NHL 13

[webdanzer]

The sliders themselves are certainly not the problem. People who develop a tweaking obsession with them so that they spend more time playing sliders than playing the game have to look to their own composure and method of behavior as the issue. Please don't take my options away because some people can't deal with the flexibility.

I've saved several baseball titles for myself personally because of slider use, that, if the option wasn't there, would have otherwise ended up on the scrap pile.

I think they can be of limited usefulness to someone who has become extremely knowledgeable about a game first. Personally, I almost never touch them in any game.

The OS slider forums, OTOH, is one of the most mind-numbing places on the internet.

I won't argue about OS, or your hands off approach, the latter of which is just common sense. Don't mess around with things just because they are there. Play the game as presented for a while, take large sample sizes, adjust specific issues without looking for perfection, and play the game for another large sample size before you tweak again.

Of course it depends on the game and how they implemented sliders, but I disagree strongly about 'limited' usefulness based on my past experience with several past baseball titles. Because of the nature of that sport compared to something like hockey or football, though, I believe it is easier to make some tweaks in isolation, and really adjust certain difficulties to your specific skillsets and reaction speeds. I honestly *saved* several baseball games that would have been unplayable to me on default settings because of sliders.

Of course, never assume that all salvation lies within some mystical slider combinations. Some games are going to stay broken. But right game, right sliders can make a ton of difference.

Bad for OCD types though, for sure!

[webdanzer]

Sliders are the worst thing to happen to sports video games, maybe ever.

True. That's one of the reasons I've almost always enjoyed the PES series. No sliders!

Hyperbolic nonsense!

Online passes, pay-to-win-boost systems, mass removal of typical play modes like 'season' or 'franchise.' Heck, even the yearly cycle grind is worse than the inclusion of a feature that you don't even have to look at.

You guys should be all over Grid 2, though. No difficulty or assist settings at all. Not even a pesky cockpit cam option to keep you from worrying about what view you want to use instead of just driving.

[Zeppo]

Please don't take my options away because some people can't deal with the flexibility.

This. Naples points out how I would assume any reasonable individual would approach sliders, which is to play the game extensively until you've almost mastered the mechanics, before messimg with sliders. My experience with almost all sports games, even yearly releases of games I've played to death the year before, is that it takes me some time to "learn how to score." I'm this game, for example, I'm only now beginning to produce goals at a competitive pace in the league after struggling mightily game after game for the first few blocks.

In hockey especially but also in soccer, there is so much wide open freedom that the way you play, what you do and how you behave, has an enormous impact on how the game plays out. I've always found it inconceivable that people would rush to "fix" problems they perceive in gameplay almost immediately rather than taking the time to first acclimate their own play to the way the game functions. But so many do without fail. Sample size is hugely important for making judgements about these kinds of things, but I'm sure most posters at OS don't even really know what the term means.

PK's earlier post made me snicker a bit. It's like he took a long, long journey down some winding dark path only to end up right back in the same sunny glade where he started. I have been sitting happily in that glade the whole time, never moved.

OS will make you crazy.

[Jimmydeicide]

But then they throw in a tuner set . We have 3 already game has been out a week. I would stick with 1.0 as it should be closer to the demo but who knows if its the same? That's what always annoyed me.

I tend to stick with the original tuner set with NHL as most of the tuners are just tweaked for online which can ruin a good offline game in a hurry.

[Pete]

Just saw a blurb on CNBC that EA had record sales for NHL 13, up 9% from last year.

Not sure if I thought sales would be down because of lockout or up for people to get hockey fix.

[Naples39]

Just saw a blurb on CNBC that EA had record sales for NHL 13, up 9% from last year.

Not sure if I thought sales would be down because of lockout or up for people to get hockey fix.

I also saw that. I was initially thinking lockout would cause a sales dip, but the game came out so far before the season would've started anyway, I bet most people buying this game aren't even aware of the lockout.

I also wonder what kind of effect the season ticket program has had on their sales. It's caused me to buy EA sports games I haven't purchased in years (even if I sold them 3 weeks later).

[webdanzer]

But then they throw in a tuner set . We have 3 already game has been out a week.

Yeah, I agree this is ridiculous. I can see the first one if they knew they shipped something not working quite right, but 3 is just silly.

[webdanzer]

Just saw a blurb on CNBC that EA had record sales for NHL 13, up 9% from last year.

Not sure if I thought sales would be down because of lockout or up for people to get hockey fix.

I also saw that. I was initially thinking lockout would cause a sales dip, but the game came out so far before the season would've started anyway, I bet most people buying this game aren't even aware of the lockout.

I also wonder what kind of effect the season ticket program has had on their sales. It's caused me to buy EA sports games I haven't purchased in years (even if I sold them 3 weeks later).

I'm one of those 9%. Didn't buy it last year because the series seemed to stall in terms of worthwhile developments.

Seemed like a big improvement there this iteration. I HOPE EA draws the conclusion that the sales were up due to some innovation in the series, which is indeed what brought me back, but the cynic in me says it's more likely they will credit the things already mentioned, like the lockout or season ticket. And who knows, they may be correct.

[MizzouRah]

I play every sports game on defaults, except I usually play with penalties turned all the way up and AP or AS difficulty.

[FifaInspected]

I didn't buy last years versions as 09,10 and 11 were very minimal improvements. I bought 12 only due to the improvements and additions to the game.

Being able to play gm connected mode co-op is reason enough for me to buy it. Damn fun!

[Aristo]

I think I may have found a big ticket card. I opened a Dustin Brown this afternoon.

Unlike a bunch of the idiots on HUT, I put him up for 50 pucks and let the auction run for three hours with no Buy Now price. With 97 minutes left in the auction, he's already up to 4000 pucks. With the ending of the auction in the middle of the evening, I expect a bidding war to ramp up in an hour or so.

Right now guys are basically putting in place holders to prepare for the end of the auction when the bidding actually gets moving. He might get me 40K in pucks. Whatever he gets me, I bet he blows out the 7500 pucks I spent on a Gold Pack to get him.

[Aristo]

Brown went for 17,000 pucks, and P.A. Parenteau went for another 3750. Not a bad haul. I now have almost 22K pucks to invest in packs or players.

[Inuyasha]

I have not bought the game yet since I've had the series for the last 4 years now.

but it seems for offline, most of the impressions are everyone is playing HUT.

I loved HUT the first year it was out, and last year it was ok, but they didnt change much so it felt a bit repetitive. And since NHL 09- NHL12, pretty much every other offline mode as been the same.

So other than a revised HUT, any other offline game mode that's different since the last 4 years?

[FifaInspected]

Played a number of eashl club drop in games yesterday. Very enjoyable as each game was close and filled with guys who played good hockey.

[Leebo33]

Back at 1.01 and still having a blast. 22 games into my season and some conclusions can start to be drawn:

- The variety is outstanding! In my most recent stretch I won 5 in a row followed by two OT losses and then I got spanked by the Bruins 6-1. I couldn't go to bed on that sour note so I followed that up with a 6-2 win. I've had high scoring games, but also had a recent game that went to OT scoreless. I've had games where I scored 2 goals within 3 minutes and then never scored again. I've had games where I didn't score for 2 periods and then scored 3 in the 3rd. I've had everything in between. Great, great fun.

- If there are any money plays I don't want to read about it because I've scored in countless different ways but haven't found anything that is gold. The new skating engine is great and it's a lot tougher to get into the middle in the offensive zone. The wrap-around used to be a pretty good play but now it has been toned down to realistic levels.

- The AI is SO much better and more fun to play against. And not being able to easily skate the puck out of your own end makes it a lot more challenging and engaging. In prior versions it just seemed kind of random and predetermined when the CPU would score but more often than not I make a mistake that leads to a goal. I have not noticed *knock on wood* any catch-up logic so far. That doesn't mean that there aren't moments of increased intensity and pressure, but that's hockey.

- The goal scoring distribution for me is pretty good as far. Malkin leads followed by Kunitz, Sutter, Neal, and Crosby. Sutter was an absolute beast in the first 7 or 8 games (including a hat trick vs. his old team) but I don't think he has more than 1 since. The assist numbers are off with Cooke trailing only Malkin, but I'm not that picky and the assists are obviously impacted by the way I play.

- I've yet to go to a shootout in about 6 OT games, which is fine by me because I usually suck at them. It does seem like the goalies get a little soft in OT though as compared to regulation.

- It may be the small sample size, but I have a much better record on the road and I really don't feel much of a difference between home and road.

- Penalties are WAY too low. I'm on 8 minute periods and the only slider changes I have made are penalties to the max and faceoffs one tick easier for human. I've gone a few games without any penalties for either team. I'm averaging about 1.2 power plays per game per team. It really skews all the stats as I only have 5 power play goals in the entire season and have given up 6. There is little variety as well. The only time I've ever seen a double minor was in the first game I ever played and I've never seen a major penalty. I've never seen coincidental minors and I've never had a 5 on 3 vs. the CPU. It's a good thing that gameplay is fantastic because if it wasn't this would really bother me.

[webdanzer]

Back at 1.01 and still having a blast. 22 games into my season and some conclusions can start to be drawn:
*great observations snipped*

I agree with you just about 100%, although I'm still finding it pretty easy to skate out of the defensive zone and up the ice. I do execute more dump and chase than I used to, though, but it's more because I want to (it works!) than I have to this year.

Let me know if you want to play some one-offs for fun online. I'm pretty bad with the Devils, still (underrated, IMHO), but enjoy playing!

[MizzouRah]

Back at 1.01 and still having a blast. 22 games into my season and some conclusions can start to be drawn:

- The variety is outstanding! In my most recent stretch I won 5 in a row followed by two OT losses and then I got spanked by the Bruins 6-1. I couldn't go to bed on that sour note so I followed that up with a 6-2 win. I've had high scoring games, but also had a recent game that went to OT scoreless. I've had games where I scored 2 goals within 3 minutes and then never scored again. I've had games where I didn't score for 2 periods and then scored 3 in the 3rd. I've had everything in between. Great, great fun.

- If there are any money plays I don't want to read about it because I've scored in countless different ways but haven't found anything that is gold. The new skating engine is great and it's a lot tougher to get into the middle in the offensive zone. The wrap-around used to be a pretty good play but now it has been toned down to realistic levels.

- The AI is SO much better and more fun to play against. And not being able to easily skate the puck out of your own end makes it a lot more challenging and engaging. In prior versions it just seemed kind of random and predetermined when the CPU would score but more often than not I make a mistake that leads to a goal. I have not noticed *knock on wood* any catch-up logic so far. That doesn't mean that there aren't moments of increased intensity and pressure, but that's hockey.

- The goal scoring distribution for me is pretty good as far. Malkin leads followed by Kunitz, Sutter, Neal, and Crosby. Sutter was an absolute beast in the first 7 or 8 games (including a hat trick vs. his old team) but I don't think he has more than 1 since. The assist numbers are off with Cooke trailing only Malkin, but I'm not that picky and the assists are obviously impacted by the way I play.

- I've yet to go to a shootout in about 6 OT games, which is fine by me because I usually suck at them. It does seem like the goalies get a little soft in OT though as compared to regulation.

- It may be the small sample size, but I have a much better record on the road and I really don't feel much of a difference between home and road.

- Penalties are WAY too low. I'm on 8 minute periods and the only slider changes I have made are penalties to the max and faceoffs one tick easier for human. I've gone a few games without any penalties for either team. I'm averaging about 1.2 power plays per game per team. It really skews all the stats as I only have 5 power play goals in the entire season and have given up 6. There is little variety as well. The only time I've ever seen a double minor was in the first game I ever played and I've never seen a major penalty. I've never seen coincidental minors and I've never had a 5 on 3 vs. the CPU. It's a good thing that gameplay is fantastic because if it wasn't this would really bother me.

Are you on Pro or AP? I was going to wait for updated rosters, but with the strike that could be months. I think it's time to start.

[Leebo33]

I'm on Pro. A couple times I almost bumped it up to All-Star but both times after I won 4 or 5 in a row I've run into tough stretches which included 5-1 and 6-1 losses and short losing streaks. I'm definitely not a "joystick jockey" and don't mess with the strategy a whole lot so your mileage may vary. I'm 3rd in the Eastern Conference which is reasonable.

[Gangrel]

I am thinking of trying 1.01 again too. I've been using the new 1.03 the past few days, and basically the AI team swarms my puck carrier and hits them constantly. Not enough to knock them down, but enough so that my guy can't shoot or pass..... it's really annoying.

Sadly, I was managing to get a few more penalties on the latest tuner, but i was unable to score because it became way too hard to get a good shot off. I also think the latest tuner jacked up the pace, as everything seemed more frantic.

[Naples39]

I will agree that the tuners seem to be getting this game more and more off track. I mainly play online, so I am stuck using them.

The goalies get harder and harder, and people rarely score on breakaways. Lots of frantic poke-checking too.

With all the talk of lack of penalties, there should be A LOT more tripping calls online with players making wild poke checks and causing the puck carrier to stumble and lose the puck, but not fall down. I'm not talking about slightly missing the puck, but players being a step and half behind the puck carrier and just shoving their stick between his legs, nowhere near the puck.

[MizzouRah]

I'm on Pro. A couple times I almost bumped it up to All-Star but both times after I won 4 or 5 in a row I've run into tough stretches which included 5-1 and 6-1 losses and short losing streaks. I'm definitely not a "joystick jockey" and don't mess with the strategy a whole lot so your mileage may vary. I'm 3rd in the Eastern Conference which is reasonable.

Thanks, Pro seems right to me too.. I just play, I don't mess with all that other stuff either. I've won some great games and lost some as well on Pro.

[10spro]

I was going to wait for updated rosters, but with the strike that could be months. I think it's time to start.

Hmm, there was one update when I played online tonight...

[MizzouRah]

I was going to wait for updated rosters, but with the strike that could be months. I think it's time to start.

Hmm, there was one update when I played online tonight...

Interesting.. I figured for new players like Tarasenko, we have to wait until they play a game first.

[Naples39]

I was going to wait for updated rosters, but with the strike that could be months. I think it's time to start.

Hmm, there was one update when I played online tonight...

Interesting.. I figured for new players like Tarasenko, we have to wait until they play a game first.

I could be wrong, but Tarasenko won't be in the game until he plays in the NHL.

I think the game can add any player who has played in junior hockey, the nhl, ahl, or the european leagues featured in the game.

Tarasenko has only played in the KHL, which the game does not feature.

[MizzouRah]

Interesting.. I figured for new players like Tarasenko, we have to wait until they play a game first.

I could be wrong, but Tarasenko won't be in the game until he plays in the NHL.

I think the game can add any player who has played in junior hockey, the nhl, ahl, or the european leagues featured in the game.

Tarasenko has only played in the KHL, which the game does not feature.[/quote]

Right, but I thought the Blues were going to bring him up for preseason, wouldn't that count? I would also assume they will either rush him to the NHL or just let him learn and start him there.