NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

[Steve_OS]

Check out some of the True Performance Skating NHL 13 hands-on impressions from some of the EA Sports Game Changers. If you continue reading the thread, some of the guys are answering questions as well, including Showtime on Reddit.

On the endurance end, players that hustle all game long are going to find themselves slowing down by the 10 minute mark of each period. It takes a lot out of your player, and makes you much less effective on the ice. In versus play, which is where I started testing, I regularly had all four lines at 50% fatigue - or worse - due to my heinous abuse of L3. I probably don't have to tell you, but tiring out my whole team led to more than a few goals against. As good as it feels to go fast, you're going to have to let up, or risk letting your team down.

On the whole, my impression was that the players concerned about playing defense against top end speed can breathe at least a partial sigh of relief. They aren't going to be able to run all over on you all game, and catching a streaking forward with his head down is as satisfying and rewarding as you'd think it should be. Forcing a player outside is easier, as long as you're in position, and the poke check and stick lift are much more effective against a player who is hustling with the puck. However, that does mean you need to be where you're supposed to be. The days of poke-spamming a guy from behind are going to be far behind you.

[gopher_guy]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

From my first strides, I felt like my player was really working against the ice, really having to dig to get going and gather some momentum.

I love hearing stuff like this! Sounds like the skating will be A LOT more realistic.

edit: And this!

With NHL 13, the days of mashing L3 to hustle are gone. Instead, you press it down once and hold it, and your player quickly puts his head down and accelerates to top speed. As a result, races for a loose puck are much more exciting, and potentially much more costly to lose.

[LuGer33]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

I love hearing stuff like this! Sounds like the skating will be A LOT more realistic.

edit: And this!

Yeah so is push puck. LT makes you pivot now, which I must have done about two dozen times during our playtest whenever I hit the open ice.

Takes a little getting used to for sure.

[Broncos86]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

This SHOULD reinforce good hockey. Because if energy is expendable and limited, it means you need to use it wisely. Which basically means a premium on positioning, fundamental hockey, and good passing. It also means a defensive team can wear down an opponent.

As I've told kids I've coached: if you're in position and making good decisions, you just won't feel tired.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

Love reading about how different Bert felt from Dats.
My biggest question is, how will Bert look and play when the CPU is controlling him?
That's my #1 question and my main concern.

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

Love reading about how different Bert felt from Dats.
My biggest question is, how will Bert look and play when the CPU is controlling him?
That's my #1 question and my main concern.

I would hope the same. Else I'm done. If they can't make the AI smarter rather than just cheap on superstar (which incidentally I think I'm like 12-15-2 in my latest season on SS, isn't going so well, lot of 1 goal games on the wrong end) then I'm done.

There are times in 12, where even when you do play solid positional hockey, due to the skating engine, and the AI's ability not to bobble pucks even when getting a shoulder full of Chara or Boychuk, it can be frustrating.

The new skating engine ought to eliminate that I would hope.

[BlackXEyes]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

what kills me in super star is how fast they learn after 3-5 games or 1-2 years in all-star am sure but i can easy rate as super star cause they like to collapse my defense and its easy goal to the top shelf

so am doing test in my second be a gm season mode
with pass interceptions : 1/1 & ai learning : 4 and cpu strategy adjustment: 3& player acceleration: 1/1 to see if that slow's the cpu and allows me to score

[Segagendude]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

^^^^^^ why do you keep posting your slider tests in threads that have nothing to do with that, Blackeyes!!??

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

^^^^^^ why do you keep posting your slider tests in threads that have nothing to do with that, Blackeyes!!??

Most likely because he's an attention whore. At least we didn't get all the cheesy anime garbage for once.

[DuffHouse12]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

new skating engine is going to be amazing. glide fellas. glide.


i want to see new deke footage though.

[Poro24]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

These are great news! I've been wanting a real speed burst button in the game since 07 and now it's finally here. Now the game will definitely feel more like real hockey.

But at the same time it's just sad that it took EA for about seven years to figure out that not every player have to skate at same speed all the time.

[JezFranco]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

But at the same time it's just sad that it took EA for about seven years to figure out that not every player have to skate at same speed all the time.

I think the "failure" of NHL 12 is what's made the EA team go into overdrive.
It's perhaps not a failure in the words strictest meaning, but since the skill stick introduction, NHL 12 is probably the one game in the series with the least progression from the previous one, combined with the most number of bugs and problems, new and old.
And many of us around here have noticed the complete lack of response from EA this year. It's been like "f*** it, we can't fix it anymore".
And now, it's quite funny to see Rammer sitting there showing off 13, and he keeps bashing 12


I don't know if they worked on the skate engine last year already, but had to pull it from 12 which kinda made it a weak update.
But really, if NHL 13 is not a very big step, back in the right direction... EA is out on thin ice.

[plaidchuck]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

Is it me though or does it seem they're trying to bring back or hype up a new sprint button?

[alifeincomplete]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

But really, if NHL 13 is not a very big step, back in the right direction... EA is out on thin ice.

I disagree. There is no other competitor for a NHL video-game.

[canucksss]

Re: NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

But really, if NHL 13 is not a very big step, back in the right direction... EA is out on thin ice.

i totally agree with you on this. i for one will watch closely this game and comments of some people here in OS about NHL 13 before buying.

I disagree. There is no other competitor for a NHL video-game.

i rather play my old NHL 11 than waste my hard earned cash than buy a half-a$$ effort from EA.