NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[Lubey]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Just had a goal disallowed. Scored on a scramble, spotlight went on, was happy. Then the ref came storming in waving his arms. On the replay my guy started to skate and as his foot moved it nudged the puck in the net so they took it away.

[SinisterAlex]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Alright so I just finished playing a few games and here's my impressions.

AMAZING game. I've played all my games on SuperStar and I have to say, the A.I is top notch! They make me fight for every puck, they make me think wisely before passing and shooting the puck. They are very good defensively and offensively. The A.I actually shoots now, their passes aren't always tape to tape and most importantly, they play smart!

I've played three games so far. They all went 1-1 into the third, I one won and lost two. First game I lost 3-1, second game I won 2-1 and the third game I lost 2-1. All the games were close. I've love the atmosphere, it seems different than last years game. The announcer is awesome and the commentating seems better this year than last.

I've had a few broken sticks on some pretty important plays Had one where I was right in the slot with Kane, open net, and my stick breaks... I've also lost a few sticks off of hits and faceoffs which is a nice touch.

Here's some things that kinda of bothered me:

- When you get a penalty, the overlay graphic for the player and penalty doesn't show up (I'm sure this is a demo issue).
- The cut scenes in between plays don't seem to have changed...
- Some of the hits I've seen are a bit outrageous but I'm guessing these can be tonned down with sliders.
- I want the score overlay to go full across my screen like on CBC, TSN, etc .... not some little overlay in the corner.

Here's some more things I've noticed:

- Tripping calls are no longer that cheesy dive anymore! Thank goodness!
- Dump n' Chase actually works well thanks to the Hustle feature and physics engine!
- Loving the new faceoff system! When I lose a draw or win a draw, it actually felt well earned!
- Boardplay is much improved. Suction appears to be gone which is amazing!
- Board sounds, puck sounds and boardplay sounds are much more authentic now!
- After goalies cover the puck, they actually get up! They no longer sit hunched over the puck.
- Post Whistle Scrums are no longer ridiculous cross checking fests.
- After the play is dead, your player no longer sits their inactive, it goes into "casual mode" where he casually skates around the ice.
- Physics Engine is really great. I especially love the little hits and bumps.

All in all, a really great demo and I haven't even touched Ultimate Team yet. Can't wait for September 7th!

[crobert0247]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

I've only seen one goal review in 15+ periods and it was a goal initially waived off but then overturned after the replay. A puck came sailing through traffic, hit a glove, and went in. It was not batted or swatted at so they allowed it.

[Splitter77]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

i cant wait to get out of work.
you guys have me all giddy.
when does the ps3 update-7pm EST?

[JRod]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

i cant wait to get out of work.
you guys have me all giddy.
when does the ps3 update-7pm EST?

I thought 11 am - 2 pm PST. I could be wrong.

[Randiesel75]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Forgive me if this was discussed already.

I absolutely love NHL 11. The only thing I noticed that was a bit odd was the in-game strategies (D-pad). It seemed to pull up a tad bit slower that NHL 10. Now, perhaps this is only demo related due to less code being pushed out to the demo to keep its size down.

Anyone else notice this?

[SinisterAlex]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Anyone else notice that the replays for penalties are super speed? Kinda ruins the replay of a penalty when you can't even see what you got called for...

[aepoc]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Wouldn't using the hustle button to hit a guy be a charging call?

[adayinthelife]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Wouldn't using the hustle button to hit a guy be a charging call?

It should be, haven't seen it happen yet though.

[crobert0247]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Yeah, it could be. It's at the refs discretion. I was assessed a charging minor while fully utilizing the hustle button with Drew Doughty earlier. I had about 10 full strides with Doughty and hit Taylor Hall into the boards which drew the call.

From the rulebook...

"43.1 Charging - A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.
Charging shall mean the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A “charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.
A minor, major or a major and a game misconduct shall be imposed on a player who charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease.
A goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because he is outside the goal crease area. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. However, incidental contact, at the discretion of the Referee, will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact."

[plaidchuck]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Just by looking at the video is it me or are the fights off the faceoff pretty strange. It looks like you're about to take the puck then bam magically everyone disappears. I could see this being abused online...

[mkharsh33]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Enjoyable demo... The improvements are nicely done.

I hate to say it, but I think it's time for a new broadcast team. The commentary is stale, and though the game is great, in some ways it still feels like the same game because I've heard those guys say the same things a zillion times...

[delt31]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

The demo just got better bc it confirms that there will be custom goal horns. It's in the help section under custom music

[adayinthelife]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

Just by looking at the video is it me or are the fights off the faceoff pretty strange. It looks like you're about to take the puck then bam magically everyone disappears. I could see this being abused online...

Yeah that's pretty brutal. I'm actually shocked that first person fighting is still in the game if it's still causing the ice/benches to be devoid of all life. Totally kills the intensity.

I am liking the fact that not absolutely everyone seems to get into scraps this time around so far. I mean I know anything can happen (Semin's slapfest!) but I just don't feel like we're ever going to see Ben Eager vs. Nicklas Backstrom.

[crobert0247]

Re: NHL 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360)

I mean I know anything can happen (Semin's slapfest!)

You mean Drumfest, right?