NHL 09 First Look

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:27 am

Tried the BAP mode and it's quite fun. I didn't quite understand the arrows though. I was playing left wing and after turning the ouck over, it was pointing back down the center. Isn't my job on D as a LW to stay in my lane and forecheck the opposite wing and then cover the point? The arrows
didn't always make the most sense to me. Are we supposed to follow them anyway?

p.s. How do you get your teammate to shoot when you want them to? If I press the pass button, they do pass to me.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:09 am

Tried the BAP mode and it's quite fun. I didn't quite understand the arrows though. I was playing left wing and after turning the ouck over, it was pointing back down the center. Isn't my job on D as a LW to stay in my lane and forecheck the opposite wing and then cover the point? The arrows
didn't always make the most sense to me. Are we supposed to follow them anyway?

Jack,

Here in lies the point I was trying to make in an earlier post when it was stated that postioning in the game of hockey is simple. The expectation of a casual hockey observer is that as a wing you're job is to cover the left side of the ice and the point in your zone. Unfortunately it is far from that simple. If your center has slid to your side at some point then your job may be to backcheck the opposing center. If you're right wing has been trapped deep in the offensive zone and you are the closest to the puck carrier you may have to backcheck him and let your RW, who is the last one now back defensively, take the trailer (or your opponents last man in the zone). The game of hockey is one that is always in flux. When i coach my kids i tell them to forget LW, RW, C, RD, and LD and instead realize there are 5 players all with different responsibilities and at any given time you may be forced to assume any one of them based on the situation at the time. (Except for faceoffs so save they "well how do they lineup when the puck drops" comments

)

Point being, and i've stated this as well, the game has really done a good job of pointing the arrow where you are supposed to be at any given time on the ice. Do i think it is ALWAYS perfect. No. But have i seen it far, far more right than wrong so far in the demo. Absolutely.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:18 am

Well explained RM. You're basically covering your teammate that's out of position for whatever circumstances and that's what that blue arrow is trying to tell you, to fill that hole. When playing among us, be sure that you'll have to cover all positions, instead of thinking I am a C, W, or D.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:36 am

JackB1 wrote:Tried the BAP mode and it's quite fun. I didn't quite understand the arrows though. I was playing left wing and after turning the ouck over, it was pointing back down the center. Isn't my job on D as a LW to stay in my lane and forecheck the opposite wing and then cover the point? The arrows
didn't always make the most sense to me. Are we supposed to follow them anyway?

p.s. How do you get your teammate to shoot when you want them to? If I press the pass button, they do pass to me.

As with any sport, when you turn the puck/ball over, get your ass back on D ASAP!!

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:51 pm

I'm wondering if the control configuration can be changed to a more traditional 'X' to pass, 'Y' to shoot, etc. I'm kinda old school in that I don't particularly like using the right stick to shoot. Could you switch it up in last year's game?

I ask as someone who's still leaning more towards 2K9.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:57 pm

Murph wrote:I'm wondering if the control configuration can be changed to a more traditional 'X' to pass, 'Y' to shoot, etc. I'm kinda old school in that I don't particularly like using the right stick to shoot. Could you switch it up in last year's game?

I ask as someone who's still leaning more towards 2K9.

There is an included "NHL 94" control configuration scheme. So if you could play 15 years ago, you should be good to go

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:44 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:
Tried the BAP mode and it's quite fun. I didn't quite understand the arrows though. I was playing left wing and after turning the ouck over, it was pointing back down the center. Isn't my job on D as a LW to stay in my lane and forecheck the opposite wing and then cover the point? The arrows
didn't always make the most sense to me. Are we supposed to follow them anyway?
Jack,

Here in lies the point I was trying to make in an earlier post when it was stated that postioning in the game of hockey is simple. The expectation of a casual hockey observer is that as a wing you're job is to cover the left side of the ice and the point in your zone. Unfortunately it is far from that simple. If your center has slid to your side at some point then your job may be to backcheck the opposing center. If you're right wing has been trapped deep in the offensive zone and you are the closest to the puck carrier you may have to backcheck him and let your RW, who is the last one now back defensively, take the trailer (or your opponents last man in the zone). The game of hockey is one that is always in flux. When i coach my kids i tell them to forget LW, RW, C, RD, and LD and instead realize there are 5 players all with different responsibilities and at any given time you may be forced to assume any one of them based on the situation at the time. (Except for faceoffs so save they "well how do they lineup when the puck drops" comments )

Point being, and i've stated this as well, the game has really done a good job of pointing the arrow where you are supposed to be at any given time on the ice. Do i think it is ALWAYS perfect. No. But have i seen it far, far more right than wrong so far in the demo. Absolutely.

Thanks for that great explanation RM. I didn't realize the arrow was dynamically adjusting for your teammates that may be out of position.
Very impressive indeed!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:58 pm

JackB1 wrote:
RallyMonkey wrote:
Tried the BAP mode and it's quite fun. I didn't quite understand the arrows though. I was playing left wing and after turning the ouck over, it was pointing back down the center. Isn't my job on D as a LW to stay in my lane and forecheck the opposite wing and then cover the point? The arrows
didn't always make the most sense to me. Are we supposed to follow them anyway?
Jack,

Here in lies the point I was trying to make in an earlier post when it was stated that postioning in the game of hockey is simple. The expectation of a casual hockey observer is that as a wing you're job is to cover the left side of the ice and the point in your zone. Unfortunately it is far from that simple. If your center has slid to your side at some point then your job may be to backcheck the opposing center. If you're right wing has been trapped deep in the offensive zone and you are the closest to the puck carrier you may have to backcheck him and let your RW, who is the last one now back defensively, take the trailer (or your opponents last man in the zone). The game of hockey is one that is always in flux. When i coach my kids i tell them to forget LW, RW, C, RD, and LD and instead realize there are 5 players all with different responsibilities and at any given time you may be forced to assume any one of them based on the situation at the time. (Except for faceoffs so save they "well how do they lineup when the puck drops" comments )

Point being, and i've stated this as well, the game has really done a good job of pointing the arrow where you are supposed to be at any given time on the ice. Do i think it is ALWAYS perfect. No. But have i seen it far, far more right than wrong so far in the demo. Absolutely.
Thanks for that great explanation RM. I didn't realize the arrow was dynamically adjusting for your teammates that may be out of position.
Very impressive indeed!

Mucho thanks also. Like I said in a previous post, I am a big hockey fan but never played the game so I am glad the arrows are somewhat accurate. I have found that after playing the demo 10-15 times I am now concentrating on not gambling and not getting trapped deep. It is very rewarding to pick up your teammate when he has been taken out of the play. Last night Crosby deked the hell out of my fellow winger and I was the only one left between big Syd and a breakaway. I slid over, dove and ended up poke checking the puck away. It was, I must say, awesome

I can't wait for for the full version when some powerplay/penalty kill opportunities arise. Killing a two man advantage should be very rewarding.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:59 pm

The biggest decision now is what position to play in BAP. I was thinking about creating myself as a "Cam Neely" type winger but am wondering whether a skilled D might be better. Playing D will allow you to see all your teammates up-ice with the BAP camera - plus running the power play would be a blast!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:05 pm

fanatic wrote:The biggest decision now is what position to play in BAP. I was thinking about creating myself as a "Cam Neely" type winger but am wondering whether a skilled D might be better. Playing D will allow you to see all your teammates up-ice with the BAP camera - plus running the power play would be a blast!

My plan is to create a "Mike Richards" type of player...grinder. I love the way he plays the game so it was an obvious choice. I may create a goalie also just to see how that works out also.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:14 pm

i am really interested in seeing how line changes and my time on the bench are handled.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:46 pm

Still prefer the more top-down view of the regular cam instead of the more rink-level view of BAP cam.

The goalie cam in OTP games was interesting to view but not very playable either.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:58 pm

fanatic wrote: Playing D will allow you to see all your teammates up-ice with the BAP camera - plus running the power play would be a blast!

That is if you don't cough up the puck often and you're a good point man. The camera does circle around the net in a speedy fashion, so having a good sharp-shooter will be important too.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:27 pm

Sure. Keep talking everyone. Meanwhile I just discovered that the game won't be in stores tomorrow, but on Wednesday instead. I haven't been this anxious for a game in a long time and I'm ticked to have to wait the extra 24 hours (not to mention that I'm off work tomorrow anyway, which would've been perfect!).

Damn you, EA.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:36 pm

Sport73 wrote:Sure. Keep talking everyone. Meanwhile I just discovered that the game won't be in stores tomorrow, but on Wednesday instead. I haven't been this anxious for a game in a long time and I'm ticked to have to wait the extra 24 hours (not to mention that I'm off work tomorrow anyway, which would've been perfect!).

Damn you, EA.

Which sucks because I have a grad class starting Wed.evening

I won't be home until 9pm...probably.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:42 pm

Suxs. I was also told to pick it up on 9/11.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:24 pm

JRod wrote:I noticed the AI takes a lot of one-timers even on my team. I didn't like that and I thought I read they fixed that.

I like your insight but damn, do you enjoy ANY games dude?

You have 10 negatives for every 1 positive you bring up. Not saying you're wrong, but I think you may be too demanding of a sports gamer.. Even a hardcore sim will never be real, since using a controller can never mimic a sporting event. But I do enjoy your insight, you bring up lots of positives. Name a few games you really like, out of curiousity

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:06 pm

10spro wrote:Suxs. I was also told to pick it up on 9/11.

Get free overnight shipping on Gamestop.com and you get it on 9/10

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:33 pm

Zlax45 wrote:
10spro wrote:Suxs. I was also told to pick it up on 9/11.
Get free overnight shipping on Gamestop.com and you get it on 9/10

Not sure if the code still works but...the code is NHL09 if anyone is interested.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:14 pm

Diablo25 wrote:
Zlax45 wrote:
10spro wrote:Suxs. I was also told to pick it up on 9/11.
Get free overnight shipping on Gamestop.com and you get it on 9/10
Not sure if the code still works but...the code is NHL09 if anyone is interested.

Thanks guys but this minor delay won't help my schedule much. I have to travel on Friday so whatever time I have to dissect the game on thursday will be minimum. Too bad.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:20 pm

The code is suppose to work until the 9/18

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:22 pm

fletcher21 wrote:
JRod wrote:I noticed the AI takes a lot of one-timers even on my team. I didn't like that and I thought I read they fixed that.
I like your insight but damn, do you enjoy ANY games dude? You have 10 negatives for every 1 positive you bring up. Not saying you're wrong, but I think you may be too demanding of a sports gamer.. Even a hardcore sim will never be real, since using a controller can never mimic a sporting event. But I do enjoy your insight, you bring up lots of positives. Name a few games you really like, out of curiousity

Huh I posted one thing on the one-times. It wasn't even a full blown post.

And one-times were a huge problem in previous versions. The only reason I brought it up was because of the IGN interviews that said they worked on one-timers. I'm sure Paul Kelly and others can talk about the frequency of one-timers better than I can.

But it does stand out! And for the record I didn't say I didn't like the game did I? All I said was did anyone notice there were a lot of one-timers. This problem has plagued the NHL series for a few years.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:28 pm

AND I BLOODY ANSWERED YOU THE FIRST TIME , YES THEY DO !!!!!!

I'm with yer mate

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:28 pm

The only thing that I wished they worked on was a little more board play. It does take away from dumping the puck if you can't dump and chase and have they be effective.

I know they will never have inaccurate passes but sometimes I think NHL is too accurate and good do well with a more organic feel like WE9. Could you imagine the feeling of sending in a centering pass and knowing there is a high probability of it getting intercepted only to find your teammate slot it into the net. For me that's what WE feels like and I wish they had more of it.

I do like how the controls feel much better than NHL 2k9. I even think skating is tighter, even though some mentioned here if feels sloppier than 08. When I play the NFL 2k9 demo, I sometimes play it like NHL with the same control. Sadly the shot stick isn't as good as NHL and for me that is a big difference. Something NHL does extremely well. Maybe too well as it was too easy to skate past defenders last year but it felt rewarding.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:28 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:AND I BLOODY ANSWERED YOU THE FIRST TIME , YES THEY DO !!!!!!

I'm with yer mate

I know I read it. I was just answering fletcher.