NHL 09 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, to explain my title, I admit that I am, primarily a Hockey fan.I love Football as well, but Hockey is my #1 sport.

Ok, that being said, I didn't write the title because I prefer Hockey over Football...I wrote it because EA Canada has truly added a boat-load of features and innovations to this game, rather than take the route that EA Tiburon has taken year in and year out, and recycle last year's game.

I have been playing NHL games since the dawn of time...or at least since the first NHL game was released way back in the day.
Yes, of course I LOVED NHL '94.I loved it so much, I still wish I could play it...I've been hoping EA would make it an unlockable game in this year's version...but no such luck.
Anyway, by the time NHL '07 came out, I was starting to get frustrated by the NHL games.The controls were getting more complicated, the games were becoming less arcadey, and slower, and I just found myself losing interest and hope that the perfect Hockey game would EVER appear.

NHL '08 I know restored most peoples' hope in the series, but I wasn't convinced.I just couldn't get the dual analog stick handling down.
Then...the demo for NHL '09 came out.
I was skeptical at first, but the demo forces you to go through a series of tests of skill with the stick handling before it lets you play a game.
This was BRILLIANT on EA Canada's part.
By the third time through the tutorial, I felt comfortable enough with the controls to try the Be A Pro mode.
I went out and pre-ordered the game the same day.

BE A PRO mode is what I've been waiting all my Hockey-loving life for.
It's Hockey with RPG elements.
You basically create a player with your name, and choose whatever play-style you like (ie, Power Forward, Sniper, Dangler, etc.).
You then start your career as an amateur in the AHL, on your favorite team's actual NHL minor league club, playing on the 3rd line.
I cannot believe EA Canada went out and got EVERY AHL team, and player for this.The AHL could be a game by itself!
After each shift on the ice, your coach evaluates you, and the GM will also let you know if they are impressed enough with your performance to move you up to the 2nd or 1st line, with the ultimate goal of making it to the NHL and becoming a legend.
You can either play this mode ONLY as your player, or if you get bored watching the game while waiting for your next shift, there is a position lock option, so if you're a RW, when your shift is over, you will control EVERY RW on your team.
With every game you play, you will earn experience points, which you can use to "level up" your character...basically to increase different attributes which improves the performance of your player.

I can't tell you how realistic this mode is, and how immersive.I never would have thought it.
When you play as yourself and only your position, it becomes less about accumulating ridiculous stats, and more about being an actual part of a TEAM.

Also, for those people who love online play, this same feature is basically available online in the EASHL (EA Sports Hockey League).
You take your created player, and either create or join a team of 6 (up to 50) and compete online for the EA Cup.
This is really incredible.If you have a team of 30 people, only 6 people can play in a game at a time...there are no line changes online...but it also means, if all 30 people are playing 5 different games, your team will benefit by earning points and rank.
Awesome feature.

If that wasn't enough for you, this game is chock full of modes.
You can simply play a single game, or you can play Dynasty mode, practice drills, and even a shootout mode, that my girlfriend was enjoying playing with me.
You can also play as the goalie in any of the modes, and while that's not my usual choice of position, after trying it out, I was really surprised by how well implemented it is, and how fun.

EA Canada also took the Saved Replays option that Madden annoyingly limited and one-upped it.You can not only upload your replays to EASports.com, but you can edit them, and save them to your hard-drive.
You can also take in-game screenshots of your character and put them on your player's Hockey card.

I could go on and on with this review, but it all boils down to this:
BUY THIS GAME!
Please support games like this, where the developers prove that they care more about their sport, than just cashing in on a new year.
EA Canada has restored my faith in video-game Hockey.They took what worked from last year, and added tons of features, and value to their game.
There is truly something here for everyone, and if you are a Hockey fan, or a sports fan at all, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy this game.

Go Rangers!!!

10/10


**UPDATE 10/19/08**
While I still agree that this is the BEST Hockey game, or sports game for that matter, that I have ever played...I have to warn consumers about a MAJOR issue with the game.
That being, the DISC READ ERROR.At first, my game played beautifully for 3 or so weeks.I never had the problems I read about on message boards.
But now, as of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have been unable to play more than ONE game.In the Be A Pro mode (the greatest mode ever), when I have to sim days between games, the game will literally lock up, and a message will appear saying the 360 cannot read the disc.I then get booted out to the dashboard, completely unable to PLAY the game.
This is a MAJOR BUG, and one that EA has yet to fix or even address as widespread.
Until EA releases a patch, I have to drop my score down to 3 stars.

Please EA, don't ignore your fans...stop counting the money and release a patch.

Be warned consumers...it is a great GAME...just not a great PRODUCT right now.

**UPDATE 11/02/08**

EA Canada's David Littman has stated on the EA Sports NHL '09 blog that a patch is indeed in the works, which will address the disc-read issue I mentioned, as well as fix a number of other problems some people (not me) have been having, including the "glitch goals", etc.
So, I haven't seen it yet, but now that they are addressing these problems, I would not hesitate to HIGHLY recommend this game if you like Hockey or really, sports at all!
Get it.

http://www.easports.com/nhl09/blog.jsp

**UPDATE 12/13/08**

Have downloaded the patch since its release, and also installed the game to my Hard-drive after the NXE was live, and I have had ZERO problems with this game!
On EA's message boards, some owners are still complaining about game-freezing (mostly online), and disc-read errors (which I no longer have), so just be aware.
I don't know if these people have downloaded the patch or not, or if they installed the game on their HDD's...but just be aware an issue exists.
I, personally have no problems anymore, and stand by my review as this being the BEST NHL game ever, and in my opinion (only an opinion), the best SPORTS game ever.

Good luck!

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NHL 09 X360

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