NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

[RaychelSnr]

As we continue our series of previews this week, Chase Becotte checks in with a look at EA Sports' newest hockey title NHL 09 in his hands-on preview.

"The NHL 09 team isn’t falling into a trap this year, even though, according to EA, NHL 08 won something like seven sports game of the year awards in 2008. Before I recently got my hands on the game though, I’ll be honest and say I was a little bit worried about NHL 09. As remarkable as some of the new online features sounded, the gameplay didn’t look that different in videos. It still seemed to be based around dishing up the wing, skating in, and firing on helpless goaltenders who would inevitably be facing a barrage of shots for the entirety of the game. You’d think at this point I would know better than to assume things before getting hands-on time with a game."

[mudtiger]

Sounds good! Bring on the demo!

[rellix1]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

Sounds good! Bring on the demo!

yar!

[Flyermania]

I can't wait to try this game. They really seem to have fine-tuned a great game in all the right ways with the defensive control additions. I continue to be amazed at how this development team refuses to rest on their laurels, and instead strives to improve this fantastic title.

[Diehardfan]

"It also seems like goalies may still have a tough time stopping the dreaded fly-across-the-crease-and-flip-it-up-high-top-shelf maneuver -- a tactic that has been effective since the inception of EA’s NHL series."

If its executed correctly, show me an NHL goalie who stops this regularly. Only gripe I have, is that in EA's game its executed correctly WAY too easily.

[mudtiger]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

Very true. Why doesn't this happen in real hockey more? Because you get punished physically for doing it. In game there is no fear of actual injury or simulated injury, so just repeat ad nauseum.

[ChaseB]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

"It also seems like goalies may still have a tough time stopping the dreaded fly-across-the-crease-and-flip-it-up-high-top-shelf maneuver -- a tactic that has been effective since the inception of EA’s NHL series."

If its executed correctly, show me an NHL goalie who stops this regularly. Only gripe I have, is that in EA's game its executed correctly WAY too easily.

I just don't like that it's so easy to flip it up high all the time.

[dbrandon]

Seems like all the hope that 07 brought has somehow been lost by failing to address things that have dogged the series for years. "the dreaded fly-across-the-crease-and-flip-it-up-high-top-shelf maneuver" being one example. I wonder if there will be more penalties this year? Another EA week point.

[ChaseB]

I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't let a few negative things that I say tarnish an overall impressive game -- at least from what I've played so far.

[Ruffy]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't let a few negative things that I say tarnish an overall impressive game -- at least from what I've played so far.

Sounds good and now with being able to swing your stick down on d you can block this pass or at least interfere with it.

The goalies need an AI boost to poke away that pass most of the time.

Hopefully the goalies are just tougher in general as id love to have tons of trouble scoring goals without substsained pressure...

Lets hear about the PP and the PK??

[teebee]

Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say

Same game for the past 15 years

[theblueprint]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say

Same game for the past 15 years

[ChaseB]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

Ya, time to move on to basketball cuz the NHL series is cooked i say

Same game for the past 15 years

Teebs just trying to antagonize like usual.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

Teebs just trying to antagonize like usual.

To say the least.
His statement only proves that he hasn't played an EA hockey game in quite some time.
I'll fully admit that a lot of their games on last-gen have felt the same.
But in my opinion, NHL2004, NHL07 and NHL08 have felt so different from previous games, you can tell they were developed by a different crew.

[ChaseB]

Re: NHL 09 Hands-On Preview

To say the least.
His statement only proves that he hasn't played an EA hockey game in quite some time.
I'll fully admit that a lot of their games on last-gen have felt the same.
But in my opinion, NHL2004, NHL07 and NHL08 have felt so different from previous games, you can tell they were developed by a different crew.

You'll come to understand Teebs humor in time. He and I played NHL a bunch this year actually, he just tries to toy with people when he thinks they're being ridiculous about stuff -- aka getting down on a game after one or two negative things were said.