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

[idrisguitar]

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

Okay the facets that matter most to me about real time physics in a hockey game is the fact that it nearly obliterates the feeling of helplessness that just about every sports game has in spades, even the best ones.

In old NHL games, the goalkeepers worked in a different dimension to the everyone else, and it seemed down to the decisions the AI give you on whether a goal would go in or be saved.

This all resulted in massive frustration and to be honest even with the game-play being great, the overall feeling I got was that it was just randomness and its why I sold 09 and didn’t buy 10.

This demo however has me working hard and creating chances and finishing the ones you expect should be finished, whereas in 09/10 you had to do a few cheat moves and deke to make sure the robo goalie got confused and let it in, now you can just attack naturally and score realistic and (most importantly) rewarding goals.

[crobert0247]

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

Geno just broke a guys stick on a cross check and got whistled for it.

[Segagendude]

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

CPU is agressive....

After a whistle, their player will keep hitting my player in the back trying to instigate a fight. I don't know who's doing it (player's name), but it's pretty cool to see.

[unkiedave]

First time post. Been playing NHL since the beginning. Yes I'm an old man and I've always loved this series above all other games. First, discovered the OS site this year, excellent site, quick updates, great info source, etc. My two cents are that the new demo is excellent. Improvement in a variety of areas, nice overall progression versus game in past years. Being "old school", the main area I'm always looking for improvement in is gameplay. Doesn't matter how many bells and whistles, graphics, extra modes, etc. a game has, if the gameplay is poor the game is poor. The demo leaves me feeling very optomistic regarding last years game.

My post involves the demo feedback the EA board community. The posts I've read on OS seem fair and to balance their likes and dislikes of the demo reasonably. In having visited the EA community board, its always funny to read some of the whining, complaining and overall b*tching that goes on after the demo is released. These people posting would complain if you hung them with a new rope. You dl the demo for free and a given a sneak peek at a great game and a good percentage of them want to gripe and whine. If the game is so awful, go dress up a doll and shut the h*ll up. No game you ever play is going to be perfect, but the ability of the game each year to mimic the real sport is amazing. Think of where this game has evolved from. I for one prefer those who refrain b*tching just for the sake of it and want to thank the dev team and EA for continually putting in a great effort each dev cycle to make this game better. Having never posted before, I hope its fair to say that most people who enjoy this title each year and also appreciative and keep coming back each year because of the effort put into the game and the overall quality. That is all. Keep up the GREAT work.

[TripleCrown9]

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

So far my favorite thing about the demo, other than how much better it feels from past games, is how exciting it is for a demo. If you have the lead in the final minute, and you get a big check on their winger to get the puck back, the crowd goes NUTS!

[crobert0247]

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

Harry Young just obliterated, I mean lambasted Taylor Hall against the boards at center. I took Myers up to the neutral zone, challenged Young and barely got the KO. The crowd went nuts. Hilarious.

[idrisguitar]

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

i got in a nice late hip check but the camera lost view of his fall and no replay


anyway just got beat after being 1-0 up and i didn;t feel cheated, it felt awesome, trying to chase the equalizer in the last minute,

thats a great sign, whenever i got thrashed on harder difficulties in old nhl game i always felt like there was nothing i really could have done. but its not the case this time.

[Steven547]

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

My biggest concern right now is which system to get it on.
If BaGM is online I might have to get the PS3 version. I have a lot more friends who'll buy this game for the PS3 (Realm being one of them) so the chances of getting into an online league with people I know and trust is greater.

However, the two biggest concerns I have for the PS3 version are this:
1. Framerate.
2. We use the PS3 primarily as a Bluray player. What if my wife wants to watch a movie in the bedroom and I want to play NHL11? That scenario doesn't present itself very often, but it would be nice to have the option of having both systems available for separate reasons.

Realm, you said that the PS3 demo had a noticeable difference in framerate to the 360?
Also, I'm so behind on the times. Do we now need to pay for online service with PSN?

Having both systems is nice. I've played the DEMO on both systems and don't see any difference. The glass even shakes on the PS3 version after a body check is delivered. I'll be getting it on the PS3 due to the roster updates that are put out by MattG on here. If XBOX had that ability to easily transfer roster updates (like 2k used to do), then 360 it would be.

[Vikes1]

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

So far my favorite thing about the demo, other than how much better it feels from past games, is how exciting it is for a demo. If you have the lead in the final minute, and you get a big check on their winger to get the puck back, the crowd goes NUTS!

Yeah I've noticed this too.

The sound of mashing the guy into the boards/glass is very well done...and then hearing your home crowd roar it's approval is plain awesome.

[SinisterAlex]

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

I just noticed this little detail but I found it kinda cool. I took a shot from the point and I had a guy infront of the net. Instead of letting the puck hit him, he lifted his leg to let the puck through.

Pretty cool.

[idrisguitar]

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

fourth comment in two pages, love this demo!! woop.

seriously not an nhl fanboy, but this is the first time i feel like eeyrthing thats happening is appening honestly nd naturally because of the physics. instead of articial ai mistake to allow a goal (at least thats how 09-10 felt for me.

[Sausage]

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

I have heard so much about this franchise the last 3 years. I have not played a hockey game since NHL 2002 with "Super" Mario.

Now, at the moment the default controls are a bit deep for me, so if I play with the "simpler" control schemes would I be at a huge disadvantage playing online and against the A.I.?

What are your opinions for a total beginner to simulation hockey?

[idrisguitar]

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

honestly?

find someone else to play who equally is new to the game. with the proper controls and try and have fun learning them

because once you do this game becomes one of the best sports sims ever made. the control scheme is a BIG part of the games terrific gameplay.

[crobert0247]

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

I have heard so much about this franchise the last 3 years. I have not played a hockey game since NHL 2002 with "Super" Mario.

Now, at the moment the default controls are a bit deep for me, so if I play with the "simpler" control schemes would I be at a huge disadvantage playing online and against the A.I.?

What are your opinions for a total beginner to simulation hockey?

I don't think you would be at a disadvantage with classic controls but you'd be missing out on a ton of gratifying moments and plays without using default controls. If you have the time, definitely stick with the default control class and use the demo as a training ground. Look at the controls and focus on one control for a few minutes and you'll have it down pretty quick, even as a beginner. You would definitely sell yourself short overall using any other configuration IMO.:wink:

[onlybygrace]

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

I don't think you would be at a disadvantage with classic controls but you'd be missing out on a ton of gratifying moments and plays without using default controls. If you have the time, definitely stick with the default control class and use the demo as a training ground. Look at the controls and focus on one control for a few minutes and you'll have it down pretty quick, even as a beginner. You would definitely sell yourself short overall using any other configuration IMO.:wink:

No...I'm sure he'd be at a huge disadvantage as classic controls do not have the 'hustle' feature or the 'push puck' options that other human players will most likely be using against him.

Thats just the beginning.

Take the time to learn the controls...