NHL 13

[André]

Surprised there was no thread.

My thoughts on the demo:

First of all; loving it. The new features really are great strides in the right direction.

My nitpicking:

Stick lift nerf a bit exaggerated. It is absolutely useless now.

Hitting power inconsistency. I feel hitting power has more effect in the slot than on other places of the rink. A huge hit at the blue line might not always get an accurate physical outcome, but a smaller bump in the slot can destroy a player. If I'm right it's probably intentional but I don't think the outcome's very good.

Shooting and scoring. Yes, I'm scoring a not insignificant portion of my goals high short side. I don't get the hate on that alone, however, as I*m in the slot and doing it with snipers. In comparison the one timer's too ineffective, however. The one timer has been nerfed by making pass interceptions more effective and realistic. No more passing through three player. Awesome. But it should have stopped there. Now when you do set up a one timer once in a while you often see them go wide even if the shooter is not skating that fast, or there is an obviously (very) boosted goalie reaction just because it's a one timer. The animation is almost as if the goalie's teleported. As if there's only two pictures used: One of him standing up and then one of him lying down making the soccer save. Unrealistic and overnerfing of that play. It's a real hockey play, and with the new passing interception it only happens if the lane is there and the pass is good. That was enough adjustment, it should've stopped there.

Slapshots. Too often going wide from the blue line and in general in my opinion. Even if the shooting player's not skating very fast.

Trafic/screens. Supposed to be a good thing, but it seems not many pucks at all get through trafic. I'm yet to score with a defenseman from the blue line.

Other than that I'm loving it. The overall feel and look of the game is just awesome. Big ups.

Oh and Be a GM Connected should have every opportunity to become one of the best multiplayer experiences ever.

[shoeshine boy]

I had decided not to purchase the new version and then I heard yesterday that they added 2 legends: Haley Wickenheiser and Angela Ruggiero. bastards.

[Idoit40fans]

If pass interceptions were made more effective than last year's, than its not more realistic. Pass interceptions were way too common in last year's game.

[André]

Idiot: Nah. There were alot of passing through three pair of legs and such. I think it's great now. Intended interception might not be easier, but there's no more watching the puck go through everything.

[Idoit40fans]

I don't think I ever passed through 1 pair of legs or within 3 feet of someone's stick in last year's game. This is not hyperbole, I remember it happening exactly 0 times.

[canaan]

I don't think I ever passed through 1 pair of legs or within 3 feet of someone's stick in last year's game. This is not hyperbole, I remember it happening exactly 0 times.

because you didnt play it a lot? it happened all the time.

[Idoit40fans]

I didn't play it a lot because of this. That specifically annoyed me to the point of giving up on the series for a few years. Every goal, which were sadly still very common, was either scored streaking down the wing deking and wristing near side. Or a slap shot from the blue line of the faceoff or a one timer. Maybe I should have adjusted the sliders, but that is a strange thing to have overdone when everything else was too easy.

[meow]

The computers are still terrible. That don't breakout or play defense properly. Anyone else notice how sluggish turning is?

[André]

The computers are still terrible. That don't breakout or play defense properly. Anyone else notice how sluggish turning is?

Turning is great unless you're trying to gain too much speed while you're doing it.

[André]

I don't think I ever passed through 1 pair of legs or within 3 feet of someone's stick in last year's game. This is not hyperbole, I remember it happening exactly 0 times.

because you didnt play it a lot? it happened all the time.

Yeah that's a strange observation. The throw-it-into-a-throng-to-maybe-get-a-one-timer-goal pass paid off too often. At least vs the AI. Never play much online.

[MRandall25]

The computers are still terrible. That don't breakout or play defense properly. Anyone else notice how sluggish turning is?

Yeah, it's because you shouldn't be able to make the turns you were making in NHL 12 in real life. Turning is based on your speed; the faster you're skating, the harder it'll be to turn.

[canaan]

I don't think I ever passed through 1 pair of legs or within 3 feet of someone's stick in last year's game. This is not hyperbole, I remember it happening exactly 0 times.

because you didnt play it a lot? it happened all the time.

Yeah that's a strange observation. The throw-it-into-a-throng-to-maybe-get-a-one-timer-goal pass paid off too often. At least vs the AI. Never play much online.

its done a bajillion times more online.

[CERV96]

I wonder if there will be a lockout mode

[André]

The more I get used to it the more I like it. Can't wait for the full release.

[Kraftster]

Not liking the sounds of the HUT changes that they made...

Firing it up in a couple hours.

[MRandall25]

It's taken some getting used to, but I think I'm getting the hang of the skating engine.

[the wicked child]

Okay... wtf is the deal with faceoffs... I didn't play '12, but I could not win a FO to save my life either in the 13 demo or the first game I played... just ridiculous. I don't remember having this many issues in 11.

edit: did a little better in my second game, but it was against the Isles, so I'm not sure that counts.

[MRandall25]

You pretty much have to pull back right before the ref drops it. You can sorta see his arm twitch up before the actual drop. You pull back once he hits the top.

[the wicked child]

Thanks for the advice... definitely helped. Did MUCH better this time around.

[Letang Is The Truth]

sidney crosby is like a cheat code in this game

[ILikeTurtles]

Be A Gm mode, landed Iginla for T.K. and Dylan Reese haha

[Chefpatrick871]

Be A Gm mode, landed Iginla for T.K. and Dylan Reese haha

Hahaha. Gotta try that one.

[MRandall25]

Wow, Iginla's in-game value has dropped that far?

[the wicked child]

Pronger seems to have an uber poke check... Can't skate anywhere near him or I instantly lose the puck.

[Kraftster]

Be A Gm mode, landed Iginla for T.K. and Dylan Reese haha

sigh... so Be A GM isn't really playable yet again? Well, at least they spent all their time on making online play better....oh wait, HUT sucks. EA fail.