NHL 09 First Look

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:04 pm

OMG, why do i suck so bad in BAP? Actually, I myself am doing OK, but we as a team can't seem to win many games. I'm up to the first line, but can't seem to get the call from the NHL.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:12 pm

Murph wrote:OMG, why do i suck so bad in BAP? Actually, I myself am doing OK, but we as a team can't seem to win many games. I'm up to the first line, but can't seem to get the call from the NHL.

How many games did it take you guys to get called up to the NHL?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:19 pm

sportdan30 wrote:What is player lock and can it be changed once you have started your BAP career?

Thanks.

Dan,

It's an option that you can change in your settings and yes it can be changed at anytime. BAP gives you three different modes and position lock is one of them. I started out with the option of where I went to the bench after every shift and waited until my next shift to play but then changed to position lock after 3 games and haven't looked back. Basically with position lock...not only do I control my position which is right defense for the Blues but when i'm on the bench, I also control Erik Johnson or Barret Jackman depending on which def pairing is on the ice. This keeps you involved in the game at all times.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:22 pm

I like BAP.. I'm just more of a player who likes to play offline single player mode.. doesn't matter the game.. The Show, NCAA, NHL 09, etc..

I think BAP is fun, but I love the full solo game that much better.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:25 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Murph wrote:OMG, why do i suck so bad in BAP? Actually, I myself am doing OK, but we as a team can't seem to win many games. I'm up to the first line, but can't seem to get the call from the NHL.
How many games did it take you guys to get called up to the NHL?

10 games in Peoria before getting the call up to the Blues.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:01 pm

It seems lines/call-ups are evaluated every 5 games.

I got promoted to AHL 2nd line after 5 games, and AHL 1st line after 10 games. I'm hoping for a call-up to NHL at 15 games. I have 10 goals and 6 assists as a playmaker in 12 games.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:01 pm

Mizzou, or anyone with both 2k9 and 09, which game do you like better for the single player mode?

I'm currently renting 2k9, but gotta get it back tomorrow. I like it, but I think there are things about the 09 demo I like better, like the stick lifts, the possibility of dumping and chasing, and the fact that I like the deking system way better in 09 then 2k9......

Sounds like 09 rocks the online hizz-ouse, but is single player just as fun?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:04 pm

Gangrel wrote:Mizzou, or anyone with both 2k9 and 09, which game do you like better for the single player mode?

I've got both...and 09 is better after playing them for about 5 days a piece, even though I initially thought that 2k9 was. The smoothness of 09 is what ultimately crowns it champion. Each game has things I like.

2k9: better player interaction (you can take out your own guys if you miss on a hit), slightly better puck physics, easier control scheme

09: better graphics overall, a lot smoother animations, you can control shot power and speed (it's more customizable), dekes are better and more rewarding

So I guess it all depends what you want. Ultimately, the herky jerky nature of the 2k9 game soured me on it when I knew 09 was a lot smoother and more polished.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:09 pm

Gangrel wrote:Mizzou, or anyone with both 2k9 and 09, which game do you like better for the single player mode?

Tough call. I found myself really enjoying 2K9 in single play. It's realistic, more board play, faceoffs, and stats are very accurate. I like the fact that the puck is a bit more unpredictable, your passes are not as automatic as 09 and you can't go wrong with that great skating engine.

NHL 09 offers you much better player faces and atmosphere, visually impressive. You have to look at the whole package in the end. And for that alone I would go with 09, BAP and OTP is just that much fun.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:10 pm

Thanks db. You hit the nail on the head with 2k9 for me. It does seems a bit jerky, and there is no way I can remember the 30 possiblities for pulling off dekes with the LB and the two sticks.

The demo for 09 seems a lot crisper and smoother to me, so if the full game maintains that, I'll probably enjoy that more.

I've also heard some wonky things about franchise mode in 2k9, which is what I mostly play. 08 was good last year, if a bit basic, but at least it didn't make many glaring mistakes.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:26 pm

Gangrel wrote:Mizzou, or anyone with both 2k9 and 09, which game do you like better for the single player mode?

The BAP mode alone in 09 makes it an awesome single player game.

In other news, I finally got the call to the bigs and scored a hat trick for the Rangers.

Can you get sent back down if you don't perform in BAP mode?

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:56 pm

There are some things I really like about NHL 2k9.. I'm just not sure it's enough to keep me playing vs NHL 09.

Lets face it, EA's NHL series is on its 3rd iteration, which NHL 2k has revamped the game this year. They've done a good job, but you can tell with the robotic animations they could only do so much in one year. I love the skating, checking, and presentation in 2k9, but NHL 09 is soooo smooth and refined.

The one thing I do not like so far with NHL 09 is the lack of penalties, but overall it's one heck of a hockey game.

I know we say this all the time, but NHL 2k10 should be at EA's level... at least I expect it to be.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:19 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Murph wrote:OMG, why do i suck so bad in BAP? Actually, I myself am doing OK, but we as a team can't seem to win many games. I'm up to the first line, but can't seem to get the call from the NHL.
How many games did it take you guys to get called up to the NHL?

2.

I chose the bruins because they were lacking in forwards...only had 12 on the roster.

injuries and a trade helped me out

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:25 pm

I've got both games and really enjoy both games but come down on the side of 09 as well. In addition to the smooth feeling that others are mentioning, and the incredibly addicting nature of BAP, the one thing I like about 09 is the feeling there is more space on the rink to skate around in. I absolutely love 2k9's Broadcast camera angle view, but I keep going back to 09 to get in another game of BAP.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:04 pm

I've got both and have soured on 2K9. I'm giving it my kids so they can use it as trade in credit on Pure and The Force unleased this week.
NHL 09 wins hands down for me.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:41 pm

Well WCO, I am mistaken. Both in custom game searches and in game creation, turning 'team play club rules' off locks the game type to unranked. So, no ranked games with real players, only with the BAPs.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:50 pm

I just didn't get into the BAP mode right off the bat. I'll return to it but I like playing the regular old franchise mode.

I wanted to talk about a few things.

I think the game probably addressed a few issues from last year, but I feel EA just wants wide-open gameplay.

Last year, it was too easy to walk the puck into the zone, deke past the defenders and shoot. This year, the defenders have really been tightened and the addition of flicking your opponents stick has addressed this problem.

It's still a tad easy to enter the zone as neutral zone play is a bit loose. But with the more effective poke stick, defensive positioning causing the AI to change direction, and the "flick stick", you can shut the CPU offense before they shoot.

Forechecking is actually possible even without real board play. With just the controls you can cause turnovers in their zone resulting in some great goal chances. And the CPU can cause havok in your zone forechecking.

Last year, the AI wouldn't see or know where defenders are positioned -- they would just shoot regardless of your positioning. This year, if you can get into lanes the CPU will cycle the puck. It's not perfect becuase the AI is shot happy but it's not as frustrating and you can play defense.

I really like the off-line shots. Geez that was needed for years.

Another addition is the ability for your teammates to deflect shoots. It was missing last year but I'm glad they fixed that.

Overall it's just a really fun title. The same things that plague most sports games still plague this one, like team play styles and individual styles. In a hockey game, NHL 09 needs to evolve player styles. Knowing the Crosby might skin you alive would help the immersion level.

Yet at the three year mark (I think it is), the game is on the MVP trajectory. Year three is a complete game and like MVP 05, your not waiting for next year, because you have a good solid title.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:54 pm

I agree JRod it appears EA has tweaked the AI as I still haven't won a game in Pro. I know I suck.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:26 pm

JRod wrote:The same things that plague most sports games still plague this one, like team play styles and individual styles. In a hockey game, NHL 09 needs to evolve player styles. Knowing the Crosby might skin you alive would help the immersion level.

While hardly an all-encomapssing endorsement for player styles, a group of us playing the other night noticed that whenever we played the Isles (one of my Bro-in-laws is an NYI fan so they came up a few times), DP kept ranging *way* out of the crease on dumps toward the corner. We couldn't quite catch him out to take advantage so he mostly chose wisely, but it stood out among the many games we'd played as a distinct difference between his behavior and other goaltenders.

I myself have spent a lot of time online (when serves allow) or in BAP so I haven't been able to fully compare tendencies to other goalies.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:27 pm

Is everyone playing on ALLSTAR or PRO?

I am doing my BAP mode on PRO because I want to be able to score

But I think if I do a regular season, I will chose ALLSTAR. Anyone doing BAP on ALLSTAR and is it tough to score?

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:31 pm

JackB1 wrote:Anyone doing BAP on ALLSTAR and is it tough to score?

I am. I am not finding it particularly easy, but OTOH I have something like 6-3-9 in 11 or 12 games, I think.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:33 pm

Im playing pro because Im old.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:40 pm

Ya BAP on all-star is tough. Dumb teammates don't really help.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:02 pm

I'm doing BAP on All Star because Pro is too easy. I have 2 goals through 6 games as a sniper.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:30 pm

I'm not sure if you can switch difficulties in BAP (let me know if you can), but after 3 games, I'm finding PRO a bit too easy as well. 3 goals in 3 games for my defenseman and it could have been more if I really pressed.