NHL 12
SCORE: 76
It is another year, and time for another
professional hockey game - NHL 12. EA Sports has made some interesting
tweaks to the franchise this year. After installation, and updates NHL
12 started me in the Winter Classic. Now I don't watch hockey on TV so I
did not know they were playing games outside in major stadiums. This is
an excellent way to start this game. It got me pumped up to go and play
some hockey. That presentation twist took me off guard, but I liked it.
As I played NHL 12 I noticed something interesting - there is a lot of
hitting. I thought I was in a football game at times. Players are
knocking each other around like asteroids in a belt. Which brings up the
20-ton elephant in the room. There is fighting in NHL 12. Players will
throw down the gloves and go into a boxing type of mode. I have never
understood this in hockey.
Family Friendly Gaming was provided the Playstation 3 (PS3) version of
NHL 12. So the graphics are the best of the best. The players look
pretty darn good. So do the fans, and the rinks. The terrible towels at
the beginning was just eerie. I paid close attention to some of the
small details in NHL 12. The fans have different models that wear
different clothes. It is nice to see fans wearing home and away colors.
The replays are fantastic in NHL 12. They actually fit important plays
in the period and/or game.
EA Sports continues to improve the announcers. They consistently had
pertinent things to say. I love how they would describe a town at the
beginning. Little insights like that help a video game feel more like
the real thing. The home team introduction made me feel like I was right
there, and it was real. NHL 12 may be the most aggressive I have ever
seen hockey. The music can be turned off in the options if it does not
suit your tastes. NHL 12 is heavy on heavy metal this year.
NHL 12 includes a playable demo of 3 on 3 NHL Arcade. Up to seven
players can compete together in NHL 12. There are tournaments, lobbies
for matchmaking, leaderboards, voice chat, game play recordings, custom
soundtracks and more. NHL 12 can be played in various ways. Some of them
are Hockey Ultimate Team, Be A GM, Be A Pro, and Season. NHL 12 includes
cards that players can collect along the way. The level of interactivity
is very high especially with the online modes. If you like hockey then
you will enjoy NHL 12.
The AI has been improved in NHL 12. Players now go to where the puck
will be, not where it is. Goalies will make desperation saves, and stone
wall the opposition. There is also a strength and size matters update to
the engine of NHL 12. Players will now fall to their knees or spin in
the air like a helicopter. Players on the bench can be hit when someone
gets knocked over the wall. The glass can break, and the nets can be
knocked out of place.
I am amazed at how realistic NHL 12 feels. I felt like I was on the ice
skating. I was having problems scoring and listened to the announcers
tell me where I should be trying to score from. My next try I scored. I
had a lead in the third period of a game and noticed the other team was
desperately trying to get in scoring position. When I was behind in the
third period the other team was keeping away from me trying to run out
the clock. All of these make NHL 12 feel like a real game of hockey.
People would get hurt with some of the hits that are in NHL 12. In fact
a child watching me play NHL 12 asked if they were going to be okay. Out
of the mouths of babes. NHL 12 does a wonderful job of showing that
hockey is not a one man show. Sure there are players who are better at
scoring or defending. But the team wins and the team loses. I am
concerned with how much more aggressive NHL 12 is. Bodies were flying
around way more than I was expecting. I saw hockey sticks on the ground
on more than one occasion.
EA Sports improved the face off issue from last year. The goalies do not
stop the play as often now. I really appreciate that. I understand at
times they have to because it could give the other team a scoring
opportunity. The puck can be small in NHL 12. At times when there are
multiple players around it, the puck can be difficult to see. I would
love to see some highlight color improvement on it during those times.
In a future release of course. The huge success of NHL 12 guarantees it
will be getting a sequel next year. Maybe even on the Wii U as well as
the PS3, and Xbox 360.
-Frank
Graphics: 73%
Sound: 80%
Replay/Extras: 87%
Gameplay: 73%
Family Friendly Factor: 69%
System: Xbox 360/Playstation 3
Publisher: EA Sports
Rating: 'E10+' - Everyone 10+
{Mild Violence}
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