NHL 09 by EA Sports

As many young boys grow up, they discover their inner strengths and talents. Through their childhood years, their experiences and interests shape not only the people they become, but also the goals they set for themselves. During childhood, it is very common to have monumental dreams of becoming famous, successful, or happy. For instance, imagine a cold December night. Snow is falling and covering the quiet side streets. Parents enjoy hot chocolate while watching their children play the national pastime known as hockey. The little boys run around, whacking the small ball with their sticks, dreaming of becoming superstars like Mats Sundin, Mario Lemieux and Martin Brodeur. While some may achieve this feat, others may come to the realization that another path calls for them on the road of life. For these people, the video game NHL 09 allows them to virtually achieve their dream: to play in the National Hockey League.

NHL 09 is created by EA Sports and is available for numerous consoles, including Windows XP & Vista, Playstation 2, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. It was initially released on September 10, 2008. It contains single, multiplayer and online play options, and is of the sports genre. The main objective of the game is to play an 82-game season with the user’s team of choice, and to win the Stanley Cup, the most prestigious ice hockey championship. The user can also act as his or her team’s General Manager, edit lines, schedule different types of practices, control ticket prices, trade and sign players, develop rookies, manage the team’s budget, and unlock upgrades that improve various attributes of the team’s play. NHL 09 also provides a detailed analysis of each player’s capabilities and their statistics (goals, assists, points, etc.). There is also an “inbox” provided, which contains messages from virtual personnel setting goals for the user to achieve, sending unexpected news that could affect the user’s team, and offering potential trades for the user to negotiate. NHL 09 also provides several other interesting options, including a shootout game where players can practice their deking moves, a creation zone where the user can create his or her own players (selecting their physical features, abilities, and even equipment), and a “Be a Pro” mode, where the user can create a character identical to themself and simulate a pro hockey career. NHL 09 entertains users through many features to accommodate almost any hockey situation.

What makes this game engaging is its realism, variety of situations, applicability for a group of people, simple controls and the freedom the user gains to make important decisions. One aspect of the game that makes it exciting to play again and again is its realism. Unlike previous versions, NHL 09 is perhaps the most realistic game yet. Players slowly get tired towards the end of the game, resulting in decreased shot power and speed. Body checks are also more realistic, and actually follow the law of physics that an object’s force is determined by its acceleration multiplied by its mass. Therefore, when a large player accelerates quickly into a small player, the latter usually gets knocked off his feet or crushed into the boards. Likewise, when a small player accelerates into a larger player, the former usually gets bumped off-balance. The magnitude of the hit is just one aspect that is realistic. The sound and visual quality of the game is also very realistic and impressive. The players’ faces are perfectly designed, with precise attention to detail. They also appear in lifelike 3D, making the user feel like they are actually standing on the ice with them. The game also lets the user use their creative side and choose their own equipment for players, which is a nice detailed touch. When the players shoot, the user can also choose what kind of shot they want to take, and the stick on the screen moves accordingly. The game also includes commentary by two CBC broadcasters, Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, and also features a pre-game literature about the two teams, and a highlight reel of the game afterward. The meticulous attention to detail makes this game a thrill to play again and again.

Another aspect that makes this game exciting to play is the wide variety of situations presented to the user. Sometimes players encounter slumps, which cause the user to make team adjustments. Other times key players become injured, forcing the user to take another strategic approach to fill the void. The game also provides a number of strategic plays he or she can assign to various players. When not controlled by the user, these players automatically do as they are instructed. The changing situations encountered in this game make it unpredictable and enjoyable to play, as no two games are ever the same.

A third feature that makes the video game engaging is its compatibility for multiplayer games. When the user is throwing a party or having some friends over at their house, NHL 09 is a popular choice because it is based on a sport that many people enjoy, and has simple controls that can be learned quickly. Simple controls have become a rarity in many new games, leading to guests being dominated when participating in a game they have never played before. Such was the case in NHL 2004, a game I could never master because of its confusing controls. With NHL 09, all the user has to know is three buttons: shoot, check, and accelerate. This makes games competitive among friends, which is more fun than the host winning every single game.

Finally, this game is fun to play because it lets the user control every aspect of his or her team. It makes the user think and use financial skills to balance payroll, increase ticket prices, and make a profit. The user also has to look for cheap, yet effective deals when signing new players. Game after game, the user has to change lines if a group of players are not producing, and change the practice schedule accordingly. The user can use his or her imagination to create new players and to shape their organization the way they want it. More than anything else, NHL 09 is a skill-building game, letting the user walk away with better problem solving skills, improved financial skills, and a greater imagination.

Several new features that were added to this year’s version of the game were colourful alternate jerseys, easier controls, a more realistic puck-handling system, the addition of five European hockey leagues, and a new selection of music from various popular pop and rock bands, including Billy Talent and Bullet for my Valentine. There are many aspects of the game which should be kept for future editions, such as the creation zone, the broad variety of jerseys, the realism of the game, and the music. However, several elements could be added or deleted. The game supplies each team with five or six jerseys from their past that the user’s team can wear, but the opposing team cannot. The opposing teams are stuck with two jerseys that the computer chooses automatically, making games duller than they could be. The commentators’ voices should also be changed, as many of their comments are the same as those from NHL 2002! This process of recycling games should be abandoned to retain the integrity of the product. Another feature that was present in NHL 2002 that is missing in this year’s version is the ability to create players once a season has begun. After the user creates a new file, they cannot create new players. This takes all the fun out of the creation zone. This feature should be reinstated to provide the user with this creative program whenever he or she desires.
Another feature that should be removed is the monthly challenge sent to the user from a fictitious character in the game. If completed, a significant upgrade is obtained, however most of these challenges are extremely difficult, if not impossible to complete.
Finally, EA Sports should bring back the option in NHL 2002 where the user could purchase virtual hockey cards in the game. These provided more detail about each player, and were enjoyable to collect. If activated in a game, they also elevated a certain player to hero stature. This game has many enjoyable features, but some should be added or removed to make it more enjoyable and realistic for the consumer.

Overall, NHL 09 by EA Sports is a very addicting video game that brings the thrill and suspense of the National Hockey League to people’s televisions, at any time they want. It is appropriate for all ages, especially for youngsters who aspire to one day play at such a high level. The Gamespot 2008 Best Sports Game winner is one of the most authentic sports games yet, and is a pleasure to play alone or with a group of friends. I give NHL 09 four out of five stars.

Check out genuine game footage at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4iMFT5Ask