NHL 08 Impressions

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:53 pm

pk500 wrote:Very early impressions, but this is a good gameplay mod for NHL 08 for the PC if you're looking for the CPU to be a tougher challenge on defense and smarter in its offensive zone on the Difficult skill level:

http://www.nhldepot.net/forums/showthre ... post130841

This has made a fine game even better. I'm impressed.

Take care,
PK

I'll give it a shot PK. Don't forget to forward me the links to those mods you got too. thanks

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:54 pm

wabash97 wrote:That was actually the one huge improvement to me on SS ... I am now holding the CPU under 40 shots in every game I've played.

Is that with 10 min periods?

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:57 pm

yeah, 10 min. periods.

I had shot acc. and power at 5 this morning. I used Boston and played like crap, so I'm anxious to get home and try it out with a better scoring team.

Also, I have shot blocking maxed.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:11 pm

PM sent, Jack.

Take care,
PK

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:42 pm

Thought i would make you guys laugh (and at the same time reflect the third period ridiculousness of this game on SS and AS at time)

I'm in a barn burner Bruins (me) vs. Rangers. Loving the game through 2 and 7/8 periods. With 2:25 on the clock i score to tie the game at 3-3. And then........I lose the game 8-3 in regulation (obviously). Yup, 5 CPU goals in the last 2:25.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:55 pm

That sucks Rally. I chose COL on purpose last night to see if I could score as easily as the CPU on SS and lost 6-3 in the end. I was into the game also until the last five minutes. The game is really rewarding when you score, because it gives you that feeling that you worked really hard in your opponent's zone, but frustating at the same time, because when they score on you,the CPU doens't seem to have worked as hard. They nail you on a one timer, or slap shot from the point that your goalie just can't catch up.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:55 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:Thought i would make you guys laugh (and at the same time reflect the third period ridiculousness of this game on SS and AS at time)

I'm in a barn burner Bruins (me) vs. Rangers. Loving the game through 2 and 7/8 periods. With 2:25 on the clock i score to tie the game at 3-3. And then........I lose the game 8-3 in regulation (obviously). Yup, 5 CPU goals in the last 2:25.

That happened to me once. I was so proud of myself for tying the game at 3 with a minute left, only to see the computer (as Toronto) score 4 goals in the last minute. This was on AS.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:36 pm

Wow, it makes those cheap last minute goals by the computer in WE seem extremely fair and non-scripted.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:16 pm

Exactly why I'm on Pro.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:26 am

edited - double post (forum real slow this morning)

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:27 am

I Used mudtiger's sliders last night on SS and had a 0-0 draw going, which I lost in a shootout, so there's hope. I had to up the speed to 1 from zero and the acceleration to 1 from zero. It was too slow for my tastes at zero. I have finally learned how to play D in this game to limit the AI's chances. I think they only had maybe 3 clean 1-timers in the slot all game

You also have to try and stand them up at the blue line and if they try and carry in along the side boards, check em into the boards. If I could only learn to score more, I really would be happy with this game. Others are doing it, so I know it can be done.

What do you guys have your shooting sliders at? Has anyone tried lowering the AI learning slider? That might make it easier to win.
I am also considering editing the opposing goalie's stats one at a time as I play them on my schedule.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:01 am

JackB1 wrote:What do you guys have your shooting sliders at? Has anyone tried lowering the AI learning slider? That might make it easier to win. I am also considering editing the opposing goalie's stats one at a time as I play them on my schedule.

Jack, you once questioned why I was selling "the best hockey videogame ever made." I think you realize now why I did. It seems like you are having the same problem as I was and now have entered slider and player edit hell to resolve. I didn't have the time with all the other great games to play. I hope you find what you are looking for eventually.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:05 am

Has the Team Online thing died off?

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:26 pm

So after 11 straight losses on SS i went back to AS to try something out. In three games i've had pretty good results but would like someone to try these out and give me their thoughts. What they seem to have done is remove one of the pieces that has driven me crazy in this game which is the third period CPU insanity. High one-timers are there but i've grown to accept that fact. Anyway, here goes:

All-Star
10 Minute Periods
Penalties Maxed
Fighting-50%

Game Speed: 0
Puck Control: 0
Fight Diff: 0
Fatigue Effect: Max
AI Learning: Max

Fatigue Recovery: 0
Player Acc: 0
Hitting Power: 1
Aggression: 5
Poke Eff: 6

Pass Speed: 2
Saucer: 2
Pass Int.: Max
Goalie Passing: 1

Shot Acc: 2
Shot Power: 2

Shot Blocking: Max
Hook Eff: 5
Penalty Shot: Max
Goalie Puck Cover: 2

Thoughts, critiques, praise are all welcome.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:56 pm

PK, I've been trying Difficult again on the PC (not with the AI tweaks from nhldepot yet). I have my penality slider at 6 or 7 I think, and the 2 games I've played, the CPU has gotten 9 and 11 penalites (I stopped playing the second game in the 3rd) while I have gotten 2 and 2.

Did you notice such a wide disparity before using the AI tweaks?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:18 pm

Gangrel wrote:PK, I've been trying Difficult again on the PC (not with the AI tweaks from nhldepot yet). I have my penality slider at 6 or 7 I think, and the 2 games I've played, the CPU has gotten 9 and 11 penalites (I stopped playing the second game in the 3rd) while I have gotten 2 and 2.

Did you notice such a wide disparity before using the AI tweaks?

I never noticed that kind of disparity on default, that's for sure. But I had my penalty slider at default, too. I think 6 or 7 is WAY too high, which could produce the kooky results you're seeing.

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:10 pm

Hmmm, What's the default Penalty slider? 4 or something? I'll try that when I get home......

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:25 am

2 or 3 -- can't remember. Might be 2.

Take care,
PK

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:50 pm

pk500 wrote:I never noticed that kind of disparity on default, that's for sure. But I had my penalty slider at default, too. I think 6 or 7 is WAY too high, which could produce the kooky results you're seeing.
Take care,
PK

Me neither.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:56 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:So after 11 straight losses on SS i went back to AS to try something out. In three games i've had pretty good results but would like someone to try these out and give me their thoughts. What they seem to have done is remove one of the pieces that has driven me crazy in this game which is the third period CPU insanity. High one-timers are there but i've grown to accept that fact. Anyway, here goes:

All-Star
10 Minute Periods
Penalties Maxed
Fighting-50%

Game Speed: 0
Puck Control: 0
Fight Diff: 0
Fatigue Effect: Max
AI Learning: Max

Fatigue Recovery: 0
Player Acc: 0
Hitting Power: 1
Aggression: 5
Poke Eff: 6

Pass Speed: 2
Saucer: 2
Pass Int.: Max
Goalie Passing: 1

Shot Acc: 2
Shot Power: 2

Shot Blocking: Max
Hook Eff: 5
Penalty Shot: Max
Goalie Puck Cover: 2

Thoughts, critiques, praise are all welcome.

I'll try them Rally. I didn't "get" the whole "SS is the savior" stuff. All I saw on SS was increased shot totals for the AI. I am really trying to "get" this game, because no game gets me so pumped as when I score a goal in this game. I have finally learned how to play proper D and that part of my game really fell into place. If I can learn how to score more goals, I would be a happy gamer.

About your sliders. 0 for speed and accel. seems too slow for me, so I will make those both 1 if you don't mind. I also don't like penalties "maxed" because that takes away a lot of poke checking on my part, which helps me against the CPU. Also, has anyone tried lowering the "AI learning" slider? Doesn't maxing this give the AI even more advantage? We should try it on zero for a few games just as an experiment. Also, do the shot sliders on 2 give you enough goals?

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:10 pm

Jack,

Initially i agreed with you, but even the speed at 1 makes the game too up and down and increases shots out of the range i was hoping for. Give the zeros a shot for a few games, i think you'll get used to it.

Also, you really need to max penalties to get realistic numbers there. In terms of the poke check, the game requires you to poke check only when appropriate (i.e., puck not players skates are within reach). Once you learn how best to get in position to do this you won't see many penalties off of the poke (although inevitably i end up with one every game or two for making a poor decision).

As far as the shot sliders at 2, it has resulted in great scores thus far. 4-3 me, 4-2 them, 2-1 me, 5-4 them.

I would say try these for a few games and tweak based on your comfort level, but i'm curious as to how these go for you.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:29 pm

I've played a few games with these sliders Rally, and I have come away with 2 things:

1. I stink. I'm not good. I'm just not that 'strong' a player. I suck. It's not so much the playing, it's the winning that stumps me.

2. The sliders produce a very realistic form of play. I lost the first game 9-1. Yes, NINE times. Lost the second 4-2, and was tied in the 3rd before I had to shut down 1-1. The pace, shots, passing, are all spot on. My only concern (in agreement with Jack) is the incidence of penalties. Set to max it does take away the poke check a little bit, and I spent a LOT of time short-handed. Other than that, I'm keeping these in place for my franchise play.

This game is truly among the best representations of a sport ever burned to disc; it's not quite MLB 07 level, but it's still damn good.

Now, back to game 7. Let's go RED SOX!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:53 am

RallyMonkey wrote:Jack,

Initially i agreed with you, but even the speed at 1 makes the game too up and down and increases shots out of the range i was hoping for. Give the zeros a shot for a few games, i think you'll get used to it.

Also, you really need to max penalties to get realistic numbers there. In terms of the poke check, the game requires you to poke check only when appropriate (i.e., puck not players skates are within reach). Once you learn how best to get in position to do this you won't see many penalties off of the poke (although inevitably i end up with one every game or two for making a poor decision).

As far as the shot sliders at 2, it has resulted in great scores thus far. 4-3 me, 4-2 them, 2-1 me, 5-4 them.

I would say try these for a few games and tweak based on your comfort level, but i'm curious as to how these go for you.

OK Rally, I tried your sliders exactly as is. First game was great. I actually won 2-0. Speed was a little slow, but I got used to it and it does make it easier to play defense. The AI beat me in shots....45-35, hits, faceoffs were even. Looking forward to trying some more. Looks good so far!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:35 am

Leebo33 wrote:
JackB1 wrote:What do you guys have your shooting sliders at? Has anyone tried lowering the AI learning slider? That might make it easier to win. I am also considering editing the opposing goalie's stats one at a time as I play them on my schedule.
Jack, you once questioned why I was selling "the best hockey videogame ever made." I think you realize now why I did. It seems like you are having the same problem as I was and now have entered slider and player edit hell to resolve. I didn't have the time with all the other great games to play. I hope you find what you are looking for eventually.

I can see how it's frustrating if you fall between Pro and Allstar level. The jump between the two is big. I tried 2K's hockey and didn't care for it too much, so I decided to work at NHL08 until I learn how to win at Allstar level. It's getting better, but it does take a lot of work to learn how to play the game properly at that level.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:15 am

45-35 in shots? Are you sure you weren't playing March Madness 08 instead of NHL 08?

Those shot totals are much higher than what you'll see in an average NHL game.

Take care,
PK