NHL 2k9 demo

Anyone try this yet?

I thought the gameplay was very good, but that the graphics and presentation just wasnt that good.

Thoughts?

I'm a pretty big 2k fan and it was worse than 08. I'm not just saying that because I haven't gotten use to it yet, the gameplay is just completely terrible. They've totally messed up the stick defense so you can't freely swing your stick to poke check, which was one of the best parts of past 2k's. They've even gimped the deke controls to the point where you can only deke while gliding, which is rediculous.

And this is coming from a guy who loved last year's controls.

I didn't like it. After i've played 08 for a year now i don't think ill ever be able to go back to 2Ks arcade gameplay.

Ill get eas NHL 09, but you cant call NHL 2k9's gameplay arcadey... its very realistic, just has terrible graphics and even worse presentation.

Its really to bad this gameplay doesnt have the graphics and pressentation that ea has for there hockey.

Yeah, I didn't even want to play the demo because I am so hooked on the controls of NHL 08 and SO pumped for NHL 09. I didn't want to think any less of NHL 2K... even though I don't know if I could think much less of them...nickdastick

You sir, have read my mind. The NHL series is so much better than 2K. The controls for NHL 08 were virtually flawless and NHL 09 is only going to improve. I can't wait for the friggen demo!

EA just tottaly dominates 2k in hockey. the 2k devs were probably like "lets get this year over with already"CharlyMurphy

It's kind of sad how far 2k has dropped the past few years. 2k easily had the better game for many years, then EA implemented the skill stick and their positions totally switched lol.

[QUOTE="CharlyMurphy"]EA just tottaly dominates 2k in hockey. the 2k devs were probably like "lets get this year over with already"CJL182

It's kind of sad how far 2k has dropped the past few years. 2k easily had the better game for many years, then EA implemented the skill stick and their positions totally switched lol.

As much as i hate EA for buying out other gaming companies and over-charging for little things. there hockey game is superior to 2k in so many ways. 2k is a much better hockey game than ea if theres was no skill stick but that changed. lol the new 2k features cracked me up. new playoff beards! i think there trying to hard. i do like that u can drive the zamboni now lol. i think nhl 2k9 is more of a arcade

The demo gives me hope for 2k again. I haven't used the classic or hybrid controls, since I feel analog controls should be standard. The controls are cleaned up considerably. I liked that saucer passing is dictated by holding the right trigger instead of pressing it (makes more sense to me than pressing another button-RB works in a pinch, though). I'm having trouble figuring out the Superstar moves with only analog controls. I've done some sick stuff, just cannot figure out how. I do not like that the spin move is almost default (LB and left or right, depending on native hand of player). I'd much rather be able to deke whichever way I please.

The graphics and animation are clean. My only gripe in the visual department comes from the bodies looking the same on most players. 2k has done a good job of creating facial likeness, but every player is rail thin with broad shoulders. On second though, I have another gripe: goalies. They look terrible. Ozzie isn't that bad since you can see his face, but MAF looks deformed inside his mask.

I'm glad to finally see two refs and two linesmen out there. I've been tired of the one ref garbage for too long. I didn't really notice right away, but found it from hitting linesmen a few times with the puck. Kudos to 2k for the addition.

The checking feels balanced (my biggest problem with EA's hockey offering from year to year). All players seem capable to drop someone (except Hudler and Dupuis), but most hits just knock the other player off-center. Some hits will end with both players on the ground, some end with the hitter on the ground. This is a great step forward. I like that most of the battles for the puck are stick battles. Poking is intuitive and each players' body reacts, not just their stick.

I wish the demo gave us a taste of fighting and had some penalties. I'd like to know how plays are called before I purchase (and fighting just looks awesome from the previews).

Overall, the demo was much better than the last two or three 2k offerings. I'm getting 09 either way for Be a Pro, but this game will get a strong look as well if the final adds to the demo. That's saying a lot since I all but wrote off the 2k series last year.