 12:27 AM

Realm and I were just talking about this via PM, and does anyone else feel that the Loose Puck Chop would've been better situated on the RS as opposed to the LS? Maybe something like holding R1/RB and quickly flicking the RS from one side to the other (i.e. left->right or down->up)? It still seems very awkward to have it mapped to the stick that's promoted as "controlling the players skates", even after multiple games.

WX

# 232 bwiggy33 @ 08/23/12 12:50 AM

After continuing to play a crap load of games I've noticed a few other things.

The goalie settings they have on superstar hardcore are going to be lowered immediately. They seriously stop everything and make these dynamic looking saves with ease. I'm pretty sure it has to do with their reaction speed. I still just can't describe how irritated I am with the goalies in this series though. They just bother me a crap load. The way they move and react with just these hyperspeed animations just kills it for me. I really wish it didn't. They do make some great looking saves, and I'm actually really digging the goalies not giving up on pucks when they are out of position, but other than that I'm so irritated. IMO the biggest flaw in this series!

Another thing I noticed is that glitch goals are definitely tuned better. I can no longer go on a breakaway and use my left, right, left, right, move and score 70% of the time. Hell I think I may have only scored 2 breakaway goals so far on numerous opportunities. Now I think goalie reaction speed has something to do with that though. If only EA would allow us to actually score by shooting on a breakaway instead of trying to deke every time.

I also noticed faceoffs seem to have been tuned. It's a much better battle for the puck off the faceoff. Of course there are clean wins, but the centermen do a much better job of tying up and allowing the wingers to come in and get the puck.

Pass reception and pass accuracy are definitely effective in the demo. I'm actually having a somewhat hard time passing the puck with the proper speed and getting it on target. I haven't been able to score any one-timer goals whatsoever because my passes just seem to be off.

I have also noticed that guys seem to lose the puck when stick handling. I was playing HUT for the hell of it and one of my games went to a shootout. I was using Stamkos and sure as **** even he lost the puck when I was stickhandling. That's good to see. Now I did find a problem though. The new skating system affects shootouts a crap load. Players aren't able to go in with any speed because they can't take enough strides to gain speed, therefore you are basically handcuffed on making any moves and beating the goalie. I think something may need to be fixed with that.

Another finding is one that has been mentioned a couple times. It's just too dang easy to bring the puck right in the zone and set up. Grant it it's only one period of play and who knows what the CPU aggressiveness and CPU learning sliders are at, but it's super annoying. I was really hoping that I would be able to see in the demo that it's truly changed. I don't know if I can go another year of forcing myself to forecheck differently, just so I can add variety to the game.

Overall this game is no question going to be better than 12 just because of the skating, and truthfully 12 isn't hard to beat. The demo is definitely fun, but if the game doesn't have randomness or a feel of differentiation from game to game I will probably be done playing it within a month. That's why I'm hoping the new strategies and player ratings will play a big role in this game. Team separation and player separation are what is going to make this game fun. If they don't have these two factors, ultimately we just have NHL 12 with better skating.

# 233 Vikes1 @ 08/23/12 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmK


	My only gripe with the demo is it's often still too easy to gain the zone but if the AI isn't picking a defensive scheme to stack the line I don't know what can be done about that aside from maybe slider tweaks in retail affecting it.

This has kinda gotten my attention too, RealmK.

Although ya...I really haven't noticed either team using the 1-4 or 1-3-1. To where you see the opposing team kinda lined up across their blue-line.

I used the 1-4 a few times myself, and it sure seems to work. Ie, my players setup nicely across the line. And forced the AI to dump it in. But anyway...yeah I was hoping it would be tougher to enter the zones than what I've seen quite a few times. [All-Star, hardcore] But like you mentioned, could very well be the strategy the teams were using. Which they do seem to sink back into their end quite a bit more than not.

# 234 gopher_guy @ 08/23/12 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwiggy33


	I still just can't describe how irritated I am with the goalies in this series though.

I think you've been able to describe it quite well over the last month or so!

Jk

# 235 meep3162 @ 08/23/12 01:50 AM

Did they remove the ability to slap shot a loose puck? I skipped on last year's game and am on the fence about this year, I tried to slap a loose puck and it was completely unresponsive.

# 236 bwiggy33 @ 08/23/12 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopher_guy


	I think you've been able to describe it quite well over the last month or so! Jk

Hahaha yep you are correct! I try to not go there anymore because I'm sure people don't really want to read about it anymore. It always seems as though I end up talking about it though.

Realm, I completely agree that there is definitely more separation between both teams and players. In fact it's very noticeable that LA is better than NJ. Makes you think that if you're a less skilled team you may actually have to take advantage of the chances you get, and then hold down the fort.

You are correct I was a goalie and I played at a high level so I know the position extremely well and that's why I get very angry about the goalies in NHL. It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't seen better goalies in 2k8. If I had never seen those, I wouldn't know that it's possible to make NHL's goalies any better. To me I just think that EA can do something to make them move more naturally and uncanned. Hell look at the skating they just added to 13. It looks so real. I just have no doubt that they can change the skating/movement for the goalies as well. I AM NOW FINISHED WITH TALKING ABOUT THE GOALIES!

# 237 EvolutionSn1per @ 08/23/12 04:15 AM

From what I have played of the demo so far, I have nothing but good things to say about it. I was originally a bit skeptical about the new skating system, but after playing with it for a while, I love it. The players actually feel like they have weight now, as opposed to previous games when they would just glide effortlessly. Overall, it is a lot better.

# 238 Vikes1 @ 08/23/12 04:19 AM

Played some more tonight and continue to see things that are making this demo very fun to play. And really shows how much they put into this years overall gameplay.

And really starting to notice how much the new free limbs or whatever has really opened up so many different animations for the goalies. And like a few others, I'm having a heck of a time scoring. Getting under control down deep to get a real quality shot on goal is a real decent challenge for me on AS/HC. And yep...the goalies seem very solid this year, imo. I'm going to need some serious practice time before starting my GM mode!

# 239 SinisterAlex @ 08/23/12 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	Played some more tonight and continue to see things that are making this demo very fun to play. And really shows how much they put into this years overall gameplay. And really starting to notice how much the new free limbs or whatever has really opened up so many different animations for the goalies. And like a few others, I'm having a heck of a time scoring. Getting under control down deep to get a real quality shot on goal is a real decent challenge for me on AS/HC. And yep...the goalies seem very solid this year, imo. I'm going to need some serious practice time before starting my GM mode!

I'm playing All Star - Normal myself, and like you, I am finding it difficult to score decent goals on the goalies. I always manage to get the garbage goals, and not enough "pretty" goals lol.

That aside, I'm glad it's more difficult. Granted, things can be tuned with sliders and such, but I'm pretty happy where things are with the default sliders that are used right now. May have to tweak the CPU's puck control, I'm really getting annoyed at how you can literally hit a CPU player into the boards and they maintain complete control. All while you literally get tapped on your back and the puck goes flying off your stick...

I've literally hit the same player against the boards three times and all three times they've maintained control. It's beginning to piss me off.

# 240 Qb @ 08/23/12 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meep3162


	Did they remove the ability to slap shot a loose puck? I skipped on last year's game and am on the fence about this year, I tried to slap a loose puck and it was completely unresponsive.

I noticed this last night and I think it extends to even wristing a loose puck. I like to one-time wrist the puck around the boards with my D if there is a heavy forecheck. I suspect it's got something to do with L-trigger being dedicated to pivoting. In the past we usually had to hold down L-trigger (then 'vision control') to shoot a loose puck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinisterAlex


	I'm playing All Star - Normal myself, and like you, I am finding it difficult to score decent goals on the goalies. I always manage to get the garbage goals, and not enough "pretty" goals lol.

I know what you mean, but I think the ratio of 'garbage' to 'pretty' goals was way off in the past. I like what I'm seeing so far with the demo in regards to deflections, rebounds, etc although screens/traffic could probably be more effective.

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