Review of NHL 10

That title sounds like hyperbole, but it's true from my perspective.I love sports video games and hockey most of all, and I thought NHL 09 was the best hockey game ever...until NHL 10 came around.I have probably played hundreds of hours of NHL 09 over the past year, and this game does an excellent job of taking everything that was good about that game and making it even better.I don't see myself getting sick of it anytime soon.

As a caveat, I do not play online.This is a review based on my single-player experience, which is my preferred way to play.

While the changes in NHL 10 are in large part subtle refinements of NHL 09, this isn't just a roster update.The "Be a GM" mode - formerly franchise mode - has been completely overhauled to give you GM-specific challenges and rewards as you play through the seasons.A few other new game modes - single playoff and single season modes, basically - have been added as well.

The main improvements in my opinion are found in the on-ice gameplay, which has been enriched by the ability to control the aim on passes, board play, the new fighting engine, scuffles after the whistle, better goalie animations, and better AI.The game experience is completely customizable and there are slider pre-sets for arcade-like, simulation-like, and intermediate gameplay (intermediate is the default).

Professional reviews will be able to tell you a lot more about this game than I will, so let me just say that everything you love about NHL 09 has only been improved.It's rare to see an EA Sports development team that really delivers and works hard year-after-year, and this team does exactly that.You can tell that there is a real passion and desire among the developers to make the best hockey game possible.They did it last year, and they did it again.

I have not encountered the AI problems that the other reviewer did in playing this game in single-player mode.Perhaps I am just used to the way the game plays, or perhaps that reviewer needs to explore the create a play option to get better performance from his AI teammates.

If you like hockey, buy this game.If you love sports games (and don't HATE hockey), buy this game.I've been let down by EA Sports many, many times in the past (most recently with Madden 10).This game is nothing short of triumphant.



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