So, let me get this straight...

[The EVHL]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

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Exactly. The only people who find enjoyment in this abomination of a game are those who make a living streaming themselves exploiting the non-hockey, physics-ignorant GARBAGE that is this game.

I’ve moved back to NHL 20. Pretty surreal to see how far BACKWARDS the AI have gone since 20. On 21-23 I was constantly adjusting sliders, could never get the CPU to challenge the puck, always thinking there was some sort of slider solution (there isn’t).

Played 20 again based off advice I saw on Reddit, haven’t looked back. Sliders dialed in over a month ago and haven’t touched since. The AI is actually aggressive on defense and isn’t 100% passive and predictable. Game is built for the offline player still, not the UT streamers who want to NBA ISO offense all day and don’t want “skill zoning” as it would require them to actually have vision and pass.

If you’re burned out by this series, go put NHL 20 back on your system and give it a go. It’s mind-boggling. I haven’t had this much fun in an NHL game since NHL 20 was current. It’s even more fun than it used to be with how much I’ve dove into sliders and player attribute balancing. I really think I’ve perfected my Vision for virtual hockey. It’s hands down my undisputed #1 hockey game of all-time now.

[Detroit Tigers]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

I’ve moved back to NHL 20. Pretty surreal to see how far BACKWARDS the AI have gone since 20. On 21-23 I was constantly adjusting sliders, could never get the CPU to challenge the puck, always thinking there was some sort of slider solution (there isn’t).

Played 20 again based off advice I saw on Reddit, haven’t looked back. Sliders dialed in over a month ago and haven’t touched since. The AI is actually aggressive on defense and isn’t 100% passive and predictable. Game is built for the offline player still, not the UT streamers who want to NBA ISO offense all day and don’t want “skill zoning” as it would require them to actually have vision and pass.

If you’re burned out by this series, go put NHL 20 back on your system and give it a go. It’s mind-boggling. I haven’t had this much fun in an NHL game since NHL 20 was current. It’s even more fun than it used to be with how much I’ve dove into sliders and player attribute balancing. I really think I’ve perfected my Vision for virtual hockey. It’s hands down my undisputed #1 hockey game of all-time now.

As someone who never had major issues with this game and always got pushback for defending it, I can tell you y’all were a bunch of whiny babies about 20 too. Cute that you like it now. “Mind boggling” lol. Have fun.

[Cycloniac]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

Has 23 improved much since release?

Does the 1-3-1 actually work/resemble a 1-3-1 now?

Haven't played in several months.

[td7]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

I’ve moved back to NHL 20. Pretty surreal to see how far BACKWARDS the AI have gone since 20. On 21-23 I was constantly adjusting sliders, could never get the CPU to challenge the puck, always thinking there was some sort of slider solution (there isn’t).

Played 20 again based off advice I saw on Reddit, haven’t looked back. Sliders dialed in over a month ago and haven’t touched since. The AI is actually aggressive on defense and isn’t 100% passive and predictable. Game is built for the offline player still, not the UT streamers who want to NBA ISO offense all day and don’t want “skill zoning” as it would require them to actually have vision and pass.

If you’re burned out by this series, go put NHL 20 back on your system and give it a go. It’s mind-boggling. I haven’t had this much fun in an NHL game since NHL 20 was current. It’s even more fun than it used to be with how much I’ve dove into sliders and player attribute balancing. I really think I’ve perfected my Vision for virtual hockey. It’s hands down my undisputed #1 hockey game of all-time now.

I agree with you! I've went back to 20 and it plays night and day better than this year's version.

[Cycloniac]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

I agree with you! I've went back to 20 and it plays night and day better than this year's version.

I think something must have gone wrong in their transition to current gen.

I fired NHL 20 up with my sliders from back then and immediately noticed a refreshing difference. There are actually point shots in this game. The AI will try to get set up when on the powerplay and cycle.

What happened?

[The EVHL]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

As someone who never had major issues with this game and always got pushback for defending it, I can tell you y’all were a bunch of whiny babies about 20 too. Cute that you like it now. “Mind boggling” lol. Have fun.

Removing response - not even worth it

[The EVHL]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

I think something must have gone wrong in their transition to current gen.

I fired NHL 20 up with my sliders from back then and immediately noticed a refreshing difference. There are actually point shots in this game. The AI will try to get set up when on the powerplay and cycle.

What happened?

Yeah glad to hear I'm not the only one. I know you're always looking for a sim representation in your broadcast camera so good to hear.

CPU actually cycles, attacks the puck carriers, shoots from the point. Much more realistically aggressive. You can tell this was the last game they designed for offline players and not running ISO basketball offense in HUT.

[PernellKarl076]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

Yeah glad to hear I'm not the only one. I know you're always looking for a sim representation in your broadcast camera so good to hear.

CPU actually cycles, attacks the puck carriers, shoots from the point. Much more realistically aggressive. You can tell this was the last game they designed for offline players and not running ISO basketball offense in HUT.

Hey HipNotiiC, I have all this in my game the way it's set up….. Yes NHL23, lol !

[The EVHL]

Re: So, let me get this straight...

Hey HipNotiiC, I have all this in my game the way it's set up….. Yes NHL23, lol !

Glad to hear, man!

My two cents, 23 is definitely better than 22 and 21 but I’m just not a fan of the lack of presentation nor the goalies in 23. I find their ability to us the human desperation moves a welcomed one but I don’t think it was implemented properly. They have to fine tune how quickly the CPU initiates those moves and make them more smooth looking.

I also still find the AI much more passive than in 20 on the defensive side of the puck. All of the “next-Gen” games do not have AI that play like 20 in the zone. They’ve cleaned up some NZ issues that plagued 19-20 in 21-23 but it appears to be at the expense of the in-zone play which is unfortunate.

These games are all similar enough where you can find the best package for your taste. I’ve been playing 23 more now that it’s on gamepass to see if I was simply jaded by the presentation or if the “feel” truly was off for my taste and I’ve concluded it’s the later. I just haven’t had an offline experience compete with my sliders on 20 since rediscovering it. It’s not a perfect game by any means but the AI pressure alone makes it such an easy game to tweak towards making the experience a challenging and dynamic one.