NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[stew514]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Hopefully the hitting is something they tweak with sliders, they did it last year. I think if more "slot goals" are scored legit, then people might feel the need to glitch less. If the only way you can score on the goalie is with a glitch move, guess what, people will do that. It was the goaltending that needed fixing the most. When you have a 5ft shot in the slot, it should go in half the time, not 1% of the time.

This is exactly how I feel, if they made the slot a dangerous area to score that's where teams would attack. Teams are going to do whatever is the easiest way to score and it's up to the developers to try and balance that.

[FBeaule04]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Another vid. I'll have some videos of HUT and BAP later on.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uVIYQMRCxpg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The more I see, the more I like it. There was one odd thing in the video, Chara going to the corner while Thomas was holding the puck after a save. Never seen that in real life, but it's not that problematic.

I was laughing out loud when I saw you bump Thomas with Burrows 10 times in a row after a whistle without Chara and Boychuk not even coming to rip your head off!

On the PP goal you had, it was a nice tribute to net battle as Boychuk takes Burrows out of the front of the net, and Thomas moving forward to take the shot. Bieksa blast it through, but that's happening in the game too, so it's fine.

What I would like to see is if the slightest breakaway moves are working like crazy. Seems like in NHL 11, the only sure way to score is the simple move or the glitch wrister. Would be curious to see if the CPU goalies are bitting like NHL 11.

After 2-3 footage, didn't see any pinning or backing off from the D as well as a winger going to the corner on a 2 on 1. That's pleasing me a lot.

So far, good job EA. Can't wait to dowload it and play a few games at home tonight!

[Mikey88]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

I like the demo so far. I couldn't say the same thing for last years.

First things first - I change difficulty to All-Star. Some random notes follow
-The first BIG thing i noticed was CPU AI. WAY BETTER IMO. Daniel Sedin is skating down the wing crossing the blue line, i try to line him up with Chara, he dekes me out lol so i completely miss the hit.

-CPU passes are better.

-CPU shoots a LOT MORE.

-I skated over to make a hit with Kaberle, but only got a piece of Torres, the physics of the collision looked really believable. Kaberle bounced off Torres and stumbed but kept going, Torres stumbled a bit too.

-Skating down the wing, I had Horton cross the blue line and fire a slap shot, only to have it blocked by a defender who dove in front of it!

-I just ran into Luongo accidentally while trying to get at a rebound, bumped into him and got 2 for interference. It looked cool too, as i bumped Lou when he was down, he slid to the side a bit.

-Haven't had 1 shot hit a post yet... kinda nice not to hear - "OH HE HIT HEAVY METAL" every 2 seconds lol

-CPU dumps the puck in when theres nowhere to go in the neutral zone

-1 really cool thing i noticed: i had a tired line out, got stuck in my end but finally I was able to get the puck over my blue line, but I was alone.. trying to get to center to dump and change with 2 defenders in front of me - 1 of em charges at me before i get to the line, knocks me off the puck lol awesome

....more to come

[adayinthelife]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

They weren't locked last year, which gave a good idea for how the game would play on SS with realistic sliders. It makes zero sense to me that they would lock them this year. Hiding something EA? /sigh

Who knows. There's a lot about this game that comes off as half-assed this year, so just add this to the list I suppose.

The changes I've noticed so far are subtle, but I like them. As others have mentioned, puck physics are improved and skating feels a bit better. Manual passing seems a touch quicker, but I didn't have a problem with how it was before.

One thing though, of all the demos released for NHL this gen, I've had the least difficulty adjusting to this one. I was able to put it on SS HC mode and felt completely comfortable. In fact, my overall feel was that I couldn't really tell if I was playing NHL 11 or a new game.

I like the game, and I like the under the hood improvements, and I'll definitely buy.

Last point. It hurts to say this, but in an age when NCAA, Madden, FIFA, and even Side's Rugby Challenge are implementing all sorts of new lighting mechanisms and visual polish, I feel like the look of EA's NHL series is a bit dated. Presentation upgrades are nice, and I know hockey is different that an outdoor sport, but I just feel like it might be time for a bit of a visual overhaul for the series -- this is the fifth edition since going to 60fps, and the look has differed little over that span.

This is exactly what I was trying to explain. I play the hell out of this series every year, so when it's demo time I'm usually floored by just how different certain aspects of the game are. I just haven't had that feeling with it thus far.

The worst part is I'm still going to buy the game. It just feels like EA knows that already this year.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

I am sure I will love this game like every year.
but...

If you graze people with the hip check they still go flying...how can they claim momentum and weight matter when these kinda things happen. You can toss people into the bench fairly easy to.

Not saying you're wrong, but the next time you play pay attention to who's doing the hitting and who's the hittee.
It might be that one has great balance while the other has a great checking attribute.
Again, I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm geinuinly curious to know if that plays a part in the 'over hitting'.
I remember seeing some nice hits (both big and small) but can't remember who was doing the hitting.
I do know that I wasn't that crazy about seeing H.Sedin go flying from a Savard hit.
But Savard hit him from behind, so who knows. It could also be that the hitting is a bit juiced for the demo too?

I am not digging the cut to crowd after goal, feels odd.. it is nice when they cut to the goalie tho and he looks all sad.

I agree. While I like that EA is trying to spruce it up, it's still not exactly right.
The sequence should go:
1. Goal scored.
2. Players celebrate together.
3. Shot of crowd (or if it's a road team goal, show home team dejection, etc)>
4. Replays.
5. Maybe close up of goal scorer on bench or at face off circle.

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Much needed, and quite honestly, I never understood whey they got rid of it in NHL 11.

Looks like my BaP goalie can make a return with the classic cam on. Yes!

i loved playing as a goalie in 09 and 10, but in 11 the camera being locked into low or high made me go away from it. glad its back!!

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

I agree. While I like that EA is trying to spruce it up, it's still not exactly right.
The sequence should go:
1. Goal scored.
2. Players celebrate together.
3. Shot of crowd (or if it's a road team goal, show home team dejection, etc)>
4. Replays.
5. Maybe close up of goal scorer on bench or at face off circle.

this.

after the goal is scored, not much time to celebrate (which isnt bad) but takes away from scoring a bit..

[FBeaule04]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Not saying you're wrong, but the next time you play pay attention to who's doing the hitting and who's the hittee.
It might be that one has great balance while the other has a great checking attribute.
Again, I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm geinuinly curious to know if that plays a part in the 'over hitting'.
I remember seeing some nice hits (both big and small) but can't remember who was doing the hitting.
I do know that I wasn't that crazy about seeing H.Sedin go flying from a Savard hit.
But Savard hit him from behind, so who knows. It could also be that the hitting is a bit juiced for the demo too?



I agree. While I like that EA is trying to spruce it up, it's still not exactly right.
The sequence should go:
1. Goal scored.
2. Players celebrate together.
3. Shot of crowd (or if it's a road team goal, show home team dejection, etc)>
4. Replays.
5. Maybe close up of goal scorer on bench or at face off circle.

Exactly the sequence I expect after a goal is scored. I want to see the guys getting together. If EA can do some tweaking so that players don't jump in each others arms after a seventh goals, I guess they could also make people be more joyful after a 2-1 goals late in the game.

Also, I hope they manage to have the RW in the celebration this year. In NHL 11, I don't know how many times my RW was out of celebration, replace by a guy on the bench that wasn't even on the ice.

It's just simple think, doesn't change the game, but makes it just more fun and enjoyable for the eyes!

[Al_Tito13]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Comments based on playing the demo on All-Star / Hardcore.

Things I like about the NHL 12 Demo:
- Pretty good game pace on Hardcore. A bit slower than last year which is good to have a more realistic gameplay. Please don't fast it up because of some whiners, in fact it could still be slowed a bit.
- More pressure on the puck carrier.
- Better positioning of the AI skaters.
- More shooting from the CPU.
- Improved skating engine.
- Slower deking, finally.
- Better puck physics.
- More realistic shooting and shot power.
- Loose-puck slap shot.
- Better passing.
- Better hitting in general, even if big hits sometimes look weird.
- Small collisions are better than last year and have more effect on the puck carrier, even if it could still be improved.
- Less skilled players seem to loose the puck sometimes when deking which is good, but wish it would happen much more.
- Goalie interaction.
- Battles in front of the net.
- Better graphics.

Things I think can be improved:
- I was hoping for even more loose pucks, less tape to tape passes and a sloppier gameplay, especially on hardcore, with more difficult puck control and looser puck on stick when moving around with it or deking.
- Have a more defensive-minded game, especially on Hardcore. More realism, more strategy and less up and down, back and forth hockey. It's better, but there's still work to do.
- Interference is not called enough when hitting other players and goalies.
- Hip checks are too effective.
- I saw some weird goals going in where goalies were pretty bad, it also happens in real life, just hope it doesn't happen too often in the game. Hope goalies are improved on covering short-side post and wraps.
- When playing 4 on 4 in overtime, we need to have the center on the ice to take the faceoff, but like in NHL 11 we most often have two wingers on the ice, which is pretty frustrating in those crucial moments.
- I really don't like to have sound on slow motion replays, not a good idea and not true to real broadcast presentation.
- Sticks still pass through things (legs, skates, other sticks, puck).
- Bigger difference between players ratings, fourth line players have 80+ overalls, which should really not be the case.
- Higher effect of the attributes.

General notes about the game / short additional comments:
The game feels a lot better than NHL 11. Like every year, it's a good step in the right direction to a more realistic hockey game. Please EA, don't listen to whiners. There are going to be people crying about the speed as being too slow or anything else to get a more arcade-ish game, but please keep your good work alive and don't change it all with tuners. For every person who whines, there are like 10 people who couldn't be happier and they don't come here to whine because they are actually having fun playing the game. Good job EA, keep it up!

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Well I hope things turn out for the best. Next year however, Please EA, can we get presentation to where it needs to be? NBA2k levels or at the very least the Show?

[Money99]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

This is the scoring celebration camera angle I want back; from the crowds perspective.
It was in NHL2004 and hasn't been seen since.

This is what they need to show after the player initially celebrates with teammates.
Go to multiple angles of the crowd, then show the players doing the train-high-five routine, then the replay.

[gopher_guy]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

one timers look so much nicer!! At least the one I just scored did. I made a quick pass through the crease after circling around the net, and the guy receiving the pass just kind of had his stick on the ice and "guided it" into the net, rather than actually shooting it. Bounced off Luongo's pad and in. Agreed with what others have said. Puck physics are fantastic in this game.

Not crazy about having sound in the replays though, I like to think it's a television broadcast, so a little unrealistic to have the sound in the replay, but that's minor.

I like the net battles in front, kind of cool to not even be able to see the goalie at some points because there's like 3 guys fighting for position in front of him.

I assume checking the goalie will be a penalty in the retail version. After a whistle I took a run at Luongo, knocked him over and his helmet flew off. That's obviously a penalty, and hopefully players protect their goalies in the retail version. If that happens in real life that guy is getting beat the f*** up in less than 3 seconds.

Another thing that's cool to see is the goalie steering shots aside. I don't think it really ever happened in 11, but in the 2 periods I've played I would say I saw it 5 or 6 times. Where the puck clearly makes contact with the goalie, and he sends it to the corner with his pad or blocker.

Very happy with the demo though. Only played a couple games but I enjoy it!!

[Qb]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

Thanks to those getting their impressions up. I only had time to play two quick games -- not even the equivalent of one period on my usual settings -- so I can't offer too much insight. I played on All-Star/Hardcore, although it didn't seem to change the settings when I changed game styles.

My first impression was, "wow, the game seems a lot more active." Players simply moved around a lot more, which I assume is what they meant by the anticipation AI reading the play as it develops rather than reacting as or after it happens. I particularly like seeing players take away passing lanes through the neutral zone, providing more support on the puck carrier, and more or less being aggressive in general.

I'm disappointed the skating still features some awkward transitions when changing directions. But, I was happy to see some of the new animations for hustling and tired players. That was something we really tried to drive home during the community event last year, but it was too late for NHL11.

Looking forward to more games tonight to get a better feel for some of the additions I didn't notice in such a brief session... net battles, puck physics (loose slappers is quite the change, eh?), live goalies (I had a hard time making contact?), and whatever else I find.

A very small thing, but I dislike the sound the game makes when you manually change a line.

Yeah, at first I didn't know what the noise was and it was bugging me. I hope that has an on/off option... don't see the point to be honest.

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

from the looks of it, you cant run into your own goalie and knock him down. which i guess is a good thing!!

also, on delayed penalties, the goalie cant be touched at all.. i took a slash, then just wanted to run Thomas to see a goalie reaction, it made me zip by him like he had a wall around him again. maybe they did this so he can get to the bench and the team can get the extra attacker on the ice? so people dont take advantage of that situation.. if so, good job ea!!

[bwiggy33]

Re: NHL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360) Later Today For PS3

I will say that the game definitely feels better than 11. The puck physics are way better. Shooting finally feels better and the fact that pucks go off of the goalie and hit the glass is a breath of fresh air. I was sick and tired of seeing goalies either smother everything, have the puck rebound in front of them, or seeing the puck fly high in the sky only to drop behind them and into the net. Another great thing is on breakaways. Once a player starts dekeing their speed drops a ton. This will prevent the same deke going in every time. I think it's a great addition to the game.

One thing that still needs improvement is hitting. I have played 10 games so far and have seen numerous unrealistic hits. No player should go flying on a hit where neither player has any momentum. I had a play in the neutral zone where I tapped a Vancouver player from behind and he went flying. I barely even nudged him.

Although this game feels better than 11 I still think the gameplay will become stale after a while. The only way it won't is if each team plays differently, and you actually have to adjust your gameplay in order to beat the opposing team. That will not be known until the final version of the game comes out. I still truly believe that until the EA developers realize that the skill stick and non real life movements by the goaltenders are bad in their game, this game will never reach it's full potential. I pray these two things can be changed next year.

Also another thing that needs to be done is cyberfaces. I understand it takes a lot of work but there really is no excuse. MLB The Show has way more guys that they have to develop and even the crappiest of players have ridiculously great looking faces. I just don't understand how the developers can't at least provide 100 or so new faces per year. Otherwise at least allow us to edit the players faces so we can make them look moderately like their real life counterpart. I don't want to see Pierre Marc Bouchard with black hair. The man is bald.

Overall this game is still solid. I don't think it will ever not be a solid game, but for a hardcore hockey fan like myself I want to see more done to this game.