Thu 25 Aug 2011
Playstation
NHL 2010 Review
For years NHL games had passing mechanics that favoured the player, it
didn’t matter where you directed your pass, the game would find a player
to play your puck to, or at least do it`s best. NHL no longer has this
automated system holding your hand and correcting your errors every
time you make a pass. As a result passing has become much more of a
skill now, the pass must be directed by the player, there’s no magnetic
force that somehow perfectly pulls the puck to your nearest player.
This took some time for me to get used, the puck will go precisely where you direct it, into another players stick if that`s where your directing the pick, so it takes much more skill and forces you to be on the ball. I think this helps to make the NHL series a little less linear, a little more realistic and a little more challenging. I also really liked the Goalie mechanics in this game.
The movements of the goaltenders felt much more realistic. It felt like the goalie was actually reacting to what was going on each and every time as opposed to adhering to a implemented save pattern, the goalie even went out of his way to attempt to make a save.
Aside from the goaltending, the fighting system has been completely refurbished. If you’re like me and absolutely hated the fighting sequences in previous NHL games almost to the point where they just became inconveniences that you would impel you to turn off all rules just to avoid another painstaking gith, the fighting system in these NHL games will come as a pleasant surprise putting you in a first person perspective sequence that pits you face to face with your opponent.
This is perhaps the most realistic fight system the NHL game has come up with to date. While it’s not perfect, it’s a good start in a fresh and innovative direction. The problem is the fight system still feels too forced and very unnatural for a hockey game, it’s like you just walked into a boxing match all of a sudden or some sort of hidden mini game. It doesn`t help that they have implemented heavy restrictions to the visuals no doubt for the sake of maintaining that savoured teen rating, unfortunately this compromises the overall effectiveness of the sequence.
The game doesn`t display any bruises, blood or essentially any visual display at all of the outcome of the punches, aside from the players helmet maybe falling off. Also players now have the ability to play board play. This means you can now actually hug the puck along the boards and kick it out, it’s like a mini game with in a game.
The problem I found with this mechanic is it acts almost like another fight sequence, it’s easy to be sucked into it and becomes difficult to avoid, the whole thing feels overly regimented and unnatural, like you`re entering various mini games within the much larger game.
Despite NHL 2010`s minor flaws, it is still the best hockey game I`ve played on any system. The game looks gorgeous, there`s a myriad of modes, options, teams and certainly enough to keep you engaged until next season, very fun game.
Rating: 85% - still the best hockey game out there.
Pros:
More realistic passing system
Goalies appear to actually be reacting to the action
The game looks good
Tons of options
Cons:
Revamped fighting system doesn`t have the visuals to back it up
A lot of the new features feel unnatural and forced
This took some time for me to get used, the puck will go precisely where you direct it, into another players stick if that`s where your directing the pick, so it takes much more skill and forces you to be on the ball. I think this helps to make the NHL series a little less linear, a little more realistic and a little more challenging. I also really liked the Goalie mechanics in this game.
The movements of the goaltenders felt much more realistic. It felt like the goalie was actually reacting to what was going on each and every time as opposed to adhering to a implemented save pattern, the goalie even went out of his way to attempt to make a save.
Aside from the goaltending, the fighting system has been completely refurbished. If you’re like me and absolutely hated the fighting sequences in previous NHL games almost to the point where they just became inconveniences that you would impel you to turn off all rules just to avoid another painstaking gith, the fighting system in these NHL games will come as a pleasant surprise putting you in a first person perspective sequence that pits you face to face with your opponent.
This is perhaps the most realistic fight system the NHL game has come up with to date. While it’s not perfect, it’s a good start in a fresh and innovative direction. The problem is the fight system still feels too forced and very unnatural for a hockey game, it’s like you just walked into a boxing match all of a sudden or some sort of hidden mini game. It doesn`t help that they have implemented heavy restrictions to the visuals no doubt for the sake of maintaining that savoured teen rating, unfortunately this compromises the overall effectiveness of the sequence.
The game doesn`t display any bruises, blood or essentially any visual display at all of the outcome of the punches, aside from the players helmet maybe falling off. Also players now have the ability to play board play. This means you can now actually hug the puck along the boards and kick it out, it’s like a mini game with in a game.
The problem I found with this mechanic is it acts almost like another fight sequence, it’s easy to be sucked into it and becomes difficult to avoid, the whole thing feels overly regimented and unnatural, like you`re entering various mini games within the much larger game.
Despite NHL 2010`s minor flaws, it is still the best hockey game I`ve played on any system. The game looks gorgeous, there`s a myriad of modes, options, teams and certainly enough to keep you engaged until next season, very fun game.
Rating: 85% - still the best hockey game out there.
Pros:
More realistic passing system
Goalies appear to actually be reacting to the action
The game looks good
Tons of options
Cons:
Revamped fighting system doesn`t have the visuals to back it up
A lot of the new features feel unnatural and forced
