I never made a blog post for probably my favorite video game series of all-time so I'm just going to merge '10 and '11 together for this post.
NHL '11 was a huge improvement from '10, but I still feel as if some features fell short this year. I love the new face-off and checking systems. They're so much more realistic and add so much to the game as a whole experience. I'm not really sure when they added the "real-time progression" feature so that although you may lost points in individual stats (Be A Pro) your overall rating stays consistent. The same goes for all of the players throughout the game. I like that a lot since it allows you to build your player(s) up to whatever you may want/like/need.
As always, the graphics are usually in the top notch category so that continued with '11 this year. I didn't notice it until this year's game (if it was in '10), but the ads around the inside of the boards around the rink change over time with relevant ads. I thought that that was a pretty nifty and clever way of integrating them like a real hockey rink. The players look even more real, as would be expected for a game series that has won over 22 sports game of the year awards, and their movements are more realistic as well. One thing I noticed, though, is that when you're sitting in the penalty box and watching the face mask visors on other players as they go by they sometimes show up in front of the box's door. Besides that, the graphics are good and I look forward to '12's debut later this year.
I do have some pet peeves with this game, though. First of all, the goalie passing in this game is horrendous, which is not so in real life hockey. Some goalies are actually quite good with handling and passing the puck that it's a shame that all of the goalies in the game are horrible.
Secondly, EVERY ONE AND THEIR MOTHER thinks that they can deke, which is ABSOLUTELY NOT the case in real life hockey. Some players can deke very well; some can deke okay; and some can barely deke at all, if they even ever try, which is likely the case for defenseman defenseman.
Third, the overall passing is pretty bad as well. Now, I understand a few passes here and there not making it to their intended targets, but all the time is just frustrating as hell.
Next, EA Sports "claimed" to have made the AI a lot better, but it actually seems worse to an avid player like myself. Every game there seems to be an unusual amount of an inability to play hockey on a professional level as it should be. Seemingly "simple" plays turn into complex, difficult plays that shouldn't be at all.
The last pet peeve I can remember right now is sometimes when one of your teammates or an opponent is doing board play and an opponent or a teammate is pressing them against the boards and you go to poke check the puck when you get stuck in place and can't move, then you're open to get rocked by an opponent checking you. That's annoying.
Anyway, I think that's about it, but before I go, I cannot wait for NHL '12 to come out in September to check out what's new and whatnot and continue playing probably my favorite sport, hockey.
Game Spot Score: 9.0 (Editor's Choice)
Critics Score: 8.9 (37 Reviews)
User Score: 8.9 (533 Votes)
My Rating: 8
Happy Gaming!
GeNiO
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