Difficulty.

[Gagnon39]

The past couple years I've played NHL on superstar, but as my other post suggests, this year it just feels like the CPU is on speed and there's no open ice whatsoever. I cannot enjoy playing on superstar. All-Star seems to be more balanced for whatever reason. However, I'm mainly concerned with dominating every game (primarily time on attack). I'm not looking to go undefeated. And I want balanced games, but I want a challenge, too. I'm torn on what level to play on.

What are you guys doing and how are your results. Does the CPU seem to produce offense on All-Star. I'm not talking about coming down and scoring a slapshot from outside the circle. I want to know the CPU controls the puck in your zone every once in a while (while even strength). I like to be back on my heels every once in a while but I don't like for it to feel unrealistic.

One of my biggest gripes is that every time I win a faceoff on superstar the CPU instantly steals the puck.

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Difficulty.

my take is all-star is and always has been the perfect balance for this series. Superstar if just too tough IMO, well for it is. All-Star is the way to go with this game.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Difficulty.

I can play, and win on super star. But I have found myself not enjoying the game. Its like my opponent is on my heels all the time and closes on the puck unrealistically. I've said it a million times, but I just don't know what it is about super star. I know Red Shirt has specifically said that with the CPU difficulty slider down at 0, the CPU gets no attribute boosts. But there's something. I don't know what it is but the CPU just beats you to the puck, all the time. They're all over you. Its like I'm playing against 18 guys on speed. After each game I feel stressed out. Ha.

When I play on All-Star it just feels more natural. However, the problem is that I find myself dominating the CPU. The thing that really bothers me about all-star is that I usually have a time on attack that is at least twice that of the CPU's. The CPU scoring is not the problem, because they always manage to score goals. But they never have me back on my heels.

So really for me it comes down to choosing between dominating time of possession every game or playing a game where my opponent is all over me the whole game.

I'm really not sure which way to go with it.

[17 DA]

Re: Difficulty.

Pro is to easy, tried to play on superstar got rocked every time, all star gives me realistic balance of wins and loses.

[Gagnon39]

Re: Difficulty.

Are you guys playing with the CPU difficulty at default (0)? I really don't want to raise this beause what this means is that the CPU has attribute boosts. I've always played sports games on the second-highest difficulty because that level always seems to be the most even mode, where neither the CPU nor the user has any attribute advantage. My problem has been that I've played the NHL series more over the past 4 years than any other sports game. As a result (not trying to brag), I've gotten pretty good at the game. Now All-Star can, at time seem too easy. I don't know. I'm going to play a few more games on All-Star and see how it goes.

[kerosene31]

Re: Difficulty.

All star with mostly default sliders for me. Works pretty well for me.

[Flyermania]

Re: Difficulty.

I am finding it difficult to get enough SOG for the CPU on Superstar, so I have concerns about dropping to All-Star as I think it will be even worse. Same goes for the lack of penalties.

[onlybygrace]

Re: Difficulty.

I am finding it difficult to get enough SOG for the CPU on Superstar, so I have concerns about dropping to All-Star as I think it will be even worse. Same goes for the lack of penalties.

Lack of penalties??? Maybe you have a bad copy of the game!?!?!?


And Gagnon, I recommend playing on All-Star with the CPU Difficulty at 3 or 4. Its pretty good...to me so far.

[Vikes1]

Re: Difficulty.

I'm playing on All-Star normal settings.

I am definitely not a good player, so All-Star gives me a very solid challenge. And after several games with this setup, I'm getting very good results.

I'm hoping after awhile I can go back to the zero pass assist. Ie, hardcore passing. Hardcore passing just has a rewarding feel to it.

[RealmK]

Re: Difficulty.

Lack of penalties??? Maybe you have a bad copy of the game!?!?!?


And Gagnon, I recommend playing on All-Star with the CPU Difficulty at 3 or 4. Its pretty good...to me so far.

Yeah I'm not having a lack of penalties either on SS or a lack of CPU shots either, or a lack of injuries with the slider set to 4. I must have a broken copy of the game.

[Scottdau]

Re: Difficulty.

For me I am usually the reason I get called for a penalties. I make some dumb *** play or get too cute on Defense. So I have no problem taking penalty. And CPU takes penalties when I am skating and moving legs more and not just coasting.

[les3couleurs]

Re: Difficulty.

I play on Superstar. I don't feel the cpu has an advantage, they do use the hustle a lot but if you match it, I don't see the problem, playing on that level. I still usually dominate time of possesion, but since I'm not a good scorer, it's all good.

I can't see myself going back to All-Star. I'd rather lose more often than win too often and not feeling satisfied after wins.

[Redshirt_EA]

Re: Difficulty.

I can play, and win on super star. But I have found myself not enjoying the game. Its like my opponent is on my heels all the time and closes on the puck unrealistically. I've said it a million times, but I just don't know what it is about super star. I know Red Shirt has specifically said that with the CPU difficulty slider down at 0, the CPU gets no attribute boosts. But there's something. I don't know what it is but the CPU just beats you to the puck, all the time. They're all over you. Its like I'm playing against 18 guys on speed. After each game I feel stressed out. Ha.

When I play on All-Star it just feels more natural. However, the problem is that I find myself dominating the CPU. The thing that really bothers me about all-star is that I usually have a time on attack that is at least twice that of the CPU's. The CPU scoring is not the problem, because they always manage to score goals. But they never have me back on my heels.

So really for me it comes down to choosing between dominating time of possession every game or playing a game where my opponent is all over me the whole game.

I'm really not sure which way to go with it.

I understand what you are saying. Superstar unthrottles certain things that AllStar limits to make it a bit more "human". The main one is that it has a lot less delay in moving the puck.

I prefer All Star myself and if I want to make it more challenging I play with a weaker team.

[theglory]

Re: Difficulty.

I am with flyermania on this... Superstar all default sliders I can dominate TOP and SOG and cpu averages 0-2 penalties a game. I don't play on it tho cause its not fun dealing with whatever drugs the computer is on. One game I lost 0-1 computer shot twice on goal, very aggravating..

[hammypants]

Re: Difficulty.

Last year with realistic (to me) Superstar sliders, I HAD to give the CPU attribute boost for it to feel challenging (1.03 tuner, 1.01 it was fine for some reason). This year I've had to drop it to 0, as the CPU has learned to shoot. But I can't get them to score reliably :\.