NHL 13 DEMO Thoughts

[Russic]

There was a time they came out on the same day in North America and Europe, so if you created a European PSN account you could download it 7 hours early. Looks like they've staggered it this year. Once my kids are down for the night I'll give it a whirl. As much as my dramatic flair for the series has tempered over the past few years, I still get a little giddy around the NHL launch period.

Haven't heard from FlyingDonutz in a few hours. I hope he didn't overdo it and exhausta-die.

[topfiverecords]

Sounds like 4pm MT for PS3 users.

[likwid888]

Disappointed to hear that the AI still sucks. This is the reason why I only play EASHL.

[Russic]

Can anybody confirm what i heard on the IGN boards that the chop has been removed? I was really looking forward to that move.

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by Russic

There was a time they came out on the same day in North America and Europe, so if you created a European PSN account you could download it 7 hours early. Looks like they've staggered it this year. Once my kids are down for the night I'll give it a whirl. As much as my dramatic flair for the series has tempered over the past few years, I still get a little giddy around the NHL launch period.

Haven't heard from FlyingDonutz in a few hours. I hope he didn't overdo it and exhausta-die.

yeah, that used to be the case, and i was thinking about trying, but they said the demo is on teh 22nd for european psn users... so i assume they either get it the same time or later now...

also, i am sure donutz is sleeping till noon after staying up late to play a demo a couple hours before everyone else...

edit: i still have an alternate account from several years ago and its set up as european. i checked and nothing there either.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by dobbles

yeah, that used to be the case, and i was thinking about trying, but they said the demo is on teh 22nd for european psn users... so i assume they either get it the same time or later now...

also, i am sure donutz is sleeping till noon after staying up late to play a demo a couple hours before everyone else...

edit: i still have an alternate account from several years ago and its set up as european. i checked and nothing there either.

But now he has the glory. I was FlyingDonutz once. Those were good times.

[Deegee]

I wish they still made a PC version. I don't like consoles.

[Diemenz]

Outside inside deke no longer freezes the CPU Dman. Short Side slappers are extremely effective.

Poking at a pass actually works on occasion. CPU seems to be confused thinking its a tryout for the Canucks because they fall on poke checks a lot.

[Russic]

Sounds like a lot of little things that need to be tweaked with sliders. The sliders are good enough that many gripes about the game used to go mostly unnoticed by me. Unfortunately I hope to play so much online this year, these defaults suddenly carry more weight.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

However I think the AI is just as ######ed as ever being that I can pretty much score at will in the demo, I hope to god the difficulty gets jacked up.

Don't count on them making changes like that in between the Demo -> Production. They haven't made any major AI changes in the past 5 years, so don't expect anything different.

[dobbles]

demo is out on ps3.

you have to use the search feature though, its not listed yet with the rest.

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

I can pretty much score at will

oooook

[likwid888]

I've played free skate for 5 minutes and already found a goal that works 80% of the time.

[FlyingDonutz]

I was busy playing it, forgive me for not posting edit:Not that you give a crap, lol . No, I had a bad case of alarm clock broken yesterday, so I didn't get up for a while, so I have no problem being up for a long period of time now..

[likwid888]

Couple of first impressions:
- The head-butt hip check is gone
- You find yourself trying for more screened shots and deflections, which I find awesome
- Cross crease no longer works 100% of the time (good thing)
- The skating feels way different, but I am enjoying it quite a bit
- Improved graphics due to upgraded lighting
- No after whistle time
- Overall, to me it feels like a "new" NHL game rather than a bunch of tweaks.

[FlyingDonutz]

Originally Posted by likwid888

Couple of first impressions:
- The head-butt hip check is gone
- You find yourself trying for more screened shots and deflections, which I find awesome
- Cross crease no longer works 100% of the time (good thing)
- The skating feels way different, but I am enjoying it quite a bit
- Improved graphics due to upgraded lighting
- Overall, to me it feels like a "new" NHL game rather than a bunch of tweaks.

I second this, in every bit of the post.

[Reanimate]

With sliders set right in NHL12, cross crease almost never works.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by likwid888

Couple of first impressions:

- You find yourself trying for more screened shots and deflections, which I find awesome

I find this is always the case for the first few play-throughs...at least over the past couple of years. Then I discover the sure-fire way to score and I can't help but exploit it. As of right now, it's kind of exciting to see a more realistic offensive style of play and the fact that it forces you to cycle and open up lanes or try for the screen/deflection.

- Cross crease no longer works 100% of the time (good thing)

That was my go-to play in NHL 12. Well, one-timers anyway. So far, just like the start of last year, I can't get a pass through the slot without it being deflected/intercepted. I'm sure once I get used to the new system I will be able to set them up a little better.

- The skating feels way different, but I am enjoying it quite a bit

"Way different" is an understatement. It's completely re-vamped and re-worked. At first, it felt like controlling big bricks of lead on ice. However, after taking the tutorial video to heart I started to get the hang of it. It will take far more getting used to, but it's pretty realistic and momentum based. It's going to be hard for people to deke/dangle and get away with it on a consistent basis.

- Improved graphics due to upgraded lighting

It just looks like a crisper, cleaner, and prettier game. The graphics look so slick and sharp, and some (not all) of the gamefaces look great. Even the small portion of improved presentation/camera angles in the demo make it look like a whole new game. It reminds me of the kind of camera work that is featured in the Tiger Woods series. The panning is a lot like it, anyway. Also, the replay feature seems to pick up on key plays rather than just random crap. If you have a breakaway goal/save it will show the player on the ice after the whistle, then show a replay of the play, then cut back to the player on the bench. Neat, and feels new/refreshing.

- No after whistle time

Didn't notice this. I'll have to check it out.

- Overall, to me it feels like a "new" NHL game rather than a bunch of tweaks.

The fundamentals of previous versions are certainly there, but I definitely agree with you that it feels like a new game. In some ways like a completely different series.

Although not perfect, and it's just a taste of the whole experience, I'm feeling way more positive about NHL 13 than I have about NHL 08-12. I do have to admit that the AI seemed to be just as stupid as NHL 12, which is beyond disappointing. Even so, the refreshing new features and gameplay might be enough to distract me from the game's shortcomings.

I'll post a little more after I spend some extended time with the demo, but as of now I'm excited enough to buy this on release day.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

oooook

Haha, just cause I don't shoot on our team doesn't mean I don't know how hahah.

- Short side slap works dam near 75% of the time on off wings.
- Drag to backskate to cross ice extremely effective.
- The old school NHL 10 shoot at the pads to a streaking winger on the other side is VERY effective, however the goalie occasionally makes highlight saves on this one.


So far those are the most effective ways to score I have found.

The skating is not that different to me but as I posted in the other thread those that played high agility / small skates will notice a huge difference as the quick cuts are almost all but gone which is great news.

Also love the poke checks.

[topfiverecords]

Demo thoughts so far:

- Quick play after the whistle is so much nicer.
- It's actually possible to block passes now with the stick and the body.
- AI is so much smarter. Other players actually find open spots on the attack.
- Skating is definitely much different. Haven't found any problem with it yet.
- Puck physics seem a little more realistic
- Response times appear to be a little quicker with things like line/strategy changes, players picking up a loose puck (although I mostly play online so maybe it'll still feel sluggish online)
- Similar to previous line but on a delayed penalty last year the puck seemed to need to be in full possession for the whistle even though it had been 'touched' by your team many times. More realistic timings this year.
- Hitting is still a bit on the too frequent and too heavy side
- This new gameplay should force players online to actually play more realistic hockey and not dangle/cheese goal.

Edit: Must add that so far it looks like 3rd line checkers aren't making Stamkos like scoring plays.