”It's definitely safe to say EA's game is more "flashy" where everything is more obvious and in-your-face. It plays a solid game of hockey, but it's just... different... from what 2K offers. I don't think it's bad, nor do I think it's great.
NHL 09 was a fun game for me; my friends and I played it a lot. But by the end of, oh probably last month or maybe July, we just sort of grew "tired" of it. I'm not sure what it was, but we all felt it at the same time... like the game was fun but had run its course. We tried the NHL 10 demo and it plays just like 09 with a few gameplay additions (not saying that's bad; it's just a fact that comes with building on a solid game), so none of us are overly excited. Again, don't know exactly why... it's a good hockey game; we just feel done with it for the most part.
After a year off, 2K10 feels like a breath of fresh air. Playing it felt new yet familiar. Of course this is based on 2 total games and playing with options and sliders, and comes from a longtime 2K fan. There's just a totally different FEEL to the game than EA's, and someone's preference of which they like better is going to be up to the individual. But it's definitely far better than 2K9, and while I'd have to go back and play a game of 2k8 or 2k5 to remember what they look and feel like, I think Polmaniac was right in his preview -- while not without some issues, it just sort of has this "Just Feels Right" vibe that will really shine with sliders.
The sliders WORK, trust me. The few tweaks I made up front made a big difference. But that said, I can probably see why a review would prefer EA out of the box. 2K10's appeal is understated; a lot of what's great is subtle (e.g. not immediately apparent to a reviewer, to a first-time player or EA convert... or in a demo).
My only concern about harsh or unfair reviews (like GI's 5.5) is that they will hurt sales enough to put future 2K hockey games in jeopardy. But as far as the reviews shaping your opinion on the game, I wouldn't worry about it. I can see where EA's immediate appeal out of the box (and 09 foundation) would grab higher ratings, while 2K10 will play its best post-sliders and seem too different and understated to get a good "quick" review. I'm looking at you, Fox NHL Championship 2000... ”
(Laukausten blokkauksesta): ”I think they are perfect...
Last year, it was just wayyyyyy to risky (imo) to try in 2k9, 2k10 seems just right, where, if you think you need to do it, you'd better or it's too late.”
”Oh yeah you are going to like the controls. They are smooth! ”
”I am really proud of these guys this year, I've been buying the games since they came out (except 2k6, didn't have a 360 then) and this definitely reminded me of those 2k5-2k7 days. I really liked how the shot blocks were more responsive than last year. I am very excited to get it now that I've spent a nice chunk of time with it, and I really wish everybody could get to play a demo now, but at least it's only four days to release. The guys said they reallllllly wanted to put a demo out there, but it was a staff/budget thing. If the lack of a demo helped give it that extra polish it needed, then good call, I say.
http://dcsguystuff.shutterfly.com/35 "
”One of the development guys was watching me(the guy in the football jersey), telling me how big a role attributes were playing this year, I tried a fancy pass with San Jose's Jamie McGinn and it wasn't happening, and he said, "See there's an example for you," I paused the game to listen to him "now do you think he could pull off that pass you just tried to make?" I said, "well, probably not McGinn,"
so that may explain why the deking was kind iffy for me too, I tried one with Clowe, and he lost possesion of the puck, tried one with Michalek, worked beautifully. ”
”I totally love this game! Sliders work great and the player models are very detailed. I think you guys are going to love this game. The game plays like hockey and the speed is great even at default. I think this game will be the first game I play 20 minutes period and get great stats. Can't wait for this game to drop! ”
”In 2K10 it is now back to being just like 2K8 where you can skate around while using full stick control. The animations while using it are obviously not where VC want them to be, but they aren't entirely ugly either. The important thing is effective defense is back in the game. You can play the passing and shooting lanes, which will help keep shot counts low, and allows everyone to play a more "all out" game.
Full stick control, stick lifts, contextual poke checks, cross checks, lay stick flat on ice, block shot, automatic bat puck out of air, etc.
Defense is back! ”
”Yep, I played at the one tonight ask away. I really love the way the game plays. And I love flinging that puck around the glass to get it out during a Power Play. ”
”The deking is a hit or miss. I will say onething good dekes seem to be able to keep moving and deke side to side. The other guys will have trouble. I think we get spoiled by EA, becasue we can go full speed and deke like 10 time and full the goalie, when in real life I haven't said that happen much. I like what I played and the game felt great. You kinda glide the animation takes a little while to get used to it, but once do you I have a feeling you guys will it. back hand shots and great and the slick is great too. I had the D playing me at the blue line. There are a lot of sliders.”
”That (stick lift) is a sweet addition. It is the right bottom on top, I guess you call it the bumper. This was on the 360. They looked pretty identical too PS3 and 360. The game felt organic. Every game I played was great and different. ”
”ohohoh, I forgot to mention, I also had a "winter classic" game. that was really cool as well. I chose the Wings/Hawks at Wrigley, but I could have chosen to play those teams in Raymond James as well, although I had to go into the options screen and cycle through the stadiums. It did not default when I tried to pick those teams and their "throwback" jerseys, so IT'S IN THERE, you just have to set it up properly with your jersey/stadium options. ”