NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions Here

[Moose24x]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

My download is about 58% right now. I'm actually fairly optimistic after reading peoples' reactions at various sites. Of course, you have to be able to read between the lines, wade through the people who complain without explanation and avoid the strictly online/EASHLers who hate everything EA does before you can actually infer anything about the actual game, but I have a feeling I'm going to be more pleased than I expected. With the core gameplay, that is.

It's sounding like, to me, the skating feels a bit more fluid and responsive, the strafing and pivots have improved, the AI is a bit better, and the hitting and enforcer engine feel good. I'm sure none of it's perfect, but while I was previously not too excited about these small tweaks, the impression I'm getting, from between the lines of peoples' posts, is that the overall game actually feels a bit better and more responsive/fluid. If BaGM sim times are improved, I think I'll be mostly content with this installation as a stop-gap between now and next-gen, but I'll reserve actual judgement until my first play in about 15 minutes. Cautiously excited.

[Mongo14]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

I just crushed Hossa with Chara and Bickell skated across the ice to fight me. Both get 5 for fighting. Now wouldn't Bickell get the 2 for instigating as well? He seems to have left his position to start a fight? Also I guess after I hit a guy I have to fight. That'll just slow the game down big time. Let me turn the challenge down to either continue the game, not get destroyed, or draw a penalty on the aggressor.

[takki]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

Absolutely am loving the demo. They fixed almost everything I hated about NHL 13.

You can actually body check people in this game. Holding "turbo" up the sides of the ice doesn't work well anymore, the CPU actually defends it properly now. You can't be knock off the puck from behind by a defender who has no momentum anymore. The gameplay is extremely slowed down and tactical now. I can't just rush up the ice anymore, I actually have to play hockey to produce chances, it's way different from any previous NHL game.

The new fighting engine is amazing (I wish the camera zoomed in a little closer during fights). The after whistle scrums are wonderful. The game actually punishes you for not following the rules. The CPU will fight you if you shoot after the whistle or lay a dirty hit during a game. The refs actually call charging/boarding/give out double minors now.

The fact that you can do deke with one button is wonderful. One timers actually work again somewhat. The "automatic" same side wrist shot goals are now gone. NHL 94 mode is meh (I was expecting old school graphics and arcade style gameplay) but I can see how it'd be very accessible for newbies to the series.

EA is blowing my mind this year. Madden 25 is actually good finally and NHL 14, while not really a large upgrade graphics or gameplay wise, completely fixes every issue I had with NHL 13.

The only thing that bothers me is that injuries still seem to almost never happen but I can't tell if they fixed it until I get some playtime. Also when the CPU fights with me, I have no choice to refuse. The refs also does not punish the CPU for instigating, although I need more time with the game to prove that.

All and all, I'm impressed.

[geisterhome]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

how abt the player faces? some additions?

[Garism]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

I know that you can know hit with the Left sick if you line them up properly. So what is the use of the right stick now considering it is still labeled as "Body Check" on the menu screen but you can crush people if you do it properly with the left stick?

Loving the demo so far.

[Splitter77]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

started my download at 5pm. should be done 11pm.
stupid town wireless isp.

[lhslancers]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

Pretty quick download thank you Verizon. I was really surprised with the demo. I hated 13 seems they fixed the skating this time for the better. Still playing 11 and 12 along with 2k10 but I will pick this up for sure.

[Cletus]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

I'm really hoping they get some new leadership/programmers for next gen. Why doesn't the cpu use it's sticks in the passing lane? If anyone intercepts a pass then it's an automatic pick up. Ratings don't seem to matter either in this demo. Granlund getting caught from behind and outskated by someone on Halifax. The animations and stuff look good but a lot of the problems I had with 13 aren't fixed.

Why don't we have breakout strategies? If my Left wing goes to the center of the ice, why doesn't my center go to the left? Also why do guys shy away from going to the boards on the breakout? I understand if it's covered but when there's no one within 5 strides they still stick close to the defender. It also feels a lot like 12 with poke sticks blatantly going through guys and skates. The goals also feel more random than in 13. I'm really thinking about cancelling my pre-order because outside of the pivots and the hit animations it doesn't feel different.

The new fighting engine is alright but I don't like the automatic fights. Kris Versteeg shouldn't be fighting. I also got a 5 minute major for boarding or checking from behind after the guy turned to face the boards, so that glitch is still there if you're good enough to do it in EASHL. I was hyped for this game but after some of this demo, I don't know. Hopefully the revamped rosters and some sliders can save it.

Also, leg kicks are still deadly, even when they shouldn't be. The goalie still reacts if you leg kick while skating backwards. Leg kick, backhand, forehand works from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. I scored a goal from the same spot 6 times in a row in free skate from the same spot. I then tried some dekes that should work, especially on a breakway, and got stoned every time. From the demo it feels like what 13 should have been.

[CubFan23]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

I honestly don't see much of a difference from 13. Hopefully next year on the PS4 will be better. Passing on this purchase.

[The Amaizen Blue]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

Coming from 12, I really like the demo. I didn't even try 13, so this is like a new breath of fresh air. I love the hitting and the skating.

[Cletus]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

I'm still seeing the same goals scored every game. I think for the first time since I've had an xbox 360/ps3 I'm skipping this game. Everyone's really enamored with the demo and all the wow moments, but give it november or December and the hardcore sim guys will hate it again. Even the skating feels worse than 13. I don't notice any explosiveness anymore and less control over when my guy speeds up. Now to figure out what I'm gonna put my preorder money towards. I just wish 2k10 had better rush logic and controls.

[LighttheLamp]

Im seeing a lot of people complaining about the auto fights. Im sure EA raised the fight slider, along with other sliders to show off the fighting mechanics. Im just sayin.

[eskimos44]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

As a casual hockey fan, I really enjoyed the demo. And will continue to play it.

Plenty of penalties including goalie interference. Skating is really smooth and the puck is more lively. Had a corner scrum that last 10 seconds or so(which is long in the series).

I don't use the skill stick and using alternate controls there seemed to always be a delay when shooting. That's not the case in this demo. Really quick releases that lead to goals.

Had a beautiful 3 on 1 break that enabled me make 3 passes quickly and deposit the puck into the open net.

Took a run at Kane with Chara and some goon from the Hawks comes over to protect him. I proceeded to lose the fight. Double minors for fighting.

I enjoy football way more than hockey, but this demo is 10x more fun than Madden.

[Steven547]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

Those of you wondering if their is COACH mode in this year. Yes there is. If you go to the Manual (select on pS3 and proceed to page 10, there are coach controls just like last year.) This is a big selling point for me!

So far, pretty fluid, however, I'm concerned about the opposite side shooting. What I mean is, if you skate down on an angle (skate right to left), I scored about 75% of the time. This was during Free Skate only, so it could be different during game.

[Segagendude]

Re: NHL 14 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3 - Post Your Impressions He

PS3 impressions(Those that know me, know I'm a relative newbie to this series. I don't play online, and I'm not really looking for too sim of a game. So take the following with a grain of salt, or garlic, should you prefer..)

Presentation: Meh. Same as last year. And the year before that.....and the year....well, you get the point. It's been said many times it's long overdue for a commentary change, and I so agree. Same ole lines, same ole everything. Dull and repetitive. Looks like I might just turn it off (again) and act like I'm there live. Crowd is loud and energizing, but then it always has been. (One area EA got right) Still disappointed they took away group celebrations, however. (?) Scoring a goal is 10X more exciting than any other sports' scoring plays, but again this year, EA failed to capture that.

Sound Already touched on above.

GraphicsNot much of a difference from 13. Still sharp, and I like the shadows. Anyone who passed on 12 and 13, will see a difference, obviously. But for those of us who've bought those, it's not a significant difference at all.

Gameplay I'll be honest-----I really don't see a difference from 13. Skating, passes, etc all look and feel the same to me. However, it's one period in the demo; hopefully I'll really get the feel for it as I enter BEAGM. I'm struggling to score, even in free skate, so the goalies seem improved. And what I love, is the post whistle scrums in front of the net! Something I've been waiting for! BUT------hoping somehow it can be turned down. Doesn't need to happen after every whistle.

Fighting Love it, but I think I'll end up turning it off or lowering it, if possible. As was mentioned, you don't get a chance to refuse a fight. Once the gloves drop, you gotta engage, no matter who you control. What I like though is the other players NOT leaving the ice, but rather having minor scrums of their own. Also, the post fight reaction, by the winner. Nice!

8/10 After playing 3 games thus far, it's definitely a fun game. Will I trade in 13 for it? Not really sure yet. I need more demo time, but unfortunately the one period of play just goes by too quickly for me to make a sound judgement. Wish it was more! But for now, I give it an 8, for the fun factor alone.