I play this game a lot but it really isn't very good

playstoomuch · 06-27-2023, 08:17 PM

I've play FHM 6, 7, 8, and now 9. It's getting better. But it still makes no sense and it extremely easy to win because of the bad logic the AI has for the teams.

Players with one year left on their contract, no matter how good, if they're going to be UFAs get trade one way or another, and its often for a late first and a prospect (of varying degrees depending on the player) at mediocre roster player... the fact that they haven't figured that out in 9 attempts just amazes.

The trades are stupid and never make any sense. Your draftpicks are useless but theirs are amazing.

Old contracts are terrible cause the cap doesn't go up. This is so stupid.

You can get Connor Bedard easy if you trade for him after he's drafted but before he signs. It's extremely easy to rebuild with a monster team.

High-end prospects can be signed as UFAs cause teams let their rights lapse, its laughable.

Unless comes into the NHL already good, it near impossible to develop them unless you play them on the top line and even then it doesn't seem to work. Can a guy be a top 6 player and play well on the 4th line? Not really.

I'm still working out the harmony thing, it looks good, too bad the first time I played I didn't even SEE it until 2026. The UI still sucks. Not so bad for people like me who have learned the system but as a new player, I'd jut be lost.

Controlling which Goalie plays doesn't really work. They added something this year where you can choose each game, but youre back up frequency.... sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Often your back up ends up being the starter. (I'm not 100% on this on 9 but the others for sure)

I can go on and on. I will add more if anyone cares.

lawrence97 · 06-28-2023, 03:49 AM

You do make some valid points, the biggest cheat of the game is signing players players before the AI sign them to a contract. AI behaviour has never been great on these types of games until they have the resources of the current FM, but our community isn't anywhere near as big so i'm happy to cut them some slack over this.

Colorado · 07-02-2023, 03:08 AM

I've invested more hours than I care to admit in FHM over the years and will continue to support the game, but I've played FHM 9 considerably less than all recent versions.

It's not that it's a weak link in the series, it's just that the game interface in general has been way too fiddly, and awkward for years and I'm tired of it.

The 2D is just terrible sorry (I appreciate how big a task this is to implement) both visually and operatively, and there's not enough being done in the series to improve immersion.

Swedishgamefreak · 07-02-2023, 04:35 PM

I have played it since the first game and it really has improved. Would I like the jump between every game to be bigger? Yes, for sure. But you have to remember that the team that is working on the game is small.
I still play Eastside Hockey Manager from time to time because I think it has a better 2D engine, a better drafting experience and is just better overall. But the fact is that EHM is getting really outdated because of the lack of features like retaining salary and the simulation speed is really slow. But I hope FHM will make some big improvements in 2D engine, drafting experience and immersion overall soon.

Colorado · 07-02-2023, 07:03 PM

How big do you think the EHM team was? I appreciate they were able to draw on some additional resources from Football Manager but FHM have OOTP.

The fact EHM is still stronger in certain aspects of the game, after all this time is quite telling.

I mean this constructively and am not just trying to rip into the game.

lawrence97 · 07-02-2023, 07:13 PM

I know what you mean and i don't want to argue as i think they have less resource, but if they could combine forces, we'd have such a great game. i'm a big fan of this genre and (bought every version of both series)and i don't want to see it go under. The game itself is very playable just needs a few tweeks interface wise(things like it not holding your filter settings when you move screens). As for the 2d engine, that needs to be brought back when its fully ready as its not quite there yet.

artlan · 07-06-2023, 04:44 PM

I think it is a great game. I just wish that the developers would focus on improving the current features instead of adding new ones that do not add much to the game.

Fix/improve the scouting, NHL draft classes (too many weak prospects in later years), improve the trade engine etc.

Colorado · 07-07-2023, 08:18 AM

I completely agree with this except I think it's potentially a great game.

The 2D match engine for example must be a huge project to undertake but perhaps it should've been held back until the game was more polished and the 2D engine was in better shape (I personally find it very unconvincing).

Again, I'm not just slating the game unfairly and I will continue to support it, I just think this has the potential to be a fantastic sports sim but in many ways, it still in the shadow of EHM.

northjersey · 07-07-2023, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artlan

I think it is a great game. I just wish that the developers would focus on improving the current features instead of adding new ones that do not add much to the game.

Fix/improve the scouting, NHL draft classes (too many weak prospects in later years), improve the trade engine etc.

agree on this, fix the bugs and improve some existing options (still don't get why Entry draft is after 7/1).

but I still am hoping that arena music gets implemented, and down the line, the 2d engine during games is improved. Like others, I've decided to switch back to the classic engine because centers were scoring too many goals and other inaccurate results

AbeFroman · 07-07-2023, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northjersey

agree on this, fix the bugs and improve some existing options (still don't get why Entry draft is after 7/1).

First day of each new season is 7/1. You can only expand leagues and make changes to the salary cap on this day. If it was in late June, like it use to be in previous versions and you expanded the league on 7/1, those new expansion teams would go a full year without being involved in the draft.

This was an issue a few years ago when Seattle was about to come into the NHL and everyone was expanding on 7/1/21 (game date) to add them into the NHL but they first draft was in June 2022.

06-27-2023, 08:17 PM	#1
playstoomuch Bat Boy Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 1	I play this game a lot but it really isn't very good I've play FHM 6, 7, 8, and now 9. It's getting better. But it still makes no sense and it extremely easy to win because of the bad logic the AI has for the teams. Players with one year left on their contract, no matter how good, if they're going to be UFAs get trade one way or another, and its often for a late first and a prospect (of varying degrees depending on the player) at mediocre roster player... the fact that they haven't figured that out in 9 attempts just amazes. The trades are stupid and never make any sense. Your draftpicks are useless but theirs are amazing. Old contracts are terrible cause the cap doesn't go up. This is so stupid. You can get Connor Bedard easy if you trade for him after he's drafted but before he signs. It's extremely easy to rebuild with a monster team. High-end prospects can be signed as UFAs cause teams let their rights lapse, its laughable. Unless comes into the NHL already good, it near impossible to develop them unless you play them on the top line and even then it doesn't seem to work. Can a guy be a top 6 player and play well on the 4th line? Not really. I'm still working out the harmony thing, it looks good, too bad the first time I played I didn't even SEE it until 2026. The UI still sucks. Not so bad for people like me who have learned the system but as a new player, I'd jut be lost. Controlling which Goalie plays doesn't really work. They added something this year where you can choose each game, but youre back up frequency.... sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Often your back up ends up being the starter. (I'm not 100% on this on 9 but the others for sure) I can go on and on. I will add more if anyone cares.

07-02-2023, 03:08 AM	#3
Colorado Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 387	I've invested more hours than I care to admit in FHM over the years and will continue to support the game, but I've played FHM 9 considerably less than all recent versions. It's not that it's a weak link in the series, it's just that the game interface in general has been way too fiddly, and awkward for years and I'm tired of it. The 2D is just terrible sorry (I appreciate how big a task this is to implement) both visually and operatively, and there's not enough being done in the series to improve immersion. Last edited by Colorado; 07-02-2023 at 03:09 AM.

06-28-2023, 03:49 AM	#2
lawrence97 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 188	You do make some valid points, the biggest cheat of the game is signing players players before the AI sign them to a contract. AI behaviour has never been great on these types of games until they have the resources of the current FM, but our community isn't anywhere near as big so i'm happy to cut them some slack over this.

07-02-2023, 04:35 PM	#4
Swedishgamefreak Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 191	I have played it since the first game and it really has improved. Would I like the jump between every game to be bigger? Yes, for sure. But you have to remember that the team that is working on the game is small. I still play Eastside Hockey Manager from time to time because I think it has a better 2D engine, a better drafting experience and is just better overall. But the fact is that EHM is getting really outdated because of the lack of features like retaining salary and the simulation speed is really slow. But I hope FHM will make some big improvements in 2D engine, drafting experience and immersion overall soon.

07-02-2023, 07:03 PM	#5
Colorado Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 387	How big do you think the EHM team was? I appreciate they were able to draw on some additional resources from Football Manager but FHM have OOTP. The fact EHM is still stronger in certain aspects of the game, after all this time is quite telling. I mean this constructively and am not just trying to rip into the game.

07-02-2023, 07:13 PM	#6
lawrence97 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 188	I know what you mean and i don't want to argue as i think they have less resource, but if they could combine forces, we'd have such a great game. i'm a big fan of this genre and (bought every version of both series)and i don't want to see it go under. The game itself is very playable just needs a few tweeks interface wise(things like it not holding your filter settings when you move screens). As for the 2d engine, that needs to be brought back when its fully ready as its not quite there yet.

07-06-2023, 04:44 PM	#7
artlan Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 80	I think it is a great game. I just wish that the developers would focus on improving the current features instead of adding new ones that do not add much to the game. Fix/improve the scouting, NHL draft classes (too many weak prospects in later years), improve the trade engine etc.

07-07-2023, 08:18 AM	#8
Colorado Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 387	I completely agree with this except I think it's potentially a great game. The 2D match engine for example must be a huge project to undertake but perhaps it should've been held back until the game was more polished and the 2D engine was in better shape (I personally find it very unconvincing). Again, I'm not just slating the game unfairly and I will continue to support it, I just think this has the potential to be a fantastic sports sim but in many ways, it still in the shadow of EHM.