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

[Qb]

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

I'm just thankful that I haven't seen any CPU players pass back to the blue line on a breakaway yet. Has anyone else seen that? It was a major issue with NHL 10.

I don't recall seeing that yet. But I have seen the CPU use the push-puck once they were behind my defense...

[norml]

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

Can't comment on the Defense part, but with the CPU coming up with loose pucks more... Last year, I put the game on Hardcore and felt like that fixed the issue of my players not grabbing the loose puck. Seems like on Hardcore, it eliminates that "auto" puck grab by your players, and enables you to get the puck without any "errors". If I'm correct, Hardcore means you have no assistance by the CPU. This means the CPU won't make bonehead moves in trying to grab the puck and overskate it.

I could be wrong, but try that out and see if it helps.

I don't think it's the normal/hardcore setting I think it's the pro setting. I switched to Allstar/Normal and playing D is actually easier. Why, I don't know, but when I'm in position to intercept a pass or block a shot it happens on a more realistic basis. Thanks for the suggestion.

[CS10029]

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

I really want to like this but the defensive play is really frustrating me. I just don`t feel like I have that much control over my players when I don`t have the puck. How are you guys handling defence? I`ve started just using a forward to chase the puck carrier - hardly an ideal scenario.

I would say try turning off auto back skate. You have to use LT, to face up the attacking forward. To me it feels more natural, kinda like how madden works when playing safety.

It really lets you pound a guy into the boards, or turn quicker to deflect a pass or shot. It also works nicely on offense too.

EDIT- You change this option in the controller settings.

If you already play like this then I'm sorry for wasting your time, hahaha.

[actionhank]

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

I'm so glad i found how to turn off auto back-skate.
I forgot how much i hated that.

[Steven547]

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

I don't think it's the normal/hardcore setting I think it's the pro setting. I switched to Allstar/Normal and playing D is actually easier. Why, I don't know, but when I'm in position to intercept a pass or block a shot it happens on a more realistic basis. Thanks for the suggestion.

With a DEMO, it's always going to be hard to pinpoint what it can be. I'm playing NHL 10 on Hardcore and it's fixed the issue for me. But, NHL 11 could be very different slider wise. We'll find out in 2 weeks!

[Super Glock]

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

What difficulty level is everyone playing at?

I'm pathetic I have been playing on pro-normal and usually have a very hard time scoring even a single goal. I then will switch to pro-casual and it is almost too easy. I wish there was an in between, lol. Any suggestions anyone?. And also what is the average score of a pro hockey game?

[onlybygrace]

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

I'm pathetic I have been playing on pro-normal and usually have a very hard time scoring even a single goal. I then will switch to pro-casual and it is almost too easy. I wish there was an in between, lol. Any suggestions anyone?. And also what is the average score of a pro hockey game?

Don't worry, there are sliders for goalie reaction and all sorts of things...it will be much easier to find the right level of difficulty when the full game comes out and the sliders are adjustable.

Usually the league leading NHL teams will score about 3.25-3.5 goals per game whereas the lower scoring teams will score around 2.3-2.5 goals per game.

Still there are times when a team will score 6 or 7 goals...sometimes more.

[bill2451]

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

off the top of my head, I believe the sliders on default are harder than on casual but easier than on normal... so you might want to try that out

[bill2451]

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

also keep in mind, this is only a 5 minute period... most ppl play in the 10 minute period range

3 goals a game = 1 goal every 10 minutes... so really you should only be scoring (or giving up a goal) once every 2 games (obviously not counting things like empty net goals)

[6194life]

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

- Hitting is ten-fold better this year. I had a hit on me in BFTC when Leino drove to the net(puck protect) and Seabrook pushed him from behind right beside Neimi and Leino falls and crashes into the boards from a few feet out on his knees.

- Faceoffs are so much more realistic.

- Celebrations are cool maybe a few more realistic ones and slow down the speed at which I skate doing them. Trying to use the B button celebration your guy goes into Mach 4. As well they need to add a second or 2 to them. Also if your playing in the EASHL or 2 plays have them allowed to join in.

- Broken sticks seem to be occuring at a normal rate. I haven't had one cost me a goal neither have I scored because of one.

[Redskins Pride]

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

it seems like i can just completely bury the CPU without any kind of recourse, even late hits and everything. Playing on the default settings. If my team played like I do in the NHL, first off I would get deked out of my skates ... second, the other team would clear the bench to stomp me in to next tuesday ... or third, their enforcer would head hunt my stars.

none of this happens in the NHL series and I kind of wish it did. Then again the deke me out of my skates thing might happen on the harder levels so I suppose I should reserve this judgement for the retail version.

[onlybygrace]

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

it seems like i can just completely bury the CPU without any kind of recourse, even late hits and everything. Playing on the default settings. If my team played like I do in the NHL, first off I would get deked out of my skates ... second, the other team would clear the bench to stomp me in to next tuesday ... or third, their enforcer would head hunt my stars.

none of this happens in the NHL series and I kind of wish it did. Then again the deke me out of my skates thing might happen on the harder levels so I suppose I should reserve this judgement for the retail version.

Sliders will change much of this, I'm sure. Don't you think that the devs wanted the new physics to be shown off without a bunch of penalties that may be a bit too 'sim' for the more casual crowd??? I do.

There are a lot of people who know nothing about hockey playing this game just to try the new physics engine...and a lot of them are getting hooked. The Gospel of NHL 11.

Excessive penalties might push many potential fans away.

[Super Glock]

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

I appreciate the helpful responses. It has really helped a hockey noob like myself. I am definitely sold on this game and it will be a first hockey game purchase for me.

[RealmK]

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

Sliders will change much of this, I'm sure. Don't you think that the devs wanted the new physics to be shown off without a bunch of penalties that may be a bit too 'sim' for the more casual crowd??? I do.

There are a lot of people who know nothing about hockey playing this game just to try the new physics engine...and a lot of them are getting hooked. The Gospel of NHL 11.

Excessive penalties might push many potential fans away.

No doubt, may be a little tricky getting penalty sliders nailed down this year, what with breaking sticks and the AI being more agressive on the higher levels, though there definately needs to be more than occur in the demo from a sim stand point.

[RealmK]

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

I appreciate the helpful responses. It has really helped a hockey noob like myself. I am definitely sold on this game and it will be a first hockey game purchase for me.

Glad you're enjoying it Glock, it really is an awesome sport.