Anyone else disappointed in NHL 09?

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

Someone's gonna have to explain how the level up system works.
So you just collect online hockey cards and you get 3 attribute points or something? Is that it?

You have to play a certain number of games while keeping your grade at a certain level. Like 20 games and an average grade of C and you'll get stat points. I think there's 5/6 levels where the last has you playing 150+ games and average an A grade. I'm at 69 games already . It keeps you playing like the rank up thing in call of duty 4.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

I don't think there's any doubt that the game is more realistic than 08. But does that in turn make the game less fun?? Brings up an interesting question. At the end of the day, you are playing a video game, so what would you rather have, more fun or a more realistic experience??

[dobbles]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I don't think there's any doubt that the game is more realistic than 08. But does that in turn make the game less fun?? Brings up an interesting question. At the end of the day, you are playing a video game, so what would you rather have, more fun or a more realistic experience??

thats the key really.

the one game i used to obsessively play online was day of defeat. its a mod for half life just like counter strike is. it is a WWII themed mod. as the game has progressed and various changes were made, there have constantly been complaints by players and decisions by the game makers to balance realism with gameplay. in that game, there were always people complaining about how certain guns really were more or less effective, and how they could prove the game was wrong because in real life they could actually do something. but at certain points, decisions had to be made about what made the game the funnest.

so i think there should be debates made about whether stick checking makes it too hard to have a flowing game. sure a bunch of neutral zone turnovers can be fine in a real game. but in a video game with much shorter periods, how much time do you want to spend skating in circles in the neutral zone. another example i saw last week was the goalie often doing the splits to make saves. but since video game scoring has always been too easy, maybe thats just a necessary evil.

so with most of us being hockey geeks, we understand the intricacies of playing. but try not to let that get in the way of playing a fun game!

personally, i love nhl 09. i haven't even had time to start a franchise. we have been having a great time with our ps3 team. but i do feel bad for the xbox folks that keep having problems with the game. i guess ps3 is where its at this year!!!!!!1111

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I don't think there's any doubt that the game is more realistic than 08. But does that in turn make the game less fun?? Brings up an interesting question. At the end of the day, you are playing a video game, so what would you rather have, more fun or a more realistic experience??

For this game... I would prefer more realistic. If I wanted a crappy hockey video game I would buy 2K9.

[zukes]

Yep, I am loving this game. I started a 'chise and the AI learning is awesome. I had to start over because I realized I hadn't moved the super goalie (98 rated little girl) and made a few rookies.

I am loving the PS3 team, we are getting better at moving the puck around, which is the key, I think, to winning.

[czure32]

Originally Posted by zukes

I am loving the PS3 team, we are getting better at moving the puck around, which is the key, I think, to winning.

just be sure not to score 15 seconds into a game aginst a pair of pansy oiler fans...because they will just up and quit on you

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by dobbles

the one game i used to obsessively play online was day of defeat. its a mod for half life just like counter strike is. it is a WWII themed mod. as the game has progressed and various changes were made, there have constantly been complaints by players and decisions by the game makers to balance realism with gameplay. in that game, there were always people complaining about how certain guns really were more or less effective, and how they could prove the game was wrong because in real life they could actually do something. but at certain points, decisions had to be made about what made the game the funnest.

Que-eff-tee!

I loved in ESPN 2K7 how you could play multi-player multi-franchises into like the year 2208. That alone made the game for my brother and I. Since then there has not been the same sense of ownership of the team and creating a real on-going dynasty. Now we just play a hockey simulator game. A good one, but not enough room for long-term progressive development of a franchise. IE, not being able to assemble exactly the type of team you want.

And I thought the computer generated names were awesome.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I don't think there's any doubt that the game is more realistic than 08. But does that in turn make the game less fun?? Brings up an interesting question. At the end of the day, you are playing a video game, so what would you rather have, more fun or a more realistic experience??

Are you saying real hockey isn't fun?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I don't think there's any doubt that the game is more realistic than 08. But does that in turn make the game less fun?? Brings up an interesting question. At the end of the day, you are playing a video game, so what would you rather have, more fun or a more realistic experience??

That's how I feel about it. I like a realistic game, but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed, at which point realism takes away from the fun of a videogame.
I don't think this game passes that line, but it's inching towards it with all of the stickwork.
I'm still undecided, but aside from the BAP mode, I think 08 was more fun to play in a typicle 1 on 1 type game.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Are you saying real hockey isn't fun?

It doesn't matter, this isn't real hockey. Adding as much realism as possible does not necissarily make it better.
If they could some how make your living room stink like a hockey bag it would be more realitstic too. Does that make it more fun?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

It doesn't matter, this isn't real hockey. Adding as much realism as possible does not necissarily make it better.
If they could some how make your living room stink like a hockey bag it would be more realitstic too. Does that make it more fun?

Hmm..odor technology..something that I really hope they introduce in the next generation of systems.

Honestly though, realism is better. The reason we love hockey is because of the unpredictable nature of it, and the nuances of the game. If NHL the video game can replicate those nuances yet I have control over them, then I for one am a happy camper. And I think EA has finally given the defensive side of the game proper attention. 08, while a great game, became too predictable after a while, always scoring the same types of goals on the same types of plays. In 09 its tough to work out how you will play offense because the defense is so challenging.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by dobbles

so i think there should be debates made about whether stick checking makes it too hard to have a flowing game. sure a bunch of neutral zone turnovers can be fine in a real game. but in a video game with much shorter periods, how much time do you want to spend skating in circles in the neutral zone. another example i saw last week was the goalie often doing the splits to make saves. but since video game scoring has always been too easy, maybe thats just a necessary evil.

This is actually a beef of mine, and a reason that I had like the 2k generation better (I switched this year because of the online/team elements). The 2k game was more of a simulation with an emphasis realistic puck handling, shooting, and stick checking. It was more difficult to pull off wonderful maneuvers, but that just made the one show-stopper of a move per game that much sweeter.

I'd go play EA at my buddies house and they'd be doing all these wonderful dekes and spins but they didn't know the first thing about how to take a zone or cycle in the corner - he'd just dance for 60 minutes and then label a shot from a bad angle to the far top corner for a goal.

Originally Posted by dobbles

so with most of us being hockey geeks, we understand the intricacies of playing. but try not to let that get in the way of playing a fun game!

But its the intricacies that make the game!
A true hockey geek likes a defender standing up on the blue-line and a backchecking centre clearing the crease.

I like a game that has me grin when I lift the stick of my opponent just as he feeds the puck in front of the net, not a game that I can go end-to-end for a goal whenever I please.

[dobbles]

yeah, i agree with you guys. i just think its important to remember that we need balance... i mean after all, you can only get so much realism out of little dudes moving around on a screen!

so obviously there have been huge strides throughout the years to make these games look and play more like real hockey. but they still have to remain fun to both hard core gamers and hockey fans, and total novices who just like video games. after all, i know a lot of people down here in non hockey country that got into hockey just because nhl94 was bad ass on sega! (myself included)

personally, i think continuing to try and make the ai smarter and more complex will be what makes the game more realistic. so instead of having to give the ai an advantage in abilities to make it challenging, they can make it be smart enough to know when to pinch, when to backcheck, when to dump it in. as we continue down that path, i think the realism aspect will continue to improve.

theres a computer game i love to play. its called stronghold. its a mid evil rts game. and as you progress through the levels, the AI doesn't get smarter and or any harder, they just give it an even bigger starting advantage. so they key to the game is how to get past the beginning. once you do that, its pretty much over. thats a case of awful ai in my opinion. (but i still love the game!)

[Igottago]

Well, I've discovered my first major irritation with the game...but its kind of funny. I'm playing my Be A Pro season as Huselius, and have a game against the Islanders. It shows the starting goalie for the Islanders, and the name is "Sabrina Ladha"...I'm like WTF??...and the overlay with the name shows a picture of some little girl..So basically I'm Huselius and I'm getting robbed all game by this little girl. She ended up being first star too.

At first it was good for a chuckle, but its kind of strange that EA was preaching on and on about feeling like an NHL pro, and then having you playing against some little girl who is probably related to one of the programmers or something.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Well, I've discovered my first major irritation with the game...but its kind of funny. I'm playing my Be A Pro season as Huselius, and have a game against the Islanders. It shows the starting goalie for the Islanders, and the name is "Sabrina Ladha"...I'm like WTF??...and the overlay with the name shows a picture of some little girl..So basically I'm Huselius and I'm getting robbed all game by this little girl. She ended up being first star too.

At first it was good for a chuckle, but its kind of strange that EA was preaching on and on about feeling like an NHL pro, and then having you playing against some little girl who is probably related to one of the programmers or something.

She got in from the Make a Wish foundation...I was wondering the same thing when I was looking at the top rated Free Agents in a dynasty.

[Kipper is King]

Wow, I actually think that's a pretty nice thing for EA to do!

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Torture

She got in from the Make a Wish foundation...I was wondering the same thing when I was looking at the top rated Free Agents in a dynasty.

Oh ok..had no idea. I guess in that case its a nice thing for EA to have done.

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Well, I've discovered my first major irritation with the game...but its kind of funny. I'm playing my Be A Pro season as Huselius, and have a game against the Islanders. It shows the starting goalie for the Islanders, and the name is "Sabrina Ladha"...I'm like WTF??...and the overlay with the name shows a picture of some little girl..So basically I'm Huselius and I'm getting robbed all game by this little girl. She ended up being first star too.

At first it was good for a chuckle, but its kind of strange that EA was preaching on and on about feeling like an NHL pro, and then having you playing against some little girl who is probably related to one of the programmers or something.

Haha thats funny. Good on EA for doing that for Make A Wish foundation but come on give her the proper rating she deserves.

[Russic]

They do it every year. Last year it was Stratton Whittaker and the year before it was Zach Priest. Both had 99 potentials so by year 3 of my dynasty they were routinely beating out Iggy for all the awards. I don't have a problem that they do it, but I get annoyed with myself when I forget to move them to the euro leagues before I start my dynasty.

[The Manatee]

Originally Posted by Russic

They do it every year. Last year it was Stratton Whittaker and the year before it was Zach Priest. Both had 99 potentials so by year 3 of my dynasty they were routinely beating out Iggy for all the awards. I don't have a problem that they do it, but I get annoyed with myself when I forget to move them to the euro leagues before I start my dynasty.

Hmm...yes, that would have worked, too. Heh. Now I feel bad - I edited the girl and lowered all her ratings to 50 so no team would sign her. I don't think I'll be damned to an eternity of hellfire and brimstone for it, but still, giving a Make-a-Wish kid the "I'm basically deleting this player" treatment? Not cool, Josh, not cool.