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

# 361 mkharsh33 @ 09/01/12 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	Ok, I've played the demo to death. Time to delete it and prepare for the retail version.

Agreed - those 5 minute sample sizes just aren't enough. Looking forward to the actual game.

# 362 18 eighty 5 @ 09/01/12 12:13 PM

Got the play now to work with LA and New Jersey. The variable crowd attendance is a nice touch. The skating engine is so fun and much more life like.

# 363 Flamesfan102 @ 09/01/12 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	Friday night (early release) can't get here soon enough.

I agree! This week is gonna go by so slow hahaha. Once Friday comes, I am going to literally turn on my xbox around 5 minutes before it comes out and right as 6pm EST hits, start downloading it right away.
When I downloaded the madden early release (not that big of a football fan though) the download for me took 1 hour and 20 minutes. Hopefully NHL's is quicker.

# 364 Vikes1 @ 09/01/12 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	Ok, I've played the demo to death. Time to delete it and prepare for the retail version.

I've been playing the heck outta the demo too, Mizz.

And yep, I'm more than ready for the retail game. It'll be nice to get into the sliders and start figuring out where things need to be for the GM mode.

# 365 savoie2006 @ 09/01/12 04:14 PM

I'm tired of the demo as well at this point, but I'm not deleting it until Friday when I get the early release version. I wonder what kind of NHL moments will be on the retail version. I actually enjoy that mode.

# 366 AC @ 09/02/12 01:09 AM

This is a really, really, really, really, really, REALLY good hockey game.

# 367 SlyBelle @ 09/02/12 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb1


	Penalties - My biggest problem with the game last year (apart from freezing issues) was the lack of penalties. I just couldn't play an NHL game with hardly any penalties being called. So far in the demo i'm 50/50 on this, i've had runs of upto 4 periods with no penalties (despite me spamming buttons almost looking for them) but i've also had single periods with two being called when I wasn't looking for them. Of course if the slider works properly then great but right now I am concerned.

This is really my only concern with this version and past versions. I can't play a hockey game that doesn't have realistic penalties, regardless of how good the gameplay might be. PP/PK too important in hockey for them not to get it right (just like penalties in the football game they can't get right). I know there are sliders for it, but so did past versions that did very little to increase the frequency. There needs to be on average 6-7 called between the CPU and the human player. I also don't want to have to "play the game in a certain way" to make them happen. That might work for my player, but wouldn't help my CPU linemates and CPU opponent.

I am keeping my fingers crossed this turns out to be a non-issue, but I guess I will find out Friday, which will determine the fate of the game for me....first time the season ticket might be useful for me

# 368 onac22 @ 09/02/12 09:28 AM

So far from what I can tell the penalty's are vastly improved. With the new skating engine the game calls charges for too many strides coming into a hit. The other hitting calls are much better it will only call hitting from behind when the user or cpu hitt comes from behind.

So far I haven't had to many hooks trips or slashes unless I legitimately deserved it for poor play decisions.

Can't wait for Friday this looks like the most well rounded game since 07/08 when skill stick came out.

The addition of the new AI and the NZ forecheck also cut back on penalty's. It seems as long as long as the teams are in position and playing in the system chosen they will take less penalty's.

# 369 SlyBelle @ 09/02/12 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onac22


	So far from what I can tell the penalty's are vastly improved. With the new skating engine the game calls charges for too many strides coming into a hit. The other hitting calls are much better it will only call hitting from behind when the user or cpu hitt comes from behind. So far I haven't had to many hooks trips or slashes unless I legitimately deserved it for poor play decisions. Can't wait for Friday this looks like the most well rounded game since 07/08 when skill stick came out. The addition of the new AI and the NZ forecheck also cut back on penalty's. It seems as long as long as the teams are in position and playing in the system chosen they will take less penalty's.

I hope your right, but from my time with the demo, just haven't seen enough penalties to be optimistic yet. I know only a demo, but until I can see the real game in action, gonna have to go off that plus past versions......I so hope that I am wrong

# 370 Vikes1 @ 09/02/12 03:23 PM

True it is just the demo....

I guess I'd say so far I'm also a bit iffy about the number of calls, too.

I'm seeing some penalties, in fact not too bad so far. But the games history the last few years, and yeah...the penalty sliders have been very weak. So I am still a little concerned if this issue will actually be better for '13. And I agree, the PP/PK is too important a part of the game for it not to be represented somewhat close to right.

# 371 SlyBelle @ 09/02/12 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikes1


	True it is just the demo.... I guess I'd say so far I'm also a bit iffy about the number of calls, too. I'm seeing some penalties, in fact not too bad so far. But the games history the last few years, and yeah...the penalty sliders have been very weak. So I am still a little concerned if this issue will actually be better for '13. And I agree, the PP/PK is too important a part of the game for it not to be represented somewhat close to right.

If they would just make the sliders work, then everybody would be satisfied. A person could turn them down low if they prefer to only see minimal penalties and then a person could turn them totally up to see penalties every other play

But sadly, the sliders never end up working this way in any EA game so that is why I am a little concerned this is likely an area they didn't address again.

# 372 LighttheLamp @ 09/02/12 08:33 PM

i have to say that i am really impressed with the NHL demo. everything from skating to goal-tending is very impressive. i do wish that the dangle stick would be thrown out, it needs a full revamp. i feel that the dangle stick is what makes the game feel unnatural, it doesn't look realistic in tandem with the new skating engine. when im skating down the ice i want to be able to do more shifty moves. i still dont feel the difference in still handling between the greats and the bums. the good part about this year is that u really dont need the deke stick feature. EA has implemented the 45 degree cut on the left stick which opens up a whole new world for creating space. All in all, i feel nhl will be the sports title of the year. cant wait for friday for the season pass early release! Flyers all the way baby!

# 373 savoie2006 @ 09/02/12 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlyBelle


	If they would just make the sliders work, then everybody would be satisfied. A person could turn them down low if they prefer to only see minimal penalties and then a person could turn them totally up to see penalties every other play But sadly, the sliders never end up working this way in any EA game so that is why I am a little concerned this is likely an area they didn't address again.

I've never understood why developers don't make some of the sliders more effective.

# 374 SlyBelle @ 09/02/12 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savoie2006


	I've never understood why developers don't make some of the sliders more effective.

Agree....a 100%. On the surface seems like such an easy thing to do...if they don't work, why even include them in the first place?

# 375 SlyBelle @ 09/02/12 09:42 PM

Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

# 376 Gagnon39 @ 09/02/12 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlyBelle


	Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

# 377 Weapon X @ 09/02/12 11:49 PM

I just saw the CPU pull Brodeur when they were down two.

WX

# 378 Vikes1 @ 09/03/12 02:28 AM

One flaw in the AI I'm hoping was fixed for '13' is....when the cpu is on the PK inside of two minutes left in the game and down by a goal, the cpu starts trying to score, rather than continuing to try to kill off the penalty.

I'm sure all of us have seen the cpu still just dumping the puck outta it's zone in that situation.

# 379 SlyBelle @ 09/03/12 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gagnon39


	Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

For some reason I am thinking one of the sliders dictated this last year since I think I remember the same thing from last year.

# 380 unisol_us @ 09/03/12 10:04 AM

Been playing EA NHL series for a long time now. This demo offers some really exciting game play advancements. It remains to be seen how well the GM Brain and different team strategies will impact the game.

Obviously the skating is improved. Where I am seeing the biggest difference is when playing on D and the forward stops and starts again. I am losing my check much easier this year than in any other year in this generation. Honestly I cannot remember if this has ever been reproduced in any generation. I can see how playing on Offense with a talented forward will cause the defense fits!

The next big change I am seeing is how random scoring chances are in the demo. Last year, besides the occasional deflection for a goal, there were only a few different ways to score. I have already see several deflections which resulted in great scoring chances for me. This has alot to do with the puck physics which must have gotten a big upgrade this year.

A minor but noticeable change is how the players look when moving. They seem more bulky and real. This was the first thing I noticed when I started playing the demo. I'm sure I will become accustomed to it rather quickly, but it looks cool.

Lastly, the goaltenders are more fun to play against. The kick save and the blocker save are way more realistic. I like how the goalies direct the kick save into the corners. Somehow it seems as if the goalies are using individual body parts this year and this addition makes the game look fresh.

Some other little things I like:

* Back skate feature
* Chop puck
* CPU poke check improved
* NHL moments

Assuming that offline GM mode and team strategies works as advertised, I think next year will be a good time for the EA Canada team to overhaul goal tending. It is improved this year, but it still needs work. Goalies should not be able to fly around the net like superman!! That is just crazy. It would be nice to see more animations to differentiate between goalie styles.

Maybe I need more practice, but the puck chop needs some tweaking. I am giving up so many scoring chances because I keep missing this move. Every time I try to use it I whiff and give up a scoring chance.

I have not seen a legitimate wrap around goal ever in the EA series. Why is this move so hard to pull off? I will keep tinkering with the back skate feature, but I really do not have my hopes up.

Some other things I dislike:

* Faceoffs (better mechanic needed)
* Better behind the net plays
* Still easy to skate the puck into the offense zone

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