NHL 12 Catch-All

I played a quick game with my brother when I got home form work. Glad they already got the Winnipeg Jets in there, now I just need the damn jerseys. They're the no-name brand of generic NHL jerseys right now.

IMAGE(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3969/hiwinnipegjetsjerseys85.jpg)

So when do I get to trade for Iginla and then play against Coldforged?

Certis wrote:

I played a quick game with my brother when I got home form work. Glad they already got the Winnipeg Jets in there, now I just need the damn jerseys. They're the no-name brand of generic NHL jerseys right now.

IMAGE(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3969/hiwinnipegjetsjerseys85.jpg)

So when do I get to trade for Iginla and then play against Coldforged?

OH GOD, IGINLA THE HOPECRUSHER!

Jayhawker wrote:

I'm gonna push for some HUT love this year. I have to believe that more of you will like it once you give it a real try. It's like board game crossed with video game hockey. what is there not to love?

What is not to love indeed. Totally smitten with HUT right now. It took me a bit to get into it, but after claiming all my free card packs and making some cheap upgrades in the name of team/line chemistry I really got into it.

I also may have bought a jumbo pack and two consumable packs with M$ Space Bucks. In my defense I basically got 400 free Space Bucks by getting the 12 month XBL starter kit from Newegg for ~$50.

Yeah, there is always that temptation. I'm trying to go cash free. Last year I did have to bail my team out once.

I really wish there was a web interface. I just spent time going through my team and finding some gems. I have defenseman that is only a 71 OVR, but he has like 180 games for his career, and 14 training slots. If I pile training cards into him, he will be pretty serviceable.

I'm now in that mode of trying to figue out what the value is of putting cards on certain guys. Veterans who are rated higher have fewer games. But a few well placed training cards can turn an average guy into a first line player. Of course, that is all relative when my team is still sub 80 OVR.

What is pretty cool now is that in the panel next to the player when you are looking at his vitals, you see his stats for you, too. that's useful for deciding if you should let some guy go, or play a contract card on him. I'm trying to be as frugal with my contract cards now as I can. I'd rather wait until my team is much better before playing those 30 game contracts on a guy I may want to replace later.

I broke down and bought some of the annoying gear and attribute boosts for my EASHL player.

I can't do it. I can't spend real money to improve my team/player. It's a line I refuse to cross for whatever reason.

It was a bit odd last night when I did another HUT single player game against some random team (which is, admittedly, pretty neato). When my low-level scrubs faced off against Pascal Dupuis and Steve Ott I figured I was a goner. 3 periods of close checking later and I was in a scoreless OT. Got off a slapper from the point with traffic that found its way in and I was happy. 3-0.

ColdForged wrote:

I can't do it. I can't spend real money to improve my team/player. It's a line I refuse to cross for whatever reason.

To me, it is that if I don't spend cash, then this team will feel more like mine. I like having my 70-80 OVR "stars".

The game of HUT is fun enough I would spend money to play it. But I would rather pay a subscription like WoW or buy the game separate. But once the money I spend is tied directly to how talented my team is, I lose interest. It's the strategy of it that I love. But where is the risk if you just go buy another pack of players?

Like I said before, as much as I loved HUT last year, I quit playing because the game was tuned to really force you to pay. But I think I may have found a way to enjoy the game at a level I can manage without spending money. If I have to spend money, then I will probably move on to my Blues season mode.

What EA knows is that even MMO players are suckers to pay money to avoid playing the game. They want the result of their work, but don't want to grind. But EA is then in a position that if they make it too easy, it is leaving money on the table that they could make. It is in their interest to force a grind that encourages more people to spend.

I think MMO's have done more to destroy gaming than any other factor. It was a huge neon sign telling game companies that gamers are bad at math, and suckers for rewards you only have to pay for.

I explored EASHL briefly tonight. Has anyone created a GWJ club?

NSFW?

Thanks for sharing Jayhawker. You mean to tell me dry humping is not safe for work? Man I need to go make some apologies...

That's no glitch. That's just how they do things in Winnipeg. Giggity.

Twice this weekend I had the 80 spacebucks option selected for the consumables pack in the ultimate hockey league thing. Twice I aborted and mentally castigated myself. The only saving grace has been the weekend deals on packs which brings them into the realm of affordability, but I was running some scrubs for several games.

EDIT: And I have yet to play a single online game of any type. I've been mildly tempted by a random online UHL game instead of single player, but the prospect of asshattery or just glitchery is too high.

So far I haven't seen any really obvious wankery online in terms of easy goal exploits; you do, however, still see people gaining a 1 goal lead and then playing keep-away for an entire period.

Also, I have been very disappointed with the efficacy of the Vancouver Canucks in this game. Since their team rating is so high, you tend to gain fewer points than almost anyone else in Versus mode, yet it seems to me they are an inferior team to Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, etc... when playing head to head. If you're the Penguins you can basically wtfdeke (and hit, and pass, and shoot) with Crosby all night, whereas every Canuck player seems essentially to be an above-average forward (little consolation when you only ever need to play your top 2 lines).

So... After skipping last year's offering, in a momentary lack of judgment I bought this year's flavor.

This is not commentary on the game itself - seems very solid so far - it's just that I'll end up playing a few games and let the box collect dust until next year when the cycle repeats itself. I know it, yet I can't help myself.

Just throwing that out there...

Mr.Green wrote:

So... After skipping last year's offering, in a momentary lack of judgment I bought this year's flavor.

This is not commentary on the game itself - seems very solid so far - it's just that I'll end up playing a few games and let the box collect dust until next year when the cycle repeats itself. I know it, yet I can't help myself.

Just throwing that out there...

I can see that, but I have the exact opposite effect. Hockey is such the perfect sport for video games, as I can get through a good game in 20-30 minutes easy. So I have way more night where I play just one more.

And scoring goals is still the number one rush of adrenaline I get from any video game, let alone sports games. The other thing is that EA has made it fairly simple to play this game as more sim, or more arcade like. I set periods to 10 minutes, but you can set them at five, set the gamestyle to casual and it is still a blast of a game, that you can knock out in 15 minutes.

One thing I really miss from the 2K series is the Pond Hockey mode. Small rink, fast players and tape to tape passing was just a blast. Now I play a much more sim style, where not only do I set it to Hardcore, but I maximize fatigue and minimize acceleration and fatigue recovery. Totally different, but it is a lot more fun to manage my lines and try to maximize production.

There is one issue that needs to be fixed in a patch, and this is glaring if you are managing lines. With the new cutscenes and overlays, they seem to have accidentally cut out the ability to see what line your opponent is putting out when you are the home team. It's still there, as it does appear about 25% of the time, maybe less. But one huge advantage home teams have is getting to put their lines out last. So if the CPU rolls line 1, I can roll my checking line out.

Last year's game handled this perfectly, and it is sorely missed.

But otherwise, the game feels like the really perfected the physics engine they implemented last year. The AI on All-Star is nice challenge, and will trap you in the neutral zone.

I have bailed on HUT for now. With the season starting, I'm having a blast just playing with the Blues. I think HUT is still tuned so that you really do need to spend cash to maintain a team. And once you spend money, it takes away the fun of actually building a team.

I may have hit a breaking point with this game. There is a certain randomness about things like home ice and momentum. There seems to be a random roll before a game is played to determine if one of the teams will come out dominating. When that happens to be coupled with home ice it is pretty much a loss for the visiting team. When it happens to the visiting team you can expect a fair amount of rubber banding AI if the home team so much as intercepts a pass in the latter stages of the game. It feels very cheap to all of a sudden not be able to poke check or not be able to hit an opposition player without doing anything to impede them.

Then again I guess it it wouldn't be a fun sports game without improbable comebacks, but last night on home ice down 3-0 in an online league this happened to my benefit and it felt cheap.

lol, I've run into super goalie many times. We could outshoot a team 25-8 and lose 3-1.

Leroyog wrote:

lol, I've run into super goalie many times. We could outshoot a team 25-8 and lose 3-1.

Oh I didn't even mention that. Playing Carolina with Ward in goal is extremely rough. It's literally like my experiences playing against Tom Brady or Peyton Manning at QB in Madden (AI or human controlled).

maxox wrote:
Leroyog wrote:

lol, I've run into super goalie many times. We could outshoot a team 25-8 and lose 3-1.

Oh I didn't even mention that. Playing Carolina with Ward in goal is extremely rough. It's literally like my experiences playing against Tom Brady or Peyton Manning at QB in Madden (AI or human controlled).

Well, that's just an accurate simulation.

I've felt a similar sensation, but haven't the devs said there is nothing in the code that does that?

I've been playing an AHL season as the Texas Stars. This game is very fun.

*Legion* wrote:

I've been playing an AHL season as the Texas Stars. This game is very fun.

Yeah, I'm still mostly spending my time as a playmaking right winger in Be A Pro in Drummondville (my wife used to live there). If it weren't for my asshole center linemate I'd have the most points on the team, but I serve up such juicy stuff to that guy that he leads me. Very fun. I like playing 20 minute periods, especially with the option to skip to my shift.

Definitely fun.

ColdForged wrote:
*Legion* wrote:

I've been playing an AHL season as the Texas Stars. This game is very fun.

Yeah, I'm still mostly spending my time as a playmaking right winger in Be A Pro in Drummondville (my wife used to live there). If it weren't for my asshole center linemate I'd have the most points on the team, but I serve up such juicy stuff to that guy that he leads me. Very fun. I like playing 20 minute periods, especially with the option to skip to my shift.

Definitely fun.

Admit it. You secretly wish you were a young and sexy French Canadian to get all the chicks.

Can't blame you. It's so much fun.

Well... I gotta be honest here. I'm not that young.

Anyone still playing this? I got it for Christmas, and have been playing it off and on. The game sure is fun as hell, but last night I tried making playing the "Be a Pro" mode online in a couple drop in games...... and remembered why I rarely play with "pubbies" anymore. It was asshat central, with people pausing the game all the time after a goal, and no one recognizing that passing to a wide open player the entire game may not be a bad strategy for preventing the turnover you just made.

Mr.Green wrote:

So... After skipping last year's offering, in a momentary lack of judgment I bought this year's flavor.

This is not commentary on the game itself - seems very solid so far - it's just that I'll end up playing a few games and let the box collect dust until next year when the cycle repeats itself. I know it, yet I can't help myself.

Just throwing that out there...

You could have talked me into getting it so we could play but Noooo! You had to go it alone!

BTW, Did you see Suban's elbow last night? I though of you when he threw it!

Mr.Green wrote:
ColdForged wrote:
*Legion* wrote:

I've been playing an AHL season as the Texas Stars. This game is very fun.

Yeah, I'm still mostly spending my time as a playmaking right winger in Be A Pro in Drummondville (my wife used to live there). If it weren't for my asshole center linemate I'd have the most points on the team, but I serve up such juicy stuff to that guy that he leads me. Very fun. I like playing 20 minute periods, especially with the option to skip to my shift.

Definitely fun.

Admit it. You secretly wish you were a young and sexy French Canadian to get all the chicks.

Can't blame you. It's so much fun.

Well... I gotta be honest here. I'm not that young.

Or that sexy.

I just got this game, and am really enjoying it so far. I've always liked ice hockey, but it's been along time since I've been able to stay up late to watch games (usually on at around 1am/2am UK time).

I had NHL Hockey on the Mega Drive (or Genesis, if you're that way inclined), followed by NHLPA '93 on same. I then took a break for a good 9 years before getting NHL 2002 on the PS2, thoroughly enjoyed that one, too. Again, a decade hiatus brings me to NHL 12 ( a gift to myself for finally quitting smoking, but that's an aside!).

Anyway, to my point(s)!

I only got the game two days ago, and decided to start the Be a Pro mode - I figured it would be easier to get up to speed with the new controls etc just having to concentrate on one player, rather than a whole team. So I have a couple of questions..

1. I use auto-aim for shooting at the moment, I played the demo (on 360) relentlessly for the week after a ordered my copy, and waited for delivery, and i just couldn't score with manual aim. I presume that the manual aim with left stick is analogue? - as in, the further you push the stick, the further the shot goes in that direction. I think the crowd behind the opposition goalie was more afraid of my shots than the goalie was! Any tips for getting better with manual aim? I feel that auto-aim is cheap..

2. In Be a Pro, can _you_ get injured? There's been a few broken jaws etc on other players so far in the 10 games I've played, and it got me thinking if your player could essentially miss out chunks of the season through injury.. just a curiosity I suppose..

3. I'm only on 'Pro' difficulty - most seasoned players will say this is too easy, but I do still find it tough in some games. I've had games where I end up with 3G and 3A and rip it up, then the next game I just can't seem to do anything right, get no time to shoot, constant turnovers, and if I do manage to get a shot/lay-off, their goalie is always on form - is this normal? Should I just push up to the next difficulty level anyway? Best way to learn is by being forced to, imo.

4. I'm confused by the whole CHL/OWL/AHL/QMJHL(?)/WHL and how it all fits together with the NHL. I plonked for the Kitchener Rangers in BAP - I'd never heard of any of the teams so it was a bit of a lucky-dip. Is there any beneftits/drawbacks to which minor/junior league you play in? Is there a direct link between, say the kitchener Rangers and the NYR? or is it just a name-only association, or a legacy thing from years gone by?

Forgive my probably noob-ish questions. Hockey is a game I really enjoy, but don't really know all that much about!

Any other tips you could give to an (almost) rookie?

This post was a bit longer than I initially anticipated..Thanks!

While it may technically be true that shot aim is 'analog', I don't believe the game penalizes you for using the entire range of the left stick; moving it all the way up/right, for example, will instruct your player to target the top right corner, and his skill ratings will determine whether or not the puck ends up precisely on target. (And this is always how I aim in Online Versus mode.)

The way to score goals is to shoot from the right location at the right time and in the right direction :P. NHL 12 is probably the most realistic hockey simulation I've seen, and there are very few surefire plays that are simple to do and always work (not the case in previous games). As you get better you will learn to A) Pay attention to where your teammates are and if a good pass is available, B) Pay attention to where your opponents are, and how much time you have before they check you, and C) Pay attention to where their goalie is and if he's not quite in the right position. A few ideas:

-Shooting from the slot (in the middle of the ice, about halfway between the blue line and the net) is always a good idea. It's often helpful to make sure your stick is aligned exactly with the post at which you're shooting (so if you're going top right corner, release the puck when your stick is directly in front of the right post). Aim for the top corners. Wristshots will work great, but taking a slapshot from the high slot (that is, 'closer the blue line') while skating side-to-side can be downright deadly.

-Cross-ice passes are very effective. Position yourself on the far side of the goalie from whoever has the puck, call for a pass, then shoot it as quickly as is feasible (usually at whichever top corner is nearest you). This works especially well if you're near the front of the net.

-Goalies can be 'screened' both by your teammates and their teammates. If there are a bunch of people standing in front of the goalie he may not see the shot and will react slowly. Moral of the story: When you see a big crowd in front, try aiming a slapshot wherever you think it might not hit a player.

-Deking is important, and you should do it pretty much whenever there's a clear path from you to the goalie. By stickhandling side-to-side (with the right stick) you can 'freeze' the goaltender, forcing him to move deeper into the net, drop into a butterfly stance, and lose maneuverability. The quintessential deke is to 'fake backhand' by twitching the right stick towards your backhand, then quickly pulling it forehand and shooting top corner. Do this while skating in on net as close to the goaltender as you can without losing the puck, and you will score more often than not. (Combine it with your actual movement, skating slightly towards backhand then breaking in the opposite direction, for even more effectiveness.) Deking will even work when you're further away from the net; if you just sort of twitch your stick around a little bit it can confuse the goalie.

Thanks for that! I suppose it was more down to attributes than physical stick location when manual shooting. I'll probably give manual another try this evening and see if I can get anywhere. I am glad there aren't 'always score' methods, as it just ruins the game and is too tempting to do if you go behind...

I'm not sure how to call for a pass, actually. I find it annoying that the manual is in-game only, it means I can't just look things up while i'm playing.. I guess that's the 'go-green' attitude, which I can't complain about really.

I think the main thing about deking I have to learn is how much the right-stick relates to the hockey stick movement. I initially thought it was just a wide-left/right type of movement, but I now realise that there is MUCH more control to it than that, which looks awesome on the videos i've watched... just have to train myself to use it.

Also, thanks for the explanation of 'the slot' - what exactly is 'the crease'? I also try to help team mates by crowding/pushing in front of the opposition net, but I just get pushed around and out the way. I also can't check very well, I guess that's down to being a PLY and not having xp pumped into the right attributes. I've been trying to find a guide to what each attribute actually relates to, and what position benefits from each attrib, but I can't seem to find any... I think there was one linked in this thread, but no longer exists...

omnipherous wrote:

4. I'm confused by the whole CHL/OWL/AHL/QMJHL(?)/WHL and how it all fits together with the NHL. I plonked for the Kitchener Rangers in BAP - I'd never heard of any of the teams so it was a bit of a lucky-dip. Is there any beneftits/drawbacks to which minor/junior league you play in? Is there a direct link between, say the kitchener Rangers and the NYR? or is it just a name-only association, or a legacy thing from years gone by?

The hierarchy of leagues is roughly CHL (which is composed of the OHL, WHL and QMJHL) at the bottom, then AHL, then NHL at the top.

There's a direct connection between AHL and NHL teams, as NHL teams all have AHL clubs where their junior players are that they can call up to play with the big club at a moment's notice.

There isn't a direct connection between CHL teams and NHL teams. CHL teams are typically composed of teenagers that either have not yet been drafted by an NHL team or were recently drafted but not yet ready to move up to the AHL. It's entirely possible (likely) that players who were drafted by two different NHL teams are playing for the same CHL team.

The short answer is that no, there isn't any real connection between your Kitchener Rangers and the New York Rangers. Kitchener is just using the name and logo. Playing on the Kitchener Rangers is your way to get drafted by an NHL club (happens once a year, in June) and called up to their AHL affiliate team - and any team in the NHL could draft you.