The hardest thing for a great sports game to do is not only follow up with a worthy sequel, but a better successor. NHL 08 could have been considered the best hockey game to date and had to do a lot to make us buy the newest version if it was only a roster update. This has plagued Madden for a couple of years and the games always sell well, but leave gamers feeling wanting more. NHL 09 is the best hockey game I have ever played and I have played them all. It may even be the best sports game I have ever played.
NHL 09 looks great and sounds even better. Not much has changed in the audio department from last year and Gary Thorne is by far the best announcer in hockey and having him in the game makes it feel like you are watching a real game. The graphics are not a quantum leap from last year, but they still look more polished and the player models seemed improved. The arenas also look better and the crowd has been notably improved as well. They did not have to spend time on the graphics in 09, just make a few tweaks here and there and that was accomplished and the game really shows it.
Using the Right Analog Stick as a hockey stick is the best idea since taco and supreme. There is no turbo in NHL 09 and this makes the game feel real. In 2K9, you can rush with a defensemen and skate end to end. In hockey, you need to get the puck to your playmakers and no turbo allows your best skaters to go past the slower ones. Imagine everyone being as fast as Devin Hester. Fun factor goes out the window. The line changes are now a default setting and they have been mapped to face buttons. The passing is still very accurate and the shooting mechanism is easy to use but hard to master. Once you can aim your shots with the LS while using the RS to shoot, you can pick corners from 20 feet away.
The quantum leap that we all were hoping was established with Be A Pro mode. You get to play as one player on a team. This is by far the coolest thing I have seen in a sports game in awhile. You have to sit on the bench when it is not your shift and get to shine for the few precious minutes you get on the ice. Furthermore, you only control your player and all the success you accomplish is your doing. This makes you feel like a hockey player. It totally captures what it feels to be on the ice. Your performance is graded by a coach and if you are a puck hog or line changee when its the worst possible time. i.e when the other team is rushing into the zone, you get docked. There are benefits for playing well and this make the mode both authentic and gratifying.
The dynasty modes are big as ever and you can hop online and take your Be A Pro player onto online teams. If you have enough friends, you can make a team composed of all human players and this could be a huge step for online gaming. Besides some camera glitches when in Be A Pro mode, this is the best hockey game to date. With the truly intuitive game modes, it may be the most realistic sports game as well. Sometimes I look forward to the next year’s game after I become bored with the current title. There is no rush to next year. This game is that good. Even casual hockey fans need to grab this right now. Hardcore fans are having the time of the lives; come join the party.
Overall 9.25 out of 10
I’m not a big fan of hockey, to say, but 08 was a definite fun experience. I’m glad my friend had a copy when I was over at his house, and I wouldn’t mind at all to try 09.