09 was extremely arcadey, at least in comparison to the most recent few iterations if for nothing but the AI alone. It just wasn't there back then. I remember being a one man wrecking crew skating through everyone with zero consequence to positioning. The only challenge was against friends and only because they were putting up 15+ goals a game as well. Now we actually grind it out. Goals actually mean something. Instead of cheesing a one-timer for the 10th time in a single game, your better off wearing down the defense through good puck cycling. At the other end, the simplest defensive slip like getting caught defending the wrong man, or getting over eager for a hit/caught out of position will almost always cost you. Shit, skill stick controls alone make the game feel less arcadey.
The controls compliment this style of gameplay. Idk about unresponsive, but I have read the complaints some ppl are having about it feeling like skating in quicksand and I just don't agree. It's slower yeah, but only because it IS a sim and physics are a thing. Not all players have rockets on their skates, some are more explosive than others. That break out player you always see on t.v. exploiting the transition? Yeah that's the same guy to look for in game.
I understand it isn't for everyone. I hated the shift initially as well. Took me awhile to fall in line, but i'm glad I did. Been playing these games since 04 and this is my favorite one yet.
