Be a Pro impressions

[Kougar]

Hey guys,

I have EA Access, tried the game tonight (mostly BAP) and I'd like to share my view.

I was very hyped for this game, and it's important to know I'm a BAP fan. I have played this mode every year, watching every change, and doing a lot of simming in it, I'm fascinated by it.

This year, I can safely say this is the best year for Be a Pro, in a very long time. Simming without interruptions, player progression even if you do not play, faster simming, helpful on-ice trainer (Thought it was lame, discovered it's incredibly useful!), new coach instructions, and so so many more.

I simply love it, when I play I feel like every move has an impact on my player, and it is actually the case, I check what the coach recommends and it makes sense, finally Be a Pro is enjoyable.

It's clearly not perfect, lacks some immersion in the league, but god, if you are a Be a Pro enthusiast, you are gonna love it this year.

Really had to share my opinion, this is a huge improvement for me in the series, and I just can't wait for the game to release, because 10 hours just won't be enough

[philliesphan026]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

I found it to be ok. Better than years past but still lacking.

The main issue I had is that the games take way too long, and there's a lot of down time. I go out on the ice and in 30 seconds I need to come off... I understand that's realistic but it doesn't really translate into a video game very well when you have to sit through brief loading screens dozens of times per game in between shifts. Is there any way to avoid this? Because this is really the only huge drawback for me.

Also, in my few games (All-Star difficulty), I noticed the shot totals were way too high. Both teams always had over 40 shots by the end of the game every time. Don't know if others are experiencing this though.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Glad you are excited for the mode Kougar! It's clear you're a big BAP fan, so it's good that you are enjoying the mode.

Phillies, I think there's an option in the BAP menu to turn the game to "Classic" where your player will always be on the ice, if that's what you want. On the plus side, sitting through those brief screens is better than last year, sitting through the whole game.

[Flayer]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Little video of Be A Pro mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaomWvJkYA8

[philliesphan026]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Phillies, I think there's an option in the BAP menu to turn the game to "Classic" where your player will always be on the ice, if that's what you want. On the plus side, sitting through those brief screens is better than last year, sitting through the whole game.

Thanks! I'll have to check it out

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Thanks for the update!

It really seems like some of the issues with team mate AI really have been most noticeable in BaP mode in the past. For example, team mates not covering opponent players in the slot, allowing for wide open one-timers and rebound goals. And CPU team mates being completely unable to win the puck in board battles. Have you noticed any improvements in how your team mates play when you are on the ice in BaP?

[Kougar]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

The AI of teammates has clearly been worked a lot, unlike past games where your teammates would only try cross-crease and dump-ins, I've seen some beautiful passing plays, will try to get a video soon.

Defensively, it's less impressive, the AI does still have some problems with board plays, but yeah it clearly doesn't spoil BaP's gameplay, and I'm very glad it does not.

Also love how your teammates actually work on the power play, the positionning, the passing makes the PPs much more effective and exciting this year.

Will try to get some videos to show what I'm talking about, glad to hear your opinions!

[Drakar]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

My nitpick after 5 games in the WHL

1. It doesn't track how many goal you have in the season when you score like NHL 15.
2. AI can't play behind the net and keep fumbling the puck
3. I score 4 goals and 3 assist in a game. My final rating was B-.
4. Weekly training doesn't give a details explanation on how each training are going to impact your player rating

[Kougar]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

My nitpick after 5 games in the WHL

1. It doesn't track how many goal you have in the season when you score like NHL 15.
2. AI can't play behind the net and keep fumbling the puck
3. I score 4 goals and 3 assist in a game. My final rating was B-.
4. Weekly training doesn't give a details explanation on how each training are going to impact your player rating

The season goal tracking being out of the game is a shame indeed..

As for the AI, you might want to change your level of difficulty, I know I played in Pro and they were hardcore on passing plays, really baffled me. For the stats, that's the tricky part, they do count your stats but you also have to do what the coach wants you to do, they put a lot of effort this year to put a bigger challenge in BaP, they want the experience to be different that just racking up goals and assists, works for me for the least!

[jyoung]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

I made it through one game today in the WHL and that was enough Be A Pro for me for this year. The loading times in between shifts are just way too long given how often you'll be jumping on and off the ice.

Gameplay starts at timestamp 13:06 of this video:

<iframe width="540" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yHAJbrsP75M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It takes roughly 10 seconds to load after the end of each shift. So if you get 20 shifts per game, that means you're wasting about 3 and a half minutes just staring at black loading screens every single game.

I will say that I do like the new player growth system that rewards you based on your on-ice play style and the areas that you decide to off-ice train in. It's definitely a nice improvement over the old attribute growth model.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Damn, that sucks. I don't have time to sit through that if I know it's just going to be a slog. Thanks for posting.

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

I made it through one game today in the WHL and that was enough Be A Pro for me for this year. The loading times in between shifts are just way too long given how often you'll be jumping on and off the ice.

It takes roughly 10 seconds to load after the end of each shift. So if you get 20 shifts per game, that means you're wasting about 3 and a half minutes just staring at black loading screens every single game.

I will say that I do like the new player growth system that rewards you based on your on-ice play style and the areas that you decide to off-ice train in. It's definitely a nice improvement over the old attribute growth model.

Looks like the load times/sim between shifts is about the same as it was in last gen games. I personally can tolerate it. But like you said, it adds up over the course of a whole game. Simming between action in other career modes of other games (NBA2k, MLB The Show) can take a while too. NBA 2k15 was real bad, sometimes took 45-60 seconds or so to get subbed in waiting for a dead ball and all camera cutscenes to play out. But that is only a couple times per game. MLB The Show can be 10-12 times per game, depending if you are playing all defense opportunities and at-bats.

[druez]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

Hey guys,

I have EA Access, tried the game tonight (mostly BAP) and I'd like to share my view.

I was very hyped for this game, and it's important to know I'm a BAP fan. I have played this mode every year, watching every change, and doing a lot of simming in it, I'm fascinated by it.

This year, I can safely say this is the best year for Be a Pro, in a very long time. Simming without interruptions, player progression even if you do not play, faster simming, helpful on-ice trainer (Thought it was lame, discovered it's incredibly useful!), new coach instructions, and so so many more.

I simply love it, when I play I feel like every move has an impact on my player, and it is actually the case, I check what the coach recommends and it makes sense, finally Be a Pro is enjoyable.

It's clearly not perfect, lacks some immersion in the league, but god, if you are a Be a Pro enthusiast, you are gonna love it this year.

Really had to share my opinion, this is a huge improvement for me in the series, and I just can't wait for the game to release, because 10 hours just won't be enough

I agree, I think this mode is fantastic. Loving it.

[Woody19]

Re: Be a Pro impressions

I really enjoy the mode, too. The only thing I don't get so far is how to improve physical attributes: as soon as I get checked once per game my physical attributes deteriorate, no matter how many hits I dish out. Any tips on how I could improve? Playing as a 2-way centre, btw.

Generally, I would really like a storyline accompanying the BAP-mode, like EA does in the FIFA series. The way it is now, it's just playing one game after the other.