Game: NHL 10
Publisher/Developer: EA Sports/EA Canada
Genre: Sports
Verdict: EA improves on its already fantastic NHL series
Pros: Excellent puck physics, board play and fighting improve on last year’s solid core
Cons: New modes are fairly unimaginative.
NHL09 was the most critically acclaimed sports game of 2008, so NHL10 has some big skates to fill. The question is if the game will live up to the extremely high bar that was set by its predecessors, or will it shoot for the five-hole, and just attempt to squeak by? Either way, you can bet that NHL 10 will bring a lot to the table for the first hockey title of this decade.
Even compared to last year, puck movement feels incredibly fluid and realistic. The puck bounces around off skates and sticks in a far smoother fashion then even past versions. It is much easier to “get in the way” of the puck. This gives it a less sticky feeling and greatly encourages a strong passing game. Passing around a defender is much harder, which really forces you to set up plays. While previous hockey games amounted to little more then lots of hitting and shooting, NHL 10 pushes more for puck control and actual strategy.
This is further assisted by the vast improvements in other strategic aspects of the game. Play along the board is meaningful for the first time in recent memory. A player with the puck can trap it against the boards, either by choice or because an opponent pinned them there. In this stance the player can move the puck back and forth between his skates and then pass it along the boards to a friendly player, all before an opposing player uses their stick to knock it free.
Fighting is also vastly improved. Instead of mere button mashing, the player uses the analog sticks to aim, charge, and thrust, all while trying to knock some teeth out. The way a fight starts is also unique because instead of pushing one button to start a fight, you push a button that causes you to face-wash your opponent, spin them around, or otherwise challenge them to a fight. This also means that for the first time, AI opponents can effectively challenge you to a fight. However, ultimately you can choose whether or not to drop your gloves. Just be sure to be careful if you keep whacking at the puck after the whistle or give an extra bump after the play. The opposing team’s biggest brute will come looking for revenge.
The improved take on player contact isn’t without its problems, however. If you and your opponent simply take turns bumping each other (checking while standing next to each other), you are likely to both be called for 2:00 roughing penalties. While a cool twist, the refs have a tendency to call you both for roughing if your opponent comes after you and you simply try and run away. This is all the more frustrating in the Be a Pro mode.
NHL 10 also has some scaling issues. I am sure EA has a contract that says every seat in the arena must be filled with screaming fans, but the fact that even an AHL game is sold out makes the big games seem less important. To overcome this, every simulated fan is given a rally towel in the playoffs and is inclined to join in various chants. Still, they would feel bigger if the regular season or AHL games had their crowds toned down a bit.
While the on-ice game is vastly improved over last years, the traditional game mode remains largely unchanged. “New” modes amount to nothing more then smaller chunks of other modes. For example, you can play a shootout or start a best of seven series for the Stanley cup. The three major modes, Be a GM (Dynasty), Be a Pro, and Season, feature minor improvements, but are mostly unchanged. Playing a Season lets you take control of one or more teams and play a full season worth of hockey. Overall this is fun, but unremarkable.
The Be a Pro mode is also largely unchanged. Mostly this is because it was so good in last year’s game and no further upgrades were needed. In this mode you choose to take over control of a single existing player or create your own from scratch. If you create your own player, you can decide to either choose a team to join or enter the draft. The draft, which is a new addition this year, is a very exciting experience. You start off with a chance to prove yourself in the prospects game, then teams take turns picking their first round choices. Being a big Red Wing fan myself, I was a little unnerved when the Toronto Maple Leafs selected me and quickly inked me for an in-game eternity of three seasons, but I went with it anyway. Then, after four good games at the NHL level, I was promptly demoted to the third line of their AHL team and forced began my quest to work my way up through the ranks.
The starting stats for a new player are notably weaker then new players in last year’s game. This can be overcome in part by the new equipment element that EA has introduced. On top of the standard equipment you start off with, you can now unlock “better” helmets, sticks, skates, and gloves that have “boost” slots. Boosts are additional unlockables that provide a +1, +3 or +5 stat point boost to a specific player stat. Equipment can have anywhere from one to three available slots. As part of EA’s new (and kind of insulting) marketing scheme, you also have the option to purchase equipment and boosts instead of unlocking them. This is an interesting concept, but it could use some more polishing. My biggest complaint is that the unlocked equipment looks like it would fit in better in a BMX or skate boarding game. The boost slots provided by my bright yellow helmet almost aren’t worth the horrible clash with the blue Maple Leafs uniform. In a game that has become so realistic, the new equipment really kills the atmosphere.
My biggest problem with the Be a Pro mode is that it makes me play too much. I know, that sounds really strange, but hear me out. No matter what line I am on, the coach always sends me out to take the draw, as long as my stamina bar is mostly full. If I’m on the third line, that means the game starts off with our worst line facing the opposing team’s best line. This is comically pointed out by the announcers, who comment on the coach’s foolish decision to put you out on the ice. In effect, it trivializes the important occasion when you are promoted up or demoted down a line.
Be a GM mode has undergone the biggest overhaul. Unfortunately, this mode is more for people who like statistics and economics, rather than NHL fans. I was greatly dismayed when I took over my precious Red Wings and was faced with a huge amount of pressure attempting to push me to trade away my players. Indeed, the game seems to encourage wheeling and dealing, as opposed to keeping a solid block of players. Ironically, if you do well and win the cup, your players will demand more money and you have to trade them to stay under the salary cap. This is a great mode if you like scouting in the European leagues, inking deals and creating an Empire. I, on the other hand, am going to stick to the Be a Pro mode.
I would be remiss to forget to mention that the online play is a blast. You can either join an online league or just play ranked or social matches. I think I also saw “shootout” in the menu somewhere too, but I refuse to play a mode that will take you longer to connect than actually play. Online games are fast paced, include a lot more reckless play, and are a lot of fun. At one point I personally went three games without scoring a single goal, but still found myself thoroughly amused.
To sum it up, NHL 10 is still the best hockey experience available today. That said, if you aren’t a big hockey fan and already own NHL 09, you may not find enough value in it to warrant an upgrade. Still, there is enough polished content to offer a better experience to fans of the game. I highly recommend it, especially for the opportunity to bust Sidney Crosby’s nose open. Which I did. With a high stick to the face. It was worth every second of that five minute major…
Popularity: unranked [?]
2 comments