NHL 2K9 Impressions Thread (360/PS3)

[dbrandon]

40 dekes Shouldn't there be 1000's like ea's game (kidding). Far better then last year. realistic amount of penalties once I moved sliders to 65. Sliders all seem to work and lots of them. AI moves puck very well. Very good half time presentations. For those that liked NHK 2K in the glory years I'd have to say this is close to being their best effort to date.

All Star
5 min qt
Me Caines 1 shots 23
CPU Nashville 3 shots 19

6 total penalties.

I got time for a few questions fire away

[CAJUN COMMISH]

Re: First game results

Online leagues, see what you can create.

"Flex Schedule"?

How many teams minimum for League start?

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

Online leagues, see what you can create.

"Flex Schedule"?

How many teams minimum for League start?

4 teams mim season lenghth 10 games mim

don't wanta start a league yet so can't answer the flex schedule question

[maball]

Re: First game results

how are the puck physics?

[CAJUN COMMISH]

Re: First game results

4 teams mim season lenghth 10 games mim

don't wanta start a league yet so can't answer the flex schedule question

Thanks, I have no don't that the game is good - probably both are. Game's ability in leagues is all that matters to me.

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

Thanks, I have no don't that the game is good - probably both are. Game's ability in leagues is all that matters to me.

what do you mean by flex schedule?

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

how are the puck physics?

depends on puck friction and ice friction slider the sliders really have a noticable affect on the game when you change them

[Splitter77]

Re: First game results

can you view boxscores for all games played during the season??
ex- while in march can you click on the schedule in december and see the boxscore of all teams??

[sask3m]

Re: First game results

are you playing hockey or football, quarters, halftime

[kerosene31]

Re: First game results

How's the offensive AI on allstar? Do they try to make plays, instead of just driving the net like 2k8? (is that what you meant by the ai moving the puck well?)

Any major differences from the demo to the final version? I always end up liking the final game more than the demos in 2k, not sure if it is just the difficulty and lack of sliders or what...

Ugh, I'm tempted to get both games again this year. Especially since this is in stores today, and no EA until at least tomorrow.

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

can you view boxscores for all games played during the season??
ex- while in march can you click on the schedule in december and see the boxscore of all teams??

beats me I have not started a season

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

How's the offensive AI on allstar? Do they try to make plays, instead of just driving the net like 2k8? (is that what you meant by the ai moving the puck well?)

Any major differences from the demo to the final version? I always end up liking the final game more than the demos in 2k, not sure if it is just the difficulty and lack of sliders or what...

Ugh, I'm tempted to get both games again this year. Especially since this is in stores today, and no EA until at least tomorrow.

I feel like they are tying to set up plays more then last year. A lot has to do with the team you are playing. At least the cpu takes shots from many lore different places on the ice then last year. I have only played 2 games so far but I did notice a difference in the way the two teams played.

[dbrandon]

Re: First game results

Just had my first fight and it might be the best fighting system to date. Will take some getting use to. Fighting was actually fun.

Also the cpu just pulled off a great break away, just like you would draw it up.. I have seen more penalties in one period in this game then I had in complete games made by that other company. Penalties are a big part of how realistic a game is in IMO and this really adds to the over all experience.

[CAJUN COMMISH]

Re: First game results

"Flex" schedule for online leagues means you can play anyone in in order among the teams in your league.

[Scoop_Brady]

Re: First game results

I'll post the impressions I posted over at DSP. I'm at work now so I don't really have time for questions but thought you might want to hear more impressions. Also, you should know that NHL 2k8 really pissed me off last year with the nonstop checking, lack of penalties, and controls. Anyway, here they are:

I picked this up at lunch and was able to play 2 quick periods during my break. My initial impressions are very favorable. I thought the demo was a major improvement over last years and I'd have to say that the final version is even an improvement over the demo.

The pacing of this game out of the box is quite nice. Being able to slow down play and actually set up passes is a nice touch. Rather than being constantly pressured into tic-tac-toe passing you can actually set up play at times, especially on the power play. While that may sound like the defense is passive and there's plenty of room on the ice that's not the case. When you're setting up plays and slowing down the pace you're actually trying to find space if that makes sense.

Another big improvement is checking. The interaction between players is awesome and I've seen a number of outstanding animations that put a smile on my face. Also putting a smile on my face is the fact that I could take a slapshot from the point without getting checked. Checking seemed realistic and in now way did it resemble the last several iteration of this game. I can't tell you how much more of an enjoyable experience this game is as a result.

Another area that I thought was terrible last year was penalties. There just weren't enough called per game even with penalties maxed. . That's been fixed out of the box this year as I saw numerous penalties for both sides in my brief play time.

And lastly as you saw in the demo the controls were fixed as well. While not nearly as sharp and good as EA's game it's definitely a step in the right direction and very playable unlike last years game.

Driving the Zamboni was more fun than I thought it would be but not something I would do every game. The commentary is better than last years but still sounds a bit robotic when compared to games like the MLB series or EA's NHL games. I can't wait to get more time with it tonight. It looks like there's two very good hockey games this year fellas.