Ok, this review is completely pointless because it has already been reviewed about a billion times since it has been out for almost a year, and NHL 10 is coming out soon. But since this game took a TON of my time over the last 6 months, I wanted to give a quick review and some spots I think they could do better for NHL 10. Then I will get into the game that is currently stealing my sleep...
First a quick break down of the usually video game review scores:
| Graphics | 9.0 | Today most of these games have amazing detail and player models, and this one is no exception. Really the only reason it isn't a 10 is to leave some room for improvement. Animation is smooth, hits look vicious, game play is fluid... crowd could use some work, there are probably only about 10-15 different crowd members so you end up with a lot of them sitting next to each other. It is a small issue, but acing those small issues is what takes a game from good to great |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | 9.0 | The gameplay in this game is very well done. Since NHL 08 most of the controls have been mapped to both thumbsticks, the left one controlling player movement and the right one controlling your players stick for puck handling, shooting, and checking on defense. There are very few buttons needed with this design so the game is easy to pick up but takes some time to master, which is good. The main thing keeping this from a 10 is the AI. Playing any of the single player modes, the AI doesn't really hurt or help you too much, but when playing online, mainly in the EASHL (EA Sports Hockey League) the AI defenders and goalie can cost you the game. There are a lot of glitches that lead to goals that players take advantage of, which could be curbed by some improved AI, which they will hopefully implement in NHL 10 |
| Sound | 8.0 | The game sound is good, but the sound track for the game is too small and way to repetitive. |
| Fun | 10 | The main reason to play games is to have fun right? Well this game delivers over and over. Especially with the new Be a Pro mode and the EASHL. Playing online co-op with a team of friends can be tons of fun, it can also be very frustrating, but hopefully more often its fun. My late night laughter when one of my team mates gets obliterated with a body check, or delivers an insane hit has woke up my wife on a few occasions.... luckily my 2 year old daughter is a heavy sleeper. |
| Replayability | 10 | Basically the same breakdown as the fun score. The EASHL and be a pro mode really add endless replayability. |
| Overall (not an average) | 9.0 | Really a great game. Hands down the best sports game I have played in years. Does a great job with the co-op play, and the be a pro mode is very entertaining. A most own for any hockey fan, and at least a must play for video game fans. I am not an avid hockey fan by any stretch but I got way more than my 60 dollars out of this game... However at this point if you don't own it, just wait for NHL 10, only a few months away.... I know my review is late and pointless..... |
I was thinking about breaking down some of the game play modes etc etc... but since this game has been out for a year and this review is pretty pointless, I will just skip it for now. I will try to actually post a review for NHL 10 shortly after it comes out since NHL 09 was good enough to guarantee an instant buy for NHL 10.