Superstar Mode too Difficult

[DEMON_PUNISH3R]

I have a few problems with this game mode. I play Allstar mode in dynasty and have no problems at all. Good shots go in, and nice saves occur. When I play on superstar mode its a whole different hockey game. The computer always knows where the pucks is going. The goalies make every save seem effortless, and very robotic. Every time there is a loose puck the computer always gets it even if you player is right in front of it. Above all its frustrating when you enter the offensive zone. The computer collapses on you, and when their out of position they some how manage to get back. Also another problem I noticed is they are TOO AGGRESSIVE!!! They will always be in perfect position and never let you get a good scoring opportunity. I think EA Sports should make this mode a little more realistic for players that are skilled but want tough, but fair gameplay.

What do you think?

[baa7]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

It's unbelievable to me that the developers would spend all their time creating such a gorgeous game, and then completely ruin it with cheesy, arcade, lazy AI programming. Pretty obvious they couldn't figure out how to program intelligent CPU AI, as you can easily skate into the the CPU's end and get a shot away, every rush, regardless of difficulty level. So they simply programmed it to be hyper-aggressive, to keep you from ever touching the puck, lol. That's BAD game programming. Whether they finally fix this next year will determine whether I purchase NHL 10 or not.

[shakeable]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Let's hope it's one of the main areas that they will work on for NHL10.

As it is now allstar is the most pure difficulty level where no team has an advantage.
Redshirt gave this info on the EA boards. http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/30/176035.page

[tgalv]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

it's supposed to be hard. some people like a challenge instead of complaining about every single thing when they don't dominate every facet of every game.

[DEMON_PUNISH3R]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

it's supposed to be hard. some people like a challenge instead of complaining about every single thing when they don't dominate every facet of every game.

Really, have your tried Superstar mode? Its not a challenge, its like pure domination by the Computer AI. They win every battle against the boards, they save every shot taken, they score on the majority of their shots. I like a challenge to, but when the computer constantly out plays you game in and game out then I think there is a problem.

[tgalv]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

yes i have and i win almost every game. the cpu barely scores and i wish it was harder.

[catcatch22]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Yes it needs to be harder. The AI goes to the same well again and again on offense and once you see what it likes to do it can become easy to stop. On offense you can exploit the AI easily by setting up good plays and passes to open up one timers.

[DEMON_PUNISH3R]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

You guys think its to easy? Do you have use your own sliders and make the game speed slow? or maybe the aggressiveness down? There is no possible way you win almost every game with the default sliders on Superstar mode and if you do then you have to be one of the best NHL 09 players in the world.

[catarsond]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Actually im in the playoffs with my leafs dynasty as a number 8 and lost to pittsburgh 7-6 first and and won 3-2 in the second game. its not that hard. you just have to play more defensively.

[DEMON_PUNISH3R]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Actually im in the playoffs with my leafs dynasty as a number 8 and lost to pittsburgh 7-6 first and and won 3-2 in the second game. its not that hard. you just have to play more defensively.

Its not that its hard, its more of its not realistic. I find the computer to be to aggressive, and they move to elusive. For example players that have a low speed or acceleration level are skating around like Sidney Crosby. Also when the computer tends to over use the A button where you protect the puck. When I watch a real hockey game, I dont see everyone that gets the puck to stretch out and protect the puck. I only see skilled players do it. Even those players don't do it all of the time but for in NHL 09 the computer does it at least 20 times or more a game. I don't like to complain but I feel I need to. EA Sports should redo the AI of the computer along with the gameplay it currently has, and make it feel and look more like a fluent hockey game.

Before you post anthing about this comment. Watch an actual hockey game, and watch how the game speed is along with the how the players react to certain situations. NHL 09 is far from being a REALISTIC hockey game.

[baa7]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Watch an actual hockey game, and watch how the game speed is along with the how the players react to certain situations. NHL 09 is far from being a REALISTIC hockey game.

That's it exactly. It's an over-the-top, arcade version of the sport. Traditionally, video hockey has never been represented in a realistic way when compared with other sports games. 2K came the closest a few years ago, but generally it seems developers program hockey games to appeal to the button-mashing crowd, and not sim gamers.

[metallicatz]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

I play on SS and I get very realistic games. The hits are usually even, shots are usually pretty close, and I usually win the puck posession war. It just takes practice. I used to play on AS until my game grew beyond that setting, I was just blowing out the CPU every game. Now it's actually a challenge to score and win. Some games will have me on the edge of my seat late in the 3rd. It's all about the slider settings. My settings are a modified version of catcatch's SS settings and they work awesome for me.

There's never been a hockey game that's been ultra-realistic, but in my book this game with the appropriate slider settings on SS is as close as anybody's ever come.

[SA1NT401]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

I play on SS and I get very realistic games. The hits are usually even, shots are usually pretty close, and I usually win the puck posession war. It just takes practice. I used to play on AS until my game grew beyond that setting, I was just blowing out the CPU every game. Now it's actually a challenge to score and win. Some games will have me on the edge of my seat late in the 3rd. It's all about the slider settings. My settings are a modified version of catcatch's SS settings and they work awesome for me.

There's never been a hockey game that's been ultra-realistic, but in my book this game with the appropriate slider settings on SS is as close as anybody's ever come.

Your are a GOD!!! I am playing on AS and EVERY SINGLE game is a fight for my life. I have HAD leads only to lose them in the 3rd, sometimes my lackluster D, but also catch-up logic to a point. When i win, and i do once and a while, i feel like i deserved it.

My biggest issues come in consistancy. I just cannot maintain a high level of play over several games. I will win 1 lose 3-4. Then win another only to drop 2 in a row.

Love the game tho. it has filled my void for a sports games ever since Madden and Ncaa went to hell.

Love the dedication EA/Canada has for their product. It shows.

[ianlast]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

That's it exactly. It's an over-the-top, arcade version of the sport. Traditionally, video hockey has never been represented in a realistic way when compared with other sports games. 2K came the closest a few years ago, but generally it seems developers program hockey games to appeal to the button-mashing crowd, and not sim gamers.

Umm...have you played NHL 2002, 2003, 2005, or 06?

You can say what you will about 09, but you can't argue that they've taken it completely away from the button-mashing, over-the-top horrors of before.

[Bolts_26]

Re: Superstar Mode too Difficult

Umm...have you played NHL 2002, 2003, 2005, or 06?

You can say what you will about 09, but you can't argue that they've taken it completely away from the button-mashing, over-the-top horrors of before.

agreed