NHL 09 First Look: GameSpot

[BigH2k6]

GameSpot has posted their first look of NHL 09.

"As with the Be a Pro mode in FIFA, when you're on the ice in NHL 09's Be a Pro mode, you'll be focused on your player alone, thanks to a third-person camera that will be focused tight (but not too tight) on your created player."

[BigH2k6]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

We get "Be A Pro" mode.

[BigH2k6]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

New defensive "lift the stick" to stop one-timers. Chance to get a five minute major if you miss "lift the stick" and end up hitting your opponent in the head.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Love what I'm hearing. Hopefully it is all implemented properly. These guys have a great track record though the past two years so I'm sure it will be. It is also very smart how the calculate on-ice success for players in be a pro.

It seems like the borrowed heavily from The Show's RTTS mode, which is a great thing.

[mdgoalie37]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

New defensive "lift the stick" to stop one-timers. Chance to get a five minute major if you miss "lift the stick" and end up hitting your opponent in the head.

Very cool - um, can you miss 'lifting the stick' on purpose?

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

I'm feeling this game. Full 6 on 6? Cool.

[ComaFaction]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

fully functioning online leagues will be nice -- hope they go all out with this. Stoked!!!

[Jgainsey]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Sounds great. Though I hate when game makers give a preview and say that they still have a massive awesome feature to reveal later on. It almost always ends up being a let down.

[ianlast]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Can't say that I'm all that excited about the 'Be A Pro' feature, wasn't that big on it in FIFA 08.

One-handed dekes sounds awesome...this isn't just some hot-dog move, you actually see it quite often in 1-on-1 situations. Lift the stick sounds great too...although the 5 min major 'risk' could be problematic, I can see frustration similar to that associated with the slap-pass in 08. Hopefully it will be called judiciously.

Anyone else getting a vibe that Zdeno Chara might make cover? Just basing that off the title screen on Gamespot...if so that would be sweet, Big Z is one of my faves.

[Scott]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Haven't picked up a hockey game in a while but may pick up this one.

[bukktown]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

I'm really looking forward to this one. The stick raising control on defense is something I was hoping for. And what intrigues me most is the defensive skill stick to better cover passing lanes.

Does this mean that they took checking off of the R-stick? Are they going to eliminate triggering checking with a button? I hope so. If they make checking controlled solely by the left stick and the momentum vs. mass of the players involved in the collision, I think that will be a good move forward akin to eliminating the speed burst button.

[metallidevils]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Wonder what the massive feature they're talking about could be - I can't imagine anything massive that could be added to a hockey game.

Most of the tweaks seem small; but if the goalie mode is a lot better than last year, I'd definitely buy the game to create a goalie and play with him.

[bukktown]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

Wonder what the massive feature they're talking about could be - I can't imagine anything massive that could be added to a hockey game.

Most of the tweaks seem small; but if the goalie mode is a lot better than last year, I'd definitely buy the game to create a goalie and play with him.

I wonder if it might be online franchise mode

[Lubey]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

I'm looking forward to Be A Pro mode. I played around with it a little in FIFA, but I think it would work better in hockey. There'd be a lot less random running around, since all 5 players should always be involved in the play, unlike soccer usually. You do sit on the bench, but it shouldn't be too bad. I also know how to play hockey a lot better than soccer, and I have a lot more faith in the NHL team than the FIFA team.

[Bluebuds]

Re: NHL09 First Look on Gamespot

I wanna hear if the slap pass was removed and if the Goalies will actually make glove saves this year (Or not go down 5 seconds before the shot)