NHL 2010 demo is available

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:15 am

I know how a lot of you guys loved 09 so I thought I'd give a heads up that the 2010 demo is now up on the marketplace.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:51 am

Played two "Battle for the Cup" games as Detroit on All-star/Hardcore.

First "scenario" is fixed in the Crosby would come down with a playable injury with the 2-0 lead midway through the third. Was no worries for Pitt as they lengthened their lead and generally dictated play throughout. The game ended 3-0 and you get a taste of the SC celebration, though it ends before the actual awarding of the Cup.

Second playthrough is a random scenario. I got "M. Hossa is hot with points in consecutive games," which would prove foretelling as he would score the equalizer with 8:00 to go (Pitt started up only 2-1 this time). I still felt outplayed by the CPU for much of the game and that would be costly as some nice passing by the CPU set up a wide open Fedotenko to net the winner with under a minute to go.

First impressions:

+ The new additions to gameplay, esp on Hardcore, are very noticeable, yet seamless in integration. The boardplay battles in particular are great to behold. While it comes quite natural on defense, I need to remind myself of this option on offense. One play where I had Hossa alone in the zone comes to mind. I instinctively ring it around the board to empty space, but probably should've pinned it and awaited help.
+ Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere - The variety in the crowd, the waving towels not only in cutscenes but before each face-off, the crowd response to big plays and penalties, not to mention the post-game celebration with the disappointed Detroit crowd all add up to a sensation that the game has tremendous meaning.
+ The passing on Hardcore, while a bit frustrating, *really* makes you focus on what you want to do with the puck. I expect it to come more naturally with additional plays, but I found myself sitting on the puck and making far less blind passes trying to start the breakout. This was also evident on many faceoffs as there were very few clean wins and many needed to be retrieved by the recipient.
+ There are a lot of nice animation touches. I had a board battle lead to a face wash after the whistle which looked convincing.
+ CPU makes some smart moves. I'm reminded of one play where a hard-charging Staal pulled up quick and when I dropped to the ice, pulled a nice loose puck deke to clear the puck around my defender and pass to a charging teammate for a nice slot chance.
+ While an overused term, organic describes the play very well IMHO.

-The passing on Hardcore, while a bit frustrating, *really* makes you focus on what you want to do with the puck. The jury is out to me, as I felt a little like this 'micro-management' of such a critical component was a large contributor to being on my heels throughout. I fully expect this to get better, however.
- If I'm forced to look for things, the first-person fighting was kind of ho-hum. I forced a fight with 3 seconds left in the 3-0 loss (of a SCF Game 7, right

) and FPF didn't do much for me. The bench reaction to the fighters is well done, though.

Overall, I'm eager to try out the rest of the modes, but work calls. Nice that this one dropped when it did. I'm going on vacation tomorrow so a week of Madden and the demo will make me a happy camper.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:03 am

Downloaded and played this morning. Game is more of the same but the changes made make it even better. Looks like you only get 1 period of play for either option you choose so this will disappoint some people. Game play is good though, feels better to me in almost every aspect. Goalies looked much better and the board pinning will add to the experience for sure.
Went into BAP mode, created my player, played in the prospects game, got into a fight....I actually love the fighting system...I never had fights on in 08 and 09 but this was fun at least for the first time. I couldn't muster any goals on the default settings and ended up losing 1-0 in a shootout to the world juniors. I ended up getting drafted by the Devils with like the 16th or 17th pick. I think I was ranked #15 going into that game but I took a couple of bad penalties, so that probably played a part in where I was drafted. Anyway...I was hoping this game would carry me over until the release date but I don't think it will! Can't wait for the game to hit the shelves!

Phototropic · Post by **Phototropic** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:28 am

Is it possible to create a goalie in the BAP portion of the demo?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:40 am

For those at work who want to queue it up: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games ... &bt=0&sb=1

I can't wait to check this out.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:51 am

Scoop,

I had no idea that was even possible. Thanks!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:05 am

Just my impressions...

Started it up and its nice.
Graphically the game looks pretty much the same. Crowds are a bit better.

Created my player and went into "Battle For The Cup" mode. You are put in game 7 down 2-1.
-Played as the Wings and lost...2-1
-Some impressions after 1 game: I played on NORMAL, PRO. Going to try Hardcore in a bit.
-Board play, as expected is very nice. It slows the game down in the offensive zone which is awesome. Once you dump the puck in you
chase and grind it out in the corner...allowing your line to get into the zone and set up - very nice. All you need to do to push someone
into the boards is push and hold Y when close. You can kick and poke with the pass and poke buttons respectively.
-Passing in normal mode is more difficult on default than last year. Its not tape-tape by any means. Hardcore must be killer!
-I saw a difference in the way guys played. Hossa and Malkin were slick.

Scorpions Rock Me Like A Hurricane is blasting from the soundtrack as I type this

Back in for more...

UPDATE:

HARDCORE is a great name for Hardcore Mode!

The first thing you notice is the passing game. Its tough. Pressure sensitive passing is sweet but it takes some getting used to

About a minute in I stole the puck and had a guy open in the neutral zone. I simply pulled the right trigger to pass (like in 09) and the puck came out slow and wide of my forward. The Pens swooped in and snagged the puck right back

The game is slower, obviously, in HC mode. Very realistic IMO.

Checking is much more difficult in HC. You better have the guy lined up or you will miss. No sucking in to your opponent.

This is going to be awesome fellas.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:06 am

TCrouch wrote:Scoop,

I had no idea that was even possible. Thanks!

WOW! Me neither. Thanks!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:23 am

Spooky wrote:
TCrouch wrote:Scoop,

I had no idea that was even possible. Thanks!
WOW! Me neither. Thanks!

Yeah, it's a cool feature. If you have someone at home you can have them turn on the 360 for 30 seconds and turn it off and it will start downloading it. There's no way in hell I could walk my wife through navigating the menus and starting the download herself nor would she be likely to do it.

This way I just ask her to turn the 360 on for a bit and turn it off, she calls me a dork, and I have a demo waiting for me when I get home.

I wonder if they'll play Rock You Like a Hurricane when Kane scores at the United Center. That would be awesome.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:25 am

So you can turn it on...and turn it back off...and it still downloads?

I can't believe how little I know about this whole process.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:29 am

TCrouch wrote:So you can turn it on...and turn it back off...and it still downloads?

I can't believe how little I know about this whole process.

It's amazing what you can do on the internets these days

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:31 am

No, it only downloads when it is on.

The Xbox.com marketplace stuff is great. In many cases it's much easier to browse, buy, queue downloads, add points, redeem codes, etc. there than it is from the console itself.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:33 am

Just did the same for Dirt 2. Thanks again Scoop.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:50 am

If they can improve a little on last year's game I will be very happy.
NHL09 was one of my favorite sports games ever. I LOVE the BAP mode and it's very addicting. NHL2010 sounds like it may be a contender for best sports video game ever!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:52 am

webdanzer wrote:No, it only downloads when it is on.

The Xbox.com marketplace stuff is great. In many cases it's much easier to browse, buy, queue downloads, add points, redeem codes, etc. there than it is from the console itself.

No, all you have to do is start the download and then you can turn off your 360 and it will continue to download until it's finished and then turn completely off. It has been able to do that for at least a couple of years now. There is an option to continue downloading after shut down called Background Downloads. Enable it and you're all good.

The 360 goes into a low power mode and you'll see the middle light flash green every 10 seconds or so until the downloads are done at which point the machine turns completely off. It's one of the best features of the machine IMO.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:59 am

Actually, Web, you can toggle a setting to have the Xbox d/l stuff after you turn it off. They put that in three or four updates ago. The power light will blink on and off while it's downloading when it's off.

This new, queue it up on the web feature was new a couple of updates ago.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:59 am

ScoopBrady wrote:No, all you have to do is start the download and then you can turn off your 360 and it will continue to download until it's finished and then turn completely off.

Wow, thanks for the correction! I have been using the xbox.com marketplace downloads pretty much since they started, but always thought you needed the machine on.

Thanks, Scoop!!

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:15 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:
webdanzer wrote:No, it only downloads when it is on.

The Xbox.com marketplace stuff is great. In many cases it's much easier to browse, buy, queue downloads, add points, redeem codes, etc. there than it is from the console itself.
No, all you have to do is start the download and then you can turn off your 360 and it will continue to download until it's finished and then turn completely off. It has been able to do that for at least a couple of years now. There is an option to continue downloading after shut down called Background Downloads. Enable it and you're all good.

The 360 goes into a low power mode and you'll see the middle light flash green every 10 seconds or so until the downloads are done at which point the machine turns completely off. It's one of the best features of the machine IMO.

Never knew that either....You have to enable it.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:18 pm

The errant shots were ridiculous in 09.

They claimed last year that shots hitting the posts would be minimized compared to 08 but that didn't seem to be the case.

Add to that wide shots from just outside the crease and they impaired scoring too artificially.

Checking was suppose to be toned down as well.

If they really did tone it down, it might make up for the weaker shots.

08 was better than 09 at least in terms of OTP games. Sure there were some ridiculous long slapshots but that's not as bad as point blank shots which go wide because of complaints about too much scoring the previous year.

Hopefully 10 brings more balance between the two.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:24 pm

wco81 wrote:The errant shots were ridiculous in 09.

They claimed last year that shots hitting the posts would be minimized compared to 08 but that didn't seem to be the case.

Add to that wide shots from just outside the crease and they impaired scoring too artificially.

Checking was suppose to be toned down as well.

If they really did tone it down, it might make up for the weaker shots.

08 was better than 09 at least in terms of OTP games. Sure there were some ridiculous long slapshots but that's not as bad as point blank shots which go wide because of complaints about too much scoring the previous year.

Hopefully 10 brings more balance between the two.

Because every shot in the NHL is on target, right?

Hitting 4-5 posts per game is a problem having shots sail wide is not.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:28 pm

My biggest beef with the game was the ease of skating in to your opponents zone. You literally could take it from your end line across the blue line. I'm really hoping that has been addressed.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:36 pm

I'm talking about rebounds or one timers with the shooter right outside the crease, often unchecked, no defender between the goalie and the shooter.

At that range, NHL players would have to try hard to miss.

The overall balance of OTP games tended to much lower-scoring in 09 than 08.

Maybe it's different on Xbox compared to PS3.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:51 pm

sportdan30 wrote:My biggest beef with the game was the ease of skating in to your opponents zone. You literally could take it from your end line across the blue line. I'm really hoping that has been addressed.

On Hardcore the game is slower and lower rated players aren't as agile as the studs. That should temper it.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:14 pm

Keep impression coming guys, just touchdown from a flight, looking anxiously to get my paws on the demo tonight. Can you play online on the demo?

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:17 pm

10spro wrote:Keep impression coming guys, just touchdown from a flight, looking anxiously to get my paws on the demo tonight. Can you play online on the demo?

No