Anyone else disappointed in NHL 09?

[MJM]

Let me first start by saying that I think the Be a player aspect is awesome, but I am quite disapointed in the rest.

-Little to no change in game play
-Feels like NHL 08 with updated rosters
-New fighting system still sucks!
-Goals still continue to bounce off the back of goalie backs.
-The worst for me has happened. I'm pretty good and highly ranked online and I like a challenge. However, I found the amount of pokechecking online ridiculous in 08, when I heard they were bringing this new defensive stick into 09 I knew I would want to barf when I played it online. Having played it online a couple of times now. It's a joke. Constant pokechecking, and zero flow to the game. Sure I can do it aswell and win, but the game is just not enjoyable online.

[CMPunk]

Don't play online then

[Russic]

I'm disappointed with aspects of it, but that still won't keep me from playing it for the next year straight.

[Human Torch]

There should be a modifier for checking. Like hold L2 to activate checking. I still get penalized for crosschecking when I'm trying to get to rebounds. Having pokecheck and pass on the same button still brings up the problem with pokechecking a puck free and accidently passing it right after also. And there are still times when a player receives a one timer he just freezes and the pass floats by. However be a pro mode easily makes up for it. Way better than I was expecting.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

There should be a modifier for checking. Like hold L2 to activate checking. I still get penalized for crosschecking when I'm trying to get to rebounds. Having pokecheck and pass on the same button still brings up the problem with pokechecking a puck free and accidently passing it right after also. And there are still times when a player receives a one timer he just freezes and the pass floats by. However be a pro mode easily makes up for it. Way better than I was expecting.

Sounds like you suffer from button masher syndrome.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

There should be a modifier for checking. Like hold L2 to activate checking. I still get penalized for crosschecking when I'm trying to get to rebounds. Having pokecheck and pass on the same button still brings up the problem with pokechecking a puck free and accidently passing it right after also. And there are still times when a player receives a one timer he just freezes and the pass floats by. However be a pro mode easily makes up for it. Way better than I was expecting.

I agree with everything this man says.

[Kipper is King]

I like the game a lot so far!

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

Sounds like you suffer from button masher syndrome.

if only it were that easy... so many times, you try for the one timer only to see your guy stand there and start trying to check the air. when all you wanted to do was wind up for a 1-timer...

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by MJM

However, I found the amount of pokechecking online ridiculous in 08

Couldn't agree more, waaaaaaaaay to much of it online. Love playing it but usually furiously frustrated by the end of the game.

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

Sounds like you suffer from button masher syndrome.

Whatever, I'm fine when playing alone but in 08 I played a lot with human controlled players...you have to read the play and sometimes the pass doesn't come when you expect it to, be it because of a deflection or lack of communication(no mic). If you're around the crease and the pass goes elsewhere you end up checking the guy next to you..I think there's a bit of lock on that goes on as well. And when there's a rebound, hasn't coach orion taught you anything? If there's garbage around the net you whack it in.

[Igottago]

I think the game is great in almost every regard. They didn't need to significantly change from 08, they just needed to tweak some things, and they did a great job of that.

I find the pacing really good, a great blend of offensive and defensive plays, its pretty balanced and a great game to play against other people.

Be A Pro and EASHL are awesome, I didn't expect to like it but I find it really fun.

No game is ever perfect, but this game is better than the last, has some innovative features, and will be fun until NHL 2010 comes out..that's all I can ask.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by dobbles

if only it were that easy... so many times, you try for the one timer only to see your guy stand there and start trying to check the air. when all you wanted to do was wind up for a 1-timer...

I agree with this!

I think I liked the game a lot more when I first got it, but now after playing it for a few nights I am not impressed.

Graphics - Same
Announcers - Same
Brutal Goalies - Same
Fighting - Same

Basically it is an updated roster with a few new stick moves.

However I am actually pretty impressed with the Be A Pro mode. It is not perfect but I like it enough that if they work on it, it could be a lot of fun.

I am not sure about signing up for Xbox Live now as it sounds like it is a poke check fest again, which is why I canceled my Xbox live in the first place.

[Finny61]

BAP mode is broken to be honest on single player, EASHL is supposed to be great, in the process of trying to join in with the club. Single player mode really shows how bad the AI is on it's own, at least at the AHL level. Feel bad for any of you goalies out there getting harassed by your coach for losing all your games 1-0.

[Winsor_Pilates]

For those disappointed it is a lot like 2008, what were you hoping for?

I thought 2008 was the best gameplay EA has ever had, and am very glad they only made minor changes. Why fix it if it aint broke?

[burnin_vernon]

I haven't played an NHL game since the PS1 days and am having trouble figuring this dang technology (ie. analog stick shoot/deke) . I'm scoring only about 2 goals a game witht the occasional 4 goal breakout. Any tips on scoring?

Also, I've played about 15 games and have not had one single PP. The penalty bar is set one notch below the top. Is this normal? If i put it on to the top will there be a penalty called every 2 minutes?

I think I'm playing on all-star mode but I don't know how to confirm this

[OutOfTheCube]

If there wasn't the Be A Pro mode I'd be a bit disappointed. The dynasty and basic gameplay is nearly identical.

But Be A Pro mode is stupidly awesome, so it makes up for it.

[AvsJerk]

I effin' love this game! I have only had my ps3 for a couple months now so I didn't get to play '08 and I think 06' was the last year I played on my ps2. BAP is pretty slick...and is all I have been playing since I got the game. Does anyone else find themselves sneaking off the ice if out of position when the other team has a break away or 2-on-1
On a side note, why is it so difficult for EA to put a decent fight mode in the game...it reminds me of those old Rock-em' Sock-em' robots from when I was a kid

[Fire]

Overall I like the game but I thought there were little things that should have been improved.
- Almost every time someone inadvertently blocks a shot the PBP guy has to mention that he wasn't actually trying to block the shot. Gets very repetitive.
- When someone with a visor is put in the penalty box the visor graphic appears through the glass.
- It is probably just me but winning a faceoff against the computer in AllStar mode is very difficult.
- Overall the PBP and commentating is very repetitive.
- Fighting is over very quick.

[Puddy27]

The worst part for me is the one timers. As someone stated earlier a lot of the times you just end up pushing air or take a penalty on the defense in front of the net. Very frustrating. Overall though I am really enjoying the game. I think it helps that we have our little community on the ps3 with a great webite thanks to dobbles...it's def. making the online experience more enjoyable.

The game definately has some bugs but I will be playing it more than any other game that I own, that's for sure.

[Finny61]

Here's my assessment, some dissappointment certainly but on the whole more positive.

Goalie BAP is a horrible experience unless your with a really good AHL team. It's funny this BAP mode really shows how poorly coded the AI is, in particular for your own team. I swear on every 10 entries into the offensive zone, 8 involve the player going to the left or right along the boards, stop halfway down, spin around and backhand pass to the slot for a weak one timer. 1 entry is going straight at the net with no deking at all. 1 entry is passing back and forth along the blueline and eventually your team getting pressed and give up the puck.

Noticing more and more there is a lack of penalties even for my own team with the slider maxed out. I have had 1 PP in 5 games and about 3 PK.

Dynasty is mostly untouched, I believe they fixed some of the quirks like automatic signings at FA deadline.

Gameplay is very good when your fully in control, I'm loving it, the opposing AI has a lot of variety when they are attacking you, more one timers and less puck wondering, but they need to work on utilizing moves like puck protect and deking.

Hitting by far is the best I've ever seen, I am in love with the animations. Also injuries look more varied, puck hits and all checks can cause injury to anyone on the ice, used to just be a hip check or a big slapshot could do it.

Finally you can send someone on the break-out without them getting hip checked by the D-man at your blue line. That irked me so much in 08, and not even an interference penalty to throw salt on the wound.

New dumping puck option is great to open up a good forecheck on the opposing D, great stuff.