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

[Gagnon39]

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

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

[Money99]

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

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed.
I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot.

Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

[Vikes1]

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

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

Yep, I sure am noticing the much improved AI.

The good thing is, the AI looks improved for both cpu and Human...thankfully. And I agree, '11' is imo also more challenging than '10' because of the better AI. For some of the reasons you mentioned Gagnon.

I've been playing on All-Star too, and so far, it looks like this year I may have to play on the normal setting rather than hardcore. I'm getting pretty much whipped on hardcore this year. I should mention though, one of the biggest improvements imo for the User is...you seem to get a good amount of traffic out in front of your opponents net this year. Unlike it was with '10'.

[Sakuraba19]

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

Sick move in 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL4hAKDYKPQ

[MizzouRah]

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

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

The game just feels like a hockey game and I agree, on AS the CPU AI plays smart hockey and constantly has me thinking ahead.

I'm getting less chances to score and it's great!

[RealmK]

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

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed.
I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot.

Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

Seeing it on SS as well Hank. Same thing with pass receiving even though the new ease of receiving slider is in the middle, I'm seeing if my 4th line is out, they're more apt to have a puck explode off their stick on a hard pass or miss it entirely. The refined puck physics seem to play a roll in it as well obviously. Much less magnetism in regards to puck on stick.

[SlyBelle]

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

Overall, really liking the game but was wondering if others have seen something.

When my team is leading my 1, the CPU tends not to pull their goalie until 30 seconds left in the game. This is even happens when the CPU is in my end. I would think they would be pulling the goalie minimally around 1 minute mark.

Anyone else seen this?

[Money99]

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

Seeing it on SS as well Hank. Same thing with pass receiving even though the new ease of receiving slider is in the middle, I'm seeing if my 4th line is out, they're more apt to have a puck explode off their stick on a hard pass or miss it entirely. The refined puck physics seem to play a roll in it as well obviously. Much less magnetism in regards to puck on stick.

Agreed.
And in my last game the CPU actually whiffed on a one-timer. Sweet!

[theglory]

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

Overall, really liking the game but was wondering if others have seen something.

When my team is leading my 1, the CPU tends not to pull their goalie until 30 seconds left in the game. This is even happens when the CPU is in my end. I would think they would be pulling the goalie minimally around 1 minute mark.

Anyone else seen this?

I have seen them pull at like 50-45 second mark, if they have the puck in the attacking zone. I think they were down by 2 also tho. The defenders are very lax on pinching in these situations tho.. So it usually ends up an easy empty netter... =(

[Super Glock]

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

Wow the goalie is a brick wall in this game, how do I score?

[crobert0247]

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

Wow the goalie is a brick wall in this game, how do I score?

Pound shots early to test em', float shots to the net in traffic, cycle down low and look for coverage breakdowns and thread passes in to a breaking forward or pinching D-man, create odd man rushes with stretch plays(long pass), cycle in and look for clear lanes back to your D-men for one timer's, use the hustle function to gain an edge one on one to drive wide or manual deke inside to throw the D-man off balance, and if you manage to get behind the D, the goalies can still be deked fairly easily if your timing is on. Just to name a few. :wink:

[Scottdau]

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

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Also, I'm really digging the hustle button when I need a quick burst of speed.
I scored a beauty with Pascal Leclair where I toe-dragged around a defender, then burst, came in on the goalie, faked a shot and slid one by with a backhand shot.

Anyway, I've been very impressed with this demo. Last year, I enjoyed NHL10 but it still felt too much like NHL09. Not with 11. While it still resembles 10, the gameplay has taken a big step forward in my opinion.

Nope you are right Hank. The good players really can do more. Keith and the good D guys would stop more passes and control it too. It is really cool. I am very pumped for this game now. Player separation is finally here the way I like it.

I made this sweet game winning goal in HUT with Backstrom. It was in OT and he got around the Dman and used the hustle and then did a sweet deke and got the goalie to commit to that side and then I roof it in for the win! It was bad *** and felt so good. I love the controls.

[Scottdau]

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

Agreed.
And in my last game the CPU actually whiffed on a one-timer. Sweet!

I know I love it. I had that happen to me too. I thought I was dead too, but he missed and I took it for a good scoring change, but the goalie made a great stop. The more I play the more I want this game now. Can't wait for it to come out!

[BlueNGold]

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

After hours of play on this demo I feel like I might actually be able to play this game on All-Star and get realistic results. I've been playing on All-Star the past few games and have found that I NHL 11 is in fact, much more difficult than NHL 10. The CPU AI is much better, they make moves, create plays, etc. I'm getting pumped for this game. Is anyone else playing on All-Star and noticing the improved offensive CPU AI?

Yes. I've played mostly all of my Battle for the Cup games on All-Star. I've only played once or twice on Superstar because I don't think I'm ready to make that jump yet. It's still difficult for me to get wins on All-Star.

The more I play the more I like.
I need to play a few more HUT games because I'm not sure I'm seeing this right and I'd appreciate some feedback from OS members for verification.

I really noticed in the last HUT tourney I played how threading passes or intercepting really depends on the players skill.
With some of my weaker players they had a harder time sneaking passes through. Meanwhile, players like Backstrom and Daughty were able to thread quite a few through.
But against defenders like Pronger or Keith, it wasn't nearly as easy.
And this proved vice-versa when going up against the CPU. Crosby was able to thread some passes through guys like Gomley (69 OV).

I need to keep playing because I don't want this to be my eyes decieving me.
But so far I feel I'm seeing more player separation on this demo (at least on Pro level).

Yeah I noticed this too but didn't think to post about it. Pronger was really solid at keeping cross crease passes away and knocking them away or intercepting them, while some of the other lesser D-men I've noticed haven't been able to do the same.

[BleacherCreature]

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

Nope you are right Hank. The good players really can do more. Keith and the good D guys would stop more passes and control it too. It is really cool. I am very pumped for this game now. Player separation is finally here the way I like it.

I made this sweet game winning goal in HUT with Backstrom. It was in OT and he got around the Dman and used the hustle and then did a sweet deke and got the goalie to commit to that side and then I roof it in for the win! It was bad *** and felt so good. I love the controls.

This is the biggest change I notice so far with the demo.
On one of my HUT's I had Malkin centering someone rated like 68 or something and you can really see the skill difference between the 2.
Malkin was all over the ice getting scoring chances, setting up plays while the 68 guy (whose name escapes me) was like a lump out there basically taking up space. As a Ranger fan I expected his name to be Jokinen or Higgins but it was not.