EA Sports NHL 13

[Primis]

I've been playing the demo the last two days. Mainly on the Moments thing because at times I can got 2 or 3 OT's before finally scoring, so I get more actual on-ice time.

I owned NHL 11 and still play it (a lot). I tried the 12 demo for a day and say "Yeah, not so much" and deleted it because it really brought very little new to the table. There were differences, but not anywhere near enough. 13 though feels a bit different throughout.

The new skating does make a difference. It's maddening at times after all those years of being programmed (in your mind) to expect certain reactions from skating. I can't knock it though: it looks and feels more realistic. And it does feel like faster skaters get a real bonus to their speed for it. Power forwards also feel a bit more "right". They can bull and bulldoze a bit more than the others whereas honestly in 11 and 12 you could take a small dangling forward and still bulldoze if you did it right. Power forwards just skate a bit more accurately with this system.

The defensive AI has definitely improved on some levels. The AI defenders are way more active with their sticks now, and won't just give you space like they sometimes did. In 12 you could score in almost the exact same ways as 11. In 13 you can't so much, because the defenders are just so active in their defense. That doesn't mean there aren't faults, but when I'm watching them take away the cross-ice passes I generally tear opponents apart with, I know something is up.

About those sticks. In 11 and 12 I used pokecheck a LOT on defense. And it was frustrating because even when you did poke the puck, it'd just sit there and often they'd pick it right back up barely losing a beat. Now, if you poke the puck it's usually forceful and the puck has a tendency to glide away, resulting in true loose pucks. An active stick wreaks a lot more havoc to puck carriers. I love this aspect because I thoroughly enjoy playing the defensive side (I used to play online as a LD 90% of the time).

As for goalies... I dunno'. I beat Mike Smith with a wristshot from the blueline 7 secs. into the Moments game on several occasions on wide-side goals he really should have had. And in the one case there was no traffic at all in front of him. They seem to handle odd-man rushes and cross-ice passes better, some of the time anyways. And I excited to see them come out to play the puck and not immediately deposit it into the 6th row and get a 2 min. penalty like before. Instead they use the glass correctly and generally don't fire the puck into trouble. I only once snuck in to get a puck I then fired at the open net (and missed wide because it was a hurried shot at a bad angle). Other times though I see the same old stupid goalie AI rear its head. It's been improved, but not wholesale.

EA's slow march towards getting player faces right continues. They look a little better once again. Every year though they get a bit better, yet completely botch some big names.

I'm torn. There are DEFINITE improvements here, unlike with 12. I think they saw the huge lag in sales for 12 compared to 11 and realized they needed changes, pronto, and couldn't wait another year or two like normal. However... I'm still not sure it's enough to get me to plonk down $60. There's just still too much they've reused for 2 or 3 years now at least (or more years than that, HI GARY AND BILL!).

I'm probably going to spend another session or 2 with the 13 demo and see then. Right now my verdict is "Good improvements, still not quite enough though" to get me to drop $60 and stop playing 11. With 11 I knew pretty quickly I wanted it. With 12 I knew almost instantly I didn't need it.

[B. Stinson]

IGN has posted a preview of NHL 13: http://www.ign.com/videos/2012/08/24/nh ... eo-preview.

Also, a 22 minute producer commentary from a couple days ago: http://www.ign.com/videos/2012/08/22/nh ... commentary.

[archibalduk]

Many thanks for the review, Primis. I haven't bought NHL since NHL 10 and so I'm hoping NHL 13 might be good enough to tempt me (there just wasn't enough of anything different/better to sway me to buy 11 or 12). From what you say, it might just be enough.

I've set my XBox to download the demo and hopefully I'll find time tomorrow to give it a go.

[archibalduk]

There is a very good fan review here: http://www.operationsports.com/features ... undtable-/

It's well worth a quick read if you're thinking of buying the game.

[B. Stinson]

It's unfortunate to see there's already some money goals discovered. I was playing around trying to find some, and was happy to have failed. Hopefully EA will see them and get the AI patched up.

But in any case, I've already ordered my copy, and am ready for 9/11 (that seems really weird to say ). Only $45 from Toys R Us! What a steal!

[archibalduk]

It sounded from that review like EA are going to release an early patch to address at least the backwards skating money goal. To be honest, I'll be playing offline so something like that wouldn't bother me so much because I wouldn't go out of my way to skate backwards to exploit the AI. However, I have always cut in against the defence and used one-timers a lot simply because it's kind of a natural thing to do in some ways. I'm glad to hear that this is apparently much harder to pull off in NHL 13.

I will give 13 a try later today, but I'm nearly sold simply from Primis' review and those fan reviews. It sounds like a much improved game (but still far from perfect). The noticeable variety in playing styles between teams, decent skating and improved AI really appeals to me.

I just hope this is the start of the NHL devs setting out on a similar route as the FIFA devs. If they concentrate on improving the gameplay like this each year, then there's no reason why the game couldn't become as polished as the FIFA series. I guess we'll know in a year's time whether this was just a one-off due to concern about sales, or whether it is a concerted effort to create a solid and realistic core game.

[archibalduk]

I have been playing a bit of the demo and essentially my impression is the same as Primis:

• Skating - a definite improvement. I love the gliding; it feels "right". There is a definite and noticeable difference in speed. I couldn't turn on a penny, but I still felt at times that I could turn a little too easily. I really want to see how the likes of Gaborik perform in relation to other players.
• The AI - again, a definite improvement both with regards to both back and forecheck. The defensive AI is still not jaw-dropping, but I certainly felt like I had less time on the puck than before. However, it is really hard from playing a third of a game against LA/NJ/Phoenix to ascertain just how good (and variable) the AI is. I haven't tried this yet, but I think the best way to test the AI is to try an AI vs AI game. In the past this has really highlighted how scripted and poor the AI is (because the teams will essentially take turns to cycle the puck until a missed shot or pass results in a turnover).
• The goalies - it was very noticeable how Brodeur would race out of his net to clear the puck. I really liked this. However, in a later game, a horrific and totally avoidable own goal was scored by Brodeur and it this reminded me too much of any previous iteration of NHL. I took a shot which deflected off a New Jersey defenceman, bounced off Brodeur's skate, hit the post and trickled along the goal line. Brodeur just stood in a butterfly position and kind of glided slowly to the side as though he was getting ready for a shot from the slot (despite the fact that the puck was behind him). Eventually (probably about 2-3 seconds after the puck started sliding across the goal line, the back of Brodeur's skate knocked it into the goal. I have seen this goal far too often ever since NHL 99. 14 years later and it's still and issue. Words fail me...
• I'm undecided on how easy it is to pull of big checks. It still felt a little too easy, but they weren't huge checks.
• I liked how many intercepted passes there were. However, I felt the puck still "sticks" to players' sticks a bit too much.
• Although not of a big deal, the graphics were nice and I liked some of the camera angles during cut scenes.

All in all, I enjoyed it. I haven't owned an NHL game since NHL 10 (and I traded this in about 2010 or 2011) and so it makes the decision a little easier for me. NHL 11 and 12 didn't feel different enough for me to part with my money, but this time I'm more impressed. However, that Brodeur own goal seriously annoyed me!

[B. Stinson]

It's release day, and IGN's review is up:

I really enjoyed my time with NHL 13. And if you’re a hockey junky like me, chances are you will, too. For a full-price title, gamers get so much more than mere roster and tuner updates (which come for free and with regularity, by the way). You also get robust online and offline modes that could potentially keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

NHL 13 may have some problems and inconsistencies, but they barely detract from the quality product EA Canada has put out this year, one that may just keep you warm on those cold, dark nights when you should be watching the real thing but are forced to play it on your console of choice instead.

NHL 13 Review - IGN

[Primis]

One of the NHL blogs I follow put up an open thread for the game today. So far the comments aren't glowing. A lot of people are upset at what they did to the online career mode (you now start out at like 40 Overall) and noted that unless you get in on Day 1, you simply won't be able to compete online because of how far behind you'll be. And also, apparently glitches online are-a-plenty already.

Also a lot of the same gripes that were aired above in our impressions about the demo. Some are griping about the skating engine, but most seem to like that at least.

I just tweeted a bit ago that I decided to pass on NHL 13. At the end of the day EA Sports needs to do more than this. I'm willing to give a pass every other year, but... even with the new skating system it's still too NHL 11 for me.

[archibalduk]

I'm still very undecided on this. A big reason I haven't bought it yet is because I simply don't have the time to play. This is quite a blessing because I can read the user feedback and then decide whether or not to shell out. To be honest, I think if I were to buy, I'd wait until the first patch when (hopefully) they'll address the money goals/glitches.

[dabo]

I pre-ordered it as usual. Even though the glitchers find new ways to score every year I still enjoy EASHL, that is pretty much the only game mode I play.

[HeatPete]

Haven't yet bought it but probably going to do it soon. As always EA servers from previous versions are shut at some point so I won't be able to play online if I don't buy new NHL.

[archibalduk]

There's a good review of how the game of hockey is represented in NHL 13 here: NHL 13: Grading the Realism

The conclusion sums it up well:

Overall Grade: B-

Hockey is a sport of chaos and unpredictability, yet historically, most hockey video games have suffered from being too predictable and repetitive.

By erasing many of the repeatable scoring tactics and cheap skating maneuvers from previous editions, NHL 13 has made offense more fun and unpredictable. Still, the robotic goaltending and lack of realism in faceoffs, netplay and boardplay are keeping EA's NHL series from becoming a true hockey simulation.

[B. Stinson]

Just got my copy in the mail a couple nights ago. I love how I can finally play as a goalie! I remember trying to play goalie back in NHL 2001 and 2002, but the game just wasn't meant to be played that way. It was usually frustrating, or at best - boring.

But now they actually have an appropriate camera angle, with a full set of relevant controls. And better yet, they've got actual game-modes dedicated to playing this way. Who knew!

One downside, though, is the Interactive Tutorial for goalies. Through some research, I've found that there's a range of things you can do as a goalie, but, unless I missed something, the tutorial never goes beyond one 'get in front of the puck to make a save' drill.

[archibalduk]

I think I'll probably shell out for NHL 13. My local Game store doesn't haven't any in stock, so I guess I'll get it online instead.

I played a bit more of the demo today and bizarrely San Jose appeared on the team selection screen as the road team and LA as the home team (the demo normally has LA at New Jersey). The San Jose logo was present, but the jerseys were missing/blank on the jersey selection screen. The game crashed at the point when the game was about to start. What a strange glitch!!

[HeatPete]

I played a bit more of the demo today and bizarrely San Jose appeared on the team selection screen as the road team and LA as the home team (the demo normally has LA at New Jersey). The San Jose logo was present, but the jerseys were missing/blank on the jersey selection screen. The game crashed at the point when the game was about to start. What a strange glitch!!

Yeah I've had that same glitch too when I played demo. I couldn't play that demo anymore after that because it crashed all the time. Guess the reason is that San Jose is there against Los Angeles and I really don't know why.

I bought full version couple of days ago and I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes it's too easy to score and sometimes you just can't get the puck in the net. First game was 7-5 for Detroit (played with Buffalo) and the second against Phoenix ended 1-1 (eventually 1-2 after shootout). For some reason my own goalie seems to be a lot worse than CPU's. I've played about ten games now and I have to say that there are still some glitchgoals but I still love the oppurtunity to play as goalie. It isn't as easy as in NHL 12 and it's harder to anticipate where the opponent is shooting.

[B. Stinson]

I'm sure this is something I'll get used to eventually (I hope), but I'm not currently a big fan of the control scheme for goalie "desperation saves".

Personally, when I'm in a desperate moment, like being taken out of position or dealing with a cross-crease-pass, my instinct is to move the goalie across with a dive or quick slide. This would mean using the left stick, the movement stick. But they actually have it on the right stick.

With all movement being controlled by the left stick, I can't seem to remember to use the opposite stick in those occasional moments when a "desperation save" is needed.

Again, hopefully I'll get used to it. But for now, it feels very counter-intuitive.

[archibalduk]

Hmm it seems NHL 13 is completely sold out on all of the online UK stores. Either it has been incredibly popular in the UK or nobody has bothered to get much stock.

[B. Stinson]

I wonder if that has anything to do with this:

NHL 13 Beats Franchise Sales Record | GameSpot

[kadri43]

I don't know if they will do a new NHL 13 for Apple and Android device. Wish they're going to do one but,...

[B. Stinson]

Hmm it seems NHL 13 is completely sold out on all of the online UK stores. Either it has been incredibly popular in the UK or nobody has bothered to get much stock.

You know, now that I think of it, my pre-order with Toys R Us was delayed several days. I guess maybe stores are typically pretty conservative with their hockey stock, and then the slight increase in sales this year was just enough to catch everyone off guard.

[archibalduk]

Yeah, perhaps you're right. I can't imagine that NHL would sell out in the UK if the shops had high stocks.

It's interesting in that GameSpot link that the Rags, Pens and Flyers are the most popular teams selected by users. I guess that must be because those teams are popular with European fans.

[mike_B]

I just read a humorous article reviewing NHL 13. It was written by Sean McIndoe, who I have never heard of before, but it seems that he is supposed to be a some sort of expert in this business. The article itself was nothing spectacular, but as a Flames fan, I got a good laugh over a certain remark he made:

"NHL Moments Live" is a new feature that promises to let fans relive the most memorable moments from recent seasons, which has Edmonton Oiler fans excited since previous versions of the game never included the draft lottery.

Of course the Flames haven't been doing so well themselves lately, but still...

[leafsnation]

Sean McIndoe is a columnist for the Canadian newspaper the National Post, and writes under the banner "Down Goes Brown". His articles are always tongue-in-cheek and are a regular staple of my weekly news and sports reading, along with (I'm sorry to say) Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. Google his stuff...well worth the time and effort, or just go to the National Post website for archived stuff of "Down Goes Brown".

[leafsnation]

And THAT gets me to 100 posts!