NHL 13 Thread

[Ashasx]

You can't much run into the goalie at all in this game. You can bump him at full speed, but he's an immovable object. Haven't gotten a single goaltender interference call yet.

And yes, if your skater isn't about 85 in speed, he's awful. The speed stat is far too important in this game. Players like Chris Butler are better than Dennis Wideman simply because of speed related stats. Bouwmeester has got to be the best player in the game.

[Royle9]

Little bit of a long review, I apologize in advance.

Put about 2 hours of gameplay in on be a GM mode (offline) last night, I don't seem to be experiencing some of the same "bugs" as people are posting. 9 games played flames are 9-1 on Allstar. I've had no issues with moving players up & down but maybe its only because of injuries?

Some of the things I've noticed/agree on:

Interference - Definitely seems like it no longer exists, at least 2-3 times a game an opposing team would run the goalie on a rebound, sometimes they would score and it would count, but never a penalty.

Skating - Agree some players seem clunky, but over all I think the player control is much smoother, the things you can do now are pretty awesome. Out of habit I still find myself pressing down on the left stick to "burst".

Scoring - Cross crease 1 timers have definitely been dulled down which is good, I find myself scoring a lot of rebound goals with shots from the point/circle. I do agree that the same "garbage" goals are back, in fact my first goal was the drag and wrist short side top corner whilst coming through the slot east to west. Someone also mentioned short side goals happening a lot and I'd agree there as well.

Penalties - 10 games played, I've had 1 powerplay. I don't know if its because they made poke check so important now with all the active sticks in the shooting lanes, but I've found numerous instances of getting tripped or "bumped" without the puck and no calls.

Injuries - Definitely way too may happening way too often. I'm 12 games into the season, played 10 myself and I think I've got 4 AHL'rs in the lineup. First game Horak out until January with MCL injury, 2-3 later Cammy/Iggy both out with fractures & Comeau with PCS.

Overall I think the game is definitely an upgrade on 2012, I'm really liking the customization when it comes to trades/trade block/scouting/game play strats per line. As well as the ability on the ice to create some interesting scoring chances & plays.

[Huntingwhale]

I just picked up the game last night. Some of my thoughts:

-Skating will take some time to get used to, but I really like the fact that players look like they are hustling and the accuracy of cornering. If you skate into the offensive zone full speed and don't corner properly, you will lose momentum and lose track of the puck. It will take some time to get used to, but it seems more realistic.
-Cross crease goals are a lot harder to come by. Thank god, online play last year was ######ed because of so many of them.
-I don't know if anyone else had the same issue, but it seemed in nhl12 that when you loaded up the main screen, it would take 30 seconds for the screen to load. Overall '12 had waaay to much load time. '13 seems much faster and no more waiting for main menus/save screen to load. I like that.
-I'm sick and tired of hearing the same commentators for the last 6 years. At the very least, change up their verbage. It's been the exact same comments for the last 6 years. The game starts, same comments. Game ends, same comments. I honestly think they just recycle the voice samples and toss in the new names. Time for new commentators.
-I haven't played multiplayer yet, but at least in single player all the stupid replays seem to have been toned down. Maybe someone who has played multiplayer can comment more, but I would think it has been toned down online. I hope that is the case, as it was extrememly frustrating to watch replay after replay, players pausing games, and the overall flow of the game being slow.
-I don't like how all the menus look the same. The same template has been used for years now. Makes the game feel rehashed.

Overall I like it, and I think the game will grow on me. I'll reserve my final judgement until I actually play it online. I just hope to god the online game flow has been improved.

[Russic]

I love the skating so far. It's taken me a long time to get used to it, but now that I am I couldn't go back. I've hated in years past how a guy like Byfuglien felt very similar to a guy like St. Louis. Now controlling Byfuglien it's like controlling an obese loser (it's hyper-realistic).

Can anybody confirm that GM connected has a practice area?

[Flash Walken]

Yeah, I'm loving this years game more than I have any other since 09 and the skillstick.

SO much more rewarding to be in the passing lanes or get your stick on pucks. I feel like I can actually play defense now rather than trying my best and hoping computer doesn't give me a big 'F U!' for puck control or something.

[ComixZone]

for anyone having issues with penalties and injuries - adjust the sliders in game settings, it helps.

[SuperMatt18]

Only played two games offline last night but really liked the feel of the game.

The skating is good and it does seem like actually cycling the puck and trying to use real life systems is the most effective way to play.

[bleeds green]

does any one know why when playing an offline be a gm mode that the players on your team no longer receive xp points to grow over the seasons?

[Reanimate]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

for anyone having issues with penalties and injuries - adjust the sliders in game settings, it helps.

So you basically have to go into setting each game you play? Terrible.

[Reanimate]

Originally Posted by bleeds green

does any one know why when playing an offline be a gm mode that the players on your team no longer receive xp points to grow over the seasons?

They do, its just no the silly arbitrary 3 players being shown given XP.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Reanimate

Had a couple hours to play.

Skating is an abomination, the players move like mac trucks. That, and they seem to have little fast forward moments constantly whenever a hit is about to occur or the puck comes near them. Its completely faulty.

The hitting physics have been totally destroyed. Players are flying through the air on the slightest contact, and any little bump knocks you off the puck, good luck trying to power forward through anyone.

The same glitch goals are scoring for me, lame.

If I hadn't heard claim that they had worked extensively on the AI, I would have assumed they did nothing at all. Yes I went in and made custom AI for my team, but they still play the exact same way regardless. Too many times players do not react to the play or a puck will sit 3 feet away from a CPU player and they will just stare at the puck until the other team Skates over at full speed and picks it up.

This game boils down to a very mediocre graphics enhancement and some new modes.

Weak.

EDIT: And OMG, one huge huge bug in Be a GM was never fixed, they actually broke it worse. Attempting to make roster moves between the NHL and AHL is impossible. You move a player down or up, you cant access that team to put them in the right roster spot, you will only be able to access either the AHL OR the NHL team. So then you have to tell the Ass. GM to make the best line up ruining anything you made before.

This happens after any trades or injuries. Incredibly fustrating.

What game mode are you playing it on? If it's default, try it on normal or hardcore. Game plays much more different, and checking power is much more realistic.

Originally Posted by Reanimate

So you basically have to go into setting each game you play? Terrible.

You know you can save settings right?

[secol]

i only played a few games online, but had somebody on my team take an interference penalty so it does exist. just less than last year which is a good thing IMO

[bleeds green]

Originally Posted by Reanimate

They do, its just no the silly arbitrary 3 players being shown given XP.

so is there any way to see throughou the season how your guys are doing? thanks.

[likwid888]

Quite often you will think you're being interfered with, but the user isn't actually "hitting" you. You can skate into other players without pressing the hit button, which can feel like a hit with the right amount of speed. I do it all the time as a d man, and can even knock people over without touching the hit button.

Technically, it's still considered interference, but who knows if EA will do anything about it.

[Iceman57]

I guess EA doesn't want my money.......I still cant purchase extra Slots or the Attributes to fill them. I wish i had the kind of time needed to unlock these by accomplishing the set goals but I'm married with kids. I would enjoy online a lot more if i could get access to these extra attributes.

[likwid888]

Originally Posted by Iceman57

I guess EA doesn't want my money.......I still cant purchase extra Slots or the Attributes to fill them. I wish i had the kind of time needed to unlock these by accomplishing the set goals but I'm married with kids. I would enjoy online a lot more if i could get access to these extra attributes.

Works just fine on PS3

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Reanimate

So you basically have to go into setting each game you play? Terrible.

Jobo is right, settings are saved and applied to each game. Your complaints would largely be remedied with some tweaks. Once you steer yourself towards the hardcore mode you'll find things like the hitting become much more realistic. The modes are basically just slider presets, so even if you change to hardcore mode you can tweak further.

[Iceman57]

Originally Posted by likwid888

Works just fine on PS3

wait, PlayStation 3 is the system i have, so you have purchased Attributes (+1, +3 or +5) for your online player? I'm not taking about HUT or anything but instead referring to purchasing Slots and then the Attribute boost points to fill them for your player in EASHL............yes?

[likwid888]

Originally Posted by Iceman57

wait, PlayStation 3 is the system i have, so you have purchased Attributes (+1, +3 or +5) for your online player? I'm not taking about HUT or anything but instead referring to purchasing Slots and then the Attribute boost points to fill them for your player in EASHL............yes?

Correct. Went into the Hockey Shop and pressed triangle to purchase locked slots and a couple +5's

[Iceman57]

Originally Posted by likwid888

Correct. Went into the Hockey Shop and pressed triangle to purchase locked slots and a couple +5's

dam.....it still doesn't work for me. I even called EA sports and all they said was that they were aware for some the DLC wasn't available but they are working to solve the issue.

online my player has a 58 rating and even though the game has only been out for a day, i cant compete with others in EASHL since my player keeps getting knocked down every time i touch the puck.

I am having fun offline though, i like the game over all but it will take some time to really get used to it. I'm finding shots from the point are a lot more important this year