ragesRemorse
So, yeah...,Nhl 09 is uhhh, pretty friggin sweet. Maybe you bastards just don't like Hockey but im surprised there wasn't a thread about this game. I have been a hardcore 2k fan since they started making Hockey games. 2K has always offered more in depth controls and more thorough franchise modes and features. This year, however, NHL 09 has gone back to their simulation style gameplay. Although there are a few problems. The controls are streamlined and more responsive than ever.
EA has also introduced the Be a Pro mode. This is essentially the superstar mode of Madden for NHL. It works much better in this game though. The first time you insert your disc you are forced to create a player. You take this player from the minor league (AHL) to the NHL You control only that player and even have to sit on the bench to lessen your fatigue.
The meat of the game is the online play. You can now play 6 on 6 and even start your own team with up to 50 real players and compete against other teams. The character you create at the very beginning is the player you will play with in the online mode. You also get to upgrade your players attributes. If you like hockey you already have this game. If you have just a slight interest in Hockey you need to have this game. It is the best sports game i have played since...,well, since i can remember. I give it a solid 9.5
My short review-
The new features and play modes are long awaited requests that have been answered in spades. The Be a Pro mode can become quite tedious, considering that you can only control one character and only get 1-2 minute shifts before you have to sit out on the bench. This does offer an element of realism and does, at times, make you feel more attached to the game because you are only controlling your position and not the entire team. At the end of each game you are given a report card grading you on three area's, Team Play, Positioning and stats. It feels very rewarding to see that you have earned an A+ in all of these area's and inspiring to see that you only scored a C+. The gameplay can be very slow, though. HAving to constantly worry about your fatigue and, positioning and team play scores. You will be playing much more conservative than you would like. It is a great feature, especially for it's first appearance. If you play only one or two games at a time the Be a Pro mode can stay very fresh.
The online play is the best aspect about this game. You find or host a room and then choose the position you want to play. Choosing your position is decided by who gets it faster. So, be quick or you will be sitting between the pipes. This brings me to the new Goalie feature. You can play the goalie and online it is suggested that you get on a team that is using and facing off against a human goalie. If you are playing a team with a computer goalie and your team has a human goalie. Your team is most likely going to lose. The goalie position is very hard considering that it is all in real time. There is no slow down feature like in the 2k games, which i think EA should implement next year in their goalie control. The service connection is very acceptable considering that this their first time at having 6 on 6 hockey online. There is no lag but every once in a while while in mid play the game will reset itself. You will be rushing to the net and you are suddenly in the face off circle. Sometimes it gets so bad where the game will reset itself back to the start of the first period. If you play ten games, this might happen 5 times.
My only complaint about the game is the control scheme. The right stick is the stick control. You use it to deke and to direct your shots. Sometimes you will want to shoot but will, instead, break out with a deke. Sometimes you will try to pass the puck left but it goes right. These problems don't hamper the gameplay but are noticable problems
EA has also introduced the Be a Pro mode. This is essentially the superstar mode of Madden for NHL. It works much better in this game though. The first time you insert your disc you are forced to create a player. You take this player from the minor league (AHL) to the NHL You control only that player and even have to sit on the bench to lessen your fatigue.
The meat of the game is the online play. You can now play 6 on 6 and even start your own team with up to 50 real players and compete against other teams. The character you create at the very beginning is the player you will play with in the online mode. You also get to upgrade your players attributes. If you like hockey you already have this game. If you have just a slight interest in Hockey you need to have this game. It is the best sports game i have played since...,well, since i can remember. I give it a solid 9.5
My short review-
The new features and play modes are long awaited requests that have been answered in spades. The Be a Pro mode can become quite tedious, considering that you can only control one character and only get 1-2 minute shifts before you have to sit out on the bench. This does offer an element of realism and does, at times, make you feel more attached to the game because you are only controlling your position and not the entire team. At the end of each game you are given a report card grading you on three area's, Team Play, Positioning and stats. It feels very rewarding to see that you have earned an A+ in all of these area's and inspiring to see that you only scored a C+. The gameplay can be very slow, though. HAving to constantly worry about your fatigue and, positioning and team play scores. You will be playing much more conservative than you would like. It is a great feature, especially for it's first appearance. If you play only one or two games at a time the Be a Pro mode can stay very fresh.
The online play is the best aspect about this game. You find or host a room and then choose the position you want to play. Choosing your position is decided by who gets it faster. So, be quick or you will be sitting between the pipes. This brings me to the new Goalie feature. You can play the goalie and online it is suggested that you get on a team that is using and facing off against a human goalie. If you are playing a team with a computer goalie and your team has a human goalie. Your team is most likely going to lose. The goalie position is very hard considering that it is all in real time. There is no slow down feature like in the 2k games, which i think EA should implement next year in their goalie control. The service connection is very acceptable considering that this their first time at having 6 on 6 hockey online. There is no lag but every once in a while while in mid play the game will reset itself. You will be rushing to the net and you are suddenly in the face off circle. Sometimes it gets so bad where the game will reset itself back to the start of the first period. If you play ten games, this might happen 5 times.
My only complaint about the game is the control scheme. The right stick is the stick control. You use it to deke and to direct your shots. Sometimes you will want to shoot but will, instead, break out with a deke. Sometimes you will try to pass the puck left but it goes right. These problems don't hamper the gameplay but are noticable problems