NHL 13 Hands-On Impressions with True Performance Skating

[RealmK]

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?

I dunno, they'd didn't make a big deal out of the hustle option really. And this really isn't a speed burst feature like some keep trying to say it is.

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.

I wouldn't go so far as to say 12 was a failure, I would agree that it wasn't anywhere near a leap, it was more of a crawl. We got a Legends feature that no one wanted except the people always asking for historical teams might have dug retired guys being in the game.

Right around 09 or 10, it was supposidly the start of another 3 year plan, I think with Littman getting shifted to work on the failed NBA Elite reboot, and Dean being on Fight Night at the time it very well could have messed up that 3 year plan, because I figured when we initially got the physics stuff added, skating would have been taken care of in 11 or 12.

I'm not sure if Littman is back on the team or not, seeing as though we've only really seen Rammer and Dean so far. But I believe the shuffling done up at EAC is what caused the title to somewhat stagnate for a couple years.

I don't know how a physics based engine, complete with momentum taken into account, and goalies are are allowed to be dynamic after an intial save attempt, along with a complete retooling of the ai and additional strategies, isn't a step in the right direction. For some of you guys EA can't do anything right at all, nor will you even play a demo before condeming it. Which I don't think is very fair.

If 2k had put out a hockey game that actually sold, they'd still be making hockey games. Yet people still make excuses for that series left and right. Not trying to single you out Jez by any means mind you.

I've said a few times already, as long as the game improves yearly, and NHL XX has imo since 07, I'll support them. Yes the game stagnated, yes a new skating engine and AI attention was sorely needed for a few years running. I'd still rather wait and see how things turn out before deeming the game and series a failure.

[Money99]

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?

I think it's a hybrid of analog and speed burst.
I like that it all depends on the analog and not just hammering on 'A' the whole way up the ice.

But there's going to be a big learning curve because so many of us are used to just pressing down on the stick without any repercussions.
It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. I think it has great potential. But it may also frustrate many because they'll have to kill an old habit of just putting the throttle down for 99% of the game.

[voodoo_magic]

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

I really like how there seems to be a balance between going top end speed and control, especially shot control.
As well fatigue sounds like it's having an impact on how much you want to go full out.
And then the team systems can also help to slow the game down making it feel less like a end to end rush hopefully.

Very promising if all these things can come together and work properly.

It's funny when Rammer is comparing '12 to '13, hard not to show how bad '12 was if he wants to show how good '13 is.

[MizzouRah]

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

For those of you who follow Bill Abner, here's a little tidbit from E3:

http://www.nohighscores.com/2012/06/...ort/#more-7319

Seeing the old skating model in NHL and then seeing the changes for 13…it was striking. This is the real focus it seems with NHL and the skating felt great and the inability to turn on a dime this year will fundamentally change how you play both offensively and defensively.

It sounds like a small fix but after you spend time playing it, it is very easy to see the improvements. Example: I was given the gamepad and told to race down the ice; it takes a bit longer to reach full speed in ’13 and you can also press the left stick in for what is essentially a speed burst. I got the sense that it really was a speed “burst” and not a turbo button, but I’ll need to spend more time with it. Still, at full speed I was told to cut across the net; in NHL 12 this would have been an easy maneuver, even with the puck. However, in NHL ’13 my speedy skater tried to turn, his momentum, due to his speed being what it was carried him crashing into the boards. The idea of turning while racing at full speed — it’s simply not going to happen. This will absolutely change how NHL plays — and I think for the better. There was more to the demo from additional animations, the talk of better physics, better defensive positioning, etc. but this was my big takeaway from my playtime. NHL is one of EA’s best franchises and this looked like a no-brainer purchase.

[gamerk2]

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

There more I hear about NHL 12, the more I fear for my EASHL team. Everything we do is basically going to be obsolete.

Not like thats a BAD thing though...

[plaidchuck]

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

There more I hear about NHL 12, the more I fear for my EASHL team. Everything we do is basically going to be obsolete.

Not like thats a BAD thing though...

We'll see.. hopefully the attributes get an overhaul where there are pros/cons to every build and a well balanced team has the advantage.. instead of now where only about 3 attribs matter and if they're at 99 you're golden.

Kind of funny they said "size really matters" for 12 yet as long as you're skating fast you can knock down anyone regardless of size or attribs..

[Vikes1]

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

For those of you who follow Bill Abner, here's a little tidbit from E3:

http://www.nohighscores.com/2012/06/...ort/#more-7319

Thanks for posting this, Mizz.

I always look forward to reading Bill's previews/reviews.

[MizzouRah]

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

Thanks for posting this, Mizz.

I always look forward to reading Bill's previews/reviews.

He calls it like he sees it, so it was interesting to read his thoughts on the new skating model. I would agree, that improvement alone is worth the purchase price to me.

[Vikes1]

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

He calls it like he sees it, so it was interesting to read his thoughts on the new skating model. I would agree, that improvement alone is worth the purchase price to me.

Agreed, Mizz. I trust, Bill.

In fact for Fathers day, my kids prepaid for NHL '13' for me.

I can't help but to keep watching that video about the new skating and Hockey IQ. Every time I hear Rammer say in the vid...."You can no longer skate through the neutral zone with ease."...and then I see the AI defensemen standing up at their blue-line...a huge smile comes across my face. Man...that's a big welcome change to NHL! Cannot [swear word] wait!

[RealmK]

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

Agreed, Mizz. I trust, Bill.

In fact for Fathers day, my kids prepaid for NHL '13' for me.

I can't help but to keep watching that video about the new skating and Hockey IQ. Every time I hear Rammer say in the vid...."You can no longer skate through the neutral zone with ease."...and then I see the AI defensemen standing up at their blue-line...a huge smile comes across my face. Man...that's a big welcome change to NHL! Cannot [swear word] wait!

I feel the same, hopefully everything else works out as advertised.

[MizzouRah]

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

Agreed, Mizz. I trust, Bill.

In fact for Fathers day, my kids prepaid for NHL '13' for me.

I can't help but to keep watching that video about the new skating and Hockey IQ. Every time I hear Rammer say in the vid...."You can no longer skate through the neutral zone with ease."...and then I see the AI defensemen standing up at their blue-line...a huge smile comes across my face. Man...that's a big welcome change to NHL! Cannot [swear word] wait!

Nice present!

[Vikes1]

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

Nice present!

Yep Mizz...when my kids asked me what I'd like for Fathers day, NHL and dinner were the first things that popped into my empty head.

Ah dang it!...I should have asked for a years worth of XBox live too.

[FBeaule04]

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

Agreed, Mizz. I trust, Bill.

In fact for Fathers day, my kids prepaid for NHL '13' for me.

I can't help but to keep watching that video about the new skating and Hockey IQ. Every time I hear Rammer say in the vid...."You can no longer skate through the neutral zone with ease."...and then I see the AI defensemen standing up at their blue-line...a huge smile comes across my face. Man...that's a big welcome change to NHL! Cannot [swear word] wait!

You we're the first guy I thought about when I saw that team system video. If I didn't read 100 messages from you on this board about the lack of pressure in the neutral zone (where most of the games are won or lose in the NHL), I didn't read 1. :-)

I hope it translate in the game like it's in the videos. My jaw simply went to the ground watching the Yotes lined up in an umbrella formation in the neutral zone! :-)

[MizzouRah]

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

Yep Mizz...when my kids asked me what I'd like for Fathers day, NHL and dinner were the first things that popped into my empty head.

Ah dang it!...I should have asked for a years worth of XBox live too.

Trade in NHL 12 towards XBL.

[Vikes1]

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

You we're the first guy I thought about when I saw that team system video. If I didn't read 100 messages from you on this board about the lack of pressure in the neutral zone (where most of the games are won or lose in the NHL), I didn't read 1. :-)

I hope it translate in the game like it's in the videos. My jaw simply went to the ground watching the Yotes lined up in an umbrella formation in the neutral zone! :-)

Yeah FB...I've been hammering away about this issue in the gameplay for quite a while now.:wink: So yep, like you FB...my jaw fell when I watched that video too.

Like you said here FB, hopefully the video shows close to what we'll see in the final product. If so...we should see a fundamental change in how we play the game vs the AI. Can't wait to give it a try!