NHL BREAKAWAY '98 offers one of the most original features ever to appear in a hockey game: the Momentum-Based Checking System. Players can actually out-skate and out-muscle each other, depending on a player's size and speed. For example, some players may be smaller but are fast, while others may be slow but possess the strength and size to do all the dirty work. For instance, if a large, fast player such as Eric Lindros gets moving at a high rate of speed, the power behind his check is greater than what someone like Pierre Turgeon could produce. The game sports most of the usual play modes, and you can always take on a friend in the Versus mode. If you edit a player, the name and number will appear on the player's back, which is a great feature that lets you put yourself in the game.
This ice hockey game has a playbook-based AI system based on the teams' actual playbooks allowing for specific teams to play their actual styles, with variable player size, from big defensemen to small speedy wingers. There is a total team management system to make trades, improve coaching, create draft picks and send players through training camps, or even send injured athletes for therapy.
The inclusion of all the marquee players such as Lemieux, Greztky, Messier, Sakic, Hull, and others is mostly mandatory in sports games. Also, the hints about how to play each team from NHL player Keith Tkachuk are a useful resource.
General Information:
Developer: Iguana Ent., Sculptured Software
Publisher: Acclaim Sports
Release Date: 02/26/1998
Rated: Everyone
Multiplayer: 1-4
Console Availability:
Nintendo 64
Sony Playstation
PC-CD
Key-Features:
All NHL teams and players
26 different options settings
Advice from Keith Tkachuk
One to four players