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

[ohyeahbaby123]

LOL I must suck... I just lost a game where I gave up 4 goals.

[Brian Gee]

If you are giving up goals, just control one of your defensemen whenever the other team has the puck. All of my goals allowed were because I was pulling my wings and centers out of position...Since I've committed to the defensemen, I'm 6-0.

[zudatron]

I would caution against making any generalizations after playing only one game with the patch or new slider settings. That will just breed confusion.

I played four games in my dynasty with the patch and lost three of them (all star level). Those were my first losses in 15 games.

The AI feels a lot more like 08. It's hard to get the puck from them in the offensive zone and they make some very nice passing pays. I believe it has to do with the less effective stick lift, which was OP before, but was the only way to get the puck. Also they do less one timers which means they set up more in the zone. For the first time their time on attack was equal or greater than mine.

I found it really hard to score, so perhaps defense has been improved.

Online was funny because of how much the cheese shots were missing the net.

So it's definitely better than before the patch.

[7up3345]

I like the variety now post patch. I'll get the 1-0 2-1 games then i'll get a 4-3 5-4 games. Pretty solid game now i think.

[bad_philanthropy]

Finally had the cpu score four goals on me (still won 6-4). It seems as if the cpu can get two goals on you your goalie's abilities take a bit of a hit and the cpu gets a a boost and becomes more competent offensively (which is a good thing imo), I just wish they could play a little bit more consistently on offense prior to scoring two goals.

[tgalv]

i'm still undecided if i like it or not for offline play. it seems like the games turn into who can wheel around unrealistically the most and stuff it into the net from a foot away. i could probably score at least 10 a game if i wanted to that way but it isn't that fun.

[Roscosuper II]

I like the game post patch on SS offline. I play 10 minute periods using default sliders, but put game speed 0, pass speed 0, fatigue 6, recovery 0. I also use auto aim, which allows me to deke better and set up for shots better.

I've played 6 or 7 games thus far, and they've all been really dynamic in their overall feel. Stats were good, except for hitting, which is just another one of EA's blunders.

What I like:
More loose pucks, which leads to more "somewhat battles".

The game seems less one sided, like I'm competing against a hockey team and not a set of controlled variables.

Shots miss the net and you get a lot of "ohh and ahh" situations.

I'm forced to not just dump the puck but move the puck quick.
Some times I just have to get rid of it, i.e. just dump it up the boards wherever whenever. The same seems to hold true for the cpu team too.

Hard dump is better too. I can fire it in cross ice and get good results.

What I don't like:
The cpu effectively uses the hold/tie up control (which is good) but I CAN'T without fighting most of the time. I want fighting in the game, but this is ridiculous.

I'm starting too see the "delay of game" penalty too much for the cpu and it's always when they're killing off a penalty. I have yet to take one.

I had no problems with the dump height as was, I think it's too high now and it's more of a jump ball. Players are gathering underneath and waiting. It should be something that varies.

CPU teammates don't do their jobs sometimes and just stand and watch....WTF I have to do everything?

Now that there are more penalties, the clock has to stay the same speed. Especially when you use 10 min periods. It messes too much with the stats. They need better AI logic for PP/PK. no one moves to get open, they just stand behind someone and look at you. I don't need more time, I just need better teammates. And of course the cpu will just flick it around 7 or 8 times and fire off some ******** shot.


Overall, good improvement. Yes, it's the best hockey game to date (blah blah blah), but it's still not a great "hockey" game IMO.

[Splitter77]

Quote: Originally Posted by Roscosuper II

I like the game post patch on SS offline. I play 10 minute periods using default sliders, but put game speed 0, pass speed 0, fatigue 6, recovery 0. I also use auto aim, which allows me to deke better and set up for shots better. I've played 6 or 7 games thus far, and they've all been really dynamic in their overall feel. Stats were good, except for hitting, which is just another one of EA's blunders. What I like: More loose pucks, which leads to more "somewhat battles". The game seems less one sided, like I'm competing against a hockey team and not a set of controlled variables. Shots miss the net and you get a lot of "ohh and ahh" situations. I'm forced to not just dump the puck but move the puck quick. Some times I just have to get rid of it, i.e. just dump it up the boards wherever whenever. The same seems to hold true for the cpu team too. Hard dump is better too. I can fire it in cross ice and get good results. What I don't like: The cpu effectively uses the hold/tie up control (which is good) but I CAN'T without fighting most of the time. I want fighting in the game, but this is ridiculous. I'm starting too see the "delay of game" penalty too much for the cpu and it's always when they're killing off a penalty. I have yet to take one. I had no problems with the dump height as was, I think it's too high now and it's more of a jump ball. Players are gathering underneath and waiting. It should be something that varies. CPU teammates don't do their jobs sometimes and just stand and watch....WTF I have to do everything? Now that there are more penalties, the clock has to stay the same speed. Especially when you use 10 min periods. It messes too much with the stats. They need better AI logic for PP/PK. no one moves to get open, they just stand behind someone and look at you. I don't need more time, I just need better teammates. And of course the cpu will just flick it around 7 or 8 times and fire off some ******** shot. Overall, good improvement. Yes, it's the best hockey game to date (blah blah blah), but it's still not a great "hockey" game IMO.

excactly. its the best hockey game ever made. But its not even close to how I would want one to play. Oh well- someday.