Every year many hockey fans wait for 2 things, first the hockey season to start again, and secondly the released of EA Sports hockey game. Now the wait is over the game has been out already for a month now, enough time to write a stronger review of the game. Many features has been added this year like Battle for the Cup, improvements for EASHL, new fighting engine, and many more to satisfy from the casual player to the hardcore gamer. So we will go in details with the gameplay and the new game modes into NHL 10.
Gameplay features
First it's important to talk about the improvement into the controls. EA Sports has brought back the precise passing into the game. This brings more depth into the game since last year we press the pass button and the puck was always tape to tape and was very easy to score goals since we knew even though you had 6 players in between the puck would of get through them like they weren't there at all. With this features it's a lot harder to pass, but you get used to it pretty fast. You have to think when to pass, dump and chase, take a risk, or enter the zone with the puck.
Addition to NHL 10 are the ability to play with injuries. So if you are in a crisis moment and you need a certain star to be in your line-up you can, but if he gets banged up to much, he might be sitting on the side lines for quite a while. so your decision needs to be the best one for you and your team. If your player has a head injury, he will mostly comeback with a full cage which is pretty wicked if you tell me.
NHL 10 features many more strategy to play your game. You can dump and chase, shoot a lot on goal and hopes for rebounds, puck possession, and newly arrive the board play. Board play as been a feature on other NHL titles but now it has finally arrived on NHL 10. With the board play you can create so much more scenarios. The board plays lets you shield the puck with your body, kick-pass it to teammates, and pin your opponent against the boards while trying to get the puck off of him.
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Fighting is a big part of hockey and NHL 10 makes that happen in the game, with first person fighting, that gives you the taste to fight as much as possible. It's that addicting and fun, you might not always win but you don't care since the enjoyment is all worth it. The cut scenes gives it a touch more to it as well.
After the whistle in previous game was quite boring, you hit the opponent until the face-offs appears on the screen. Now we got the change to create chaos after the referee blows the whistle. From starting fights, finish some checks, shooting a late shot, the opponent will respond and will make you pay the price all for the goal of drawing a penalty. But like everything else you might get caught at your own game.
The producers were happy to add more authenticity into the game this year, with facial expression, crowd that interactive with the game on the ice which adds a lot into the presentation since EA hasn't really ever focus in that department so it was nice to say some major improvements. You do feel more rewarded when you score a goal since the crowd jumps into the action and cheers to get you another one. Playing at the opponents home isn't as fun, you get booed if you hit one of their key players.
Finally, NHL 10 has more way to score goals, with the new puck physics, you can bat the puck in the air to get a chance to score. Lose puck has never be so dangerous as well, so the passing is very important because you might create a costly turnover. Players are also able to catch the puck in the air on an attempt to clear the zone, so you're best bet is too look for an opening if you are willing to clear. All little things that makes a huge difference at the end.
Game modes
Battle for the Cup
Battle for the Cup mode has giving the players to play from 1 to 7 game series to win the Lord Stanley Cup, which this features will be used often since the gamer will want to invite their friends to come along and play, and the winner of the game or series wins the cup. Bringing way more satisfaction for mostly all gamers. This feature also has the playoffs crowd which sometimes sets up the tempo of the game.
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Be the GM of your club!
For years, hockey gamers has ask to have a gm mode to control the rosters, hire better staff for scouting, make transaction all to earn more points to end up as a legendary General Manager.All that seems easy to do but the producers made sure if you tried to make trades that would only benefit your team, the 29 other teams might stop calling you to make trades or players wanted to sign with your club, so it's important in that mode to be wise.
Be A Pro Mode:
Is pretty much the same as last year but this year you get to play a junior prospect game, and if you go great you help yourself to get drafted hire by a NHL club which you make sure to practice playing the game to get your chance on your side. They've also added coach feedback to improve your game, which will help you, if you follow the directive of your head coach. Also the AI was improved like everything else. After that it's all the same as the previous year, still a great mode.
EASHL Mode:
Last year was the first year and what a year it was, all hockey gamers jump on it and were already hooked and wanted more. This year they've added some good features into the EA Sports Hockey League, and yes only to make it better. EA has brought monthly season so you have a better chance of winning the EASHL Cup plus you can now defend your title in the next season(s). This year they've bring the scouting mode so you can acquire players that aren't in a team yet to improvement your team in specific department which is a clever feature. Also EASHL teams are all on easportsworld.com website so you can keep track of your players, team, friends stats, etc much more easier.
The EASHL is a vast modes with tons of features. Once you log in into your club you will see what type of league you are in (Professional or Casual), team ranking, records, previous game final score, and the total of members. Underneath you will have the previous season stats. All great tiny features that makes hockey gamers like me very satisfied. Also you can keep track of your awards and records for skaters and goalies, so no one is left behind. The producers also made it easier to invite players into your club, and free agents can contact you to join your club. The invitation system lets you see the stats of the players you want to recruit and the other players wanted to get in your club, so you got to make the good decision to improve your club. All these features ease up the task to manage your team compare to NHL 09.
Now the gameplay of the EASHL was a huge topic before the launch of the game. Many complaints about the "glitch goals" that online gamers were over exploiting. Well the producers let us know that the AI was adjusted to reduced as low as possible the same goals over and over again. So the wrap around goals were often used in 09, well NHL 10 it's a lot harder to make it, it will happen but very few times. The one timer goal is still there sadly you can do it 100 times and the goalie reacts the same way. EA needs to tweaks the goalie animation they go down so easily, and are very weak.
Goalies are weak in this mode, and takes the fun out of it, we were spoiled in the summer but telling us that the glitch goals would be massively reduced, and it's not the case. EA will need to work hard on the goalies for the next lil while.
What needs to be fixed for the goalies:
Reduced the split from left to right
better controls
five hole needs to cover better
needs to cover more on the post (goal line goal)
needs to have an AI
needs to be much aggressive
can't shoot through goalies (animation)
Even though with the issues the EASHL this is still a great features, tons of fun if you play with friends because you'll know it will be a fair game. The EASHL has a promising future and i think we just saw the dust of it.
NHL 10 Ratings
Gameplay: 8.5
NHL 09 offered lots of new addition and we hoped that NHL 10 offered as twice as much, sadly many tweaks could of been made with a mod button, sadly it's not for this year. Strong control none the less. Goalies controls advanced controls are great but doesn't respond as it should.
Game Modes: 9.5
A lot more variety, and so the fun is spread everywhere.
Graphics: 9.5
Best graphics for any Hockey game on the market, and probably of any sports. Just missing in presentation.
Presentation: 7.0
Lack of presentation, often the same cut scenes, players on the bench look stiff, coaches doesn't even move, and the intro is always the same, not acceptable in 2009. Also it's mostly the same presentation of last year... which is disappointed.
Sound: 8.5
The music that comes in NHL 10 isn't the best, but being able to edit all the team themes songs, that gives a lot of points for bringing this features into the game (also available on the PlayStation 3). The Play by Play is repetitive but yet, one of the best for any sports game on the market.
Multiplayer: 8
Online features are great, but yet the EASHL has some weakness, we've got the news during the summers that the game wouldn't have as much glitches goals and yet they are appearing back on NHL 10. This is the criteria where they lose their points.
Overall: 9.0
EA Sports has made a great job, even though NHL 09 had a lot of new features, NHL 10 has even more! Which is quite surprising to get a great game for a 3 years in a row. Although many areas can be improved!