NHL 09 Demo Impressions and Videos

by pastapadre
Posted August 29th, 2008 at 7:36 am

The game running away with the most anticipated for September poll now has a its demo available for the PS3 and the 360 will likely receive it next week. The demo features the 3rd period of Play Now or Be A Pro with the Penguins @ Red Wings. It also includes a few basic tutorials (shooting, skating, defense).

In a pleasant surprise there are a few settings that can be changed. The difficulty level can be set to either Pro or All-Star and the cameras can be set to Ice, Classic, Overhead, Broadcast, Action (Play Now) or Low/High (Be a Pro). The period length is locked in for five minutes. In Be a Pro you take over Sidney Crosby of the Penguins or Henrik Zetterberg of the Red Wings.

Basically I’ve spent all my time thus far in the Be a Pro and my immediate thought was this mode would appeal to both fans of the sport as well as those who aren’t or don’t have as good an understanding of it. I liked the directional line giving me an idea of where I should be at a given time and found that I prefer the high camera. While the low camera takes you closer into the action it can be disorienting and difficult to know what is happening at times. When playing the game the standard way I’d feel like I was trapped in a back and forth mess of action, but in Be a Pro I can concentrate and play that specific role instead of worrying about controlling everything that happens.

With Be a Pro, Online Team Play, the EA Sports Hockey League and uploading of screenshots and videos to EA Sports World I can actually see NHL 09 offering a longevity that has been difficult to come by with most sports games as of late. The exception to that has been Online Dynasty in NCAA Football and Online Team Play in NBA Live. The common tie really seems to be the freedom teamed with interactivity as well as the more realistic and enjoyable focus that can be had by controlling a single player which to me seems far more rewarding an experience.

What are your thoughts on the demo and the Be a Pro mode? Leave them in the comments and continue on to view two Be a Pro videos from the demo as Crosby (high camera, pro difficulty) and Zetterberg (low camera, all-star difficulty).

Tags: Videos

Timothy Daley

[quote comment="33689"]Downloaded demo last night and this is gonna be sportsgame of the year. The graphics and gameplay are better than last year. This is the closest your gonna get to a real hockey game. Can't wait for the full game, this will not disappoint.[/quote]

No doubt Bro. This game is hands down the sports game of the year. The graphics are so rich and sharp. It really makes me wonder why none of the other EA sports games look this good.

The game controls are silky smooth as is the gameplay. The new stick handling on defense is a much welcomed addition and the be a pro mode, just plain works in this game unlike football where you only play one side of the ball.

I can't wait to see how the online leagues will be. THIS IS THE 09 SPORTS GAME OF THE YEAR WITH OUT A DOUBT.

Radie

This is a great interview about the game.

It is in MP3 format.

The tail end of it explains perfectly how the bench situations and other things work in BE A PRO mode.

If you are interested in this game. Then take the 5 minutes to listen to this. Enjoy!

http://podcasts.aolcdn.com/joystiq/files/x08-nh...

Cant wait to be online in this.

Sidewinder

[quote comment="33748"]I had NHL 08 for the 360 last year and traded it for PS3 and played NHL 08 for the PS3 and the framerate was a lot slower, but I have the demo and it's the same as the 360. Nice try though.[/quote]

Framerate/response is better on 360 08 game vs PS3 09 demo. You are going based on distant memory. I am going on playing them now back to back right now. I just call em like I see em. No fanboy here. I have both systems. Nice try though.

However, PS3 09 demo is much better than last year for framerate. No doubt about it. Without having seen the 360 09 demo yet, I am guessing it will be a little better than PS3. Madden was, but the difference is getting much smaller than the last two years.

No fanboy here. I have both systems.

pete

I had NHL 08 for the 360 last year and traded it for PS3 and played NHL 08 for the PS3 and the framerate was a lot slower, but I have the demo and it's the same as the 360. Nice try though.

pastapadre

[quote comment="33729"]I love the "Be the pro" mode. It really puts you in the game and it makes you more of a team player, making passing more important than just rushing the net. Pasta, has EA mentioned how line changes will work in this mode? Will you actually sit on the bench to rest and watch the action from that angle or will it fast forward like mlb 08?[/quote]

Offline I believe you do sit on the bench for rest or in the penalty box. I doubt they force you to stay out for very long though. Online Team Play/EA Hockey League you stay on the ice except for penalties.

Aaron

I love the "Be the pro" mode. It really puts you in the game and it makes you more of a team player, making passing more important than just rushing the net. Pasta, has EA mentioned how line changes will work in this mode? Will you actually sit on the bench to rest and watch the action from that angle or will it fast forward like mlb 08?

Sidewinder

The PS3 NHL 09 demo is much improved over the PS3 demo of 08. Much better graphics and better control/framerate. But, the framerate still suffers compared to the XBox 360 08 and that effects your player control. But for PS3 only fans, it is much improved over 08.

Sidewinder

[quote comment="33702"]this series was good back in the day for genesis but,ehhh!!

this sport needs two things, #1 only have the red line like in b-ball.
#2 is hockey needs sum brothers in it,this sport doesnt say america with out sum color in it. & i'm A WHITE GUY SAYING THIS!!!!!![/quote]

Geez, what does having some brothers got to do with playing a video game. Get a clue buddy. Besides, it is up to the brothers to pursue a career in hockey. It is America, freedom of choice.

Also, NHL 08 was sports video game of the year. Time to become enlightened. Ignorance is not bliss.

miller30

you can play goalie in the be-a-pro mode just not in the demo

pasta do you like the demo?

Jesse

Holy crap! The Be A Pro mode looks too damn tempting to pass up! I played adult rec hockey as a goalie. I wonder if I could play as a goalie here also?

super-fan

this series was good back in the day for genesis but,ehhh!!

this sport needs two things, #1 only have the red line like in b-ball.
#2 is hockey needs sum brothers in it,this sport doesnt say america with out sum color in it. & i'm A WHITE GUY SAYING THIS!!!!!!

DaveDQ

"The common tie really seems to be the freedom teamed with interactivity as well as the more realistic and enjoyable focus that can be had by controlling a single player which to me seems far more rewarding an experience."

Pasta, I think you are right on with that comment.

Josh

Pasta just a quick question...Do you play on a Plasma or an Lcd? If so what size?

Skihawks

I downloaded the PS3 version. The game is awesome however I am not a fan of the PS3 controller.....

pastapadre

[quote comment="33691"]Forget the demo, whats up with all the hot chicks in the ECKO ads? Nice touch dude.[/quote]

Made with love :)

acreyman

Forget the demo, whats up with all the hot chicks in the ECKO ads? Nice touch dude.

pete

Downloaded demo last night and this is gonna be sportsgame of the year. The graphics and gameplay are better than last year. This is the closest your gonna get to a real hockey game. Can't wait for the full game, this will not disappoint.

Mike

As far as i know you can play goalie also in the otp any position is opened up for you.

sdot

thx could any1 refresh my memory of when the nex roster update is ??

pastapadre

[quote comment="33679"]yo PP N E word on the whole Pac Man MADDEN situation???[/quote]

I believe he'll be in the coming roster update, they've been prepared for that possibility.

[quote comment="33682"]I can't wait for this game to come out, I'm going to download the demo tonight. Pasta can you play as the goalie in Be-A-Pro mode when the game comes out? Wow this game looks good.[/quote]

Not sure on that, I think you might be able to but you can't in Online Team Play?

[quote comment="33680"]pasta could you get a video of the intro please? where you wait 30 seconds at the nhl 09 press start screen and theres a video after that[/quote]

Yeah I'll see if I can grab that sometime this weekend.

Ryan

I can't wait for this game to come out, I'm going to download the demo tonight. Pasta can you play as the goalie in Be-A-Pro mode when the game comes out? Wow this game looks good.

miller30

pasta could you get a video of the intro please? where you wait 30 seconds at the nhl 09 press start screen and theres a video after that

sdot

yo PP N E word on the whole Pac Man MADDEN situation???

sdot

is this game really diff from last yr meaning is it worth DL again being dat I DL'd 08 last yr

if ur NOT 1st LAST

miller30

i want it for 360!!! =(

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