I am burned out...

[BlueNGold]

I actually forgot about the legends and the fact that they're even in the game. That was a failure on so many levels. I don't know why they even bothered with that mess.

I like the idea of including legends in the game but the way it was implemented was just poor.

[RealmK]

While I don't disagree with alot of the criticisms in this thread. I think a key thing alot of people are forgetting is the current crop of consoles don't exactly have the ram needed for super complex AI Run routines along with keeping a game with the visuals that this series has running at 60 fps. When the next xbox or ps4 has a gig of ram, then people can complain that the AI isn't exactly like real life. At the very least the game still has a very functional create a play feature that works, AI dmen make proper breakouts (unlike another hockey game I won't mention) and break out strategies actually work. Could it be better? Sure, lots of things could be better, skating included, but they're working with 512 megs on the 360, and an overly complex Cell architecture on the PS3 with a whopping 256 megs of ram. In comparison the machine I'm typing this on has 6 gigs.

I too think separating the overalls of the players themselves and the teams on the whole would make a huge difference in the game not feeling samey game in game out, and it's something EA really needs to address for NHL13 if they're going to get another 60 from me on the current crop of consoles. Presentation as well needs to be revamped. The 4 year old pbp script is tired, I criticized 2k for doing this year in year out, EA has done the same and deserves the same criticism.

What I would like to see for 13 is more spread out overalls, a deeper player trait system that actually is visibly noticeable, and better presentation. Other wise I'm still content with how the game plays over all.

[BlueNGold]

What I don't get is why they don't stretch the ratings out Madden-style. I mentioned this to Redshirt a couple years ago and he shot it down, but it did a lot of good for Madden. I don't see why it couldn't do the same for NHL considering right now it's essentially a 75-99 rating scale.

[letsgopens66]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

What I don't get is why they don't stretch the ratings out Madden-style. I mentioned this to Redshirt a couple years ago and he shot it down, but it did a lot of good for Madden. I don't see why it couldn't do the same for NHL considering right now it's essentially a 75-99 rating scale.

Apparently it's because of different leagues in the game? So all the NHL teams have to be great while the AHL and others are not as good. Which doesn't make sense because FIFA stretches out its team ratings quite well.

Last year was just a big bust. Broken glass? Goalie fights? Winter Classic with no franchise integration? Horrible skating? A bad balance between ease of scoring chances/scoring goals? All of these led to NHL12 being the least favorite of mine in the series.

It's a shame, because this had MLB: The Show like potential in 08/09. Online modes really ruined this game

[Fiddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

While I don't disagree with alot of the criticisms in this thread. I think a key thing alot of people are forgetting is the current crop of consoles don't exactly have the ram needed for super complex AI Run routines along with keeping a game with the visuals that this series has running at 60 fps. When the next xbox or ps4 has a gig of ram, then people can complain that the AI isn't exactly like real life. At the very least the game still has a very functional create a play feature that works, AI dmen make proper breakouts (unlike another hockey game I won't mention) and break out strategies actually work. Could it be better? Sure, lots of things could be better, skating included, but they're working with 512 megs on the 360, and an overly complex Cell architecture on the PS3 with a whopping 256 megs of ram. In comparison the machine I'm typing this on has 6 gigs. I too think separating the overalls of the players themselves and the teams on the whole would make a huge difference in the game not feeling samey game in game out, and it's something EA really needs to address for NHL13 if they're going to get another 60 from me on the current crop of consoles. Presentation as well needs to be revamped. The 4 year old pbp script is tired, I criticized 2k for doing this year in year out, EA has done the same and deserves the same criticism. What I would like to see for 13 is more spread out overalls, a deeper player trait system that actually is visibly noticeable, and better presentation. Other wise I'm still content with how the game plays over all.

agree on the overalls needing to be spread out more, maybe that would help seperate good and bad teams? with that said, its the NHLPA i do believe that set the ground for the lowest a player can be, right?

also, a lot of complaints for sure is the AI, but they could do so much more in terms of tweaking what they have graphically, presentation wise etc.. they could do so much more by making this look like the product we have seen on VS or NBCSN past 2 years.. they could do so much more in terms of actually having the team strats work correctly.

heck, if they did none of the above but just added an online season mode like Madden, a lot of people would stop complaining.

so many things they can make better without touching the AI.. obviously make the yearly tweaks, but we expect the AI to be well AI.. ha!!

i shouldn't pop 2K10 in and still see better presentation and player faces than i do in NHL 12, it shouldn't happen.

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fiddy

agree on the overalls needing to be spread out more, maybe that would help seperate good and bad teams? with that said, its the NHLPA i do believe that set the ground for the lowest a player can be, right? also, a lot of complaints for sure is the AI, but they could do so much more in terms of tweaking what they have graphically, presentation wise etc.. they could do so much more by making this look like the product we have seen on VS or NBCSN past 2 years.. they could do so much more in terms of actually having the team strats work correctly. heck, if they did none of the above but just added an online season mode like Madden, a lot of people would stop complaining. so many things they can make better without touching the AI.. obviously make the yearly tweaks, but we expect the AI to be well AI.. ha!! i shouldn't pop 2K10 in and still see better presentation and player faces than i do in NHL 12, it shouldn't happen.

I dunno Fids, aside from 2k10's arenas looking more distinct that's pretty much where it ends for me with that game, their player models are laughable imo, and the game without having a user make a million edits, isn't fun and isn't hockey. I've droned on and on about the AI in that game, I won't do it here but it's even worse than EA's.

Not entirely sure what you mean by better presentation, the NHL Today interface is neat and all but 2k10, and really 2k hockey on the whole since about 2k6 on leaves me with one word to sum up the whole experience. Clunky.

[Money99]

My apologies to the mastermind behind the tweaks from NHL11, but wasn't there someone on these boards that edited all the players so that the overall's and individual attributes used the full 100-point spectrum?
So some guys had 50's and 40's for some skill's.

I recall that his experiment resulted in a lot of unseen animations coming to life and a completely different, organic gameplay.

I'll have to dig it up, but from this members findings, it seems that simply using a much wider spectrum for skill ratings, a lot of the game's issues disappeared.
If that's the case, then there really is no excuse for what we're seeing in NHL12.
It would mean that the devs want the game to play the same for every team and every player.

[Fiddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

I dunno Fids, aside from 2k10's arenas looking more distinct that's pretty much where it ends for me with that game, their player models are laughable imo, and the game without having a user make a million edits, isn't fun and isn't hockey. I've droned on and on about the AI in that game, I won't do it here but it's even worse than EA's. Not entirely sure what you mean by better presentation, the NHL Today interface is neat and all but 2k10, and really 2k hockey on the whole since about 2k6 on leaves me with one word to sum up the whole experience. Clunky.

i dunno what game you played, 2k10 on ps3? maybe thats why.. but team strats work, players play hockey unlike in EA's game. thats why i mentioned about EA getting the strats to work properly. without making player rating edits, just adjusting strats.

is it perfect on 2k10? heck no, far from it.. but it better represents the game of hockey than what we have seen with the NHL series.

player models, agree, rough looking, but 100% better player faces and its not even close. ill take EA's models, but the amount of faces they dont have that 2k10 does is inexcusable IMO. esp for vets.

arenas, enough said. the ice, enough said.

stat overlays presentation wise so much better, again IMO..

its sad that ea dont hire some of the old 2k hockey team and try and come up with the best of both worlds for us hockey fans. bc if they did that, we would have some happy hockey gamers..

(again, not turning into a debate, just frustrating). we need 2 hockey games to choice from!!

then maybe i could retire 2k8, 2k10 and never have to go back.