Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

[RicoLaguna]

Everyone talks about how the NHL Playoffs is like a whole new level of play in the NHL. How come EA SPorts doesnt capture that Playoff intensity?

Also, how come players and teams all pretty much play alike?

I recall way back when 2K Hockey was around. Each player felt distinctively different in what they brought to the ice. You could build strategies and gameplans around certain players because of their distinctions

Im just not feeling it in the NHL 17 game

[JPD_Patrol]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

Because EA hasn't polished their game in years. It's always lackluster patches of effort with them.

I agree that the playoff atmosphere is very underwhelming in this game. The crowd should be more alive, always on their toes, especially in big markets ala Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Boston, New York etc. The play should feel tighter and harder. Even on Superstar difficulty, playing a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 in Overtime tied 2-2, you barely feel any pressure or intensity from the opponent. And when you do, they score the most ridiculous and garbage goals imaginable with softies from the point.

I honestly think EA's NHL franchise is heading downwards and it will until somebody else comes along and challenges them. But that's never gonna happen...

[ejf0255]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

It is flat. No increase come playoffs. No matter what the sliders are set at. Would be cool to see like a playoff mode meter where every game would build off each other.

Sent from my LG-H830 using Operation Sports mobile app

[iFnotWhyNoT]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

Just off the top of my head I made these changes to my franchise and I'm getting the best experience I've ever had. Currently in the playoffs and its been awesome. I also player lock a wing position so ratings do matter when cpu's are battling each other instead of me overriding poor players awareness.

Game speed - 4 or 5
Attribute effect - 8

Fatigue effect - 90
Fatigue recovery - 60

Pass min speed - 25
Pass max speed - 55
Puck control - 20
pass accuracy - 2
pass int - 80

Aggression - 80 or 90
Hit power - 15
Skating agility - 0
Puck carrier agility - 0
Speed - 55
Acceleration - 45 or 40

Goalie save reaction speed - 40 or 45

Shooting accuracy - 35 or 40, make sure slap shot is at least 40 so guys can actually hit the net from time to time instead of shooting wide constantly

Penalties - I can't remember specific numbers but drop everything, the high aggression will cause the cpu to take chances and slash,grab,poke and battle so lowering penalties is a must.

AI - learning full
Strategy adjustment - half or full

If you're playing player lock like me, make sure you set your D-line strategies to SHOOT. MAX it out trust me.

Overall its...
Loose pucks, high aggression, missed shots, breakaways, fatigue matters, and the frustration of no calls and the elation of a call for a powerplay.

[Jatt96]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

I have two different sliders, one is for the Regular Season, and the other is for the Playoffs only. The major difference is higher hitting, less shot accuracy, and WAY more aggression.

This results in the space being so tight to work with.

[Jatt96]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

If you're playing player lock like me, make sure you set your D-line strategies to SHOOT. MAX it out trust me.
.

Never thought of doing this, maybe player lock would be more enjoyable...do you have to edit that d-line strategy in game though all the time? Or can you set it before hand?

[Pikesburgh]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

Never thought of doing this, maybe player lock would be more enjoyable...do you have to edit that d-line strategy in game though all the time? Or can you set it before hand?

To piggyback off of this, I play Be A Pro. Is there a way I can edit every teams strategies outside of Be A Pro, then play BAP with CPU/Human strategy adjustment at 0? Would that work? My AI teammates are still weak compared to the CPU's. That's my only issue with the entire mode.

[Jatt96]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

To piggyback off of this, I play Be A Pro. Is there a way I can edit every teams strategies outside of Be A Pro, then play BAP with CPU/Human strategy adjustment at 0? Would that work? My AI teammates are still weak compared to the CPU's. That's my only issue with the entire mode.

How did you make your AI teammates as smart as the CPU opposition? Or are you working reverse and trying to make the opposing team's AI as dumb as your teammates AI.

[Pikesburgh]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

How did you make your AI teammates as smart as the CPU opposition? Or are you working reverse and trying to make the opposing team's AI as dumb as your teammates AI.

Well ironically I thought about the title of the post "where is the playoff feel!?" And I turned up the CPU/AI aggression to 95, (I used to have both around 75 and would get decent hitting from my teammates) and the AI learning/CPU difficulty adjustment to 2/6. I actually had my teammates hit the CPU's d-man at the blueline, chase the puck and get a 2 on 1 chance. Another time my teammate was aggressive with the stick checking. So if the aggression slider helps my teammates, my dumb teammate problem may be fixed. I'm only 1 period in but it's been a blast so far. The hits are 10-8 so it's helped a bit. A lot more hitting when I'm on the ice.

EDIT: I will probably have to turn penalty sliders down a little bit considering aggression is high.

[iFnotWhyNoT]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

Never thought of doing this, maybe player lock would be more enjoyable...do you have to edit that d-line strategy in game though all the time? Or can you set it before hand?

I set it out outside the game in team strategies menu once and I'm good. I think the options are cycle and shoot, I always max it out on the shoot end for all lines.

Player lock is really enjoyable, play your position and it feels much more like hockey than a video game.

EDIT: Just played against the Capitals in Washington, I agree the atmosphere was horrid, I didn't hear the annoying trumpet or whatever it is to lead the "Go Caps Go" chant. That's a staple and should be in. Helps with the presentation and immersion.

[Pikesburgh]

Re: Where is the PLAYOFF FEEL!?

The game ended with 24 hits to 23. So it's still acting goofy. I've tested this before to an extreme level too. Maxed out all aggression/hitting/penalty sliders, and had the CPU play itself for full 20 minute periods while I did something else. There were 17 penalties in the first. Only 4 the last 2 periods. It's like the 1st period is fine, then the last 2 periods it forgets the sliders.