[Yamer]

Stood in line at midnight on release day to get this game, for a grand total of 3 weeks of playing it. The game has gotten stale, as they don't really introduce anything new that keeps me playing. HUT is neat, but I have seen it before in other EA titles and I was finished with it in a week. Unless I spend additional cash, I will be battling away in the lower tournaments for months before jumping up.

BaGM is the one mode I play the most, and it was broken out of the box. I had to wait over 2 months for a patch. 2 months? Really? That is highly unacceptable. If they don't want the same expectations placed on them as other titles, then don't charge $10 more than other games at launch. The mode was also seriously lacking in improvement, and has been for several years. It feels empty.

BaPro hasn't changed at all over the years since introduction, except for a few games at the Memorial Cup. Another mode that feels empty and has gotten stale. Also, when the patch came out it decimated the XP system, and I can never ever reach the goals set by the coach. There is a moderator at the official forums (who shall remain nameless) that was trying to spread BS that it was supposed to be this way all along. Sorry, but I highly doubt that.

The devs will swear up and down that intimidation/momentum does not play a role in the game. I respectfully disagree. There are times where the CPU will finish a check on one of my players, and suddenly the entire ice tilts in their favor.

My number 1 gripe is the AI. It is just downright frustrating at the best of times. I think the thing that gets me the most is the discrepancy between user AI and the CPU's. On increased difficulty levels my players seem to get progressively dumber, while the CPU becomes superhuman. I know making the CPU tougher is all part of the challenge, but it is done incorrectly IMO. They should be better at learning my tendencies and more creative, instead they pull the same crap as they did on a lower level however they are now invincible. Again, I get that this is challenging and the point of a higher difficulty setting, but I think it could be implemented a lot better.

There are a few other incidences in gameplay that make me crazy as well. The diving poke check is ridiculous, and goes hand in hand with the amazing ability for the CPU to close a gap on a breakaway. I can be 10 feet ahead of the defenseman at the top of the circles, but he will always catch up. Collision detection is awful, especially when it comes to poke checks. All the CPU has to do is swing in my general direction and it is a clean takeaway. Stick lift is also insanely effective. Cheap floaters from the point go in way too often, as do slapshots in general. There are also quite a few controls and maneuvers in the game that are not described in the manual and tutorial. Last year I had to go online to find out how to flip dump, and this year it is the incredibly unrealistic deke off the draw.

For being the most anticipated edition of the series after playing the demo, this is easily the most disappointing title they have released. I am very interested to see what 2K was able to do with a year off for development. If it is half as good as their NBA game then I think I am switching affiliations after 17 years of dedication to the EA brand.

/rant