NHL 11 Demo: Impressions

You can get the demo (360) here (stick tap to MajorNelson).

There are a few things that have changed from 10:

• How hard you pass depends on how long you hold in the pass button, learning the nuances of this will be one of the keys to 11.
• The new faceoff system adds a new tactical layer. I am envisioning a lot of down by 1 goal 5 second left offensive faceoffs being tied up by the defensive center so that nothing can happen.
• The new aggressive offensive zone faceoff layouts are far better than the old ones.
  
• The new physics engine makes everything feel like it has more weight and the hitting is fantastic.
  
• They slowed the game down a bit which allows more time to make plays (now this may just be the fact it was on Pro and not All-Star).
• When you go to check someone who goes into the self boardplay you boardplay them automatically now. No more Y button cheese!
• I was able to score some charged up forehand wristers still but not all the time and again this was on Pro.
• The new Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) mode is really neat and can be played against the CPU. I will definitely spend more time in here than I originally thought even thought EASHL will still be my number one focus.

A couple of tips for the demo. One quit out of the play for the cup game with 5 seconds left or you are stuck with a good 2 or 3 minute unskippable Stanley Cup awarding display. To get the most time and fun out of the demo try the HUT mode, you can play 3rd periods of like 6 maybe 7 games with a randomly generated team you get to organize. Also, if you don't like your initial mix of players back out of HUT and reenter and you get an entirely new set.

If I think of other things I will throw up another post later. I will definitely be spending more time with this demo getting used to the new passing and other mechanics in preparation for upcoming EASHL season.