NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

[jaiman]

Quote: Originally Posted by DirtyJerz32

Nice write up Chase. Question you may be able to answer, is there a broadcast cam in this year? They really need to add this. I hope they did.

Great question. I would like to know this too.

[kai123]

Quote: Originally Posted by jaiman

Great question. I would like to know this too.

From the EA stage demo video it seems like they didn't add the correct broadcast camera angle.

[Tatguy80]

Sounds like the AI has somewhat improved. Hopefully this will make playing BAP funner.

[FBeaule04]

This game as to be dissect in two parts. Offline and Online. As for the online part, like always, it will come down to play something that ressemble to hockey, but with danglefest, glitchfest and stupidfest. I don't expect anything less than what we saw in 09-10-11 in OTP/EASHL.

For the offline part it's different. The game was so bad in 11 (I won't get start again on the AI, I sound like a broken record) for offliners that I'm expecting a better effort from EA. I have my doubt after seeing that the focus was on things like goalies fight, broken glass and goalies collision!

From what I read, It's seems the AI is improving, but like last year, it took us 2 weeks of playing (especially BaP goalie) to see that this game was a major fail. I guess we will have the answer around late september to see if EA did test that game for the AI play this time around and that "anticipation" AI is worth it.

[johnprestonevans]

I fear that this is the year that NHL is no longer the defacto #1 sports game as it has been for nearly 5 years now. The big issue seems to be its TV-broadcast presentation - or lack thereof. I think the NHL team has played it safe these past few seasons since establishing arguably one of the best playing sports games of this generation. Marginal improvements to the AI and physics engine are most welcome, but I feel like NHL has looked the same as it did a few years ago. I know there have been new animations and minimal graphical upgrades since 09, but nothing drastic. The biggest problems now are with the out-of-date camera system, repetitive commentary and abscence of true telecast elements that many leading-edge sports games are incorporating into their product.

I loved NHL these last few years, but its begining to show its age. None of the changes this year sound like they are improving enough to make me involunarily spend $60. Im tired of the same looking, and generally same playing game every year. Its a fun pick up and play sports game for sure, but I'm happy with playing the 3 year old version I own. The EA NHL team needs to blow out its TV style presentation - badly.

[jaiman]

Quote: Originally Posted by kai123

From the EA stage demo video it seems like they didn't add the correct broadcast camera angle.

I didn't get to see this stage demo. Did they actually show the game playing in broadcast mode?

Come on EA. Are we really asking for too much?

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnprestonevans

I fear that this is the year that NHL is no longer the defacto #1 sports game as it has been for nearly 5 years now. The big issue seems to be its TV-broadcast presentation - or lack thereof. I think the NHL team has played it safe these past few seasons since establishing arguably one of the best playing sports games of this generation. Marginal improvements to the AI and physics engine are most welcome, but I feel like NHL has looked the same as it did a few years ago. I know there have been new animations and minimal graphical upgrades since 09, but nothing drastic. The biggest problems now are with the out-of-date camera system, repetitive commentary and abscence of true telecast elements that many leading-edge sports games are incorporating into their product. I loved NHL these last few years, but its begining to show its age. None of the changes this year sound like they are improving enough to make me involunarily spend $60. Im tired of the same looking, and generally same playing game every year. Its a fun pick up and play sports game for sure, but I'm happy with playing the 3 year old version I own. The EA NHL team needs to blow out its TV style presentation - badly.

You know John...I found myself nodding my head more than once while reading your post.

At least the impression that I'm getting out of Chase's review is...[not to put words in Chase's mouth]...that nothing about the game really impressed him too much. And I'm personally thinking that just possibly, the NHL game maybe losing a bit of the momentum it's built up the last few years.

The NHL game the last few years has been mentioned by quite a few sport gamers, in the same breath as some of the best sport games out there. Ie...The Show, NBA2K, FIFA. I hate to think that the NHL game may possibly be allowed is slip out of such lofty company.

The NHL game is currently, the only sports game I play. So obviously I dig the heck out of it...and am looking forward to 9/13. But again...I guess I'm just hoping that EA Canada isn't getting a bit too comfortable with this imo, excellent sports game.

[kerosene31]

Time will tell (and a demo!). However the thing that made NHL 11 great was a bunch of little things all tied together.