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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.**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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I was going to buy NHL 08 last season for PS2 but after trying it out, I got the 2K version instead (which admittedly ended up getting played a lot less than the other 2K titles.) This year I abandoned playing the games on PS2 and went and tried them out on XBox 360 instead.I heard some good things said about NHL 09 and yet the first thing I thought to myself was "Great, an EA NHL title for an odd year, not a good sign." (I gave EA's NHL 07 2 stars and didn't review NHL 05 because I thought it was terrible!)
The short version of this review: This game gave me everything I could have ever asked for and more.
The long version:
I sat down and went over my options and I couldn't believe the DEPTH of the game. EA has always included the NHL, the SM-Liiga, the Elitserien, and the DEL. Two years ago they included the Czech Extraliga and last year they included the AHL. This year... The Kontinental Hockey League and all of it's teams make their EA debut! Way to go EA for pulling off such a coup!
And that's just for starters.
The controllers have three options: The NHL 09 settings that are complex but diverse, the "classic" settings that make the controls a bit easier without losing all the functions, or the NHL 94 controller settings where you pass/select your player with A and shoot/check with B, just like playing it back in the day (though the disadvantage is losing the ability to change your lines manually, instigate a fight, etc.) Even controlling the goalies is cool because you can set their positioning and have them prepare to make saves in the butterfly, blocker, or glove. Pretty nifty if I say so myself.
The Dynasty mode is sufficient as always with two-way contracts, waivers, and truly deep team management (woulda been nice to see a fantasy draft option available but I can overlook that given everything else) and it's easy to get into the games. But there's one game function that sets the game miles apart from any other hockey title...
The "Be A Pro" mode is so ridiculously awesome that after you play it, the game will have you hook line and sinker. One option is to play as any other professional player of your choice. Wanna play as Sidney or Alex? Now you can. Any position, any player.
The second option, and the most rewarding to me at least, is to create your own character and watching him ascend the ranks! You'll start of as a prospect on your farm club (so if you choose the Phoenix Coyotes as your team, you get assigned to the San Antonio Rampage) and accomplish your goals over the course of the season. If you play well, you'll get called up from the farm club and play with the biggest, baddest, and best of the NHL. Do poorly, and you'll go from NHL star to AHL fourth-liner faster than you can say Alexandre Daigle. You can sim through those seasons, but don't sim a lot because the game doesn't appreciate it (the AI will have the coach reprimand you if you sim more than you play. I did this to test it out and while my goalie rocked during the regular season, my backup got the starts come playoff time. Hmm...)
Any complaints about the game? Well, I've noted before that the music used to be soft. The soundtrack now is more metal, but it's more mall-metal (Avenged Sevenfold, Priestess, etc.) I give EA an A for effort, but 2K just gets better bands on their soundtrack.
All and all though, while I still have to play the 2K title, something tells me that for the first time in 5 years I'm looking in EA's direction as to which will be the more superior in hockey titles. And that's an allegiance that isn't swayed easily. Kudos to EA for putting out a great title.
Best Deals for NHL 09 - Xbox 360
The physics engine in this game is one of the best I have seen yet. Everything down to how you skate, aiming a shot and even checking/fighting. Also, this game introduces more of the European leagues and teams. Another great feature is taking your own league/club online and fighting to become the best. This game has everything it needs to make it a great game to play with your buddies or on your own. I'd highly recommend this game to anyone who loved last years game.Honest reviews on NHL 09 - Xbox 360
It's been a while since I've played an NHL game from EA that didn't feel like I was still playing the previous year's version. Thankfully, NHL 09 changes all that. That arcade feel that EA's NHL series has been infamous for? It's pretty much gone, and in it's place instead is an actual realistic simulation that rivals the 2K series. Opponent AI has also been considerably amped, helping make the game more simulation-based than ever before. The new additions to the already excellent skill stick are superb, with new manuvers and tactics for clogging passing lanes and putting a new emphasis on defensive-based hockey. If using the skill stick isn't your thing, there's a two-button control scheme based on the classic NHL '94 that is a pure joy to use. The Be a Pro mode is immersive beyond belief, and the game looks and plays beautifully. Online play suffers from some flaws however, most notably being an interface that isn't too user-friendly, and some occasional connection issues. Flaws aside though, NHL 09 is without a doubt the best NHL game to come from EA in years, and if you're a hockey fan it goes without saying that NHL 09 deserves your attention.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for NHL 09 - Xbox 360
Everyone's making NHL 09 out to be the greatest sports game ever made...don't believe them! It's fun at first, until you start to play online and you realize that there are so many glitchy "cheese" goals that the game is completely ruined. There are a few shots that go in 90% of the time, but the main problem is that the defensive AI is so poor that they'll let any halfway decent human opponent skate right to the net. A lot of the time I end up playing other teams who do one thing: skate along the boards, past the goal line, then pass the puck back across the crease and one-time it in. Sure, it's a legit goal that would go in IRL, but the defenders would check the skater, stop the pass, or at least the goalie would poke it away as it crosses the crease.The point is, since patches have improved goalie reactions to stop former cheese, the only way to score a goal is to try the same technique over and over and over and over. While there's a huge debate on whether or not this is cheese, one thing is certain: it's ridiculously boring.
That aside, there are problems with the multiplayer that keeps two people from playing in many of the online modes at the same time on the same system, so if two people are on the same xbox, you can't play online team play, or in your created club. So even though two of us share this game, only one of us can play online with our friends at a time. Ridiculous.
Don't buy it. Waste of money. It'll only aggravate you.
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