NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

[jyoung]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

My club was getting our butts handed to us before the patch because we didn't have juicers/glitchers like all the other teams we played against, but tonight we got together for the first time since the patch and won all four games we played.

Awesome patch.

I still feel like the AI goalies are a bit too super-human when it comes to reading plays and making saves, but maybe it's just because so many of my teammates don't have a whole lot of attribute points on their players, and thus, have weaker shots.

[MizzouRah]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

Let me say this.. I've been an up and down hockey player this year, had some fun with 2k9 and then went back to NHL 09.. this latest patch has me hooked.

Thank you.

Just had one of those gaming "moments" where I played Detroit at home and I was on my game tonight. I really pressured them and capitalized on their mistakes. It was the best game I've had with NHL 09, bravo on the patch EA!

[ClarkKent]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

-Made face-off outcomes slightly more random and slightly less dependent on attributes.

I really hate this addition. Faceoffs should be about skill and never random. I now feel like I can time it right, have the vastly superior faceoff guy and still lose far too often.

Couple more gripes, increased penalties are a good thing, but I wish that I was committing the penalties instead of my random AI teammate away from the play that take far too many.

Also while the sample size isn't very big(5 games or so, Offline only), my goalies give up alot more weak goals now. And the CPU still cheeses which I was hoping would be gone - mainly the incredibly soft wrist shots from the blueline or far boards that the goalie can't contain and the streaking winger gets it. I know that may sound like a good goal, but there's no traffic and the wrist shots are so weak that no goalie wouldn't be able to hold on to it. They also try the dump in crap where the goalie stops it at his feet and just leaves it there.

Don't get me wrong the game plays more sim and much better, but still some problems. Maybe slider fixes will help.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

Only played one game online, but I don't see much improvement.

We played against a team with 2 humans, one playing forward and the other the goalie.

-The control all players glitch was still there
-The side of the net cheese goals are still there (maybe toned down somewhat but still there)

The CPU defenders still push shooters out wide, which leads them to the perfect spot for side net cheese goals still.

Very disappointing.

I did score on a shot from the slot, but it still looks like the best play is the cheese

The interference penalties are nice.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

We played against a team with 2 humans, one playing forward and the other the goalie.

We played four EASHL games the other night -- I sat out last night, but I'm sure they played more -- and loved how the gameplay felt with a lot of human players on the ice. The puck seems to be a little looser, but there is more freedom to move around the ice now that interference is called, so you can get into good scoring positions without the puck if you're smart.

BUT, we also played one game against only 2 people (1F, 1D) and I think that was our toughest game of the night (we won all four -- hip-hip-hooray for no juice!). Their AI players scored 3 of their 4 goals and the CPU center was a pain in the arse on faceoffs (I play center). I think I won over 50% of the FOs in that game, but only because I went against the human forward on the PK, winning almost every one.

I guess my point is that the AI-controlled players seem to be a little more effective after the patch. It may only be due to the fact that they're not running around taking stupid penalties, but considering the AI seems somewhat tighter offline, perhaps they are actually 'smarter'. If you can get a few games in against 4 or more people, you should start to see more of an improvement from the patch. I know my teammates and I are extremely pleased...

Oh and we didn't see any short-side slapper or wraparound goals in those four games. But it's probably worth mentioning that we became quite good at shutting them down prior to the patch (lots of practice, ha), so our opponents don't get too many chances to do them.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

I watch alot of hockey since there are three teams in my area and I have never seen a penalty called for checking from behind. They always call it boarding.

EDIT** They almost never call a guy for checking someone into the boards when they are straight up and don't have their head down.

Boarding is called when the player being checked is 3 or 4 feet from the boards and checked from behind causing him the go head first into the boards. Thus, I don't have a problem with the hit from behind call. The hit in the game could also be called charging because most of the time the checker takes more then 3 strides to hit the player.

EDIT: Just have to say I am loving the patch. Now when I lose online I don't feel as though I were cheated. I was either outplayed or my opponent caught a lucky bounce or 2. Good times all around

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

Yeah the CPU d-men are not smart enough to stop the side of the net cheese. They push players wide (which makes sense), but the goofy goalies still let in a lot. They probably improved it somewhat, at least it isn't an automatic goal, but it is still there.

It is easy to shut down with a human d-man. I play D almost all the time (unless we only have 1 other guy then you have to have 2 forwards) and I can stop most of the side of the net stuff easily.

The problem is I hate the way I have to play D to do it. I struggled at D until I finally figured out to leave the slot wide open and only worry about the side and behind the net. Then all of a sudden I started getting it and stopping everyone.

I was just disappointed that the play hasn't shifted back out to the front of the net and slot as much as it should.

[akula]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

This patch is a huge advantage for the players who play legitimately. You can no longer win games just by hitting everything that moves. I just beat a guy 7-3. I was Buffalo and he was Chicago. With our stats, he would of beat me pre-patch(Okay maybe not, I had 68 shots on they guy. But it would of been alot closer).

Chicago - Buffalo
Shots 18-68
Hits 96-8
Faceoffs 14-26
TOA 4:00-11:41
PIM 30:00-8:00
PP 1/4-4/15


He earned his Powerplay goal. His other two came because I started to get really lax at the end of the game.

indeed my friend, check out these stats from a game I just had: (repost from my other thread)

I was NSH.

FINAL SCORE:

NASHVILLE: 10
EDMONTON: 1

SHOTS:

NASHVILLE: 72
EDMONTON: 16

HITS:

NASHVILLE: 39
EDMONTON: 230

PIM:

NASHVILLE: 10:00
EDMONTON: 72:00

TIME ON ATTACK:

NASHVILLE: 12:13
EDMONTON: 2:49

[Qb]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

The problem is I hate the way I have to play D to do it. I struggled at D until I finally figured out to leave the slot wide open and only worry about the side and behind the net. Then all of a sudden I started getting it and stopping everyone.

If you're talking OTP and are lucky enough to play with a full squad (especially two human D-men), the best way to defend in your zone (IMHO of course) is as follows:

Center: Front of the net to high slot, cover for D-men if beaten (ie, don't let anyone skate to the net)
Strong-side D-man: Take the puck carrier, push him wide, cut-off lane to net for short-side cheddar
Weak-side D-man: Watch far post for cross-crease, cover for center in slot, mindful of wrap-arounds
Strong-side winger: support SSD along boards/in corner, watch for puck back to point
Weak-side winger: support slot, watch high off zone area to cut-off D-to-D pass if teammates are in proper position

More to the point of what you're saying, yes, I've found it sucks to play D by yourself. I feel like I have to be a heat-seeking missile going after anyone with the puck anywhere near the net. I have little faith in my CPU defensive partner to do much of anything. I also don't enjoy playing D like this...

[catcatch22]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

Boarding is called when the player being checked is 3 or 4 feet from the boards and checked from behind causing him the go head first into the boards. Thus, I don't have a problem with the hit from behind call. The hit in the game could also be called charging because most of the time the checker takes more then 3 strides to hit the player.

EDIT: Just have to say I am loving the patch. Now when I lose online I don't feel as though I were cheated. I was either outplayed or my opponent caught a lucky bounce or 2. Good times all around

I understand what a boarding call is but when was the last time you saw a call for checking from behind. I know I haven't. Most of the calls in the game don't reflect the actual penalty like boarding, which is why I thought they need to better reflect the penalties with better animations. First they need to make the stick actually get in between a guy's leg and pull him down. Also have the guy with the puck when he is hit from behind fall head first into the boards. Since they don't have those animations I concluded that they should just have the check from behind be the boarding call.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

on the checking from behind, I saw it called a lot the year before the lockout.

On the patch as a whole, i love the interference calls, and people not being able to hit me off the puck, makes a puck control guy like me all that more dangerous. I have been winning games 6-0 and 6-1 when now having more powerplay opportunities, and then people not knowing how to play any other kind of defense. then i played someone who actually knew what they were doing and got smoked 6-0 mysaelf. it should have been closer but i essentially stopped playing d after it was 3-0 setting my forecheck and pressure to max. still it was a great game even though i got my *** kicked. loving the new patch.

[Piner]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

I am not sure where to begin. I would like to start out by saying that I play offline exclusively and play a realistice style of hockey, no cheese goals, no checking of players without the puck, not chasing offensive players around the rink, etc. I play on PRO. I am very dissappointed in this patch.

1. Faceoffs

Forget about winning even 50% of these now after the patch. I think it was a very poor design decision to take away the advantage of a good faceoff guy in favor of randomess. This costs me numerous possessions every game. I check the stats after each game and I am lucky to win 1 of 3 faceoffs.

2. Super Human Goalies

Before the patch I could score goals, period. I would get 2 to 4 per game. Not now. The goalies are never out of position, stop everything. Not much fun anymore.

3. Penalties

While the diversity of penalty types has improved and interference is being called, which is good, I have gone 2 or 3 games sometimes with no penalties being called on either team. Reminding of the way things were before the 1st patch.

4. Computer AI

Before the patch, when on "Crash the Net" offense for example, my teammates would position themselves for good rebound opportunities. Now they just hang out at the top of the circles and watch me try to take on the hyper aggresive defense and goalie by myself.

When I skate into the opponents end of the ice I am met with aggressive defenders bumping, pushing, and poke checking me. However, when I am on defense my defenders just watch the opponent skate in front of my net and shoot.

On defense I use "Collapsing" and "Protect the Net". Before the patch I enjoyed watching my defense clog up the middle and make things difficult for the computer. Not now. My computer teammates will again just hang out at the top of the circles and watch me try to defend 2 opponents around the net.

I take no joy in these observations. I really thought this patch would make a great game even better. Unfortunately it has made it almost impossible to play. I tried to convince myself that if I just kept at it things would get better. The opposite has happened. I have not been able to score a goal in my last 5 games. Any constructive suggestions short of quitting.

[mkharsh33]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

i think we all have frustrations with this game...i'd suggest that you clear your 360's cache and go back to the pre-patch game because you'll probably have more fun.

[SuperCorona]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

First offline BAP game post patch I picked up a charging call when I went right side to left side to hammer Erat into the boards. I've seen more hooking and interference calls with much fewer delay of game penalties. I've received a couple interference calls that were very questionable....even Clement said they were weak calls LOL.

Overall, I think the game play has greatly improved. Thanks EA.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: NHL 09 360 Patch #2 Online -- Impressions

I really like what they've done overall to the gameplay. Also the efforts they've made to tone down hitting. I was especially pleased to see a few charging call on open-ice hits that before were previously a staple of defending the rush.

The cpu also seems more capable on offense, and not just because the goalies have been toned down a bit. Post-patch if I lose my head and try to use a defenseman to chase a player into the corner I get scored on a good amount of the time.