NHL 18 News

[10spro]

Mitch Marner in the first trailer. Looks like EA wants the fun back in the series. Are we going to see the hot shots dipsy doodle back in EASHL?

[Danimal]

They won't have this game on EA Play days for E3, I'm not sure if that means anything but doesn't this usually launch in October?

[10spro]

Usually mid September.

[vader29]

NHL 18 beta sign up, beta starts July 25
https://www.easports.com/nhl/beta

[Rodster]

NHL 18 Hands on impressions. http://www.usgamer.net/articles/nhl-18- ... es-preview

[10spro]

Good to see C. McDavid on the cover. The 3-3 mode is going to be pure adrenaline, rush arcade style hockey. The mode itself apparently will have its own crazy commentator, personally I am ready for another voice in the other modes.

One of my main beefs for the past couple of seasons have been the passing and from what I read, Rammer is ready to start from the ground up where the CPU will bank passes from the boards, as well as the AI understanding where you're heading on your play and thread the puck your way instead of passing it from the point you called for the pass.

Defensively, I like what I am reading so far too. More control of your stick by holding L1/LB which keeps the stick in front of you and simply moving the RS to make the stick sweep whichever direction you want.

With the new 3-3 mode looks like more skills will be added naturally.

The franchise needs to move to the Frosbite engine eventually, have new announcers, sharper graphics and improved presentation.

[Aristo]

Not gonna lie. The first time I watched 3 on 3 OT hockey, I fell in love with it. I said at the time they ought to make the the mode for the All-Star Game. Sure enough, that was their plan. It highlights the skill players, is deceptively strategic, and tense as heck. I was really hoping they would do a 3 on 3 mode.

There is a predictable meltdown building at OS. But even that is less than expected, because so many have stopped playing the game and caring. NHL games sold better when they played faster and less realistic. Video game hockey was more popular than real hockey. It's the one sport that I think is hurt the most by hardcore simulation. I do think they may have trouble marketing it as a mode, and might have been better off with a stand alone game.

The rest looks fine. It will essentially be the same game, with some gameplay tweaks. I may find the new stick handling more complicated than I an interested in, but we'll see.

I'm really curious if the Ice Dragons are going to play any 3 on 3 matches.

[10spro]

I'm really curious if the Ice Dragons are going to play any 3 on 3 matches.

We have enough guys to form 2-3 different DSP teams if 3vs 3 takes off. Personally, I think it's a cool addition but I don't see it lasting for long as in EASHL.

[MizzouRah]

Looks like we can finally offer extended contracts to players during franchise.

[Diablo25]

3 0n 3....pfft. Core gameplay improvements. That is what we need.

[pk500]

I understand I'm preaching to a small sample size, especially at DSP, but the defensive awareness of CPU-controlled players on human teams still sucks balls in the NHL franchise.

Opposing CPU players are still left alone far too often in the high slot for easy shots. This has been a problem of this franchise for nearly a decade, and Rammer doesn't seem to want to fix it. Another problem is the CPU team gets to loose pucks in the offensive end FAR more quickly than CPU-controlled players on my team in the offensive zone.

I understand that human vs. human online play is the foundation of this series, but it can't be that hard to write code to play basic hockey in human vs. CPU games. This series is SO stale for human vs. CPU play.

[Naples39]

I'm on board in general with a 3 on 3 mode, but I'd really rather not have multi-point money pucks or other pure arcade stuff.

I'm burnt out on this game. Give me some serious gameplay overhauls, give me more flow. The game now is so formulaic and exploit-y.

Gamers often also seem to equate low scores with realism, which is dumb. There is no realism with super goalies who can dominate games (unless you know how to abuse them, then you score on 40% of shots), terrible off the puck AI, and awkward passing.

Make it flow, make it fun, or I'm out TBH.

[MizzouRah]

This is a good read...

Gameinformer - 60 things we know about NHL 18

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nhl_1 ... eview.aspx

[Gangrel]

I picked up a few new things, i'll be glad to see my AI teammates may actually move around and look to get open now. PP's may actually be fun instead of godawful.

But, one big big big no no no for me is this:

The same board play system is returning from the past several years, but EA is tweaking to better allow players behind the scrum to dig the puck out. They are also tweaking the physics to change how close to the boards your player can get during puck retrieval.


So, does this mean when i get pinned, my teammates still won't come to support me, and I have no means to escape the pin with the puck? If so, that's a big hockey 101 fail for me,

[Sudz]

anyone else get a beta invite?

[Diablo25]

Link to beta registration...

https://www.easports.com/nhl/beta-logged-out

[10spro]

It's going to be the year of the dekers...

[Diablo25]

FYI, NHL 18's Facebook page says to "check your email tomorrow" (Tuesday) for your beta code.

[grtwhtsk]

Anxiously awaiting impressions....I am tied to my desk and work is not letting me play anytime soon.

[sportdan30]

I too have two additional beta codes for the PS4 if anyone is interested.

Let's lace up them skates!

[10spro]

Calling all Dragons for a trial tonight of the Beta. Same time as the weekends, maybe earlier if you want. Got a code for you XXXIV if you didn't sign up.

[Aristo]

Any chance of playing some Threes tonight? Played a few games of it solo versus the CPU, and it is a blast.

[tjung0831]

Any chance of playing some Threes tonight? Played a few games of it solo versus the CPU, and it is a blast.

I'm looking forward to that more than anything else in the demo.

[Aristo]

Well, I'm going see Valerian tonight with the wife ($5 Tuesdays at Ronnies!). But I plan to be on later tonight if anyone is on.

[Diablo25]

Calling all Dragons for a trial tonight of the Beta. Same time as the weekends, maybe earlier if you want. Got a code for you XXXIV if you didn't sign up.

I got mine. Downloading now.