NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360 & PS3)

[Redshirt_EA]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Redshirt,

What's the deal? Is this game going to be able to be played with at least 10 minute periods for a sim game? Playing the demo on superstar hardcore is cool but, within the 5 minute periods shots can get high. Double the totals and wow, back to square one for me. Please tell me honest, I can't afford to waste money this year.

Following up on this, here are my stats from a Superstar/Hardcore game today with 10 minute periods (I was Chicago):

Vancouver 3 Chicago 1
Shots 24 31
Hits 20 30
Faceoffs 19 15
Attack Time 8:33 5:29
PIM 8:00 6:00
PP 2/3 0/4

Of course that's just one game and how it comes out will depend a lot on how you play, but I'm pretty sure anyone could find settings that give fairly realistic stats.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Following up on this, here are my stats from a Superstar/Hardcore game today with 10 minute periods (I was Chicago):

Vancouver 3 Chicago 1
Shots 24 31
Hits 20 30
Faceoffs 19 15
Attack Time 8:33 5:29
PIM 8:00 6:00
PP 2/3 0/4

Of course that's just one game and how it comes out will depend a lot on how you play, but I'm pretty sure anyone could find settings that give fairly realistic stats.

0 for 4 on the PP? Shame on you Redshirt Stats look fine to me, I played on 9 minute periods in 09, I'll welcome being able to play longer periods and still get realistic stats. I'd be interested in what you use for sliders, as after playing tons of the demo I've decided on superstar again this year. Basing a slider set off of one of the main game designers/programers seems like a good idea.

[Redshirt_EA]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

What can I say, Luongo was tough.

[ComaFaction]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

I'm becoming slightly concerned with the cpu's offensive AI.

1. They favour the point shot way too much. I'm seeing guys cut out in front of the net, untouched, only to pass it back to the point for a slapshot.

2. They don't shoot off the rush enough. It seems that they are too pass happy in general -- when given a quality scoring chance, they will try and string together a tic-tac-toe play instead of rifling the open shot on net.

This doesn't happen all the time, but it happens a little more often than I'd like to see. Anyone else notice this?

This is playing on Allstar/Normal, btw.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

I'm becoming slightly concerned with the cpu's offensive AI.

1. They favour the point shot way too much. I'm seeing guys cut out in front of the net, untouched, only to pass it back to the point for a slapshot.

2. They don't shoot off the rush enough. It seems that they are too pass happy in general -- when given a quality scoring chance, they will try and string together a tic-tac-toe play instead of rifling the open shot on net.

In 09, lowering pass speed seemed to make the AI less pass-happy and more likely to shoot or carry the puck. I did this while playing goalie BAP and eventually got to the point where the AI would fire it from the wing on the rush or drive to the net at times. They still wanted to make the pass from the wing to the slot, but it was much better. Also, raising shot power or accuracy a click made them shoot more as well... I think.

Anyways, hopefully when we get a chance to play with sliders we can really make the game play how we want. Most of us seem to be planning on nerfing the AI passing, so maybe that will improve their shot/pass tendencies...

[DGuinta1]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Normally played 2K hockey but totally enjoyed NHL 10, the demo. Going to rent both versions from Gamefly and take it from there.

[Dean3790]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

The passing is really bothering me. I felt that I was VERY good at 09 and I am having slight difficulty with the passing game, even on the default settings. I enjoy it when it comes to how I feel when I have the puck, but to see the CPU pass the puck around 10+ times a possession with perfect accuracy and ridiculous speed, it's very discouraging.

[allstar3970]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

The passing is really bothering me. I felt that I was VERY good at 09 and I am having slight difficulty with the passing game, even on the default settings. I enjoy it when it comes to how I feel when I have the puck, but to see the CPU pass the puck around 10+ times a possession with perfect accuracy and ridiculous speed, it's very discouraging.

My only issue as well. Im definitely getting better at passing, but the computer can definitely zip it around in amazing fashion (even on pro)

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Like QB said, lowering the cpu pass accuracy & speed should help. Its really difficult to judge based on locked sliders but I'm fairly certain with a few tweaks come retail it won't be that much of an issue. It is possible to still do tic tac passing it just takes some training yourself to start that second pass while the first is still on its way, or get acustomed to using the saucer pass more. Prolly not ideal the way its implimented but I'll take it over tape to tape passing we've had coming into this year.

I can get what a few have mentioned about rebounds as well where some rather than being knocked to the corner or possibly out of play end up going out front somewhere. It may be something else that can be tweaked but even if its not, I don't have too much of a problem with it on the whole.

[goh]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

I found it pretty disappointing. Maybe the sliders would help but it got knocked down a few notches. My intial experience was starting out down 2-0 in the first period then the AI scores on their first shot. I almost turned it off right there but saw there was a Be A Pro option too.

The first person fighting is the worst thing I've ever seen in a sports game,ever. Absolutly terrible.

Also how is it you win face-offs now? I couldn't win a single one,apprently the right stick doesn't do anything anymore.

[IBYCFOTA]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Can somebody explain to me how to shoot loose pucks in front of the net? Most of the time I flat out miss the puck and it can be pretty frustrating when I have a wide open net to shoot at but can't seem to even get a shot off when the puck is right near my stick. Do I have to wait until I get possession? That seems stupid to me as rebounds in real hockey tend to get smacked in - they don't wait until they have full possession and then shoot.

Also there are a few problems with the dump and chase game for me and this applies mostly to BAP where you don't control your teammates. Often times when you dump the puck in your teammates hesitate at the blue line and don't go in on the forecheck leaving the defense to easily regroup and start a breakout making my dump useless.

One way around this I found was to dump it straight ahead behind the net instead of near the sideboards. The only problem was that occasionally when I dump the puck straight ahead from the red line it would sail all the way over the glass on the other side of the rink. At first I thought I was just holding RB too long, but I can't seem to recreate this extremely long flip dump even if I hold RB down for a few seconds. To me it seems completely random which makes it annoying because I have no idea when it's going to happen. I would flip dump it lower but when I do a high flip dump the puck bounces around a lot when it comes back down and it makes it easier to retrieve. If I dump it lower they seem to easily pick it up and I can't effectively forecheck, so I'm forced to do the higher flip dump which occasionally leads to an absurdly powerful flip dump that goes out of play.

Can you comment on any of this Redshirt?

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Can somebody explain to me how to shoot loose pucks in front of the net? Most of the time I flat out miss the puck and it can be pretty frustrating when I have a wide open net to shoot at but can't seem to even get a shot off when the puck is right near my stick. Do I have to wait until I get possession? That seems stupid to me as rebounds in real hockey tend to get smacked in - they don't wait until they have full possession and then shoot.

Also there are a few problems with the dump and chase game for me and this applies mostly to BAP where you don't control your teammates. Often times when you dump the puck in your teammates hesitate at the blue line and don't go in on the forecheck leaving the defense to easily regroup and start a breakout making my dump useless.

One way around this I found was to dump it straight ahead behind the net instead of near the sideboards. The only problem was that occasionally when I dump the puck straight ahead from the red line it would sail all the way over the glass on the other side of the rink. At first I thought I was just holding RB too long, but I can't seem to recreate this extremely long flip dump even if I hold RB down for a few seconds. To me it seems completely random which makes it annoying because I have no idea when it's going to happen. I would flip dump it lower but when I do a high flip dump the puck bounces around a lot when it comes back down and it makes it easier to retrieve. If I dump it lower they seem to easily pick it up and I can't effectively forecheck, so I'm forced to do the higher flip dump which occasionally leads to an absurdly powerful flip dump that goes out of play.

Can you comment on any of this Redshirt?

Holding down vision control (left trigger) might make it easier to swipe at loose pucks. For forechecking options it may help to change up your strategies with the directional pad, be it 2-1-2 or a full 3-2 set up or increasing your breakout/defensive pressure might help as well. I haven't noticed any issues like you are having but I play on superstar so I'm not sure if the AI reacts slower on the lower levels.

[Tedward]

Is Marc Andre Fleury the best goalie in NHL 10?

[IBYCFOTA]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

Holding down vision control (left trigger) might make it easier to swipe at loose pucks. For forechecking options it may help to change up your strategies with the directional pad, be it 2-1-2 or a full 3-2 set up or increasing your breakout/defensive pressure might help as well. I haven't noticed any issues like you are having but I play on superstar so I'm not sure if the AI reacts slower on the lower levels.

I'm always holding down vision control so that can't be it. As far as the forechecking strategies go it helps a little bit, but the AI can still be questionable when it comes to knowing when to forecheck.

[akula]

Re: NHL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

In 09, lowering pass speed seemed to make the AI less pass-happy and more likely to shoot or carry the puck. I did this while playing goalie BAP and eventually got to the point where the AI would fire it from the wing on the rush or drive to the net at times. They still wanted to make the pass from the wing to the slot, but it was much better. Also, raising shot power or accuracy a click made them shoot more as well... I think.

Anyways, hopefully when we get a chance to play with sliders we can really make the game play how we want. Most of us seem to be planning on nerfing the AI passing, so maybe that will improve their shot/pass tendencies...

and we can lower the AI pass speed without affect our pass speed, correct? because if human pass speed was slower that would really suck.