NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Nope - no options in the demo except for choosing the controller layout.

The gameplay itself does play great, and for me the graphics aren't much of an issue either so I for the most part I don't mind them.

That sucks, but thanks anyways. You going to pick up both games this year, or just 2k??

[MC Fatigue]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

I don't know yet.

I haven't kept up with EA's at all.

The thing I most enjoyed about 2008 was playing goalie, but I really felt the controls were lacking in that department. If it gets good enough reviews (from 2k and EA fans combined) I may grab it, but as of now I haven't really looked into it at all.

[daflyboys]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Somehow they took a step back in the graphics department.

Well, when they switched it up after K3, I wouldn't assume that their work/files got passed on to Kush, so maybe they were building from what they had and that's why some have that K3 "feel" about this demo? dunno.

[Klocker]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Brief impressions... I liked it a lot better as soon as I switched controls to "Hybrid'. A combo of classic and Pro Stick... Pro Evo Stick is also available


game play was solid (on easy) and scoring was fun and the game seemed a bit slowed form the last couple of years, more deliberate, especially speed burst.

As for the graphics, opening sequence ROCKS... and the graphics are definitely more polished with less of that "cartoon animated" feel of previous versions and more of a 3D look to the players. although as noted faces were kind of weak from what I can tell. the modeling of the players and lighting definitely have more dimension IMO

[Stroehms]

Long live NHL 09!

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Scott, you were right!

Love the new Pro Evolution controls.

Gone is the massive checks that knock you off the puck as soon as you shoot it.

Skating feels realistic... speed burst is finally like it should be.

Game flows very smooth, just like last year.

I think with the commentators, penalties, and a harder difficulty, I'm going to love this game. Game speed seems good and although the players don't look like EA's game, everything else is beautiful.

Oh.. crowds are the best in any sports game - really get into the game, nice!

Is it the end all of hockey games? No... but for me, it's what they set out to do, create a fun hockey game.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Just played the demo. My impressions:

Pros:

-Much improved from 2k8 (which I thought was awful)
-Defensive controls are very good
-Realistic passing (EA needs to copy this and remove laser passing)
-AI seems somewhat improved (hard to tell on unknown difficulty level)
-skating much better
-with the tons of sliders available in the final game, this might play a really good game of sim hockey
-controls are much improved, although I wish they did not copy EA's shooting with the right stick. They should stick with a button to shoot and let you control the puck completely with the right stick.
-the checking from past games is toned down and very realistic
-presentation is nice

Cons:
-player models look... awful
-goalie animations are not much improved
-I'd like to see how the AI does on higher difficulty. So far, it was not really setting up plays in the zone very much beyond one pass. Miles better than last year, but that isn't saying much. Still too much "driving the net like a zombie".
-players are a little slow to control, might be fixable with sliders

Overall:
This is a pretty good game for a 1st year build. You have to expect 2 years to get everything playable, but this plays pretty well as-is.

I really need to see it on higher difficulty levels to see if the AI has made significant improvements. If the AI is great on higher levels, we could have a great game.

[allBthere]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Very impressed. I didn't think I would be either since videos of the game (although usually small and grainy) make it seem like the same thing as the past couple of years.

It's not at all, it feels so much better, there is so much more weight, and I'm so glad they completely ditched the stretched-out no frills, bulk-barn style menues of the past. It's 3D, it's intense, even the sounds is so much more 3D and way more compelling.

After playing the demo, and seeing the new fighting, I've got to say that I'm seriously considering picking this up and absolutley going to rent if not buying right at release. The last hockey purchase for me was a few years ago so this is saying a lot.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

I'm my way to get this now! BTW, I merged the other demo thread into this one. There are a post or two that seem out of place, but I don't want to be deleting people's posts...

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Scott, you were right!

Love the new Pro Evolution controls.

Gone is the massive checks that knock you off the puck as soon as you shoot it.

Skating feels realistic... speed burst is finally like it should be.

Game flows very smooth, just like last year.

I think with the commentators, penalties, and a harder difficulty, I'm going to love this game. Game speed seems good and although the players don't look like EA's game, everything else is beautiful.

Oh.. crowds are the best in any sports game - really get into the game, nice!

Is it the end all of hockey games? No... but for me, it's what they set out to do, create a fun hockey game.

Yeah I agree, I just DL it now for my 360. I am going to see how better or difference or the same it is as the PS3.

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Very impressed. I didn't think I would be either since videos of the game (although usually small and grainy) make it seem like the same thing as the past couple of years.

It's not at all, it feels so much better, there is so much more weight, and I'm so glad they completely ditched the stretched-out no frills, bulk-barn style menues of the past. It's 3D, it's intense, even the sounds is so much more 3D and way more compelling.

After playing the demo, and seeing the new fighting, I've got to say that I'm seriously considering picking this up and absolutley going to rent if not buying right at release. The last hockey purchase for me was a few years ago so this is saying a lot.

Yeah, once you play the demo for yourself.. it's really and fun and exciting game to play. I'm seeing some really great goals and a bunch of variety. Skill players play like well.. skill players. Love the crowd, again.. I can't say enough of the atmostphere.

Really can't wait to pick up my copy on Sept 9th!

The goalie animations do not seem as good as last year and I don't like the faceoff system as much as last year.. but overall, there is alot to like here.

I would bet on the next highest difficulty setting, the game could get quite better as far as AI goes.

I need to see a fight!

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Yeah, once you play the demo for yourself.. it's really and fun and exciting game to play. I'm seeing some really great goals and a bunch of variety. Skill players play like well.. skill players. Love the crowd, again.. I can't say enough of the atmostphere.

Really can't wait to pick up my copy on Sept 9th!

The goalie animations do not seem as good as last year and I don't like the faceoff system as much as last year.. but overall, there is alot to like here.

I would bet on the next highest difficulty setting, the game could get quite better as far as AI goes.

I need to see a fight!

Yeah I really like it. It is the exactly the same as the PS3. Maybe if it is on a harder level the goalie animation will be better, but to me they are fine. I did a sweet deke to get the goalie to sift then I did a top shelf. It was freaking sweet. I love the goals in this game and the skating is the best I have ever played. I love Ea's skating too, but this just have more of a feeling of weight. Can't wait for both of these games to drop. It is a great year for hockey. I hope this really starts to make the other try to out duel each other.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Pros: Checking and skating animations are much smoother than 2k8
game Intro is pretty cool with the exception of some herky jerky with the whole team on the ice, I noticed alot of studdering/warping. I'm guessing this is just due to it being old code though, still impressive none the less.
AI is better positionally and while they still try to hit more than I'd like, I hope sliders this year can actually remedy that.
Crowd sounds better, still not as good as EA's but much much improved

Cons: Pro evo while better than the hybred mess 2k8 was, still doesn't offer as much control as EA's skill stick, stick handling animations are still pretty stiff looking

Graphically while the arenas do look better, player models still look last gen, and player faces are terrible.

Goalies seem worse than 2k8's, perhaps its just due to it being an early build but the animations seem off to me a tad.

Not big on 2k's puck physics in the demo, on shots the puck just sort of dies when it hits a defender rather than deflect like it should.

Jury is still out on the AI imo, it does seem to play better defensively but from the handful of periods I played it still doesn't know what to do with the puck on offense aside from skate in and shoot. Granted this may just be due to the difficulty level.

Overall I think its a solid solid start for VC on the series, its not quite at the level EA's game currently is imo, but I believe within a cycle should the pending buyout not happen, 2k hockey can once again return to its past glory, or at least reclaim a portion of it.

[Eddie1967]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Awesome demo for what looks to be an outstanding game. The checking, skating, animations and puck physics are all top notch. The presentation has been upgraded big time. Love the intro's. Player models don't bother me, besides it''s the game play that counts and VC has done a fantastic job with this rebuilt game. It's a huge leap from 2k8. No more checking fest, and much better AI. The king is back......................

[Eddie1967]

Re: NHL 2K9 Demo Available on the Marketplace

Stop digging through posts in order to find something to bitch about. Either play the demo and comment on it - or go away. This thread is to post about the demo, not to try to nitpick at other people's posts in an attempt to start arguments.

I've no idea who you are - but you would certainly appear to be unworthy of discussing this matter with any further So I'll leave it at that, and hopefully this can get back on track, instead of being dragged off course.

He's does that often, jumps in a thread and says something smart to start an argument and then moves on. I put him on ignore long ago. Anyway I agree, I always felt EA's hockey was more arcade and definitely not near the simulation 2k's is. This year 2k has taken that to a new level IMO. EA looks improved this year too, but I'm not sure how long it will hold my attention. I like the detail that 2k puts in their games. Can't wait for this one.