I have read bad reviews about this game saying it's not as good as 2K8 (let alone NHL 09). I want to know:

1. Is 2K8 a better game than 2K9?
2. Can you create your own team like in 2K8 (or even bring in your saved 2K8 team data into 2K9?)
3. Can you tweak the game set-up (like 2K8 where you can make the game a simulation, arcade, faster, slower, etc)

Thanks in advance!

The reason this game has been criticised and rightly so is because it is missing so many features that was in 2k8 due to a change in development team and less time (unacceptable still but that is the reason)

No fantasy draft
No custom team in Franchise
No assists shown on goal box score
No team morale
Diminished team training

However the gameplay is really really good, it is ok out of the box, a bit arcade but the sliders i use are the most sim i have ever played and the 2k8 thing of stupid checking power and frequency is gone.

The sliders are the best i have used and you can do them seperately for CPU and human.

The cpu ai is completely one track minded out of the box and crashes the net too much but this is fixable through team strategies.

As i say the game i play is awesome, the game plays sim, my stats are brilliant and the games are amazing and vary in scoreline and events.

Penalties for both cpu and human are called fairly and evenly. Only thing you need to do is put tripping down as it happens to often.


The player differences are amazing in this game, your superstars really stand out and you know when your 1st line is out compared to your 3rd or 4th. You notice it when you are playing the computer too, they suffer as much as you do when they have their 3rd or 4th line out.

The goalies are really good in this game too, they are really energetic and pull off amazing saves and do not turn into sivves just because the cpu thinks they should score.

The AI is very fair too, no catchup AI or superhuman stat boost which is the primary reason i chose this over 09. I am an offline player and you feel like it is a fair fight in 2k9 unlike 09 although make no mistake 09 offers infinately more online than 2k9 so if online is your bag then i would get 09 without a doubt.


There are bugs in this game that need patching just like in NHL 09.

1) The cpu will not resign their own players or sign free agents over 80 overall in franchise (that is the big one but there is a workaround until the patch)

2)Some freezes (but only on 360 as far as i have read)

3) Menu music sometimes continues through until the first stoppage in the first period.

4) Can't save camera setting


Here are NHL 09's ones if you want to compare which ones you can live without most

1) You cannot see which line the cpu puts out onto the ice

2) You cannot mix and match forward and defensive lines in game

3) CPU gets hardly any penalties under superstar difficulty level

4) There is a faceoff glitch but i don't know the details



Anyway i would rate the game 8 out of 10 for gameplay out of the box but 8.8, 8.9 for gameplay once tweaked. I cannot stress that the on ice action is class once it is set up right. Those who attack this game's gameplay have not played it properly or are just being a troll, however i agree with many of the other criticisms.

As for features and modes i would give it 6 out of 10. This game could have so much more.


Quick word on graphics: Arena, ice rink and crowd are the best i have seen, amazing. However player models are only ok and player faces are shocking. The crowd sounds are the most immersive and reactive ever in a sports game, they can really get you into a game. The commentary is really good for analsying the play but lacks a bit of charisma.

That is my lowdown anyway, sorry if it was more than you were expecting.

To answer directly to your questions

1) It is in terms of gameplay but 2k8 offers a much better game experience in terms of depth in Franchise mode.

2) Yes you can create your own team but you cannot use it in franchise (lame)

3) Again yes, the slider options are numerous and work brilliantly.

Thanks Woodwork Hunter. The thing is - i played the NHL09 demo and wasn't impressed!? Slow, awkward controls etc... perhaps it's beciase i'm not an Ice Hockey nut. The bugs sound unprofessional and due to this - i might wait until next year and stick with 2k8 with my created teams.. Go Telford Tigers!

Thanks

Alot of 2k players are doing this (until the patch anyway).

Both games have unnacceptable bugs and problems.

Also the 2k8 controls are not in this game, they have 3 systems pro evo (same as 09), classic or hybrid. I never really played 2k8 so i didn't mind but many 2k8 players are pissed they scrapped the 2k8 controls when (apparently) they took so long to get used to in the first place.

This is the first year Visual Concepts have developed on 2k hockey, they got the gameplay and presentation down but lack elsewhere. They have another year now so i expect nhl 2k10 to be the complete package.

To me, the only thing that let 2k8 down was the presentation.... the awful typeface, and 'clunky' look to it all. It didnt have the EA quality presentation we are used to now on PS3. I was hoping 2K9 would be 2K8 but with better presentation. Sounds like the presentation is better but the gameplay worse.

No the gameplay is the best i have played. I never really played 2k8 so i can't judge but many people on 2k hockey forums who had both games agree the gameplay is better in 2k9.

Even those who hate 2k9 for it's half finished modes and features say that the core gameplay is better.

The main thing which people say is that whilst offensive AI and offensive side of the game plays quite similar, the defensive AI and defensive side of the game is much better.

If gameplay is your worry then as i say you have no problems, it is the stuff that is missing and the bugs which may disappoint you.

so, a big favor to ask from fellow hockey fans, will anyone with nhl2k9 with an unused gamecenter promo code share with me? I will be out of tv for the next month and it would be very helpful.

Thanks