NHL 11

[Subdivisions]

I know talking about anything Hockey gets a laugh but is anyone playing?

[Keller]

I loved these games back in the 90s.

I've not picked one up since playstation though.

Is it fun?

I don't know the first thing about hockey, but I think it could be entertaining.

[NocturnalRob]

I'm sorry, but no hockey game will ever be as good as this. Ever.

http://nintendo8.com/game/750/ice_hockey/

[Caetul]

I know talking about anything Hockey gets a laugh but is anyone playing?

Almost got it, but opted for Madden instead at the time

[Subdivisions]

I'm sorry for such a delayed response.
If you guys are interested in getting a copy be sure to PM me. I've played from what I can remember was as early as 93 or 94. I've been increasingly more competitive about playing since about '07. Started out PC (cute, right?) moved to to PS3 in '08, parked my ass on xbox in '09.
(Post writing correction, i originally played on SEGA, than moved to PC after a few years)

Before I get a ton of madden fans pouncing on me, I know EA released a lot of similar features on Madden. I played madden from August 1st to August 30th. Out of all the recent years of Madden, it's been my favorite thusfar. I know there were a lot of arguments about that on their forums but when aren't there debates about anything on a forum. But alas, I returned it fully knowing I would, to go get this years NHL.

[Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEqkKf67Hg]

If you like hockey even a little bit, i think there's something for you. When me and my X we're together she was even beating me to my room so she could play a game as Goalie before I got in lol. Also, the offline can be equally as satisfying as the online, and I am one of those "If you're not playing with other people you're not playing at all" freaks.

Positives

1) Major AI improvements, even compared to '10. The online mode is on "Pro" difficulty, which is relatively easy if you're 1 on 1'ng the CPU. But when it's mixed with other online players it was the clear choice in difficulty. When I play offline I play on at least "All-Star" difficulty to make it good, and it really is. I just started a new GM Mode and I'm currently 4-2-0 :).

2) Hitting in this game is by far the best you've seen in all other NHL's, period. It was their obvious main focus this year and rightfully so. One gets tired of the exact same animation every time you blast a player into the boards. My only regret is they didn't finish out glass shattering, or checking over the bench animations. Next year?

3) Hockey Ultimate Team(aka HUT) - Some would disagree but this is exactly what NHL needed. Most people who play online play in the "Community" format where you play as you, one player, on a team amongst randomly assigned teammates (which can lead to burnout with the wrong teammates so many times). In HUT, you are the GM of an online organization. You need to acquire "pucks" (currency) to further improve your teams arenas, jerseys, players and more. [Downshot of this is, I suppose if you're serious you'll drop some cash on it. Some look down on it. But some people don't like cake, and those people are fascist. This mode includes a series of trophies you can win from victories vs other teams and against CPU teams including a playoff mode where you can win an animation your opponent would see at the beginning of games of your team raising their appropriate banner (division winner, cup winner, etc.)

4) EA is somewhat paying attention this year! They have a variety of contest on their forums to win all sorts of prizes , mostly within HUT. They gave away a few signed jerseys. I won a Blackhawks Fitted Draft hat for assembling a full NHL team in the first month of HUT (If you're curious, I chose the rangers).

Negatives

1) If you're on PS3, you will have a gimped experience if it is compared to last years. I played the first half of my season on the PS3 only to be disappointed by community rooms rarely being filled, a cycling of the same players all the time (which is less fun than you might think), as well as, and this is ONLY my opinion, crappier connections. I experienced double the drop rate on my PS3. I'm not a tech and won't pretend to be one. I'm just stating what happened to both I, and a RL friend.

2) If you don't like hockey, it's not for you. This may seem obvious but I had a few friends catch me playing one night and they all went and bought it the next day. Half hated it (mostly because offsides was a concept beyond their minds lol) and the other half are still playing. As I mentioned earlier I owned madden for a month and got rid of it, but not because it was a poorly made game.

3) Say goodbye to at least one controller. Rage comes in all colors, in this house, it's in the form of a pile of mutilated plastic.

4) You may not want to pay for the little addons. EA being the money machine that they are has put a $1-$3 price tag on all these little things you can get to improve your gameplay. From gear to individuals skaters, to packs of cards you purchase for HUT. If you can handle earning all the achievements al grinding it out, you have no worries. But if you really want that third slot for stick and the bonuses that come with it, you might see yourself playing 3 or 4 offline be a pro seasons to earn those items without cash. I myself am a freak, and unlocked everything in cash within 24 hours.


So at the conclusion of my rant. I still love the damn game. it's what I play between fries and other things that require a half an hour cool down in life. If anyone is interested in playing PM me and I'd gladly show you the ropes if you needed. I'll be playing until September, when we can expect NHL12.