NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

[Simple Mathematics]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

Looks great and kind of what we were all asking for. The backwards skate did look silly and over the top, but as someone mentioned it was the user controlled player doing it, I didnt notice the CPU players going bonkers with it. Two things that worry me.
1) As good as the defense played in that video not once in that whole video did the CPU players tie up the opposition on the boards. This feature has been around a few years and the CPU never used it and did not in that video. I wanted to see more board battles with multiple players.
2) We all want more loose pucks and better D, but as a result the shots are going to go way down. I had enough trouble getting realistic shot totals and Save Pct for my goalies in past NHL games playing 10 min periods. May have to start playing 20 min periods.
Hope it does not sound like I'm complaining because I think the game is going to be leaps and bounds better than last year.

I'm glad that shot totals are going to be down. I played with pretty much everyone's sliders on here (TNK's were my favorite), and I was still getting around 50 shots per game. That is just ridiculous, so I'm really glad that the AI defense is going to be better.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

Looks great and kind of what we were all asking for. The backwards skate did look silly and over the top, but as someone mentioned it was the user controlled player doing it, I didnt notice the CPU players going bonkers with it. Two things that worry me.
1) As good as the defense played in that video not once in that whole video did the CPU players tie up the opposition on the boards. This feature has been around a few years and the CPU never used it and did not in that video. I wanted to see more board battles with multiple players.
2) We all want more loose pucks and better D, but as a result the shots are going to go way down. I had enough trouble getting realistic shot totals and Save Pct for my goalies in past NHL games playing 10 min periods. May have to start playing 20 min periods.
Hope it does not sound like I'm complaining because I think the game is going to be leaps and bounds better than last year.

That might depend on slider settings. I also play 10 minute periods on SS and most of the time shot totals are in the 20's-30's for both teams, unless one team is dominating. Granted this is in 12 without the AI and looser puck improvments.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

First off, I'm also leery of the ease of backskating, both in the transition and the speed/agility of it. However, I hear it's fairly easy to knock the puck away from someone when they do it by poke or body contact. In fact, from what I was told, it's easier to knock the puck away in general. Still, I'm going to beg Redshirt to push for somewhat limiting backskating ability when in possession of the puck.

Another observation... I have a very hard time evaluating the video because of the puck shadow. I can't believe how weird it looks any time the puck is in motion.

As a matter of fact I wish they would show a video of the things that happen when you try to do to much with the non-superstar players. True skating sounds great, but let see what happens Mike Rupp tries to make a cut like he was Ovechkin.

I hear good things about this, at least on hardcore settings. Another tasty morsel about hardcore (as of this moment)... it's nearly impossible to complete a close range bullet pass.

On a another note, notice in the end there where Rammer mentions the defender goes into a "controlled glide" which [then] "triggers the automatic shot block".
I wonder if that means something new on the old shot block buttons, or if they just kept the dive there.

I hear there is a new contextual auto shot block. Should help to cut down on shot totals, and as you know if you watch the NHL, shot blocking is a HUGE part of the defensive game now. Could be a great addition if implemented well.

[plaidchuck]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

lol can you imagine what the eashl will be like with the backskating..

[TDKing]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

I hear there is a new contextual auto shot block. Should help to cut down on shot totals, and as you know if you watch the NHL, shot blocking is a HUGE part of the defensive game now. Could be a great addition if implemented well.

Why is this good ? I hate "contextual". Contextual to me means less user control. I want to hit a button and trigger the shot block, I want to play the game, in fact I want more control. Make it an option if people like it, auto shot block on/off. I want my hooking button back too ! Seems I had more control back in the old days. They did the same thing with Madden a few years ago on the defensive line. Now I have no more DL moves its just mash the stick and watch. IMO contextual is not a good thing its a way to make the game easier and to cover up flaws they can't fix.
One more thing... if they do this RATINGS better make a difference a BIG difference not a suttle unnoticeble one !

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

First off, I'm also leery of the ease of backskating, both in the transition and the speed/agility of it. However, I hear it's fairly easy to knock the puck away from someone when they do it by poke or body contact. In fact, from what I was told, it's easier to knock the puck away in general. Still, I'm going to beg Redshirt to push for somewhat limiting backskating ability when in possession of the puck.

Another observation... I have a very hard time evaluating the video because of the puck shadow. I can't believe how weird it looks any time the puck is in motion.




I hear good things about this, at least on hardcore settings. Another tasty morsel about hardcore (as of this moment)... it's nearly impossible to complete a close range bullet pass.



I hear there is a new contextual auto shot block. Should help to cut down on shot totals, and as you know if you watch the NHL, shot blocking is a HUGE part of the defensive game now. Could be a great addition if implemented well.

I think the whole backskating thing, while I agree it looks a bit too easy to switch between the two, might be a concession we have to make, unless they make it so a player who's switching between the two on a rapid basis has a much higher chance of blowing an edge or losing the puck. Certainly something they could tune I'd imagine to find a medium between realism and the game still having a flow and being fun to play.

Awesome to hear about hardcore settings and bullet passes no longer being tape to tape, it wasn't too bad in 11, in 12 it was terrible, so if they can get that sloppy feel back, along with the puck from all acounts being looser this year, it should make for a more gritty game.

Personally I'm fine with contexual animations, the user as a player still has to make sure they put themselves in a good position defensively to trigger it as long it's it's implimented well.

[06woz]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

I think the contextual shot block is a great idea. Make it so the better shot blockers in the league trigger it more often, that way a shot blocking attribute actually has a purpose.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

Why is this good ? I hate "contextual". Contextual to me means less user control. I want to hit a button and trigger the shot block, I want to play the game, in fact I want more control. Make it an option if people like it, auto shot block on/off. I want my hooking button back too ! Seems I had more control back in the old days. They did the same thing with Madden a few years ago on the defensive line. Now I have no more DL moves its just mash the stick and watch. IMO contextual is not a good thing its a way to make the game easier and to cover up flaws they can't fix.
One more thing... if they do this RATINGS better make a difference a BIG difference not a suttle unnoticeble one !

I hear you on the user control aspect. Not sure if it's a control option (like auto-backskate was), but I should be able to find out. As for why I was excited about it... I was thinking of more shot blocking by CPU-controlled skaters.

[TDKing]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

I hear you on the user control aspect. Not sure if it's a control option (like auto-backskate was), but I should be able to find out. As for why I was excited about it... I was thinking of more shot blocking by CPU-controlled skaters.

More shot blocking by the cpu would be great. Its not a game breaker for me and I know I still need to get the guy in proper postion but I would rather control the timing of the block. What happens on a fake shot? Will the defender I'm controlling automatically bite and go into a shot blocking animation even though I don't really want him too ?

[gopher_guy]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

More shot blocking by the cpu would be great. Its not a game breaker for me and I know I still need to get the guy in proper postion but I would rather control the timing of the block. What happens on a fake shot? Will the defender I'm controlling automatically bite and go into a shot blocking animation even though I don't really want him too ?

Well, if we want a realistic game....

That's an effective way to get shots off in real hockey. Fake shot to send a defender down to block, then easily maneuver around him.

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

i hope AI will not be PERFECT in it's defensive stand.... i still want to see PENALTIES in the game.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

i hope AI will not be PERFECT in it's defensive stand.... i still want to see PENALTIES in the game.

I wouldn't worry about that. :wink:

It looks like you can still get them out of position with good puck movement.

[brandon27]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

This game is looking more and more fantastic everytime more stuff is released.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

That might depend on slider settings. I also play 10 minute periods on SS and most of the time shot totals are in the 20's-30's for both teams, unless one team is dominating. Granted this is in 12 without the AI and looser puck improvments.

Myself....this is what I'm getting on All-Star hardcore with 10 minute periods.

By the look of things defensively with '13'...it does at least seem as tough we may have to up our period lengths a ways. Which I'll bet we're both more than willing to do. Just a wild guess, but I'm thinking [hoping] we may have to go with 12-14 minutes to get realistic shot totals, etc...

[gator3guy]

Re: NHL 13 Video - Defensive Gameplay

More shot blocking by the cpu would be great. Its not a game breaker for me and I know I still need to get the guy in proper postion but I would rather control the timing of the block. What happens on a fake shot? Will the defender I'm controlling automatically bite and go into a shot blocking animation even though I don't really want him too ?

I just hope they reduced the amount of times your own teammates block your shots. They need to show some awareness.