NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

[kerosene31]

I forgot to add, all my sliders were default except for fatigue for realistic line changes.

[Fiddy]

well i just bumped the agressivnes slider from 2 to 6. i got tore up by the Flyers 7-0. (7 min periods). i outshot them 33-27, they were 4-5 on the PP and i was 0-5. bah lol.. i had my chances and didnt really feel cheated, they just outplayed me this game.

[renatus]

oh boy thanks for the always up controls..i could never get a slap shoot off going down screen....

[Matt Diesel]

Its nice for OTP to see player attempting money goals over and over only to be denied while teams that play a good cycling game dominate. I only played a few games online last night, but I can tell the money shots are greatly reduced.

I am loving the new height for the dumps as well as the no checking with the vision control held down.

[bad_philanthropy]

I never had my AI learning or agression lower than 6 before the patch and haven't changed it. Bottom line is that the cpu isn't as capable. I've been trying to mess around with sliders to no avail yet, but I'm not going to give up.

Also, just to make it clear that I really like all of the other changes that have been implemented with the patch. QB, would it be possible to send off an email to the community rep expressing concern? At least after you get some more single player games under you. I'm pretty sure you'll draw the same conclusions as others here.

[nyr30]

Quote: Originally Posted by draven085

Anyone who is playing with aggressiveness lower than 6 isn't going to see the best the CPU has to offer, IMO. With aggressiveness maxed the CPU does a much better job of pressuring the puck in their own end and work hard to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. In early games with aggression lower the AI was far too passive in all zones and it made generating scoring chances far too easy. I don't think anyone can say with any degree of certainty what the AI Learning slider does but I'm coming around to the argument that it is a slider for 'CPU Cheapness', for lack of a better term. With the slider set higher the CPU's poke checks and stick lifts seem more effective and they are definitely able to corral loose pucks more effectively relative to the ability of the human controlled team to do so. Post-patch I have moved to superstar difficulty but have lowered my AI Learning slider from six to three and may consider dropping it to two as I found the AI's ability to control loose pucks unrealistic in my test games last night.

I totally agree with you here, when the CPU dumps the puck in even if you get there first the CPU will always come out with the puck. Loose pucks are the same the CPU will always seem to come up with the puck when there is a battle going on its just not realistic and what it does is just frustrate the hell out of me.

The way the CPU can control the puck when its bouncing its so much faster than the user, with the CPU its like bounce and bang its under control but with the user its bounce and bounce over the stick which leaves you flat footed and basically under pressure.

Even on the big checks when you hit someone watch where the puck goes probably about 75% of the time, it goes straight to a CPU player. I posted in another thread that i could be done with the game all-star too easy superstar just to frustrating.

All of a sudden i cant score its like every game is 1-0, 2-1 and the shot count is still the same, usually pretty even. i mix up my plays but its like whenever i get a sight of goal the slightest nudge and i am off the puck but when the same happens on the CPU its hardly effects them.

I am at the stage where i dont know what too do

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by nyr30

I totally agree with you here, when the CPU dumps the puck in even if you get there first the CPU will always come out with the puck. Loose pucks are the same the CPU will always seem to come up with the puck when there is a battle going on its just not realistic and what it does is just frustrate the hell out of me. The way the CPU can control the puck when its bouncing its so much faster than the user, with the CPU its like bounce and bang its under control but with the user its bounce and bounce over the stick which leaves you flat footed and basically under pressure. Even on the big checks when you hit someone watch where the puck goes probably about 75% of the time, it goes straight to a CPU player. I posted in another thread that i could be done with the game all-star too easy superstar just to frustrating. All of a sudden i cant score its like every game is 1-0, 2-1 and the shot count i still the same and i mix up my plays but its like whenever i get a sight of goal the slightest nudge and i am off the puck but when the same happens on the CPU its hardly effects them. I am at the stage where i dont know what too do

I have sort of noticed this as well. My guys just can't seem to settle a puck down with the same effectiveness as the cpu. I'm even sure to make certain that I'm not trying to get possession of it while going too fast. They also come out of battles for it as the loser most of the time.

It hasn't hurt me so far though post-patch, which is the thing, with as much as the cpu is able to turn loose pucks over on me they should be able to generate some offense I even bumped the shot accuracy all the way up to five fore them.

[nyr30]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

I have sort of noticed this as well. My guys just can't seem to settle a puck down with the same effectiveness as the cpu. I'm even sure to make certain that I'm not trying to get possession of it while going too fast. They also come out of battles for it as the loser most of the time. It hasn't hurt me so far though post-patch, which is the thing, with as much as the cpu is able to turn loose pucks over on me they should be able to generate some offense I even bumped the shot accuracy all the way up to five fore them.

I also upped shot accuracy to 3 with shot power at 3 but its still pretty bad, i love the fact more pucks miss the net and EA have done a good job of getting rid of the cheese goals but for me shooting seems like it has a dead feeling to it now.

I am on superstar with catcatch's sliders and everything is pretty even the shots, penalties, faceoffs and even my time of attack is always a minute or two higher but battling for a 1-0 or 2-1 is fun every few games but it shouldnt be that way every game.

EA did the right thing getting rid of the cheese goal but i feel it has come at the cost of some of the flair the game had.