Normally the yearly iteration of a sports franchise isn’t all that exciting. Gamers expect a roster update and a handful of updates to some of the game modes. Things are a little different with EA’s NHL series this year. Although they couldn’t have been expecting it, there is a new team on the ice now that the Atlanta Thrashers have packed their bags and moved up to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Winnipeg Jets are giving gamers an excuse to pick up NHL12, and EA Canada has put together a very good game to welcome them.
Game: NHL 12
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Canada
Genre: Sports
Price: $59.99
Pros: Overhauled Be a Pro mode with CHL and full draft. EA Ultimate Hockey League is a fun new addition combining trading cards with classic gameplay.
Cons: Micro-transactions and advertising will make you wonder why you paid full price for the game. Legends seem like a missed opportunity.
Verdict: NHL12 is another great entry in a fantastic franchise, especially for fans of the Be a Pro mode.
Acquired via Publisher
The most important feature any sports game is the actual in game action. You can have all the game modes you want, but they would be worthless if the on ice experience sucked. This year the biggest change is the full contact physics engine. Depending on you positioning when making a hit, you will do anything from glance off a player you are trying to check or hit him so hard his helmet goes flying. You will also be able to knock players into the bench or even through the glass. Goalies can also get hit if you are willing to risk a goaltender interference penalty. These improvements to the already solid on-ice experience are welcome and help make the game feel more alive.
The atmosphere around the ice is one area that needs improvement. There are some good changes to the highlight packages once play stops and the entrances for pro teams have their own unique flair. This is especially prevalent during the Winter Classic where the outdoor setting at Heinz Field feels like the Super Bowl of the NHL. Unfortunately the in game commentary quickly gets repetitive, especially for those who’ve been playing the NHL game for the past few years. The crowd could also use some improvements. It would be nice if the crowd size varied based on the team’s performance over the season or otherwise stopped showing up for every game like a horde of screaming zombies. I have been to many a WHL game, and those are not realistic crowds.
Speaking of the Western Hockey League, NHL12 marks the debut of the Canadian Hockey League and the ability to start there in the Be a Pro Mode. This is almost like combining NCAA with Madden. You will have the option of joining any team in the Western, Ontario or Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League umbrella organization. Finally my player can join the Portland Winterhawks as they battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup!
Should you choose to start with the CHL and do well your first season, your player will get drafted by an NHL team. NHL12 will have a full 7 draft rounds, unlike previous entries which only had one round. Once drafted you will most likely end up on the AHL affiliate and work your way up to the NHL. The amount of ice time you get will depend on which line you’re on, so you will have to make the most of the time you get. Thankfully you will be able to simulate the game between shifts instead of watching the whole game from the bench. Coach tasks add a little variety from game to and give you an objective beyond just outscoring your opponents.
The other big update this year is the addition of the EA Ultimate Hockey League. In this predominately online mode you open up packs of trading cards. Your team is made up of the players on the trading cards you opened. More cards can either be purchased with “pucks” you earn or by purchasing them with cash. In addition to players, there are cards for coaches, logos, jerseys, training, arenas, as well as healing/changing a player’s position. Each player has a contract for a limited number of games, so you will have to spend contract cards to keep players you like. At the end of each month, the top teams will enter playoffs. After the playoffs, the team that wins the championship will get a special banner raising ceremony to start off their games in the next season. This will let your opponents know you are a championship caliber player.
Be a GM is the final core game mode in NHL12. There haven’t been a lot of tweaks here this year. The simulation engine has been updated to allow you to simulate games at variable speeds or even interrupt and take matters into your own hands. The AI has been improved and is less likely to make stupid deals when trading players. Other then a few minor tweaks, not much has changed from last year. If this is your favorite mode, it might be safe to wait until next year.
This is the first year that NHL legends have been included. The Be a Legend mode gives you special legend tasks. If you can complete these tasks you will unlock special commentary from Wayne Gretzky as well as the 9 NHL legends. These legends can then be added to the roster of any team as a way of, well, unbalancing things. The legends are most useful when their cards pop up in the EA Ultimate Hockey League mode, but are more of a missed opportunity then anything. I would have preferred legendary teams from past seasons, rather then individual players that just upset game balance.
NHL12 has a lot of content to get through, and as part of that it is easy to develop pet peeves. EA has implemented every money making scheme they can, charging a full $60 for a game filled with micro-transactions and advertising. You can take your Be a Pro from the CHL to the AHL before becoming a legend in the NHL, and before every single game there is an advertisement for Verizon. There is unlockable equipment as well as additional cards for the EA Ultimate Hockey League, but the time investment it takes to unlock them is absurdly high, so you will probably never see them unless you pay to unlock them. The menu system could also do with some cleanup. Half of the game modes are on the main screen with the other half under “Game Modes.” It can be a little difficult to find what you’re looking for.
Overall NHL12 improves one of the best sports franchises in gaming. The addition of the CHL and a full draft in the Be a Pro mode are welcome additions. If you like playing as a single player rather then a full team, this year’s game is for you. Other improvements and the Winnipeg Jets make it a worthwhile upgrade for diehard fans. The Legends add a little flair if nothing else. NHL12 is another solid entry in fantastic sports franchise.
GrE Grade: A
Popularity: 2% [?]
