No tomfoolery today, I'm just plunging right in.
The focus of many of this years improvements is adding realism to the game.
The demo for EA's 2010 entry into the NHL gaming franchise battle starts off with a bunch of tutorials for some of the new features designed to add that realism to the game.
Anyone who knows hockey will tell you that games are won when 2 guys go into the corner or up against the boards, and your guy comes away with the puck. For the first time in an NHL game, players can truly experience this part of the game with the addition of board battles to the game. Whether you're the guy with the puck, or the guy trying to knock his ass down and walk away, it truly adds depth to the game.
Then there's the addition of more gameplay styles. The one likely to draw the most attention is the Hardcore style. The game play slows down, and it's noticable from the minute you start playing. I think it's because the game has to handle a lot more details and it's designed to feel as real as possible. THe differences between stars and scrubs is accentuated, in a way that feels slightly beyond real, but a lot closer to what you see in the other styles. You're not going to get as many game winning goals from your 4th line left wing, but you'll truly earn the goals you do get. And goal scoring is only the beginning. Just try hitting with your soft 2nd line euro winger. Or Marian Hossa.
Actually, I wouldn't try anything with Hossa. I think EA has picked up on his complete lack of karma. In all 3 versions of the Game 7 scenario I played, Hossa had a last second shot on his stick, and on 2 of the 3, the AI hit the post. On the other try, I played as the Wings, and I shot it over the top of the gaping net. Sure, it could have just been me, but I'm sticking with blaming Hossa. It's worked for Pens and Wings fans in back to back years.
Of course, there's the change that's bound to draw the most attention; first person fighting. Personally, I'm not one for fighting. Hell, I play soft for a big guy when I actually play hockey. ("Am I a big guy Tree?" "Yeah, Johnny, you're a big guy" "No, Tree, I'm not. You're the big guy.") But I recognize it's place in the game, and what it does for the teams and the fans. Those same fans are going to LOVE the fighting aspect of this game. There's no pre-programmed key sequence to win fights. Instead, it brings you right into the fight making all the decisions. Are you going to grab and grapple? Or are you a serious thrower, who wants to get the momentum back on his side? Blocking, shoulder movements, uppercuts and jabs are all a part of this mode. (A certain Editor in Chief who will remain nameless is a bit of a *ahem* thug on the ice. I think EA may have written this and the more realistic checking system just for him).
The feature I'm most excited about is the change to the Be a Pro process, where you start as a junior player, looking to get drafted. Through a rather abbreviated process, you can play in a prospects game, and by standing out, affect your draft status. In my first attempt, I wound up actually LOWERING my draft status, from 15th to 20th. The second time around, I scored a goal and put the shot on goal that set up the game winning goal. I actually wound up getting drafted first overall by the Dallas Stars. It's not everything you'd want in a Junior/Minors/NHL progression, but it's another step in the process.
So, that's a pretty good overview of what's in the demo, leaving a lot more to look forward to when the NHL 10 releases on September 15th.