Having a blast

[iaxy]

Preface – I strictly use the True Broadcast camera and only play offline. As controls are more difficult on this camera, I drop the level to Pro.

Other changes (from stock settings) are game speed at 1 (anything above looks and feels too fast in True Broadcast) and I also drop the back skating speed to 20, which I think is more realistic as it creates more separation between forwards who skate with momentum and defenders who are caught flat footed.

I’ve been having a blast in my Season mode with Boston – I love that in Boston the broadcast camera is a little further and higher – which gives a larger view of the ice.
My ultimate wish would be for EA to implement a tweakable True Broadcast camera angle. I would take it even further back – allowing for even more of the ice to be visible.

Overall I do not remember having this much fun since the days when EA implemented the skill stick. The new skating makes for a realistic flow of the game and the poke checking is just perfect with the latest tuner. if I remember to be disciplined (i.e. track back with my forwards instead of switching immediately to my defenders when in my zone), I have some amazing, tight games with a good variety of goals and saves. Stats also look realistic at 6 minute periods.

[scagwi]

Re: Having a blast

Are you strictly default settings on the latest tuner 1.03 besides the couple changes you mentioned?

I'm trying hard to like/love this game and I'm not quite there yet so eager to try things that are giving people the satisfaction you're describing.

Side note...It is shocking how much I miss custom music from the PS3 games.

[hockeyguy96]

Re: Having a blast

I have to agree with you i have been having a blast aswell playing the game have been working on a way to get quite a few people involved in a Armchair GM site where games are simulated and we go season by season to have fun with more people as a community but other than that i like playing Frnachise mode, and HUT.

[iaxy]

Re: Having a blast

Are you strictly default settings on the latest tuner 1.03 besides the couple changes you mentioned?

I'm trying hard to like/love this game and I'm not quite there yet so eager to try things that are giving people the satisfaction you're describing.

To be honest I don't remember what the stock sliders looked like, but looking at mine, I have some values which might be different from the stock sliders. Specifically - puck control at 20, pass interceptions at 80, pass reception ease at 25, reception reaction time at 20. All of these are for both user and CPU by the way.

The biggest game changer for me is how I approach the game. If I stay disciplined, clog the passing lanes and play good positional hockey, like hockey should be played, then it is fun. However, if I fall in the trap of being aggressive, chasing the CPU around the rink, and going for hits all the time then it's not only frustrating, but also repetitive.

Hope that helps!

[Fiddy]

Re: Having a blast

To be honest I don't remember what the stock sliders looked like, but looking at mine, I have some values which might be different from the stock sliders. Specifically - puck control at 20, pass interceptions at 80, pass reception ease at 25, reception reaction time at 20. All of these are for both user and CPU by the way.

The biggest game changer for me is how I approach the game. If I stay disciplined, clog the passing lanes and play good positional hockey, like hockey should be played, then it is fun. However, if I fall in the trap of being aggressive, chasing the CPU around the rink, and going for hits all the time then it's not only frustrating, but also repetitive.

Hope that helps!

Those are the default values for those sliders on simulation settings.

[scagwi]

Re: Having a blast

I don't know if I'm going to be long for this game..

I'm mystified watching defenders pluck the puck clean from me, from behind, when they are totally beat (completely behind me in chase).

It never ends up being a penalty and the way they catch up and flawlessly steal the puck and immediately go the other way...

I'm sorry - it just doesn't look like anything I ever see in NHL hockey on TV.

[MizzouRah]

Re: Having a blast

I don't know if I'm going to be long for this game..

I'm mystified watching defenders pluck the puck clean from me, from behind, when they are totally beat (completely behind me in chase).

It never ends up being a penalty and the way they catch up and flawlessly steal the puck and immediately go the other way...

I'm sorry - it just doesn't look like anything I ever see in NHL hockey on TV.

You are hitting the "hustle" button correct? I use it quite a bit to gain speed over a defense man chasing me.

[scagwi]

Re: Having a blast

You are hitting the "hustle" button correct? I use it quite a bit to gain speed over a defense man chasing me.

I assume so - L3 right? Like press down and through the click when controlling the player (I'm on PS4)

Them "catching me" aside, I find it hyper ridiculous how they can catch and pluck from directly behind so cleanly and easily. If I did what they are doing I'd instantly get a penalty (from my experience anyhow).

I actually have issues with the AI pass interceptions also - seems like they can stop anything going across the ice - will have to try to tweak that.. I just don't love this game so far

[MizzouRah]

Re: Having a blast

I assume so - L3 right? Like press down and through the click when controlling the player (I'm on PS4)

Them "catching me" aside, I find it hyper ridiculous how they can catch and pluck from directly behind so cleanly and easily. If I did what they are doing I'd instantly get a penalty (from my experience anyhow).

I actually have issues with the AI pass interceptions also - seems like they can stop anything going across the ice - will have to try to tweak that.. I just don't love this game so far

I guess.. I'm on Xbox. Also make sure to move the stick from left to right and use protect the puck. For long ice passing, you need to sometimes use the saucer pass to get it over the CPU players stick.

Hopefully you find some fun with the game via sliders.

[scagwi]

Re: Having a blast

I guess.. I'm on Xbox. Also make sure to move the stick from left to right and use protect the puck. For long ice passing, you need to sometimes use the saucer pass to get it over the CPU players stick.

Hopefully you find some fun with the game via sliders.

Thx - trying..

I just played a game back on PS3 NHL Legacy and I'm honestly not sure this new gen of hockey game is better (if it even is..)

I'll keep trying the sliders on NHL 19, especially since I'm stuck losing the $60 either way (digital purchase). sigh

[Roscosuper]

Re: Having a blast

Preface – I strictly use the True Broadcast camera and only play offline. As controls are more difficult on this camera, I drop the level to Pro.

Other changes (from stock settings) are game speed at 1 (anything above looks and feels too fast in True Broadcast) and I also drop the back skating speed to 20, which I think is more realistic as it creates more separation between forwards who skate with momentum and defenders who are caught flat footed.

I’ve been having a blast in my Season mode with Boston – I love that in Boston the broadcast camera is a little further and higher – which gives a larger view of the ice.
My ultimate wish would be for EA to implement a tweakable True Broadcast camera angle. I would take it even further back – allowing for even more of the ice to be visible.

Overall I do not remember having this much fun since the days when EA implemented the skill stick. The new skating makes for a realistic flow of the game and the poke checking is just perfect with the latest tuner. if I remember to be disciplined (i.e. track back with my forwards instead of switching immediately to my defenders when in my zone), I have some amazing, tight games with a good variety of goals and saves. Stats also look realistic at 6 minute periods.

Well, I'm with ya... or at least I was until the more recent tuners and patches altered the game. Or maybe more accurately set the game back.

I never touch sliders anymore. I learn to play the game on its terms. IMO sliders aren't meant to change the game. They are there to allow users to adjust for weaknesses they may have. And with the artificial ebb and flow running in the code of this game, I think it's a tough job to evaluate the efficacy of slider adjustments for the purpose of statistical tendencies. I play the game within its parameters and try to put all aspects to the test and this years iteration was a blast. Well, for the first few weeks anyway.

Allstar, Full Sim, with 10 minute periods actually properly worked in '19. That's the default settings and that's what it's come set as since the introduction of "Full Sim". The thing is though, 10 minutes never worked prior to '19. You always had to roll the time back to 8 or even 7 minutes. I even spoke with a Dev on the EA boards who said 8 minute periods was the "sweet spot". This year however, the sheet was tight right out of the box. I was impressed. It looked like EA put some effort in to making Full Sim work.

Now, after the tuners and patches, it still works but there are problems. The penalties are ridiculous now. The A.I. on both sides can take 10 slashing or hooking penalties in a game on top of other penalties. The skating is not as fluid as it was and can be unresponsive similar to the way it was with TPS. And the cpu is out hitting me 2 to 1 because I bounce off most of my checks.

The shooting and the scoring has remained within realistic range and I find the game play to be balanced and I don't seem to have the problems others are having with breakaways or cpu having an advantage. I will say though, that the cpu can be tough at times and chasing them around is not the answer.

When the game first launched I was stoked. I thought there needed to be a few adjustments, but what they've done so far is mind-boggling. They've gone backwards. Yes, even in it's current state, '19 is the best offline experience for the series, but I'm struggling to think of what could have been. I hope the rectify this soon.

[iaxy]

Re: Having a blast

I guess.. I'm on Xbox. Also make sure to move the stick from left to right and use protect the puck. For long ice passing, you need to sometimes use the saucer pass to get it over the CPU players stick.

Hopefully you find some fun with the game via sliders.

This ^

Also, do not underestimate the effect from fatigue. If your lines are tired, and if the CPU has fresh lines on the ice, the D will catch you. It's difficult to execute manual line changes when you are in a full flow, but when you do correctly, you will be rewarded.

As for interceptions, leave your D work to the D. Use a forward to chase the CPU around. You AI-controlled AI D will generally do a good job at positioning and cutting out the shot lane. But it is what you do with your forwards on backcheck and general positioning that is so important.

[iaxy]

Re: Having a blast

Well, I'm with ya... or at least I was until the more recent tuners and patches altered the game. Or maybe more accurately set the game back.

I never touch sliders anymore. I learn to play the game on its terms. IMO sliders aren't meant to change the game. They are there to allow users to adjust for weaknesses they may have. And with the artificial ebb and flow running in the code of this game, I think it's a tough job to evaluate the efficacy of slider adjustments for the purpose of statistical tendencies. I play the game within its parameters and try to put all aspects to the test and this years iteration was a blast. Well, for the first few weeks anyway.

Allstar, Full Sim, with 10 minute periods actually properly worked in '19. That's the default settings and that's what it's come set as since the introduction of "Full Sim". The thing is though, 10 minutes never worked prior to '19. You always had to roll the time back to 8 or even 7 minutes. I even spoke with a Dev on the EA boards who said 8 minute periods was the "sweet spot". This year however, the sheet was tight right out of the box. I was impressed. It looked like EA put some effort in to making Full Sim work.

Now, after the tuners and patches, it still works but there are problems. The penalties are ridiculous now. The A.I. on both sides can take 10 slashing or hooking penalties in a game on top of other penalties. The skating is not as fluid as it was and can be unresponsive similar to the way it was with TPS. And the cpu is out hitting me 2 to 1 because I bounce off most of my checks.

The shooting and the scoring has remained within realistic range and I find the game play to be balanced and I don't seem to have the problems others are having with breakaways or cpu having an advantage. I will say though, that the cpu can be tough at times and chasing them around is not the answer.

When the game first launched I was stoked. I thought there needed to be a few adjustments, but what they've done so far is mind-boggling. They've gone backwards. Yes, even in it's current state, '19 is the best offline experience for the series, but I'm struggling to think of what could have been. I hope the rectify this soon.

You are absolutely right - a good code should generally play well out of the box with no need for sliders. This is what PES does (relatively well), but no two gamers think the same so sliders are necessary to create a more personalised experience.

For me, I cannot play at default speed because I use True Broadcast Camera and on default speed setting the game looks and plays ridiculously fast. That is why I do not play online - I just can't keep up with the action. But if I were to switch to a Dynamic (up-down) camera, then the default speed setting is fine.

I am not sure i have seen a change to the skating as a result of the new tuners / patches, but then again I didn't play the game much in the first two weeks from launch as I was playing PES and FIFA.

One thing is for sure - this year the improvement is very noticeable. If they introduced a dynamic and tweakable True Broadcast camera and kept everything the same next year, I would be stoked!
There are some other minor things which need addressing IMO - the interaction with boards and the chop the puck mechanic, but overall the game plays really well.

[Spragga]

Re: Having a blast

agreed, just fix the penalty issue and i'll be a happy camper!!

[scagwi]

Re: Having a blast

This ^

Also, do not underestimate the effect from fatigue. If your lines are tired, and if the CPU has fresh lines on the ice, the D will catch you. It's difficult to execute manual line changes when you are in a full flow, but when you do correctly, you will be rewarded.

As for interceptions, leave your D work to the D. Use a forward to chase the CPU around. You AI-controlled AI D will generally do a good job at positioning and cutting out the shot lane. But it is what you do with your forwards on backcheck and general positioning that is so important.

Good tips, thank you