NHL 10 (PS3/X360) Announced

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:38 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:I'm having a blast so far, so much better than 09 was for me.
More details, more details!

Best sports game ever....that's all you need to know.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:46 pm

JRod wrote:
Zlax45 wrote:
JRod wrote:I know what they could to innovate. As an inclusion with the game, not a seperate game, COLLEGE HOCKEY! So your BAP could go through College and get drafted, play in the minors and get called up.
Or you could play in the QMJHL
I think fighting to get into the Frozen Four would be fun.

Somewhere down the road, they will have to do an NCAA game or maybe add the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL leagues to the game which would be very sweet. That would keep everything fresh.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:00 pm

Game just arrived...I will be playing it after I get out of work tonight.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:27 pm

Zlax45 wrote:Game just arrived...I will be playing it after I get out of work tonight.

Posts like this are not helpful.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:31 pm

Russian league has been removed from the game...

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:30 pm

Online now... just got scored on by my first opponent with a gold stick/gloves/skates and a helmet with some scaly graphic on it

Of course... god forbid you get scored on... the pause/drop game ensues...

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:42 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I'm having a blast so far, so much better than 09 was for me.

I think both the IGN and Gamespot review said it's an incremental improvement over 09?

Gamespot said the PS3 version is really laggy OTP.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:43 pm

Well, I have played one game, and part of one period....

First game, Pro, Hardcore, and only visual stuff tweaked. Sens vs Sharks, so I could plaster Heatley!

I ended up losing 3-2, on two nice goals by the CPU. I am outta practice on my defense!

The Precision Passing has been tweaked from the demo. I no longer feel I have to press down unnatural long to get a zippy pass off, and the aiming seems tweaked a bit so my passes aren't frustratingly missing.... when i miss, i know why.

It's sweet to fling it around the boards though. I had a few nice cycles going.

Seem to be new animations added, just sublte ones, like better backhands, a stumble when i got hit with the puck, etc.

I hope to play some more tonight, but overall I think (so far) that it's not a giant leap forward, but seems to be a bettering of the same recipe.....

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:50 pm

some of the reviews are saying that the better teams play almost the same as the worse teams. that there isn't as large a difference as there should be. won't be a problem though when playing online.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:01 pm

2 games on defaults and 2 games online so far...

I can definitely tell who's on the ice, when Brad Boyes is out there and TJ Oshie is out there, watch out!

Love the new goalie animations

I don't think I've seen the same goal twice

I think the CPU AI (teammates) is fine, they seem to be in the right position to me.. plus, passing for me is not tape to tape this year.

Board play really makes the whole game feel like hockey and shot totals seem just about perfect to me

I'm going to move up to AS and see how I do.. last year it was really tough to find a balance from PRO - AS. I've been doing really well on PRO though, so it's time to move up.

For the comment of bad teams vs good teams.. the Blues were horrible for most of the year, yet they came on at the last half of the season, I'm not too sure there is a huge difference once you get past Detroit and Pittsburgh.. (maybe Washington, SJ, and a few others)

I need more games for sure.. but I'm liking everything about the game so far.. the crowds really seem much more lively.. were distinct goal horns in the game last year?

Off to play more!

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:13 pm

Just finished an OTP game as a goalie. The new goalie controls are fantastic IMO. Precision movement by holding down LB (no more jumping wildly out of position), the ability to dive onto the puck when around the crease (not always a good idea though) and the new save animations look great. I'm a bit worried about the ability to lock onto the goal posts though. ALthough it is user controlled this year there were a few times when holding down RT sent me to the wrong post. I'm sure with practice it'll be easier but I'd hate to lose a game like that. With all these new additions though I think playing goalie has actually become a bit tougher. The team we played against online was terrible yet they still managed to sneak a couple past me, one a quick wrister from a face-off. No stopping that shot. A sample size of one quick game probably isn't enough to judge upon though

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:14 pm

GameSeven wrote:Online now... just got scored on by my first opponent with a gold stick/gloves/skates and a helmet with some scaly graphic on it

Of course... god forbid you get scored on... the pause/drop game ensues...

Played a couple of OTP matches and it's incredible the amount of golden sticks, boots and gloves that I've seen already. I guess if you have the points...there's no limit what you can do to your player.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:21 pm

What is this golden stuff, some DLC which boosts your players?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:53 pm

wco81 wrote:What is this golden stuff, some DLC which boosts your players?

It can boost your speed, accuracy, you name it.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:59 pm

Maybe it was just the fact that my team may have been "scared" by the new intimidation engine, but I definately noticed that when I played at the Sens, especially with Spezza, I had no problems making passes, but then when I tried out the Bruins, I couldn't put two and two together........

I also think that puck moving D finally may mean something this year.........

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:33 pm

The most noticeable difference with 09 is of course the battles along the board and how quickly you can kick the puck out has created several good chances for scoring for me. Don't forget that you can bank a pass of the boards too this year.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:33 pm

I love the crowd roar after you score a goal. Much louder and more ferocious this year:)

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:54 pm

Great game. No longer is it end to end. It became so repetitive last year...back and forth back and forth. Now, it's entirely possible to control the puck in your end for minutes, rather than seconds. Conversely, the CPU can really control the puck as well and carry the momentum of the period by keeping the puck in your end. It can be a fit of frustration (in a nice way) to get any kind of scoring chance together. Then when seemingly you're having trouble, an errant pass by the CPU or a bad bounce puts one of your players in position.

I'm playing on All-Pro (normal) and it's not just a waltz like last year bringing the puck up the ice in to your opponent's end. This too gives the game a different feel and no longer do all games feel the same. I did bump up the speed one notch as I felt it played a little too slow on normal.

Other little observations:

Penalties seem right out of the box.

I love the hitting after the whistle.

Love the crowds.

I've already seen errant passes by the CPU, interceptions. I was wrong that it was tape to tape.

Fighting is better, but I imagine it'll get old rather quickly.

If a player has a weak backhander, it definitely shows.

Rebounds of plenty off the goalie.

Is it me or does the arena seem bigger? It appears there's more ice space...wider, longer perhaps?

Board play really takes this game to a new level. It's not over done from what I can tell thus far.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:58 pm

Ya, that's something I forgot to mention. Shots that hit the goalie are not longer magically sucked up, but instead bounce away for rebounds. Just feels looser.....

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:38 am

I told you Dan.. this is NOT NHL 9.5.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:45 am

MizzouRah wrote:I told you Dan.. this is NOT NHL 9.5.

No, it's certainly not.

I played a game on All-Star yesterday (my first game) and lost 3-2. I also played a game on Pro and lost 2-0. Not sure what that says about what skill level I should be playing on. In any case, there's a noticeable difference between the two settings. Passes are definitely more forgiving on Pro, and it's a heck of a lot easier bringing the puck up the ice (similiar to last year). I'm probably not ready to play on All-Star, but I like the realism on that skill setting better.

The only sliders I've messed with thus far is bumping game speed up one notch, as well as wrist and slap shot power for both myself and the CPU. I may have to tinker with the penalties a bit, as I'm not seeing that many at 7 minute periods. I did have my first ever penalty shot last night! That was very cool, but of course I messed up that opportunity.

The CPU does a very good job at dumping and chasing on All-Star. Many times, they were able to skate in and control the puck. Conversely, I'm not having success at all dumping and chasing. Part of that could be my lack of hockey knowledge or my inability to take the right angles. Either way, I'm having more success just bringing the puck over the blue line.

One thing that is scaring me is the goalie's A.I. On more than a couple occassions, my goalie will save a shot and then pass the puck very gingerly right out in front of the goal, not taking in to account that the opponent is skating nearby. That had lead to a goal against me which was quite frustrating.

I do like the overall interface flow of the game a lot better than last year. And I thought last year was pretty darn nice. For instance, whenever there was a break in play last year, you got that EA Sports instant replay in which you had to press the X or A button on your controller to get past. You still get a replay, but it's more subtle and you and bypass it much quicker. Also, it seems you can get back to the gameplay faster and there's less button pressing to fast forward through.

All in all, very few complaints thus far. The best hockey video game just got better if that was possible.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:32 am

Dan, I only played a couple of offline matches on AS and if your team doesn't match up well with the opponent or you're playing poor D, the CPU will score more on you than last years' version. I also find the goalie giving up more rebounds, so keep shooting. The AI on the CPU this year on AS is much tougher.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:25 am

I had an early day today so unfortunately I didn't get much time with this game last night. I was able to create my player and played a game on All Star Blues at Blackhawks. The Blues beat me 2-1 and I was outshot 41-24. The main reason for that was the fact that I could not stay out of the penalty box.

I was exceedingly impressed by what I saw. The board play is sheer genius. Being able to initiate it and actually use it to your advantage takes this game to the next level. I have never played a hockey videogame as realistic as the one I played last night.

The little thing I loved the most was hearing the fans pound on the glass when you pin the opponent against the boards at home. I can't wait to play more of this and check out Be a Pro and play with the Ice Dragons.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:54 pm

10spro wrote:
GameSeven wrote:Online now... just got scored on by my first opponent with a gold stick/gloves/skates and a helmet with some scaly graphic on it

Of course... god forbid you get scored on... the pause/drop game ensues...
Played a couple of OTP matches and it's incredible the amount of golden sticks, boots and gloves that I've seen already. I guess if you have the points...there's no limit what you can do to your player.

Am I the only one who is VERY concerned about this? I didn't have much time with the game to poke around the menus without being spammed with invites (

) for club games , but based on my quick look, a lot of the stuff is very hard to earn.

Typical was "win a game offline with every single team in league ___" or "complete 3 OTP seasons offline, playing in at least 40 games each year, and win MVP/Norris trophy", etc. In a year with NHL 09 I didn't even come close to hitting any of those benchmarks.

I suspect the norm will be for most players to just buy equipment upgrades. How much are these upgrades to buy? I will be pissed if you basically have to spend $10-$20 extra just to be able to compete and have a good time in EASHL.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:08 pm

Naples39 wrote: I suspect the norm will be for most players to just buy equipment upgrades. How much are these upgrades to buy? I will be pissed if you basically have to spend $10-$20 extra just to be able to compete and have a good time in EASHL.

I've read that a full player upgrade costs about $30.

And yeah, this sucks. Many people were okay with paid unlockable boosts or advantages for games 'as long as you could unlock them for free' by gameplay. While this is still technically true, the requirements are starting to get a little ridiculous.

I'm sure you'll see a lot of upgrades like this early on EASHL, as even in a recession, a hell of a lot of people have more money than sense.