NHL 2K10: First Look (IGN)

[Money99]

IGN has posted their first look at NHL 2K10, including a sneak peak at the cyber Ovechkin.

"When it comes to hockey games I do have to say I'm a bit conflicted. Being from Minnesota(the state of hockey, folks) I'm love the game, played it up until high school, and frequent every game of puck out there regardless of console. Still, while both 2K and EA tend to evolve year over year in the direction of sim-like experiences I can't help but feel like we're losing the classic feeling of hockey found on systems like the Super NES or original Nintendo in the form of NHL 94, Blades of Steel, or Ice Hockey. If only there was a way to get the simple pleasure and balance of those games merged with a full-on, realistic hockey experience…

It's far too early to tell at this point, but that's exactly what 2K is going for with NHL 2K10. Don't worry, the game still looks the same (better, in fact) as far as style and realism, you've got every mode and option you expect from last year, but 2K as also mentioned that the company is essentially giving the true two year project it intended on back in 2007. Last year's game was fun and had a lot of options, but this is really a continuation off of that. If 2K9 was fun, but not quite there, it's because it was only half of the dev cycle in 2K's mind. As such, 2K10 is meant to be the fruits of two years of labor; not just a one-year quick fix update."

[Scottdau]

Re: IGN First Look

Oh hell yeah!

[Scottdau]

Re: IGN First Look

We didn't have a chance to go hands-on with the game just yet – still too early for that – but at first glance 2K10 is looking very nice. Just like 2K9 the game is faster, a bit more on an arcade-slant over something like EA's series, and passes, shots, crowd reactions, and speed are all there and looking/sounding great. Game intros

Oh boy I can see it now people complaining that it is going to be an arcade game! I like what I am hearing, and the player models do look better this year. You can tell on that one screen we seen already.

[RealmK]

Re: IGN First Look

Agreed, if thats actually in game the player models have certainly improved. I still don't know why 2k doesn't just release an actual on ice, in game screen shot already though. Their PR/marketing tactics or lack their of just continue to baffle me. Though I do have to say, thats a pretty impressive looking shot of AO.

[Scottdau]

Re: IGN First Look

Agreed, if thats actually in game the player models have certainly improved. I still don't know why 2k doesn't just release an actual on ice, in game screen shot already though. Their PR/marketing tactics or lack their of just continue to baffle me. Though I do have to say, thats a pretty impressive looking shot of AO.

Yeah I agree. If they fixed the AI and get some of those problems fixed then I will happy. I like that the game is easy to play. I think EA is getting to difficult for me. I am almost 38 and my reactions are getting slower every year. So I think this might be the game for me this year. I will still get EA's too. I wonder if I should get this for the 360 or PS3?

[RealmK]

Re: IGN First Look

Yeah I agree. If they fixed the AI and get some of those problems fixed then I will happy. I like that the game is easy to play. I think EA is getting to difficult for me. I am almost 38 and my reactions are getting slower every year. So I think this might be the game for me this year. I will still get EA's too. I wonder if I should get this for the 360 or PS3?

I could be wrong but in previous years the 360 was usually the lead sku. I'm not sure if thats still the case with how much 2k seems to be pimping the Wii these days during these press showings though. I agree though, if the AI is at least on par with EA's offering I'll snag it.

[tyler289]

Re: IGN First Look

I'll probably keep my eye on this game, only because AO is on the cover. I'm confident EA's game will be better, but that shot of AO looks really nice, and if the players celebrate nicely and the game plays solid I might pick it up as well.

[Scottdau]

Re: IGN First Look

I could be wrong but in previous years the 360 was usually the lead sku. I'm not sure if thats still the case with how much 2k seems to be pimping the Wii these days during these press showings though. I agree though, if the AI is at least on par with EA's offering I'll snag it.

I don't know what it is about this game, but I like it better than EA. It might be what happens when you score a goal. Or maybe it is the puck physics, but just something feels right when I play this game. Plus I like the faceoffs. That is blast to see and play.

[RealmK]

Re: IGN First Look

I don't know what it is about this game, but I like it better than EA. It might be what happens when you score a goal. Or maybe it is the puck physics, but just something feels right when I play this game. Plus I like the faceoffs. That is blast to see and play.

I still need to try those sliders you sent me. Been using HighHeat's so far and I still find it way to easy to score with those. The only real difference I notice with the puck physics over NHL09 is there's far far less suction with goalie interactions (something EA used as a band aid fix for goalie issues from 08 to 09) So the puck does do a better job of rebounding off netminders, rather than roll down their backs or what not in NHL09.

I don't really see a difference in other areas of the ice, players who block a slapshot still more times than not magically take control of the puck rather than the puck bouncing away like it prolly should. I do like the little touch of seeing pucks bounce on edge more than you see in 09, I gotta give credit for that.

[Scottdau]

Re: IGN First Look

I still need to try those sliders you sent me. Been using HighHeat's so far and I still find it way to easy to score with those. The only real difference I notice with the puck physics over NHL09 is there's far far less suction with goalie interactions (something EA used as a band aid fix for goalie issues from 08 to 09) So the puck does do a better job of rebounding off netminders, rather than roll down their backs or what not in NHL09.

I don't really see a difference in other areas of the ice, players who block a slapshot still more times than not magically take control of the puck rather than the puck bouncing away like it prolly should. I do like the little touch of seeing pucks bounce on edge more than you see in 09, I gotta give credit for that.

Set the game to slow with those sliders.

[Eddie1967]

Re: IGN First Look

That pic is nice. I have no doubt 2k10 will be a big improvement over 2k9.
Love the point about 2k9 having only have of the dev cycle. 2k10 is going to be awesome. The signature style in all of 2k's game sets it apart from the rest. That's another reason why I can't play EA's NHL series. None of the players have any style. I can only imagine what 2k football would be like today. Oh well can't for this game to drop, looks like another huge year for them.

[baa7]

Re: IGN First Look

That's another reason why I can't play EA's NHL series. None of the players have any style.

C'mon they all have style. When the CPU goes into pressure mode, they all skate like Yvan Cournoyer, all pass the puck like Marc Savard, are all as agile and impossible to chase down as Wayne Gretzky, are all as deadly in the slot as Phil Esposito...

It's all very stylish. It just isn't "hockey."

[JimmyDeicide]

Re: IGN First Look

That pic is nice. I have no doubt 2k10 will be a big improvement over 2k9.
Love the point about 2k9 having only have of the dev cycle. 2k10 is going to be awesome. The signature style in all of 2k's game sets it apart from the rest. That's another reason why I can't play EA's NHL series. None of the players have any style. I can only imagine what 2k football would be like today. Oh well can't for this game to drop, looks like another huge year for them.

It doesnt say only having half the development cycle it says they consider it only half , they dont mention just how long they worked on 2k9 a lot of grey area there.

Not being negative just pointing out how they have creatively worded things and has obviously created a little confusion in their favor, classic mincing of words .

[Acedeck]

I'm excited about 2k10. As much as I still play NHL 09 to this day, I still prefer 2k9 for offline, traditional games of hockey. It just nails so many little things that EA's game didn't even consider. I've been a fan of the NHL2k series since NHL2k3, buying every game annually. I'm sure I'll be doing it again this year, though I'll definitely be purchasing NHL10 as well, as I can't get enough of the EASHL with my established team. We're going to be ready to go come this fall!

[Eddie1967]

Re: IGN First Look

C'mon they all have style. When the CPU goes into pressure mode, they all skate like Yvan Cournoyer, all pass the puck like Marc Savard, are all as agile and impossible to chase down as Wayne Gretzky, are all as deadly in the slot as Phil Esposito...

It's all very stylish. It just isn't "hockey."

LOL, yes your right. It's not hockey at all but indeed very stylish.