NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

True it is just the demo....

I guess I'd say so far I'm also a bit iffy about the number of calls, too.

I'm seeing some penalties, in fact not too bad so far. But the games history the last few years, and yeah...the penalty sliders have been very weak. So I am still a little concerned if this issue will actually be better for '13. And I agree, the PP/PK is too important a part of the game for it not to be represented somewhat close to right.

[SlyBelle]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

True it is just the demo....

I guess I'd say so far I'm also a bit iffy about the number of calls, too.

I'm seeing some penalties, in fact not too bad so far. But the games history the last few years, and yeah...the penalty sliders have been very weak. So I am still a little concerned if this issue will actually be better for '13. And I agree, the PP/PK is too important a part of the game for it not to be represented somewhat close to right.

If they would just make the sliders work, then everybody would be satisfied. A person could turn them down low if they prefer to only see minimal penalties and then a person could turn them totally up to see penalties every other play But sadly, the sliders never end up working this way in any EA game so that is why I am a little concerned this is likely an area they didn't address again.

[LighttheLamp]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

i have to say that i am really impressed with the NHL demo. everything from skating to goal-tending is very impressive. i do wish that the dangle stick would be thrown out, it needs a full revamp. i feel that the dangle stick is what makes the game feel unnatural, it doesn't look realistic in tandem with the new skating engine. when im skating down the ice i want to be able to do more shifty moves. i still dont feel the difference in still handling between the greats and the bums. the good part about this year is that u really dont need the deke stick feature. EA has implemented the 45 degree cut on the left stick which opens up a whole new world for creating space. All in all, i feel nhl will be the sports title of the year. cant wait for friday for the season pass early release! Flyers all the way baby!

[savoie2006]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

If they would just make the sliders work, then everybody would be satisfied. A person could turn them down low if they prefer to only see minimal penalties and then a person could turn them totally up to see penalties every other play But sadly, the sliders never end up working this way in any EA game so that is why I am a little concerned this is likely an area they didn't address again.

I've never understood why developers don't make some of the sliders more effective.

[SlyBelle]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

I've never understood why developers don't make some of the sliders more effective.

Agree....a 100%. On the surface seems like such an easy thing to do...if they don't work, why even include them in the first place?

[SlyBelle]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

[Gagnon39]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Has anybody seen the CPU pull their goalie when down by 1 and under a minute to play? I have yet to see this happen. Seems strange it would never happen since a standard tactic in most situations. Maybe a game setting somewhere?

Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

[Weapon X]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

I just saw the CPU pull Brodeur when they were down two.

WX

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

One flaw in the AI I'm hoping was fixed for '13' is....when the cpu is on the PK inside of two minutes left in the game and down by a goal, the cpu starts trying to score, rather than continuing to try to kill off the penalty.

I'm sure all of us have seen the cpu still just dumping the puck outta it's zone in that situation.

[SlyBelle]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Its just because it is the demo. In the real game I'm sure the CPU will.

For some reason I am thinking one of the sliders dictated this last year since I think I remember the same thing from last year.

[unisol_us]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Been playing EA NHL series for a long time now. This demo offers some really exciting game play advancements. It remains to be seen how well the GM Brain and different team strategies will impact the game.

Obviously the skating is improved. Where I am seeing the biggest difference is when playing on D and the forward stops and starts again. I am losing my check much easier this year than in any other year in this generation. Honestly I cannot remember if this has ever been reproduced in any generation. I can see how playing on Offense with a talented forward will cause the defense fits!

The next big change I am seeing is how random scoring chances are in the demo. Last year, besides the occasional deflection for a goal, there were only a few different ways to score. I have already see several deflections which resulted in great scoring chances for me. This has alot to do with the puck physics which must have gotten a big upgrade this year.

A minor but noticeable change is how the players look when moving. They seem more bulky and real. This was the first thing I noticed when I started playing the demo. I'm sure I will become accustomed to it rather quickly, but it looks cool.

Lastly, the goaltenders are more fun to play against. The kick save and the blocker save are way more realistic. I like how the goalies direct the kick save into the corners. Somehow it seems as if the goalies are using individual body parts this year and this addition makes the game look fresh.

Some other little things I like:

* Back skate feature
* Chop puck
* CPU poke check improved
* NHL moments

Assuming that offline GM mode and team strategies works as advertised, I think next year will be a good time for the EA Canada team to overhaul goal tending. It is improved this year, but it still needs work. Goalies should not be able to fly around the net like superman!! That is just crazy. It would be nice to see more animations to differentiate between goalie styles.

Maybe I need more practice, but the puck chop needs some tweaking. I am giving up so many scoring chances because I keep missing this move. Every time I try to use it I whiff and give up a scoring chance.

I have not seen a legitimate wrap around goal ever in the EA series. Why is this move so hard to pull off? I will keep tinkering with the back skate feature, but I really do not have my hopes up.

Some other things I dislike:

* Faceoffs (better mechanic needed)
* Better behind the net plays
* Still easy to skate the puck into the offense zone

[JezFranco]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Bug feedback. Goal review did not work.

Played two player co-op on the demos HUT mode.
We were down 0-1 but in the last minute, we scored a goal.


However, the ref came in and waved off for a goal review.
Watched the replays a few time, and Gary Thorne was talking about how this could've been a kick, as it went skate in.
After the review, the ref pointed towards the center point as to allow the goal, my players cheered, and the camera showed the goal scorer.


However, when going back to the play and center ice face off, the score was still 0-1, and we ended up loosing the game.




100% a bug. Hope it doesn't transfer to the retail.
And I might add this is the one and only goal review I've seen in the demo. Probably have over 150 games (periods) played.



This was the NA Demo, on PS3 in HUT mode.

[SlyBelle]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Bug feedback. Goal review did not work.

Played two player co-op on the demos HUT mode.
We were down 0-1 but in the last minute, we scored a goal.


However, the ref came in and waved off for a goal review.
Watched the replays a few time, and Gary Thorne was talking about how this could've been a kick, as it went skate in.
After the review, the ref pointed towards the center point as to allow the goal, my players cheered, and the camera showed the goal scorer.


However, when going back to the play and center ice face off, the score was still 0-1, and we ended up loosing the game.




100% a bug. Hope it doesn't transfer to the retail.
And I might add this is the one and only goal review I've seen in the demo. Probably have over 150 games (periods) played.



This was the NA Demo, on PS3 in HUT mode.

Although a bug, pretty cool that goal reviews are in. Never have seen that myself in any version.

[JezFranco]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Although a bug, pretty cool that goal reviews are in. Never have seen that myself in any version.

Oh, they were there last year already. Great little touch to the game.
Like I said, I've only seen it once in the demo, and it didn't look like anything new... except for not giving me a goal though the ref allowed it.

[bwiggy33]

Re: NHL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

Oh, they were there last year already. Great little touch to the game.
Like I said, I've only seen it once in the demo, and it didn't look like anything new... except for not giving me a goal though the ref allowed it.

Really cool addition last year, only thing I wish is that you could actually hear the ref talking. In the game you can see his mouth moving but it's silent.