NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

[ChaseB]

At E3, I got my first chance to play NHL 12. I came away relatively impressed by the gameplay additions, but at the same time, I was absolutely terrified by how the games themselves were playing out on the ice. The checks were out of hand, glass was breaking during every period, and essentially it was more like NHL Hitz 12 than NHL 12.

Thankfully, sanity has returned in a post-E3 environment. The developers have tuned the game to bring it more in line with what you might actually see in an NHL arena, and this has excited me all over again for EA's annual hockey franchise. In short, I'm finally getting to see what NHL 12 is all about on the ice.

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[Pringles]

Re: NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

they really need to put a camera in the net for realism especially with all the contact that will happen with the new goalie physx and replays to decide if the goal stands or not. i mean with us being able to now make contact with the goalie and the net can come off its mournings this will make goal review a lot more interesting and the best replay view is the overhead or the one in the net.

[sroz39]

Great write up, Chase. Appreciate the honesty. As it stands, it's still the one game I look forward to most every year. Interested to see how all these changes to the goalie play out in OTP/EASHL play, as that's where I play the majority of the time. The POTENTIAL is there for this to be the most organic online experience in this series yet. Can't wait to find out.

[Money99]

Great write-up Chase.
I loved hearing how you felt certain players had different strengths and the strategy that goes with those advantages.
Can you comment if you saw the CPU use it's players accordingly as well? Did you notice playing against a bruising defenseman compared to a more passive, slick dman (Chara vs Lidstrom)?
Or what about the different type of forwards? Did you see a difference between a sniping forward, a playmaker or a grinder?
Thanks!

[BaylorBearBryant]

I love me some EA NHL. Can't wait!

[Flamesfan102]

Great write-up Chase! I appreciate you being through and detailed in your impressions.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

Thanks Chase for the straight forward write up. Always refreshing to read reviews that cover the good...and the maybe not quite as good things.

What I'm kinda sensing is, that NHL'12' may not be a breakthrough release. But at least another good effort outta EA Canada. I'll be in line on 9/13.

[DirtyJerz32]

Nice write up Chase. Question you may be able to answer, is there a broadcast cam in this year? They really need to add this. I hope they did.

[jaiman]

Nice write up Chase. Question you may be able to answer, is there a broadcast cam in this year? They really need to add this. I hope they did.

Great question. I would like to know this too.

[kai123]

Re: NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

Great question. I would like to know this too.

From the EA stage demo video it seems like they didn't add the correct broadcast camera angle.

[Tatguy80]

Sounds like the AI has somewhat improved. Hopefully this will make playing BAP funner.

[FBeaule04]

This game as to be dissect in two parts. Offline and Online. As for the online part, like always, it will come down to play something that ressemble to hockey, but with danglefest, glitchfest and stupidfest. I don't expect anything less than what we saw in 09-10-11 in OTP/EASHL.

For the offline part it's different. The game was so bad in 11 (I won't get start again on the AI, I sound like a broken record) for offliners that I'm expecting a better effort from EA. I have my doubt after seeing that the focus was on things like goalies fight, broken glass and goalies collision!

From what I read, It's seems the AI is improving, but like last year, it took us 2 weeks of playing (especially BaP goalie) to see that this game was a major fail. I guess we will have the answer around late september to see if EA did test that game for the AI play this time around and that "anticipation" AI is worth it.

[johnprestonevans]

I fear that this is the year that NHL is no longer the defacto #1 sports game as it has been for nearly 5 years now. The big issue seems to be its TV-broadcast presentation - or lack thereof. I think the NHL team has played it safe these past few seasons since establishing arguably one of the best playing sports games of this generation. Marginal improvements to the AI and physics engine are most welcome, but I feel like NHL has looked the same as it did a few years ago. I know there have been new animations and minimal graphical upgrades since 09, but nothing drastic. The biggest problems now are with the out-of-date camera system, repetitive commentary and abscence of true telecast elements that many leading-edge sports games are incorporating into their product.

I loved NHL these last few years, but its begining to show its age. None of the changes this year sound like they are improving enough to make me involunarily spend $60. Im tired of the same looking, and generally same playing game every year. Its a fun pick up and play sports game for sure, but I'm happy with playing the 3 year old version I own. The EA NHL team needs to blow out its TV style presentation - badly.

[jaiman]

From the EA stage demo video it seems like they didn't add the correct broadcast camera angle.

I didn't get to see this stage demo. Did they actually show the game playing in broadcast mode?

Come on EA. Are we really asking for too much?

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 12 Updated Hands-On Preview

I fear that this is the year that NHL is no longer the defacto #1 sports game as it has been for nearly 5 years now. The big issue seems to be its TV-broadcast presentation - or lack thereof. I think the NHL team has played it safe these past few seasons since establishing arguably one of the best playing sports games of this generation. Marginal improvements to the AI and physics engine are most welcome, but I feel like NHL has looked the same as it did a few years ago. I know there have been new animations and minimal graphical upgrades since 09, but nothing drastic. The biggest problems now are with the out-of-date camera system, repetitive commentary and abscence of true telecast elements that many leading-edge sports games are incorporating into their product.

I loved NHL these last few years, but its begining to show its age. None of the changes this year sound like they are improving enough to make me involunarily spend $60. Im tired of the same looking, and generally same playing game every year. Its a fun pick up and play sports game for sure, but I'm happy with playing the 3 year old version I own. The EA NHL team needs to blow out its TV style presentation - badly.

You know John...I found myself nodding my head more than once while reading your post.

At least the impression that I'm getting out of Chase's review is...[not to put words in Chase's mouth]...that nothing about the game really impressed him too much. And I'm personally thinking that just possibly, the NHL game maybe losing a bit of the momentum it's built up the last few years.

The NHL game the last few years has been mentioned by quite a few sport gamers, in the same breath as some of the best sport games out there. Ie...The Show, NBA2K, FIFA. I hate to think that the NHL game may possibly be allowed is slip out of such lofty company.

The NHL game is currently, the only sports game I play. So obviously I dig the heck out of it...and am looking forward to 9/13. But again...I guess I'm just hoping that EA Canada isn't getting a bit too comfortable with this imo, excellent sports game.