“Is this some sort of joke?”
-Jackie Treehorn
PlayStation 3
Released in 2010 by EA Sports
Grade: A-
I’m starting to think that EA played a sick prank on its loyal following, releasing a totally kickass hockey game every year but leaving in a fatal flaw.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the fourth of nine NHL games on PS3. Good news: The next in the series, NHL 12, kicks major ass.
Praises and gripes
This year’s flaw I can’t get over is that goalies stop shots but let the puck flutter around in an overambitious implementation of “real-life physics.” The puck can end up anywhere, resting on the goalie’s shoulder, or rolling over the net, or chilling out by the post, the fickle bastard. This results in a heart-stopping scramble until the goalie covers it or a defenseman snags it, but it can trickle free and get knocked in for a goal. Not only does this turn routine saves into scoring chances, but it stops play when we’d all be happy to keep the action moving.
The rest of the game is still awesome: smooth, speedy, realistic, exciting, easy to control. In fact, it’s better than last year. Now, body checks look and feel more natural, and the faceoff mechanic is much improved. Two fixes out of three. Good one, EA 😉