Nhl 14

[rubecube]

So, I haven't really played an NHL game since NHL 10. At that point I had decided the series was pretty god damn repetitive and that the gameplay kind of sucked. So I walked past EB Games on Saturday and grabbed a used copy of NHL 12 for like $13. Popped it in yesterday and realized it still hasn't changed.

For those of you who played 13, is EA actually doing anything other than roster updates for this series? At least Madden and FIFA introduce new physics engines and game modes every year. The NHL series isn't just bad, it's borderline unplayable for me.

[GreenLantern]

This looks like a lot of fun.. NHL 13 was the first one I had bought in years and I was very disappointed.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So, I haven't really played an NHL game since NHL 10. At that point I had decided the series was pretty god damn repetitive and that the gameplay kind of sucked. So I walked past EB Games on Saturday and grabbed a used copy of NHL 12 for like $13. Popped it in yesterday and realized it still hasn't changed.

For those of you who played 13, is EA actually doing anything other than roster updates for this series? At least Madden and FIFA introduce new physics engines and game modes every year. The NHL series isn't just bad, it's borderline unplayable for me.

NHL 13 is drastically different - gameplay wise - than the previous editions. Essentially a whole new skating/momentum system (although it feels a little clunky and unfinished).

Features, however, are pretty much the same.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So, I haven't really played an NHL game since NHL 10. At that point I had decided the series was pretty god damn repetitive and that the gameplay kind of sucked. So I walked past EB Games on Saturday and grabbed a used copy of NHL 12 for like $13. Popped it in yesterday and realized it still hasn't changed.

For those of you who played 13, is EA actually doing anything other than roster updates for this series? At least Madden and FIFA introduce new physics engines and game modes every year. The NHL series isn't just bad, it's borderline unplayable for me.

NHL 13 does feel different, but I contend if you aren't a fan of the series, your mind won't be changed. It's not for you.

[TSXCman]

the best throwback they could do is the free for all mode

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So, I haven't really played an NHL game since NHL 10. At that point I had decided the series was pretty god damn repetitive and that the gameplay kind of sucked. So I walked past EB Games on Saturday and grabbed a used copy of NHL 12 for like $13. Popped it in yesterday and realized it still hasn't changed.

For those of you who played 13, is EA actually doing anything other than roster updates for this series? At least Madden and FIFA introduce new physics engines and game modes every year. The NHL series isn't just bad, it's borderline unplayable for me.

nhl 12 was a brutal patch release. nhl 13 does have some improvements, and did change the way the game plays due to the skating, but hitting and bugs in the skating are some pretty big issues. For all the talk of AI improvements, it didn't change the way the game plays 1 bit.

I don't expect much out of nhl 14 either. However, if they have fixed hitting, and made fixes to the skating with and without the puck, i think it will be a pretty solid release.

This is coming from a guy who only gaming is playing nhl games (ie. i will get the game regardless).

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Russic

Soooooo NHL 14 with blue ice, old school soundtrack and simplified control scheme? I'm sure some will like it, but it doesn't strike me as appealing. Old school games are great, but as Flash Walken points out the novelty is rarely sustained.

My kids will love it, they love stuff that is from when I was younger (20's in this case). They love teletoons retro. I havem't bought a new NHL in a long time but might buy this one.

[bubbsy]

new video pretaining to "goal scoring balance improvements"

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-upd...e-improvements

[Russic]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

new video pretaining to "goal scoring balance improvements"

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-upd...e-improvements

I really like that your teammates will be more aware of shots coming in and get out of the way. Always bugs me when you have a great screen set up but the forward ends up taking it off the knee because he didn't move.

[bubbsy]

Gameplay vid of the nhl94 mode.

http://www.gamespot.com/nhl-14/videos/dropping-the...4-94-anniversary-mode-6411489/

Damn that looks terrible. Does anyone really expect to try this mode out more than half a period of play??

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The retro thing is a silly idea. EA should focus on fixing the current issues that are wrong with the game, instead of pushing out a feature that will lose its novelty after a week.

But that is totally the way EA work, keep pushing new ideas without fixing what is wrong in the first place.

[Russic]

On one hand, that looks like absolutely no fun at all. On the other, it looks a little bit like they just took the game, tinted the ice, changed the buttons, and tweaked the speed/hit sliders. My hope is that took a drunken weekend to implement and the other features won't have suffered as a result.

[bubbsy]

offensive/defensive AI improvements vid:

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-upd...ents-hockey-iq

Offense:

This week, the NHL®14 dev team talks about improvements to EA SPORTS Hockey I.Q. You can expect players in NHL 14 to:
a) Provide better puck support with a greater understanding of the developing play
b) Use smarter shooting analysis to identify scoring opportunities while skating.
c) Read the play more effectively on both offense and defense.

• Player Facing: Players will do a much better job opening up for passes/shooting opportunities. You will notice that they will better position themselves to let their own team’s shots through, and get ready for deflections and/or resulting rebounds.
• Keeping the Puck In: Players are now more aware when they are close to the blueline and will take the extra care needed in ensuring they keep the puck in the offensive zone.
• Avoiding Offsides: Players will do a better job of adjusting their route to ensure they remain onside as the play enters the zone.
• Shooting Analysis: Smarter decision making based on where the goalie is and the situation. Affects the types of shots they take and the location of the shot. For example: If they see someone on their team driving the net on an odd-man rush, they’re more likely to shoot low at the pads to produce a rebound.

Defense:

• Gap Control: Defenders will be more aware of the gap between themselves and the forwards as they breakout, progress through the neutral zone and into the defensive end. They will also make smarter decisions in selecting whether they should play loose or to tighten the gap by recognizing their opponent’s offensive ability versus their own defensive capabilities.
• Blueline Entry: A.I.defenders do a better job of recognizing the approach of an incoming offensive attack and will pick their moments to step up and lay a hit at the blueline, get a stick towards the puck or in the passing lane, or drop back into a more controlled gap. This will result in the need to read the defense when entering the zone and to vary the approach accordingly.
• Player Facing: A.I.defenders will do a better job of ensuring they’re facing the proper direction and are aware of where the puck is when covering point-men and forwards in front of the net.

[bubbsy]

also noticed htis on the nhl13 board, apparently some media member who had access to play the game at some event took questions in this thread. Plenty of good info about how the game plays:

http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/90/9626726.page

[Russic]

- Keeping the Puck In: Players are now more aware when they are close to the blueline and will take the extra care needed in ensuring they keep the puck in the offensive zone.

- Avoiding Offsides: Players will do a better job of adjusting their route to ensure they remain onside as the play enters the zone.

Turns out if you yell long enough and loud enough at your TV they do hear you.

[topfiverecords]

Teach the AI how to pass. That's all I ask.

[19Yzerman19]

I ask for a lot of things but one of them is that blue line thing, so that's good. Having your guy not turn right into a poke check because of pre-set animations would be good too.

One of the main things that worries me in this year's edition is the collision physics... they spend a bunch of time on a feature like that and you know they're going to use it. I am kind of expecting 10 Scott Stevens level bonecrushers per period now. Hitting's already absurd as it is.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I ask for a lot of things but one of them is that blue line thing, so that's good. Having your guy not turn right into a poke check because of pre-set animations would be good too.

One of the main things that worries me in this year's edition is the collision physics... they spend a bunch of time on a feature like that and you know they're going to use it. I am kind of expecting 10 Scott Stevens level bonecrushers per period now. Hitting's already absurd as it is.

I was concerned in the same way when they introduced stick breaks and "introduced" glass breaking. I figured it would be 2004 all over again with a play stoppage every game for a canned glass shatter or every second shift would result in a broken stick. I have to give them credit though, the occurrences of stuff like this is pretty realistic.

I'm more worried the hitting won't be satisfying, or that it will occur when you don't want it to. That being said, this is nothing new to Madden fans, and from what I've heard they don't hate it.

[Joborule]

Dynamic Ratings Updates

[secol]

i don't like it.....should only be in season/BeAGM