[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by RealmK

While I hear what you're saying and agree, as far as improvements from one year to the next I think we should give them a ton of credit. Every area of the game us hardcore guys had issues with looks to either be totally adressed and if not at least improved substantially. I was excited about the game before watching these gameplay vids, now I'm absolutely frantic to get my hands on this years game. The AI improvements, passing, and puck physics alone have me pumped. Defensive AI especially, that the CPU will now clog the neutral zone and try and force a dump and chase at the blue line in addition to the puck being alot more loose and you having the chance to actually get down in the corners and retrieve it, and if not successful be able to pin someone up against the boards really makes the game that more realistic, gritty and less end to end. That alone to me is huge being more of an offline guy. Are the goalies perfect? no, but the're a far step up from 09, with all the other additions to the game this year I think I can deal with that and not be all that upset.

Agreed on all points. I think that the quality of this series over the last three years and the work by the dev team might leave us a little jaded. To really understand what these guys have done and continue to do, pop in NHL 06 or even better, give NHL 2003 a go.