NHL 09- Sports finally go MMOG

[murdoc]

I need to get this immediately. I keep forgetting the games I'm going to trade in and I need to just say 'fuck it' and pick it up.

[WayAbvPar]

Just knock over knock over a display or pile of games or something and stick a copy of it down the front of your pants in the commotion. Aren't you in Canada? I don't think they could even technically charge you with a crime for stealing a hockey game. It is your birthright!

[Strazos]

Dude, they have stick lifts now...STICK LIFTS!!

Also, one-handed dekes, changing forward and D lines independently, the return of the flip dump...

Oh yeah, the Be a Pro mode. Full of Fucking Awesome.

I've also played the 2k9 version; complete trash.

This is GotY-type stuff again.

[murdoc]

Just knock over knock over a display or pile of games or something and stick a copy of it down the front of your pants in the commotion. Aren't you in Canada? I don't think they could even technically charge you with a crime for stealing a hockey game. It is your birthright!

As long as I apologize after I steal it, it'll be ok.

[MuffinMan]

Never thought I would see an NHL thread in the mmo forum. I need more game impressions, don't know if I should spend money I don't have on this or not.

[Strazos]

Ok, here's one:

(single player BAP mode)

Made my player, fitted out his gear and such, chose "sniper" as his "class". Assigned him to the Flyers.

OH, but since I am a rank newb, and I don't have world-class stats yet, they assign me to the Phantoms, third line.

I do my best with my time there, trying to make every shift count, and try to take the coach's feedback into account (stay in position more, be more careful with the puck, etc). Recently, I've finally gotten myself promoted to the top line, to see what I can do. I'm getting a decent number of points early in the season, but I need to puck-hog less and not give it up as much.

It really is like being there...or at least as close as we can get currently. You ride the bench while resting, or angst while watching from the sin bin.


You could try renting it if you're still on the fence.

Besides BAP, there are other new gameplay features that have finally arrived, like fucking Stick Lifts (my personal favorite when playing RL hockey), flip dumps, changing D and forwards seperately....it's great.

[Strazos]

Already on the 2p2 team, nice.

[WayAbvPar]

Never thought I would see an NHL thread in the mmo forum. I need more game impressions, don't know if I should spend money I don't have on this or not.

I play it every chance I get. I am having so much fun playing the online games that my offline Be A Pro character is being neglected. Really cool thing about BAP online- you can respec whenever you want. Everything gets refunded, and you can spend the points again. I have gone from Power Forward to Playmaker to Sniper, and from RW to C to LW, depending on which of my teammates is online.

Also- I have GM powers for the 2p2 team, so holler if you get the game and want to join a team.

[Strazos]

UPDATE:



AWESOMESAUCE!! 

[WayAbvPar]

I can't stop playing, despite some giant flaws in the online game. If EA patches it, I may have to quit my job and find a way to play for a living.

[Strazos]

I'm actually having a lot of fun analyzing the other team as we play, and finding the best methods to defend against them.

ALSO- been playing random team games when no 2p2 is online....puckhogs SUCK. As do brainless puck chasers. FFS, you don't need to dangle for a pointless shot from below the goal line every time you get the puck - GIVE IT TO THE GUY CAMPED OUT IN THE SLOT!! 

[Strazos]

Wow, just played a 2p2 game....lit up a full squad 9-1, with my one teammate as a goalie.

The key? Good defense and Forecheck. It absolutely SHREDS sloppy everyone-chase-the-puck teams.

[Azaroth]

Should I be buying an Xbox 360 for this?

Is it really that great?

[Strazos]

Does you be liking hockey?

[Margalis]

I'm not a big hockey fan but even I have to say that it is pretty compelling, at least the Be a Pro mode. I also enjoyed the same sort of thing in Power Pros. It does feel more personal and role-playing to just be one guy and stick with him on defense, on the bench, etc. Controlling one guy is just totally different from controlling a team. You spend 90% of your time doing stuff the computer normally does for you.

I'm going to finally get a personal 360 and maybe this game this weekend, might try to join up with some people.

[Strazos]

I'm finally getting the hang of playing Goalie...and it's scary fun when you get the hang of it.

Also makes opponents want to pull their hair out.

[Margalis]

Got in 3 or 4 games last night with my online team (we didn't win any, but they were close!). This is going to be really fun.

If you want to join the club, register at http://eashlforum.com and post in the recruitment forum. Mention that I invited you to join. The more the merrier, since we couldn't quite field a full team last night. Ideally we would have 3 or 3 games going at one time!

What is your team name? I am a total Live newb.

[Pig Destroyer]

I can't stop playing, despite some giant flaws in the online game. If EA patches it, I may have to quit my job and find a way to play for a living.

Can I get an invite to the team?  Live name is GodlessEndeavor.  I am a n00b goalie, but I love it.

[WayAbvPar]

I will send one next time I log in. If I forget, msg me to remind me =)

Once you are on the team, please join up at http://www.eashlforum.com and use 2p2 Jopkers as your team. Lots of good info in the forums there, so take a look when you have time.

[MuffinMan]

Finally picked this up the other day, I'm having a blast playing goal in single-player BAP. Going to have to stop being lazy and get my 360 back online so I can join in the festivities.

[WayAbvPar]

The more the merrier, especially if you are a good goalie. The team gets a ton more ranking points for using a human goalie, and it also eliminates the 'cheese goals' that are basically holes in the goalie AI.

Sent PigD an invite last night.

[ashrik]

Sounds cool

I have this weird feeling that 10 years down the line, nearly every single game will have qualities that we currently ascribe to MMOs. The social generation of games is going strong.

[MuffinMan]

The more the merrier, especially if you are a good goalie. The team gets a ton more ranking points for using a human goalie, and it also eliminates the 'cheese goals' that are basically holes in the goalie AI.

What if I'm a terrible goalie?

[Margalis]

I have this weird feeling that 10 years down the line, nearly every single game will have qualities that we currently ascribe to MMOs. The social generation of games is going strong.

This is exactly what happened with single player RPGs. Now nearly every game has "RPG elements" and the RPG genre itself doesn't have a whole lot to offer over other genres. If you want to buy new gear or gain levels or upgrade stats you can do that in half the games on the market.

[leodido]

This looks awesome but I have no console, this game is going to be released on PC as well right??? 

[WayAbvPar]

The more the merrier, especially if you are a good goalie. The team gets a ton more ranking points for using a human goalie, and it also eliminates the 'cheese goals' that are basically holes in the goalie AI.

What if I'm a terrible goalie?

Practice in the Online Community games- you get credit for games played and stats accumulated, but it doesn't hurt our already dismal record. Just take your headset off if your random teammates start bitching