|
 Here's the dilemma, you've got two hours to kill before the game, and 12 pack of Molson Canadian to polish off. EA's NHL franchise has always filled this time void for thousands of Canadian hockey fans. It ensures that after a few beers, the jerseys stay on and we all go home friends.
Of all the sports franchises, the NHL franchise has always seemed to do the best job of capturing the small nuances of the game of hockey which keeps the hardcore followers entertained. For example, fans smashing on the windows as plays hits the corner as if it changes the momentum for the home team - Canadian hockey fans appreciate those details.
While the ’NHL10” offers fairly intuitive controls for novice player. The series credibility hinges on thumbs up from the hardcore players. We put the franchise to the test by inviting over a couple of long-time fans of the franchise and hockey fanatics for a full Saturday of play.
The verdict: The game delivers, particularly for head to head to play.
For starters, the new Stanley Cup mode is the perfect tournament setting for an afternoon or early evening for a group of friends. An important change in game play this year is the action that a player can take after the whistle blows.
 Players can use goon tactics after the whistle to get under the skin of the under team.
Roughing up competitors after plays stops can easily instigate a mano-a-mano encounter, using the games revamped first-person fighting mode. The new fight modes are a welcome improvement – although dodging punches takes time to learn. Players, who carry the TGH (Tough guy) designation tend to have an advantage and can probably win most fights just winding up haymakers.
Ultimately it's up to the human player to drop the gloves, which adds to a whole new dimension of psychological play. Impetuous human players can easily end up with their star skill players in the box if they get carried away with the fights. We played a statistically mismatched tournament using the randomly selected Nashville Predators versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Using a little well-timed aggression, which can boost your teams energy, went a long way into prolonging the series to sudden death. On paper, this series should have been a blowout.
Otherwise, game play is pretty much the same with as '09, with the AI of computer players appearing marginally improved. It was necessary to turn penalties way down, otherwise the game tends to be a constant barrage of short-hand situations. Superstar mode will challenge the most veteran players of the franchise.
For single-player campaigns the game is a little bit of a let down. The game has a new GM mode, which in design is an arm-coach couch's dream. Every facet of franchise management is accounted for, including the crucial task of managing GM to GM relationships. Cowboy antics, such a proposing one-sided trades and offering outsized or puny contracts are not appreciated by your AI peers. Your ability to maneuver good deals for your team hinges on a reputation meter that goes up and down based on your conduct as GM and the performance of your team.
 In theory it sounds great, but we found the GM AI really flimsy. Once we built up our reputation with a few other teams, we found with a few short simulated months, we were able to build up the Toronto Maple Leafs into conference contenders through ill-conceived computer initiated trades.
Online play seems par for the course with previous versions. We played it 6-on-6 mode and found no lag or degradation in play. Unfortunately, 12 strangers on X-box Live guarantees there's at least one jerk who tends to ruin game play. We had exhausted all our fights in the first 2 minutes of our game.
Pros:
Near-flawless on-ice simulation of the game, including more realist fan reactions to game play
Newly re-vamped first-person fighting is a lot of fun and easy to learn
GM mode comprehensive enough even for the most ardent students of the game
Stanley cup mode is a welcome addition for group-play situation
Cons:
Refs are a bunch of whistle-happy fascists unless you turn penalties down
The haymaker barrage seems to make fighting really easy unless difficulty is at high level
Computer AI for GM leaves a lot to be desired
NHL 10
Format: Xbox 360
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Canada
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
Official Site: http://www.ea.com/games/nhl-10
Rating: 9 / 10
|
