PlayStation 3
Released in 2013 by EA Sports
Grade: A
This is an awesome hockey simulation with expertly tuned controls, gameplay mechanics, AI, and game design, with great graphics, sound, and features …
… and the “moon puck.”
Where it falls in the series
The series jumped up to Xbox 360 for NHL 07 and PS3 for NHL 08, so it had some time to marinate in a console, and NHL 14 is the last before PS4 and Xbox One versions were added to the offerings for NHL 15. On PS3 and Xbox 360, NHL 12 and NHL Legacy Edition are the best of the bunch.
Praises and gripes
Skating and carrying the puck feel as good as can get. You skate with the left stick and move the puck with the right stick, a control scheme that’s not new but works perfectly here. You flick the right stick to shoot, which also feels great and requires the right amount of skill and precision.
The way the action plays out feels organic. You don’t see the same exact patterns twice. Players react to situations realistically. This, combined with superb mechanics, forces you to play with a genuine hockey-like approach.
There’s a great feeling that you’re really taking the wheel, that you have close control over how your team plays. As you progress and notice how teammates behave around you, you can easily make adjustments in the excellent strategy settings.
You also add puckhandling moves to your repertoire over time, just using the sticks. It’s so smooth and dynamic you can kinda do anything.
Unfortunately, whenever someone dumps the puck (which the CPU does often), the stupid thing bounces like it has air in it, causing a ton of frustration gathering it while forecheckers close in on you. This one quirk, dubbed the “moon puck,” is the target of lots of complaining I’ve read about this game on the internet. Luckily, it’s the only game in the whole series with this issue.
The CPU is tough to beat on the high difficulties, but doesn’t seem to cheat you. You pick from three play settings, each one a slightly stricter simulation. This crafty addition has a great effect; you can start on the first setting to help you learn to play, then ramp it up to ultra simulation, where you’ll get more mishandled passes, fewer laser shots, and a better distributed mix of scoring methods.
If that’s not enough depth, there are minor league and European pro teams, which play noticeably different from NHL teams. AND, there’s an ode to NHL ’94 mode, using the same powerful engine but with super-simple controls, faster action, more scoring, and blue ice.
Top teams
The Blackhawks beat the Bruins to conclude the shortened 2012-13 season, and they’re top dogs here, along with the Kings, Capitals, and Penguins. In 2014, it was the Kings over the Rangers for the Cup.