NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

[tbigwhoop]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Just finished an offline game in my franchise...

I got a checking from behind, interference, and a couple of charging calls. All were legit calls and would likely not have been called pre-patch. I disagreed with only one as it was borderline. Really makes you play the game differently and more realistically. The angry crowd will get used to this once they adapt. The game is much more strategic and challenging this way.

I found the gameplay more fluid oddly enough. Found it faster and smoother. CPU had some good plays on me too and they had their share of penalties as well.

My goals came via rebound and also a tip in (vs Luongo). A goal vs. me was from a wraparound pass that bounced in off my defender...tsn turning point.

Overall, I enjoyed the new gameplay. Looking forward to playing more (and maybe online again).

[reddog01]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Bravo EA this game really feels like hockey, alot more blocked shots or deflections over the glass, more realistic goals, can't put it down, luv the penalties, no cheap ones anymore, can't say enough!!

[Scottdau]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

The ice feels like ice now. And the game has change big time. I have to play real now. It is amazing! I would like to see what some of the slider guys can come up with!

[eeyor]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

I just changed a few right now and it plays well for now:

SKILL LEVEL All Star
PERIOD LENGTH 10 Minutes
PENALTIES Maxed
FIGHTING Turned it of

GAME SPEED 0
PUCK CONTROL 2
FIGHT DIFFICULTY 6
FATIGUE EFFECT 6
AI LEARNING 4

FATIGUE RECOVERY 1
PLAYER ACCELERATION 2

HITTING POWER 1
AGGRESSION 4
POKE EFFECTIVENESS 3

PASS SPEED 1
SAUCER PASS SPEED 3
PASS INTERCEPTIONS 4
GOALIE PASSING 2

SHOT ACCURACY 3
SHOT POWER 3

SHOT BLOCKING 4
HOOK EFFECTIVENESS 6
PENALTY SHOT FREQUENCY 4
GOALIE COVER PUCK FREQUENCY 4

[kt-od]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Played a couple of offline games last night after downloading the patch.

There were definitely a good variety of penalties. I blatantly interfered and it was called. Also, saw a great roughing call.
- But I did notice the CPU interfering and it was not called as
much. Jason, did the patch increase the CPU's chance of
interference as well?

Also, it seems like the speed was "cranked" up a lot. I could never get the puck away from the CPU in my own zone. It still seemed like that no matter what when the CPU wanted the puck or wanted to score they could.

I didn't tweak the sliders that much, but I'm hoping that if I mess with the aggression or AI Learning slider it might help with this.

I did see a difference with the goalies after the patch. Much improved!! I didn't see the goalie flop once.

Thanks EA for staying on top of this game and listening to the community.

[Redshirt_EA]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit.

The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

[kt-od]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit.

The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

Thanks for the reply Jason. Actually I'm playing on All-Star, but I will try the Aggression slider to tone it down.

[Splitter77]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Based on what you described I'm guessing you using Superstar, in which case you can use the Aggression slider to tone down at AI a bit.

The CPU has the same rules for getting called for interference as the human player. Both CPU and human can get away with interference in front of their own net still.

jason- quick question, but I see an animation from time to time where a player will take his stick and sort of pin a player with it. It results in a struggle between the 2 players. Its sort of like pinning him stationary with the stick. I know there is no way to [erform this maneauver, but I see it with battles in front of the net. Is there anyway to put this as a control for next years game?? I think it would be great for in front of the net controls, and maybe for some board pinning along the boards.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

jason- quick question, but I see an animation from time to time where a player will take his stick and sort of pin a player with it. It results in a struggle between the 2 players. Its sort of like pinning him stationary with the stick. I know there is no way to [erform this maneauver, but I see it with battles in front of the net. Is there anyway to put this as a control for next years game?? I think it would be great for in front of the net controls, and maybe for some board pinning along the boards.

I think what you're describing is the tie-up animation in front of the net, correct? If so, you can do that by pressing the hook/tie-up (Y on 360, triangle on PS3?) button when you're close to a player in front. It doesn't always happen, but you can do it manually...

[Ruffy]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Great Job on the Patch EA...as others have stated Kudos to the NHL team for making a greater commitment to taking out all the BS that can make sports games no fun to play online.

I play NHL Online only, 1 vs. 1 using the play now feature only.

I have two names, made a new one so I don't get bothered by my Socom friends.

Records
Ruffy Rye
408-166-44 DNF 4% - 1497 Rank

R-U-F-F-Y
74-23-5 DNF 3% - 3813 Rank

I play straight up sim tyle work the puck on the Powerplays to the points and actually kill penalties by icing the puck for the most part.

Since the patch I've played about 11 games and man o man is it great. I love watching the penalties pile up against my cheeser opponent makes me laugh. I've had 2 games so far where the opponent took 9 penalties...my PP in those 2 games were 2 for 7 and 4 for 8.

I'm seeing a few more shots from the points go in which is great. The goalies can save some pretty standard breakaway moves now as well which is awesome. The desperation saves are still there but only a few times was my goalie doing it or my opponents goalie doing it at an inappropriate time. (I honestly think its a game synching issue, in games which feel a bit laggy I notice the goalie desperation more, just a personal opinion).

I'm seeing a greater variety of penalties too! 2 mins for boarding and 2 min for hitting from behind, I've seen some 5 mins for hitting from behind pre-patch, even gotten that a few times myself. Roughing penalties, hooks, trips. No I actually can bait my opponent to tap me going for that chase for the lose puck as it will result in a penalty.

Something penalty wise I have only seen post patch is this. Offsetting minors! Dude took an interference penalty and my guy smoked him after while the puck wasn't there and got one too! Great stuff!

The only time this game is frustrating now is if there is some lag.

I'd love in the future for the play nows if they could add a ping beside your names so before the game starts you can see the opponents connection.

Great Job EA this game is going to be abused until the Show comes out.

Looking forward to a playoffs mode next year!! And the ability to have every NHL team controlled by a user offline. Until then I will only play online.

Kudos again.

[dce21b]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

I think what you're describing is the tie-up animation in front of the net, correct? If so, you can do that by pressing the hook/tie-up (Y on 360, triangle on PS3?) button when you're close to a player in front. It doesn't always happen, but you can do it manually...

This is correct you can also pin against the boards as well. good along the half boards and behind the net. You have to time it well and be in good position.

Same goes for hooking from behind. It seems they toned down the drag down animation resulting in a pentaly and you can use it more for a disruption now.

If I were u just practice against AI. Dont repeatedly tap y or Triangle. You have to time it right and if chasing down an opponent you have to be almost right to his side.

Hooking/holding is a great defensive tool for me and surprisingly not alot of people use it.

[seasprite]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Something penalty wise I have only seen post patch is this. Offsetting minors! Dude took an interference penalty and my guy smoked him after while the puck wasn't there and got one too! Great stuff!

I am pretty sure that this was in pre patch, you could get a penalty yourself when the other team got one which would put both of you in the box. Are you saying that you wont go to the box if both teams have a penalty????

[NHLandPESFan]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

I played a few online games 1v1 with the new patch last night (PS3) and am loving it. A greater variety of goals seem to be happening and it's great to see all the blatant interferences called. I was playing a league game against a friend of mine and we were shocked to get 3 penalties each in the first period. We finally figured out what was going on and quit cheating as much, I will have to break some bad habits but I am NOT complaining, it's great to see the blatant interferences as well as iffy poke checks and stick lifts called. It's also nice to see all the post release support as well. Just say that there will be multiplayer franchise in NHL2010/10/whatever it will be called and it will be a day 1 purchase for me. The player freezing on one timers bug is the only thing left that really annoys me but good work overall EA!

[Ruffy]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

I am pretty sure that this was in pre patch, you could get a penalty yourself when the other team got one which would put both of you in the box. Are you saying that you wont go to the box if both teams have a penalty????

Never happened to me online before ever. It seemed you could do almost anything during a delayed penalty.

[PaddyOReilly]

Re: NHL 09 PS3 Patch Released - Impressions

Well I've played a few games now and here are some of my impressions and general comments, bearing in mind I play Pro level offline.

Firstly I do love how the penalties have been changed. I'm taking the right kind of penalties for the situation and both me and the CPU are having a good variety. I also noticed how the hit power seems to have also changed in that I see fewer sprawling hits and more bumps. I still occasionally take an interference call when I've taken my finger off of L2 but not before the right stick has gone back to the middle.

A slight concern though is that defence now seems like a vacuum occasionally. The players don't want to check other players and are also less inclined to poke as well, leaving me in a waiting game to get the puck back. This is not just me though as one instance I saw the CPU defenseman stand still and watch as I moved in on the goalie to deke past him; although I will admit this was the most blatant example. It would seem that pre patch the guy would have moved in to check me but now is caught in two minds as to what to do.

Another worry I have is that with the reduction in both hits and power will we actually see an increase in dynasty injuries in player games or will it be the same situation as previous with the benchmarks moved. Only time will tell on that one.

Finally I come to the goalies, which to me are still a love/hate relationship. The last game I played I managed to score from near the blueline with a defender, which I love. However the goalies are now back to where they were in the beginning in that if you're going head on then the goalie is screwed; whether it be a slapper through the five hole or a wrister right into the very top corners. This has made them really weak, my last game ended 9-5 to me (Avs versus Blackhawks).

So in conclusion: Penalties = Yay, Goalies = Boo, Injuries = ?.