Help convert this EA fan

[Ryvo10]

Hi, i'm a longtime EA fan, been with them since NHLPA '93. Currently playing on PS2 and no sign of upgrading to PS3/360 anytime soon.

Now, the be-a-pro feature in NHL 09 sounds really cool. But now i'm hearing that the PS2 version of NHL 09 may not be out until early November. So what better opportunity to jump into the 2K series than now? So if some of you can help me by answering a few questions, this could be the year that I switch over.

1. Is the release date for NHL 2K9 on PS2 still set for September 1?

2. How did the gameplay on ice last season compare to NHL 08?

3. How do the controls compare to NHL 08?

4. Most important and lengthy question. What makes the 2K dynasty mode so much deeper? Explain to me the differences in dynasty modes between the two games, signing free agents, trading players, salary cap, franchise upgrades, ticket/merchandise options, entry draft and most important is how does minor league management work? this was the worst feature in NHL 08 because all you had was this one screen called "minor league management" and you could call up or send down a player and it just seemed pretty hollow because you couldn't track their progress or anything, and they didn't even go to a team, it was basically the same thing as scratching or dressing a player except the salary didn't count towards your team salary. There was also no limitations, you could send any player to the minors without having to clear waivers or anything.

Obviously i'm very interested in the off-ice portion of the game, I really liked the way that NHL 08 played on the ice, best i've ever seen (even if it didn't compare to the PS3/360 version) but the dynasty mode really seemed to take a step backward. So convince me to jump over to 2K please!

[b-Dub]

A firm date for any system hasn't been set yet. Hopefully, we'll know more about a release date after E3.

I can't answer your comparison questions since I haven't played EA's game. I do hear it's quite good, however. Know that many of the people that post here who have played both games have played them on the current gen systems (360 & PS3), so there may be some gameplay differences between them and the PS2 version (don't know for sure).

[BruinsHockey08]

Let me make it simple,
2K: for PS2 and Xbox
EA: for PS3 and 360

That's my personal opinion, EA has not put much inprovement in their Current gen version and it shows, I played NHL 07 on PS2 and the 360 and the 360 version wipes the floor clean with the ps2 version, not just visually but in every gameplay facet. 2k is a great game for people with PS2 and the original Xbox.

If you do upgrade to next gen I recommend you get Ea's game, I find that one much more fun to play, but since you are on a 2k board you'll get conflicting and sometimes misleading views but as a gamer I am just giving my personal opinion on the matter.

[RoadDoggFL]

I say the opposite.

Last gen: EA.
Current gen: 2K.

NHL 09 for the PS2 will finally be getting some of its current-gen advancements, including Be a Pro mode, where you assume the identity of a player, either existing or created.

Just seems to me that some real attention is being paid to the game this year. Now, which game you'll find most fun to play is most important, which is why I say 2K for the current-gen consoles. I don't know what 08 and 2K8 play like on the PS2, so I didn't factor that into my recommendations.

[yambag021]

i was a huge ea guy UNTIL 2k came out. i have NOT liked ea ever since. definitely pick up 2k. personal opinion, but i think 2k is MUCH more realistic. then again, im not a fan of the skill stick. im a big fan of button based shooting and passing.

[BruinsHockey08]

Yambag I respectfully disagree, I think the skill stick sets the games apart, I love the thing, it is real inovative and is the future of video gaming, it is an awesome idea as long as it is implimented well. I think EA does a good job of implimenting it into their games, and thats a good thing because it just isnt a useless feature on the heavy 360 controller.

[Savoie06]

I refuse to convert anyone that won't convert.

[Mr. T]

Mr. T says get neither and put the $60 towards your college fund. Foool

[BruinsHockey08]

Mr. T says get neither and put the $60 towards your college fund. Foool

Uusually I'd agree but the original posters english is some of the better english I've seen on the board

[Ryvo10]

Already graduated college 6 years ago :P

Still would like to hear about the 2K franchise mode and how the minor leagues work. Thanks!

[gosharks]

Well, this year, NHL 2K9 is coming out for the 360, the PS2, the PS3, and the Wii.

If you have seen screenshots, you'll see you can drive a zamboni. They also mention playoff beards and getting to skate manually while you're hoisting the Stanley Cup.

[BruinsHockey08]

Already graduated college 6 years ago :P

Still would like to hear about the 2K franchise mode and how the minor leagues work. Thanks!

I played 2k6 and it had a pretty good dynasty mode but it had a major freezing issue that drove me away from enjoying it to the fullest extent. but I dug up this IGN acticle from 2k8so you can see what it looks like (sorta):

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812821p1.html

[Ryvo10]

Well, I didn't really get the information that I was hoping for. But from the little bit of info available on both games, and mostly due to the release dates, it looks like 2K will be getting my video game money for this year. And i'm actually pretty excited about jumping over and trying out a new franchise.

[Irish916]

I've purchased EA's hockey title every year since 1991 (including 08). I picked up on 2K when I first bought my 360 as it was the only hockey title available after launch. 2K6 was very bad. 2K7 allowed for online co-op with my friends, so all online gaming was done using 2K, while I still suckled up to EA 2007 for my single player frachise. 2k8 was the first year that I abandoned EA completely. I bought both games, and gave each game a week to make an impression on me. The result was that NHL 08 became a drink coaster.

Quite honestly, here's what seperates the two for me. EA is a better looking hockey game from a presentation standpoint. I know some would argue this point, but it's my opinion the player modeling and on-ice presentation of the game is tighter in EA's franchise.

That said, I strongly feel that 2K better simulates the true game of hockey, and that is what has won me over. I played NHL, the computer checked me 10 times with agressiveness jacked up??!?! WTF? I want an AI that responds to the way I play. I get that with 2k. I don't have to press a silly little slash button to start fights. I start fights in 2K by running around the ice taking runs at everyone. To me, the eb/flow of the game of hockey is captured better on the 2K title. I don't go for glossy packaging or the addition of more bells and whistles to sell a game to me. I want GAMEPLAY realism. I want an AI that checks me back, or starts running my top players. I want a passing system that won't allow you to complete every pass tape to tape. How about an AI that actually forechecks!? EA lost a long time customer when they started pushing their product to children. The people that play and watch hockey understand the intricacies of the game will appreciate they are better captured in the 2K frachise. Both games have bugs, so I don't want to hear that argument for either title.

I'm sorry I don't have a PS2 to help you and your decision.

When converting to the 2K franchise, I recommend the following.

1.Remain objective.
2. Make absolutely SURE your slider settings are correct (the game can change drastically with slider settings; unlike EA's game the sliders actually work)
3. Give the game some time. Play for a few days so you can see the difference from game to game.

[Rei]

Mr. T says get neither and put the $60 towards your college fund. Foool

Lmao. Amazing.

[macpuck]

Mr. T's college fund may have been gathered in vain. There are only two o's in fool.

[Rei]

When choosing a game i like to pick the game with the best "coverman"

Electronic Arts NHL 09 (EA) coverman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF8K-szxQg8

2k Sports 2k9 coverman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQArUjP89w

Is there really a choice?

[BruinsHockey08]

Apparently you never heard of "don't judge a book by its cover" the same can be said about video games. And honestly if I did use that method I'd have a hard time choosing because I like both players the same, they are both really talented at their respective positions. I'd probably give the edge to Nash though

[b-Dub]

Apparently you never heard of "don't judge a book by its cover" the same can be said about video games. And honestly if I did use that method I'd have a hard time choosing because I like both players the same, they are both really talented at their respective positions. I'd probably give the edge to Nash though

Plus, having an Ottawa player on the cover is so last year. ;) :D

[Rei]

Apparently you never heard of "don't judge a book by its cover" the same can be said about video games. And honestly if I did use that method I'd have a hard time choosing because I like both players the same, they are both really talented at their respective positions. I'd probably give the edge to Nash though

Why so serious?..Lets put a smile on that face..

Enough of that. My prior post was a joke buddy, relax.

[Droc]

I was never a big hockey gamer. I played blades of steel and all that jazz.

I have always had high end computers so I started with NHL06, NHL07 and NHL08 all on the PC.
Ugly ports and all, but you know what, NHL08 runs the same ugly game engine as NHL06. Aside from a few visual tweaks and a few minor gameplay changes, NHL08 is just renamed NHL06...

Now Im only talking about the PC versions because thats all I have played, but the PC is not limited by hardware, so you can crank everything to the max and tweak/customize it and it still looks horrible.

I have NHL07 & NHL08 both installed and if asked, you probably couldn't tell me what game was newer.

As a consumer, if Im shelling out $60 on a game, I don't expect to be playing a 3-4 year old game engine. Plain and simple.

Then I grabbed NHL 2k8 out of the bargain bin for the PS3. The game looked great and played ok. My biggest gripes are the bugs.
Visually, NHL 2k8(PS3) looks excellent compared to NHL 08(PC). And in terms of gameplay, NHL 2k8 blows NHL 08 away. NHL 08 is so chunky, I feel like Im playing tetris. NHL 2k8 gameplay is very fluid. Players accelerate, lean and move more human. Strides look like strides, footwork is beautiful. NHL 08 may have it, but after a year with it, it never showed me.

NHL 2K8 PS3 crashes. I have been playing it constantly since I got it and I often experience the 1st period intermission bug that prevents you from starting the 2nd period if up by 6 goals or more.
I have never, ever, in the dozens of times I have tried, been able to make it in dynasty mode. I love it, but the game locks up by the time the playoffs or into the 2nd round. Some said its a heat issue, but I save every game and when I encounter a lockup, ill let the machine cool and reload and try again. No luck, Ill even load to a previous game change settings, trade players, just to see if its a simple glitch, with no luck. Its extremely frustrating to put weeks of play into a team only to have the game crap out.
These are known problems and 2K has ignored them. After product support is extremely important to me. As is the ability to update my rosters.

in my comparison between NHL 2k8(PS3) vs NHL 08(PC), 2k8 is by far the better looking game and has the better gameplay without question.

I can come home from work, fire up 2k8 and feel like Im watching a hockey game. NHL08, it feels like Im watching a videogame.

Im no fan of EA or 2k, so the fanboy crap doesnt apply. I dont care who makes it, I just want the best NHL game I can get.

NHL2k8 over NHL08 without question.

I will probably buy both, but to be honest, Im leaning towards 2k9 simply because NHL09 looks like NHL06 with a new cover and roster.

I have looked at videos of NHL09 and it looks like the same ugly, chunky, mechanical crap. 2k9 looks nice, looks fluid.

Personally I think both companies need to open their eyes, Toronto should be ranked atleast 50% of Ottawa is in stats.

Watch these and tell me what one looks more next gen, more fluid, more human
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmR61LdFjKQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3seuzxCtf0

[AJ2K7]

OK you are a) a dumb sob b) a dumb sob or c) trying to manipulate people into buying 2k cause you don;t like EA. First the video of 2k was the next gen and the video of EA was PS2 so what one looks next gen the next gen video. Secondly you compared a PC game to a PS3 game EA has pretty much stated that they are not making the PC games next gen because of illegal copying of games obviously this can be done on next gen consoles now but is not done nearly as much and your online is cut of if caught. So yes EA puts out the same PC game every year because it hardly cost them anything to have a team that just updates rosters. So if you really think the PS3 verison of NHL09 will look like the PS2 or PC game then you are a or b However my guess is your c.

[AJ2K7]

sorry the video was next gen I couldnt see then video but there was a comment ps2 sucks so I assumed it was a ps2 video but I got it working. So anyways Im not sure why you think that video doesnt look next gen cause graphicaly even most 2k fans will note next gen EA has them beat

[Droc]

your immature flame response leads me to believe you are:
a) A spinless e-thug wanna-be.
b) An e-thug who feels personally violated by others opinions.
c) 12 years old.
d) All of the above.

If you cannot learn to respond to peoples opinions with maturity and respect, then don't bother responding.

For the sake of argument, I picked up NHL 08 for the PS3 after work today. $10.
Ice reflections & faces are the only edge IMHO. They still skate like robots.

If you have anymore immature responses, please feel free to PM them to me so the rest of the board isn't exposed to your garbage.

Cheers