NHL 2K6 Impressions

hrudey32 · Post by **hrudey32** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:37 am

i'm definetly going to try to swap it out. i've heard others complain of freezes though which concerns me. but hopefully its just my disc.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:44 am

Possible fix from 2kHockey.net?

First off, I'd like to thank all those that took the time to respond to my original thread "Tracking the Franchise Bug". Your contributions helped greatly in finding the cause and solution to this thorny little issue.

Ok, so here's what you do to recreate this bug:
Start a Franchise with ANY rosters
Pick your team (it doesn't matter which)
Hire your coaches (or auto-sim it)
Once on the main menu, go into FRONT OFFICE
Go into EDIT LINES (do not go into ROSTERS!!!)
Scratch one of your regulars from your 4th line (You can also SEND TO MINORS)
Pick a player of the same position from your MINORS team, DRESS him
Now put him in the line where the player you just removed was
Exit the Edit line menu
Immediately go into the Calendar screen and play your first game
After that game you will be asked to SAVE YOUR PROFILE? If you say YES, you are taken to the SAVE PROFILE screen and asked to confirm the save. Once the save is done, the game crashes. If you say NO before, it still crashes.

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO THE ABOVE, YOUR GAME WILL CRASH/FREEZE

A few things to note - If you SCRATCH your regular through the EDIT LINE screen and you already have 3 SCRATCHED players on your roster, you'll notice that the game doesn't warn you that you can only have a maximum of 3 SCRATCHED players at at time like it does in the ROSTER MANAGER screen.

Also no matter what you do to your regular (SCRATCH or SEND TO MINORS) the AI Coach doesn't fill up the minor league lines either; if you go into your MINOR LEAGUE ROSTERS, you'll notice that you have a missing player. Exiting the MINOR LEAGUE ROSTER screen also does NOT warn you that you have incomplete lines.

So there you have it people. The solution to this problem is simple:

- If you play a franchise, make sure you do your roster moves from the ROSTERS screen ONLY if you want to avoid this nasty bug.

- If you insist on making roster moves from the EDIT LINE screen, please remember to ALWAYS go into your minor league teams and have the CPU AUTO-FILL your lineups

- If you Scratch a player through the EDIT LINE screen, please make sure you DON'T have more than 3 SCRATCHED players in the roster.

I hope this helps those who have been having a hard time with this. Now, go and enjoy your game!

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:52 pm

wabash97 wrote:PK (and others),

How are finding the general difficulty of the game?

Although I feel like I've pretty much solved the CPU's offensive woes (a house rule that actually makes the game more entertaining for me: on recognized breakaways I grab the goalie and try to play the shooter with the right stick - the CPU skaters react better to my aggressive positioning - and I think I'm about 1 for 4 in stopping them), I'm still finding their response to me gliding down the wings lacking. It seems the CPU defense's first instinct is to retreat, which either allows me an open look for a wrister (and subsequent rebound), or a chance to cut into the slot.

I'm playing CPU defense at 10 (I've been messing with speed burst and find less of this problem with it at 1, but still there), alternating between All Star and HOF. I've got the goalies boosted a bit, so I'm not scoring too easily - but I feel like I get too many good chances without CPU intervention.

Bryan

I agree that the CPU defense plays too passively and allows the user to skate down the ice along the boards into the offensive zone almost everytime. They just skate up and down the ice without playing defense.
The only possible fix may to edit the player attributes.

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:11 pm

TRI,

Funny thing, last night I set CPU and human offense at 3, as per Pengman's sliders on 2knet, and found the CPU defense playing more aggressively, I think largely because the CPU offense was more inclined to cycle, and stay in better position, thus allowing for less of the "up the boards 1 on 2 or 2 on 2 situations." I played Isles at Buffalo and had a great game. Lost 2-1, kept speed burst effect at 1 for both teams and generally found Buffalo's defense cutting off passing lanes and pressuring the wings from walking into the slot.

I think Bill Abner had a good point in his blog when he said the CPU adjusts. While testing sliders, I've played many first periods, gotten irritated and gone back to make adjustments. Playing the whole game (patience is good) I saw Buffalo make adjustments to my approach and provide a 60-minute challenge.

Anyway, this is a one game sample. But hopefully bodes well. Even with the CPU offense at 3, I got beat 5-hole from the half boards, and also on a chip-in. The CPU offense cycled more, kicked back to the point at appropriate times and generally worked for position better than with the offense set at 8, when they just looked for the first open shot and let er rip.

No freezes yet, either. But I haven't started a franchise.

Bryan

hrudey32 · Post by **hrudey32** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:29 pm

my freezes are occuring in season mode, not franchise. wonder if the same solution applies?

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:49 pm

wabash97 wrote:
I think Bill Abner had a good point in his blog

It was only a matter of time, eventually I'd say something that made sense.

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:07 pm

That and the sliders for NCAA 2004 ...

I keed.

I popped in 2k5 last night for a quick comparison, and I while I do think the defense was more aggressive on the boards, it allowed me to cut back to the slot far more frequently than this year. I still get into the slot sometimes, but the CPU is much better at aniticipating passes and attempts on net.

And all the new animations and puck physics (especially rebounds), and difficulty of one-timers make a big difference.

B

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:06 am

2k6 is still not perfect but i am about to say that this is the sports game of the year. Its a pretty realistic Sim of what "real" hockey is and should be.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:29 am

I'm very impressed. This is the first hockey game in a long, long time where I feel I get a decent game from the AI. Yes, it doesn't know what to do on some breakaways. And I agree with Wabash that it's pretty easy to skate in across the blue line on the wings. (On that note, Wab, I'd be curious to hear if you found your 'reduced offense' slider tweak continues to yield good results. I'm hesitant to lower that slider for the cpu, though)
But the CPU does a good to great job of capitalizing on my mistakes, and I'm losing a lot more games on All-Star than I expected, especially after starting my season with a string of easy wins.

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:51 am

the offense slider lower make the cpu pass too much(i had it like this but had to increase their puck control, since they pass more they got too sloppy) and too high is a slapshot hog. i think mine is 3/4 of the way or just past the middle. My shots on goal are both about even in the 30's. So gameplay for me i love things to be even, that way its all about the in-game action deciding if i win or lose.

Post by **Jared** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:16 am

I've been loving the game. The only weird thing I'm noticing (outside of stuff like the faceoff bug) is that goalies will occasionally misjudge one-timers from the left circle. They'll slide out and stick out their right foot for the kick save, but will often slide a little too far to their right, letting the puck go 5 hole. It's not something I see every game (prob. once every 3-4 games), but I feel like my left wingers are scoring a little more than my right wingers because of this. Anyone else see this?[/list]

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:30 am

Web,

Just had a chance to play two games last night, same settings I've been using except I upped my goalie back to 4 after giving up a few cheese goals.

And I lost 6-1 to Ottawa. Played them again and lost 3-2. They outshout me badly in the first game, something like 36 to 16. But in the second game it was close, 31-28.

I'm playing on HOF (CPU def at 10, 6 minutes with 1:20 min. PPs and last minute real time), consistently losing to good teams (I generally use the Isles) and still struggling with bad ones. Right now, the key is getting CPU shots and chances down, as I think HOF provides the best defensive challenge from the CPU, but allows any decent line to walk all over me.

I'll keep tweaking, but I was pleased as hell with the last 4 or 5 games of CPU defense. Now, if I could just get better at that human defense ...

B

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:58 pm

I know PK and others are trying to get a "sim" like experience. But other than the speed burst the game plays pretty good out of the box.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:04 pm

JRod wrote:I know PK and others are trying to get a "sim" like experience. But other than the speed burst the game plays pretty good out of the box.

I agree...but I also think the game speed is a little quick too...knock that down a few notches and you've got a nice game.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:49 am

On ALLStar, game speed at 3, Offense at 7 and Defense at 8 , I am having good, close games, the odd blowout every 4 games or so.

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:19 am

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ ... tml?page=1

i was thinking with the gameplay of 2k6 this year the 360 release might just be the start of the end for EA if they don't match the quality of graphics/gameplay. it's as if the slate was wiped clean and it a whole new game(no pun)

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:56 pm

kicko wrote: might just be the start of the end for EA

LOL.

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:56 pm

James_E wrote:
kicko wrote: might just be the start of the end for EA
LOL.

not really sure why you found that funny? I was just stating that no company as ever gone at EA this hard as 2k is and with new systems it just makes it even easier. Unless you one of those guys that just hates EA.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:03 pm

kicko wrote:
James_E wrote:
kicko wrote: might just be the start of the end for EA
LOL.
not really sure why you found that funny? I was just stating that no company as ever gone at EA this hard as 2k is and with new systems it just makes it even easier. Unless you one of those guys that just hates EA.

I find your response even funnier than your original post. The end of EA? EA holds a ridiculous lead in market share in the gaming industry. Saying that 2K could be the start of the end for EA is almost as ridiculous as saying Firefox might be the end of IE.

Second, 2K is going after EA harder than any company ever? That's nuts. Ever hear of 989 Sports? XSN Sports? Sony and Microsoft bankrolled both of those ventures, respectively, to take down EA and failed. So what makes you think 2K Games, with pennies compared to the war chests of Sony and Microsoft, especially MS, can take down the mighty EA?

Take care,
PK

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:06 pm

kicko wrote:
James_E wrote:
kicko wrote: might just be the start of the end for EA
LOL.
not really sure why you found that funny? I was just stating that no company as ever gone at EA this hard as 2k is and with new systems it just makes it even easier. Unless you one of those guys that just hates EA.

I don't hate EA at all. I like alot of their games. I'm going to give NHL 06 a try.

I just laughed when I read it, cause I don't think there is a snowballs chance in hell that 2k6 will "end EA", even if you only meant hockey. PK's post sums up why. At the time I posted I had to run to a meeting or I would have written more.

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:53 pm

pk500 wrote:
kicko wrote:
James_E wrote: LOL.
not really sure why you found that funny? I was just stating that no company as ever gone at EA this hard as 2k is and with new systems it just makes it even easier. Unless you one of those guys that just hates EA.
I find your response even funnier than your original post. The end of EA? EA holds a ridiculous lead in market share in the gaming industry. Saying that 2K could be the start of the end for EA is almost as ridiculous as saying Firefox might be the end of IE.

Second, 2K is going after EA harder than any company ever? That's nuts. Ever hear of 989 Sports? XSN Sports? Sony and Microsoft bankrolled both of those ventures, respectively, to take down EA and failed. So what makes you think 2K Games, with pennies compared to the war chests of Sony and Microsoft, especially MS, can take down the mighty EA?

Take care,
PK

Well to be "fair" i did say "might" and i only said that based on the fact that new systems tend to reset the gameplay back to 0. 989 has made some of the worst sport games in history . XSN i know not much about mainly because i don't own an XBOX, that said i believe that was at the same time ps2 outsold xbox's. How's MS going to takedown EA when at the same time EA favored PS2's? My opinion before was only about hockey. I think what makes me say this is that i used to buy ALL of EA's titles, this year i own 2. .... you try the IE 7 beta??? it fixed some security issues and stole firefoxe's tab system. sounds like something EA might do:D

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:08 am

kicko wrote:I think what makes me say this is that i used to buy ALL of EA's titles, this year i own 2. ....

That doesn't mean EA is going to fail; it just means you're not drinking the EA Kool-Aid anymore.

Aliens have a better chance of abducting George W. Bush than EA has of losing its dominance in the gaming market.

Take care,
PK

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:56 am

pk500 wrote:
kicko wrote:I think what makes me say this is that i used to buy ALL of EA's titles, this year i own 2. ....
That doesn't mean EA is going to fail; it just means you're not drinking the EA Kool-Aid anymore.

Aliens have a better chance of abducting George W. Bush than EA has of losing its dominance in the gaming market.

Take care,
PK

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:06 am

Damn announcers!

Remember the last real NHL playoffs? Ottawa loses playoff round in 7th game to Toronto. Lalime had a terrible night in goal, the Leafs were scoring from STUPID places.

I'm playing 2k6 as Ottawa, playing Toronto. I'm up 3-1 and controlling the game pretty well. Then the announcer has to remind me of that damn playoff series. As a Leaf player is coming out of their zone with the puck, he's talking about how Toronto needs to step it up. The colour guy then says something like

"If the last time is any indication, Toronto should just shoot from right there." (the Toronto player with the puck is still barely past the freakin red line!)

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:47 pm

I'm still having a blast playing this game, particularly online. I'm starting to get much better with my pass/assist on 0.

If anybody wants to get in a game with me I'm on XBL with the gamertag Airdog0 . (That's a zero, btw). I play very very very simmy, to the point where it can be sickening.

Also, if anybody is interested in an online league (ultra sim) check out www.xshockey.com - there's a preseason going on for the XBox 360 league that will be starting in the new year. If you post at 2khockey.net you'll see many familiar faces there. I think that Sully is actually in the league, from DSP.