NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

Do you think that the AI doesn't cheat, or just not care? You can keep denying it and telling people they suck, but it doesn't make the cheating go away.

All sports game AI has to cheat somehow. Otherwise we'd all have perfect seasons offline.

The loose puck battle is the worst. People who played 08 have to have noticed it, unless you play on pro difficulty. I shouldn't have to poke check the same guy 3 times in a row to take the puck. All the other ones you can compensate for. Just because you can counter them, doesn't make them less annoying.

Although, they seem less drastic in 09. I have to play more games on all star, but it certainly still seems to be there. Loose puck battles are a huge part of the game, and when the CPU magically wins 80% of them, it feels cheap to me, even if you win the game.

It also gets worse when you start messing with sliders. Certain settings just won't impact the CPU players the same way they hinder the human player.

Honestly man, I think its much improved in 09, mostly due to your AI teammates not being completely brain dead this year. I find at least in the demo, I win prolly 50% at least of loose puck battles, but I'm quick about switching to the closest man especially in front of the net on offense trying to bang home a rebound or what have you. I just don't see the CPU magically winning them. I've actually scored more garbage goal rebounds in just the few hours that I've had with the demo than I think I did all year last year with 08 due to the better puck physics and the less suction the goalies seem to have this year. To me thats a huge improvement.

When the AI has scored on me it hasn't felt cheap at all, most of the time its because I gave them too much room or gave a player like Crosby or Zetterberg too much open room in the zone and got burnt for it. The game feels far more sloppy and organic this year, yes passing on the whole is still too tape to tape for my liking but when a guy is pressured I do see misfired passes, I also see far more breakups in both the neutral zone and the offensive zone, along with some pretty decent cpu ai forechecking. Is it perfect? no, I'm just not seeing the AI magically win battles any more than I'm winning them. Maybe it's just me I don't know. I did play a ton of 08, maybe I'm just more accustomed to how things work in EA's game at this point.

I'm really just not one of those guys who buys into the whole AI catchup logic theory on the whole to begin with, and less so with the NHL game since you can see pretty obviously how much effort the devs put into trying to make the AI actually play real hockey while still having the game be accessable to casual fans. I think that should be commended personally.

[ohyeahbaby123]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

Do you think that the AI doesn't cheat, or just not care? You can keep denying it and telling people they suck, but it doesn't make the cheating go away.

All sports game AI has to cheat somehow. Otherwise we'd all have perfect seasons offline.

The loose puck battle is the worst. People who played 08 have to have noticed it, unless you play on pro difficulty. I shouldn't have to poke check the same guy 3 times in a row to take the puck. All the other ones you can compensate for. Just because you can counter them, doesn't make them less annoying.

Although, they seem less drastic in 09. I have to play more games on all star, but it certainly still seems to be there. Loose puck battles are a huge part of the game, and when the CPU magically wins 80% of them, it feels cheap to me, even if you win the game.

It also gets worse when you start messing with sliders. Certain settings just won't impact the CPU players the same way they hinder the human player.

LEARN TO PLAY DEFENSE!!!!11!!!!

Haha, I kid I kid.

But in all honesty, I don't think the AI cheats. It just adapts to what you do... After I learned to use the defensive controls last year, I rarely had trouble with these so called "AI comebacks."

[tmac55]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

Does anyone else with a Widescreen HDTV agree that classic camera is probably the better option in terms of zoom and being able to follow the play.

It's not ideal but it seems to work the best for me at the moment. Maybe in a patch they could address the zoom levels

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I'm really just not one of those guys who buys into the whole AI catchup logic theory on the whole to begin with, and less so with the NHL game since you can see pretty obviously how much effort the devs put into trying to make the AI actually play real hockey while still having the game be accessable to casual fans. I think that should be commended personally.

Just a note, I'm not talking about catchup logic. I have not seen catchup logic in EA games for a few years now. It just comes down to that "automatic" play which can happen anytime.

09 is improved in this area. Sometimes my hatred for Fifa spills out onto NHL unfairly.

Overall they have a decent balance to the game.

[tgalv]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

the people constantly complaining about the AI cheating are just making up stuff so that they can better accept losing. but if it's them coming back to win, then everything was obviously on the level.

[Hutton]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

Keep in mind EA Vancouver does NHL and I believe Fifa as well, they are a completely seperate team than the NCAA & Madden guys down at Tiberon in Florida. And really out of all EA's various studios, they really seem to be paving the way when it comes to quality and actually listening to the fans and trying to get issues in the game fixed. Nothing against Ian and his team as I find Madden 09 pretty good too this year, but really the quality we've gotten on the NHL sku the last few iterations has been nothing short of fantastic imo.

Yeah, I understand that they are at different studios in completely different countries, but it still is the same company.

EA Vancouver actually makes the only 2 EA games that I enjoy (NHL & FIFA).

Everything out of Tiburon is flaming, lava hot garbage IMO. Although Madden09 was a small step in the right direction, once patch#2 is released.

[phillyfan23]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

Do you think that the AI doesn't cheat, or just not care? You can keep denying it and telling people they suck, but it doesn't make the cheating go away.
All sports game AI has to cheat somehow. Otherwise we'd all have perfect seasons offline.

The loose puck battle is the worst. People who played 08 have to have noticed it, unless you play on pro difficulty. I shouldn't have to poke check the same guy 3 times in a row to take the puck. All the other ones you can compensate for. Just because you can counter them, doesn't make them less annoying.

Although, they seem less drastic in 09. I have to play more games on all star, but it certainly still seems to be there. Loose puck battles are a huge part of the game, and when the CPU magically wins 80% of them, it feels cheap to me, even if you win the game.

It also gets worse when you start messing with sliders. Certain settings just won't impact the CPU players the same way they hinder the human player.

listen man....i played 08 on SUPERSTAR, and never did i feel cheated once by the cpu. I disagree that if the cpu doesn't cheat we'd all have perfect seasons. That doesn't make any sense. I didn't notice any speed cheats, i didn't notice any puck magnet cheat either. On SS, I still managed to average more offensive zone time than the cpu? how do you explain that?

There was no score at will cheat either. Just because some people don't agree with you, please do not doubt their honesty/integrity by saying they are in denial. I never had any trouble taking the puck away from the cpu last year....NEVER...is it because I have better poke checking skills than you ? maybe/maybe not.....I put checking power all the way down and poke check success all the way up. So maybe those sliders were the key, since I didn't depend on hits for defense I got good enough with the stick checking it was on equal ground with the cpu. I don't know....bottom line is I never had any problems of AI cheating.

[mudtiger]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I played on superstar last year too and though I thought the game was difficult, I never thought I was cheated by the AI for loose pucks or in speed. Could it have been there? Sure. Did I notice it? Nope.

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I'm really surprised at how much they have improved the game since last year.

BAP mode is going to be really addictive, I played it twice with each team and I had to stop as it was really fun and addicting.. had that one more period feel to it.

Playing against the CPU the game felt so much better, game speed is toned down and is perfect, imo.. shots are not as accurate, although still too many hitting the post... a VERY WIDE VARIETY of goals so far, goalie animations are excellent, hitting is a tad over the top, but better.. new controls are excellent..

I can finally play on AS and feel like I can play defense!!! Had more breakaways which means speed has been tweaked.. overall, I'm really liking the demo quite a bit.

Both hockey games have been pre-ordered and paid for.

[ohyeahbaby123]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I actually did it. I just flip dumped a puck into the net. Hopefully that was a rare occurrence though.

[bjackets]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I played NHL 08 a ton...09 is better but it still seems too mechanical to me. 08 felt the same way but I figured this would decrease as the series went forward....no such luck.

The AI defense reacts like a synchronized swimming team on the ice....just too robotic.

Don't get me wrong it is an OK game but I feel like I'm solving an algebraic equation when trying to score.....everything is premeditated in this series....very little spontenaity. I played 08 on SS level and did well scoring btw so I understand how to play this series.

Hopefully 09 will give us a few more breakaways than 08 where they were almost non-existant.

Finally I really wish EA would overhaul the cameras....they are tired. People rave about the graphics but you are too far away or too close to notice while playing. They really need a camera that is lower and closer than the Ice view......2k's hockey game on the Dreamcast got this right 10 years ago so I don't know why we are stuck with these.

Hockey is a fast paced game where you need to react on the fly....here's to hoping more of this spontaneous feel is incorporated in the final version than the methodical chess match that was 08 and is demo 09

ohiost

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

There is some lag on cut screens and such (360), while in no ways a game killer, I hope that's fixed in the retail verison.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

listen man....i played 08 on SUPERSTAR, and never did i feel cheated once by the cpu. I disagree that if the cpu doesn't cheat we'd all have perfect seasons. That doesn't make any sense. I didn't notice any speed cheats, i didn't notice any puck magnet cheat either. On SS, I still managed to average more offensive zone time than the cpu? how do you explain that?

I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.

Whatever. Sorry you can't look at the game objectively. Every game needs to cheat. 2k, PES, EA, they all cheat. No $60 game is going to have an AI to beat you fairly. It isn't possible.

[tgalv]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

There is some lag on cut screens and such (360), while in no ways a game killer, I hope that's fixed in the retail verison.

i noticed this too. the new lighting effects are really cool and make the graphics look better but it seems like the framerate on the 360 took a hit with it, especially during cutscenes. it's still not bad though and perfectly playable.

[tgalv]

Re: NHL 09 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.
I'M NOT SAYING THE GAME IS TOO HARD.

Whatever. Sorry you can't look at the game objectively. Every game needs to cheat. 2k, PES, EA, they all cheat. No $60 game is going to have an AI to beat you fairly. It isn't possible.

so why do you keep complaining about it? how else is the game going give players a challenge if not letting the cpu skate and shoot and control the puck a little better on the higher difficulty levels. the only way to do it would be to make the cpu "smarter" on the higher difficulty levels. and if you create a smart AI, it makes no sense to just hamstring it and make the cpu play dumb on the lower skill levels.