NHL 13

[MizzouRah]

I love you guys!

[Gangrel]

Oh, something else to mention before i gorge on some peanut butter........

The puck seems much looser this year. Saves by goalies have a greater chance of being deflected into the corners, over the net, etc. then what I remember last year.

It also seems much easier to knock the puck off a stick, so no more ducking and weaving thru the other team with the puck stuck on your stick.

In fact, I tried to make a move with Belanger I think, and simply had the puck roll off my stick with no one around.

[Diablo25]

Holy shitballs. I just played my first game...Flyers vs Pens...10 minute periods, Pro Default settings and it was a WAR. Unfortunately I lost 4-3 on a late goal that Bryz gave up from a weak angle (it's so real). It was, as the late great Gene Hart would say, scintilating. I had some great scoring chances. 2 of my three goals were deflections. My last one was a superb 2 on 1 break where Rinaldo fed Betts perfectly for the one timer. The momentum has really changed the game for the better. You simply cannot gamble on D or you will get taken apart. I saw several new animations. I agree with Gangrel on the 'loose' puck. Some of the shots from the point were deflected and unpredictable. The new physics engine does a solid job.

[sportdan30]

This my friends is a hockey fan's dream. Aside from the lack of penalties, this game plays so incredibly differently than the past several years. And that's a great thing! Mind you, I played on Pro defaults and echo everyone's early impressions. Here are some of mine:

- I tried skating directly up the ice with Oshie and I was quickly taken off the puck within a matter of seconds. Plus!

- I absolutely LOVE the new skating engine. Momentum is a HUGE factor. I had a play where I was trying to cut off the angle of a Blackhawks forward and I skated right by him as I couldn't stop on a dime.

- There are so many nuances to the skating engine. There's definitely a weightyness to the players. Again, momentum plays such an integral part of the game. Also, being able to gain speed and skate up the ice only to stop and see a spray of ice is so freakin' sweet.

- The CPU is aggressive as all get out! They absolutely controlled the first and second periods. Shot after shot. But it wasn't as if they were just shooting to shoot. They were looking for angles and trying to move the puck aggressively.

- Commentary is relatively the same, but the overall presentation in my opinion is much much better. They focus in on a player and show some highlights throughout the game.

- Some of the player's faces are so life like. I didn't think they could look any better from last year, but they definitely do.

- The lighting is just about perfect.

- In between periods is really cool. Maybe this was in and maybe it wasn't. But you can literally watch video replays of a goal from the previous period, a big check, a big save, etc. Plus, the way they have broken it down to see your shots is very cool.

- Still not impressed with the atmosphere after a goal is scored. The camera switches too quickly and you don't get to see the players congratulate one another on the ice. Again, you see the goal scorer skate down the line of the players on the bench. Pretty weak IMO.

- Dump and chase is alive for the CPU, but it really seems to have benefits this year. I can see myself using it as well as it really is difficult at times to get set up for a scoring chance.

- The sounds are amazing too, but maybe due to now having a surround sound system. The shots hitting the pads and checks really sound great.

- Overall, very impressed thus far....definitely would like to see more penalties, but that's my only concern at this point.

[10spro]

Absolutely love the skating physics of this game. Everything just feels so real, from the sharp turns to the acceleration to a simple poke check. Played a few games OTP and it was nice to NOT see the over the board ditsy doodle showoffs. There was the odd slowdown in some of my games but overall that mode plays a fun game of hockey.

Also played some Versus with Terry. I think we had 4 games and we were saying just how realistic everything felt. There were loose pucks to fish for, goalies's animations were incredible, just a fun experience overall.

We also played an AHL game where the game speed felt a bit quicker than the Pros, at least it felt that way, and the players were not as disciplined. It just seemed to me that the ice was slicker at that level and finally we had an International game where the game was actually played on the bigger ice.

Just had one offline game on All Star where I felt very comfortable with the game speed (I may drop it a notch) despite losing to the Flames 2-0 and if anything the game just felt even smoother than the demo. Having said that, I'd like to see more errant passes from the CPU and more penalties as well.

I joined the Dragons too, it would be nice o get a couple of games on Saturday for those that already have the SP release game. Love it.

[10spro]

I was telling Terry that without playing Fifa 13 yet, I'll go on a limb and declare NHL 13 'Sport game of the year'.

[10spro]

Some of the player's faces are so life like. I didn't think they could look any better from last year, but they definitely do.

True. Big improvement.

[sportdan30]

A few more observations:

- I might have been a little quick to say the CPU seems to set up offensive plays. They more times than not will shoot from just inside the blue line. I seem to recall that being an issue last year. It doesn't happen all the time, but they are shot happy from there.

- After playing Madden, the one thing that sticks out is the lack of emotion from the players. Besides goal scores, they players have this blank stare on their face that looks rather creepy. Madden at least gives you some player emotion here than there. It'd be nice to see frustration after a missed opportunity on goal.

- What or who is Tim Hortons? It's plastered on the ice in every arena I've played in and it's on the boards as well. Takes away the athenticity of the different arenas.

- Besides the skating, the deflections are one of the bigger things that jump out. Really gives the game an organic feel.

- Penalties are a major concern at this point. I maxed them out and didn't see one penalty in the last two games I played. 6 minute periods. Not a good sign, especially after the lack of them last year.....what gives EA?

- There are some graphical glitches here and there between stoppages of play. Without going in to detail, they're not difficult to miss.

- At least to me, goalies are a bit too effective. I've had to lower goalie reaction and it seemed to only help a little.

- Besides the lack of penalties, the passing accuracy with the CPU is still too accurate IMO. Too much tape to tape passes whereas I struggle with the manual passing. Kind of frustrating.

- 3 games in and I'm on the fence even though it's the biggest improvement in quite a while. The lack of penalties is a big deal and takes away the excitement of trying to kill a penalty or score on a power play.

[10spro]

What or who is Tim Hortons? It's plastered on the ice in every arena I've played in and it's on the boards as well. Takes away the athenticity of the different arenas.

Without going into too much details here, lets just say that TH is an icon in Canadian Hockey, a religion these days whether you drop the puck in a beer league or playing at a higher level. The doughnuts are not too shabby either.

[Gangrel]

I'm not noticing too much of a penalty problem. I usually give up a couple and get a couple a game on 10 min periods. i think longer periods help, because your guys fatigue a bit more, thus creating stupid penalties.

I have to test this again, but I think the annoying "won't save your visual settings in GM mode" bug is back. I hope I'm wrong, but I think every time you load up the game and go into GM mode, remember to set up the visuals the way you like......

[tjung0831]

I'm seeing to many penalties called on me. Hit that "A" button a few times when you're on defense, I bet you get called for slashing.
Was up until 2am playing the game!

[Diablo25]

I'm seeing to many penalties called on me. Hit that "A" button a few times when you're on defense, I bet you get called for slashing.
Was up until 2am playing the game!

I saw penalties but I was surprised more weren't call on ME...at least compared to NHL12. I'm sure if it truly is a problem EA can/will patch it.

I can't wait to play again today. I accepted the Dragon's invite so I'll be looking for some OTP later on if you guys are around. I'm down for some versus if anyone wants to also. I plan on playing some randoms too.

[pk500]

- What or who is Tim Hortons? It's plastered on the ice in every arena I've played in and it's on the boards as well. Takes away the athenticity of the different arenas.

Bite your tongue, young man! Tim Hortons is the largest chain of donut shops in Canada. Even more locations than McDonald's in the Great White North -- Canada's largest quick-serve restaurant chain. Timmy's has moved into upstate New York and Michigan and parts of New England.

Fantastic coffee, great donuts and sandwiches. Just crushes Dunkin' Donuts in every conceivable way.

[pk500]

You ST f*ckers are killing me. Can't wait until I get my retail copy Tuesday. Keep the impressions coming!

[Diablo25]

Just played my first random and it was...different. I lost 5-0 which doesn't bother me. I'm still getting used to the skating and I probably played a 13 year old who has been playing since 6 pm yesterday. That being said I don't know if I like how easy the poke checking is. Seemed WAY too easy in my game. I did see a number of penalties. I just have to continue to get used to the momentum when skating.

[Naples39]

I've only played online team play, but it's a pretty different game.

With the skating, you have to be pretty deliberate with your movements. No twisting and turning.

Also, it's much more of a slap the puck around game. It's much easier to knock the puck off someone's stick, or disrupt passing lanes.

As for stick-lifting, thus far I'm seeing much less of it. This is good IMO, as it was way too effective in past years.

[tjung0831]

Ben Eager doing a little cheating from the bench! and no...this was not on any kind of line change for him! Stick stuck out like that for a good 30

[MizzouRah]

Lucky bastards!

[Diablo25]

Random game #2 - a little better but the poke checking is way different. Any little movement and the puck is loose. Might end up being a good thing but the jury is still out. I lost 2-0 but played better on D. One big thing I'm noticing with the speed implementations is that you can hustle back and cancel an icing WAY more than before. If you have a slow lumbering defenseman you can skoot by him and cancel it out. Pretty cool actually.

[tjung0831]

Better get a grip on what kind of speed your dman has because if you get a late start trying to shadow that puck carrier coming down the wing you are going to come up a bit short! You are being forced to be way more defensively responsible in this game. It's like actually playing for Ken Hitchcock!

[Rodster]

Nice impression guys. Now I know how to use my $20 MS credit for.

[10spro]

Montoya's cool mask for the Jets.

[dbdynsty25]

Sorry bout last night Terry...baby literally started crying the minute I turned the game on...played a few minutes and then I was done for the night. Damn kids.

[pk500]

Better get a grip on what kind of speed your dman has because if you get a late start trying to shadow that puck carrier coming down the wing you are going to come up a bit short! You are being forced to be way more defensively responsible in this game. It's like actually playing for Ken Hitchcock!

My impression in the demo, too. The biggest improvement in the game, in my opinion. Even more than the new skating engine, which is excellent, too.

This game plays like hockey for the first time.

[tjung0831]

on my pic above, I think somebody's stick was broken and he was handing his out for a replacement. Forgot about them implementing that feature last year or so.