PlayStation 3
Released in 2008 by EA Sports
Grade: B+
NHL 09 is an exciting, smooth-moving hockey game that just needs some fine tuning.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the second of nine on PS3.
Praises and gripes
This game looks stunning. The framerate and color is a massive step up from NHL 08, with a realistic atmosphere and crystal clear animations.
The action is also much improved, with great variance in how games play out. Sometimes the game settles into a half-ice set. Sometimes it’s a slog to get up the ice. Sometimes you can go end to end. I like how teams use distinct strategies with deep AI. Combined with realistic speed, the game captures the feel of pro hockey.
Where the game falters is in its challenging control. The ultra-smooth skating can feel too slippery when trying to body check and steal the puck. You shoot and deke with the right thumbstick. It becomes intuitive and fun once you learn it, but it’s a challenge to get it right consistently. Aiming shots is especially difficult, making the wussed-out auto aim a reasonable setting even for skilled gamers. Meanwhile, the CPU attacks with machine-like efficiency on the higher difficulty levels.
Collision detection is also not as realistic as it became later in the series. The faceoff controls are awkward, passing with the goalie is risky, and penalties aren’t called fairly.
As I’ve said before, the problem with attempting a true simulation is that little flaws stand out, and that’s the case here. The series got better in later years, but NHL 09 is a huge step forward and still stands on its own as a pretty fun game.