NHL 10 adding to an already winning equation
As is customary for me every September, I start counting the days to cooler weather, the foliage changing, and playing the newest installment of the NHL series. Though if you would have asked me a few years ago, I would have said that EA had been losing its touch when it came to my most cherished of all the sports titles out there. Constant AI issues, crashes, bad network play, and what seemed as a lack of effort made me miss the 2008 title with a heavy heart.
With a fusion of some new trades, practices, and new infusion of blood on their team, NHL 09, though not perfect, was as good a hockey game I’ve played since NHL 95. The look, feel, addition of the EASHL, and improvements made it worthy of all its awards.
It’s another season and it seems EA Canada is doing anything but resting on their laurels. With a bunch of improvements, realistic additions, and overall added production value they aim to break expectations yet again. After playing both the Be-A-Pro and game 7 of the Penguins and Detroit series, it seems they might just do it.
The most noticeable additions to NHL 10 have to be battling along the boards, goalie animations (and intelligence), and after the whistle shenanigans. Perfect during a dump and chase play, you’ll now be able to push the puck up against your skates and slowly move it to either your left or right side while teammates attempt to find open space. Once they do, you can kick it alongside the boards and rejoin the play. If not, don’t be surprised if someone comes along and pokes the puck out of your skates and takes it the other way. Something I’ve also noticed is that you can do this if an opposing player gets rid of the puck, holding him behind the play. A little cheap perhaps and would probably be called interference in today’s game, but a nice (and realistic) trick.
Goalie animation and intelligence has also been approved. After playing a hand full of games I haven’t seen any real “cheap” goals. Goalie’s react with a purpose, they’ll spin around, hop on the puck, and do dramatic saves to keep it out of the net. No more popping it on their shoulder and having them roll back into the net or horrible stick handling situations. Though I’m sure a few goals will pop up on Youtube, it seems EA has done their homework and listened to the fans about the blue line wrist shots.
Finally, and probably the most exciting is the post whistle action. Now, everything you do after the whistle has a consequence. Hit someone, they’ll hit you, they’ll hit your teammate, your teammates will hit them, it’s both hilarious to watch and serves a bigger purpose. During the ruckus you can draw a penalty (or commit one), drop the gloves, or just take out some frustration. You get into it, your team gets into it, and the fans get into it. It’s just another part of the game being more interactive and not just mere down time while you wait for the next puck to drop.
EA is on the right path if they wish to extend their success from NHL 2009. Plays develop more fluidly, defense is smarter, the board play adds a whole new dimension of play and the fans really get into it at times. They’ll wave towels during the playoffs, get louder during post whistle play, and bang on the glass after a goal. The one sour note I did have is the first-person fighting. I don’t think it was done poorly and I’m not one of those people who thinks fighting should be banned from hockey. I just think it’s a secondary feature tacked on. It’s not something I’d miss (especially with post whistle play added) and EA could probably spend their time elsewhere instead of focusing on it.
If EA can stomp on some bugs from last year, iron out the network issues that plagued the launch from last year, and stay on top of any cheese goals, they’ll have another winner on their hands. NHL 10 comes out in less than a month. We’ll be here with a full on review.
P.S.
Go Flyers
Got a news tip? Send it to press@mmomfg.com and we'll shower you with love!
