Discussion // NHL 09

[Game and Player]

"NHL 09," reviewed by Jeremy Steeves (http://game-and-player.com/articles/2008/09/nhl_09.html).

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

How is the shooting? Is it easier or harder than last year? I found it very difficult to place shots. Grr.

[Jeremy Steeves]

The shooting system (like most of the controls) remained largely untouched. I never had that many issues with shooting in O8 or in 09.

Scoring this year has proved tricky though.

[Mcmax3000]

Scoring this year has proved tricky though.

Much more so then 08, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The game overall is awesome & I'm definitely glad I picked it up. Much improved over an already awesome 08 version & definitely better then that garbage 2K9 demo I played.

[Michael Ubaldi]

As Jeremy's described it, this is a prime candidate for gamers who've never before played hockey, online or otherwise. EASHL sounds like a hobby.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

The last NHL game i got hardcore into was NHL 93...

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

I picked up 09.

[ERRRskate151]

Its Disappointing to see that the 2k series fell off the ball. I leaned more towards those games in the early Millenium while playing NBA 2k3 and NHL 2k6. I will refuse to touch NBA live, esp after what they putout on PS3. I think I will check this out though

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

So, I finally got a chance to spend a good chunk of time playing online with friends and I have to say it was fun but with some major flaws. The first is the (what we had dubbed as) the "curvy puck" glitch. When a skater comes down the ice towards the left post then cuts right at a ninty degree angle will immeditatly shoot the puck with a wrist shot. The shot will continue to go straight towards the left side of the net but the goalie will continue to track the player and slide to the right leaving the left side of the net open. Checking is questionable at times, I like the leveling up idea but there needs to be a better way to level like just playing games and retaining an online rake so even if we are a horrible squad our characters can improve and then eventually our squad can improve.

[Jeremy Steeves]

So, I finally got a chance to spend a good chunk of time playing online with friends and I have to say it was fun but with some major flaws. The first is the (what we had dubbed as) the "curvy puck" glitch. When a skater comes down the ice towards the left post then cuts right at a ninty degree angle will immeditatly shoot the puck with a wrist shot. The shot will continue to go straight towards the left side of the net but the goalie will continue to track the player and slide to the right leaving the left side of the net open. Checking is questionable at times, I like the leveling up idea but there needs to be a better way to level like just playing games and retaining an online rake so even if we are a horrible squad our characters can improve and then eventually our squad can improve.

I agree that there are a few glitches that can draw from what is an incredibly solid gameplay package. The one your speaking of I haven't run into yet in the hundred or so games I've played online. I have noticed a few minor others that are frustrating, but not impossible to stop with solid defensive play.

I'm not sure what you mean by questionable checking. I really think they've nailed that down, especially when you consider the mess that it was last year.

As far as leveling goes, your characters will improve -- eventually. At 20 games played you'll unlock your first set of attribute points to upgrade both your online created skater and goalie. Another set will be unlocked at 60, and so on. It may seem initially frustrating to have to play that many games, but in reality the few points you do get don't make a significant difference anyway. Certainly, they won't win any games for you.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

I guess I'm still trying to get use to shooting and moving with the same stick. I have to really pick my spot before I even get the puck so I know how to aim and shoot when I finally decide to shoot.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

I can't find an answer to my question anywhere on the intertubes but I was playing Be A Pro last week and I have a playmaker. His rating was 79. I bumped up his wrist shot power, toughness, and something defense related (can't remember) and my rating actually went down to 78. Down! I'm on the first line of the Penguins and my rating goes down after increasing stats? So I figured maybe since I'm a playmaker I should only increase those stats specific to being a good play maker but I can't find confirmation on this anywhere. I don't need a 100 passing. I all ready have 94 but I want to be able to shoot more too! Geez. Any ideas guys?

[JSchiller]

Sounds like a glitch, and you should probably just ignore the overall rating. 100 passing is certainly NOT needed.