NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

[stlstudios189]

I was the same way w/ swing stick in baseball it took some time but I can't go back

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Heh, I used to play 2k hockey. You want to talk about a thick manual and a lot of controls.

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

The controls are definitely intuitive, to us video game players. But to someone who's not familiar with the 360 or PS3 controller, it exponentially increases the learner curve. That's why his friend was able to pick up the Wii hockey stick and be successful instantly. The Wii controller is less abstract when it comes to replicating specific motions, so new-comers can literally "pick up and play".

I agree with this 100%. The controls are certainly fine for anyone who plays video games and is used to a PS3 or 360 controller. For someone who doesn't play games I'm sure any quicker paced game on the market would be difficult for them for a while even if they can memorize the commands because pressing the buttons won't be second nature. It's like looking at a computer keyboard for the first time and expecting pound out 50+ words a minute instead of hunting and pecking.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

I must admit, I don't use many of the control options that are now available. And I suffer the consequences of it.

I like to have my settings in NHL were it's pretty challenging for me, and with that...things happen fast. Most times I'm dang lucky just to get a decent shot off, or somehow poke check the on rushing player.

The answer to my problems is easy...I need to take the time to get to know all the controls, instead of just enough to barely get by. And I also need to spend some time in practice mode. Honestly...I'm pretty terrible at NHL. The main reasons are...my reaction speed is slow, and my lack of knowledge of the controls.

The reason I sux is because of me...not because the game is too complex. I've either been in too much of a hurry just to play, or an unwillingness to spend the time I should in practice mode.

Personally, I love the fact that with games like "The Show", FIFA, and NHL...to be decent at them, you need to understand the sport they represent...and you'll possibly need to practice to hone your skills. Imo, this is how a simulation game should be. But of course also providing easier gaming levels for the less dedicated. To me...generally "dumbing down" games for the sake of the casual User is ridiculous.

A far as the... "Harder than the "Hardcore fans", no, I don't believe that. It's my guess the truly dedicated [hardcore] gamers enjoy being challenged by ever increasing complex games. jmo.

[TracerBullet]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

I must admit, I don't use many of the control options that are now available. And I suffer the consequences of it.

I like to have my settings in NHL were it's pretty challenging for me, and with that...things happen fast. Most times I'm dang lucky just to get a decent shot off, or somehow poke check the on rushing player.

The answer to my problems is easy...I need to take the time to get to know all the controls, instead of just enough to barely get by. And I also need to spend some time in practice mode. Honestly...I'm pretty terrible at NHL. The main reasons are...my reaction speed is slow, and my lack of knowledge of the controls.

The reason I sux is because of me...not because the game is too complex. I've either been in too much of a hurry just to play, or an unwillingness to spend the time I should in practice mode.

Personally, I love the fact that with games like "The Show", FIFA, and NHL...to be decent at them, you need to understand the sport they represent...and you'll possibly need to practice to hone your skills. Imo, this is how a simulation game should be. But of course also providing easier gaming levels for the less dedicated. To me...generally "dumbing down" games for the sake of the casual User is ridiculous.

A far as the... "Harder than the "Hardcore fans", no, I don't believe that. It's my guess the truly dedicated [hardcore] gamers enjoy being challenged by ever increasing complex games. jmo.

I did the same thing with The Show when it comes to controls. Finally got around to learning them and I got a lot better.

I need to watch more hockey this year, I love watching it, but just never find the time to do so. Watching soccer definitely has helped me learn how to play fifa better. Couldn't hurt to do the same to help me with this game.

[boritter]

I think anyone can shoot, pass and check in NHL 11. Beginners can do those 3 tasks and learn the rest as time goes on.

[tabulaRasa]

Articles like Kotaku is what stops publishers from going all out sim. I think going for more SIM we have to invest more time, and once we are into it, we get addicted. To me NHL11 is awesome, and been a 2K head when that series was SIM so I truly appreciate it.

And btw, why not classic controls? 2K8 got slaughtered with their controls, but if you really got into it, there were TOTAL CONTROL of the players. But that may be a bit over the top, but EAs game isn´t nowhere near as complex to a rookie NHL gamer, so I don´t get it.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Feeling a bit sheepish since I'm in here with the major NHL players but here goes...

I've played NHL games for years...my favorites are NHL 98 on PS1 and NHL 09 on 360. I used the shot stick on 09, btw. I really love that!

So, is NHL 11 that much tougher or more complicated than NHL09? I skipped NHL 10.

I'm interested in the game, but I'm an NFL guy and play NHL games more 'casually'. I'm not ignorant to hockey or how it's played and I'm a good sports gamer (love The Show and 2k basketball as well).

Thanks fellas!

[wsu_gb23]

The controls in NHL 11 are perfect. I would not change them. There is an option to play with classic controls so I do not think anyone should complain the controls are too difficult.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

So, is NHL 11 that much tougher or more complicated than NHL09? I skipped NHL 10.

Welcome to the board Dan...

I can really only speak of off-line play... imo, NHL '11' is more challenging than the '10' game. Due to the improved cpu AI. If you play on the higher playing levels, things that worked too well with '10'...are more difficult with '11'. Such as cross crease passing, simply checking the cpu players against the boards with ease.

The AI overall, is just smarter this year...very welcome change. This years game, most likely would take some getting use to Dan. But it's not like you won't recognize it. I feel pretty confident in saying...I think you'd enjoy the changes.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Thank you kindly for the reply, Vikes! That's great information!

I re-read the OS review more carefully too...sounds like I could probably handle it.

[FBeaule04]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Geez, I don't get it!

Are people expecting to have Nintendo controls in 2010?

Yep, the controls are a lot more complex than 20 years ago, but is it impossible to learn them?

I don't know how many times I heard someone my age say before playing a game for the first time : "How did we do that, and that and that? Are you crazy, I'm never going to learn all that stuff!"

And guess what, after playing few games, they are able to deke better than I'll ever be able too, they are making spin-o-rama and making all the other little things you can do in the game.

If you want to, you can learn. Like everything else in life, it will be tougher for some to learn them, but they will with time.

Ice Hockey on the NES was easy to play out of the box and the learning curve was 5 minutes. NHL 11 took more time, but it's just normal, the game is deeper as is the controls.

But, like someone said, shooting, skating and passing is so easy even a caveman can do it!

[cepwin]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Cool...that's a good sim...and rFactor2 will be even better. I too am looking forward to Nov 2 for GT5 (I'm even planning to take a vacation day since I have plenty of time stored up.) Also, F1 2010 is coming out next week...I'm looking forward to that one too. Right now I'm primarily iRacing.

rFactor mainly. The league I was in used it exclusively. I have them all, with the exception of iRacing. My wheel died, and I haven't gotten around to getting another one. I'm more rFacotr, LFS, and nKP, than something like grid, or Need for Speed. Although I am looking forward to GT5.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

A far as the... "Harder than the "Hardcore fans", no, I don't believe that. It's my guess the truly dedicated [hardcore] gamers enjoy being challenged by ever increasing complex games. jmo.
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I think the article was referring to hardcore fans of the sport, not hardcore gamers. One would presume that Joe Hockeyfan would be the ideal market to expand the NHL gaming franchise, but the disconnect between knowing the sport and knowing how to play video games is pretty large.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 11: A Game Harder Than Its Hardcore Fans (Kotaku)

Aren't there 'classic controls' where only a few buttons are needed to play the game?

I'll admit that sports games are getting more and more complex, but that's the nature of the beast.

The guy admits he hasn't played a hockey game since Blades of Steel. I don't know if EA is going after those guys as they probably don't play ANY video games.