NHL 09 (PS3) Review

Posted by Mark Salmela on 09.29.2008

Who’s ready to lose some teeth?


By Mark Salmela: Winner of 7 "video game writer" of the year awards.


The sequel to the best sports game of 2008; NHL 09 has some heavy expectations to live up to. Thankfully EA was up to the challenge, as NHL 09 improves upon NHL 08 in near every way possible. I have to admit that until NHL 08 I was incredibly down on the franchise as since the early 2000’s I’d always been an NHL 2K guy. But while the 2K franchise has failed to innovate and improve in the way I’d hoped, NHL 09 has vastly improved and may be my favorite traditional sports game this year. If you played NHL 08 last year, or are just looking to get into a sports game not named Madden, NHL 09 is for you. And here’s why…



Graphics


Headshot!


Well… Before I start the praise, I am actually going to start with what I consider to be the one big negative with NHL 09, and that is in the graphics department. Call me spoiled *damn E3 2005 Madden trailer*, but I expect better graphics than what I see in NHL 09. Don’t get me wrong, the arenas look awesome and the players are far from terrible, but I’m expecting much more from a major franchise like NHL 09 at this point. If this were the first PS3 hockey game I’d be more forgiving, but it’s time that we start seeing better graphics in sports games *I'm talking a total overhaul when it comes to certain franchises*. And I still don't get why crowds in sports games have to look so bad.

Besides the mediocre graphics, I also have a problem with the framerate, my problem being that it is inconsistent. At times the framerate is acceptable, but at other times *especially in Be a Pro mode* the framerate stutters and dips to horrendous levels. It’s just puzzling to me how a game with such average graphics can have an inconsistent framerate.

Now as I said the arenas look fantastic and at times the game really does shine, but once you get a close-up of the players and the framerate drops the game starts to show its one major flaw. It’s nothing that should stop you from buying the game, but it is noticeable. Then again I guess there has to be something to improve in NHL 10 *isn’t that what they’re going to call it?*. Also, while some people have complained about the camera angles in NHL 09, I found them to be acceptable *they're not perfect as I lost sight of the puck a few times, but they were overall fine*.



Gameplay


You see me dancin’ Mom?! Do ya?!


Ok, now that the hate is out of the way we can get onto what makes NHL 09 so awesome, and that’s the gameplay. The big addition to NHL 09 is the Be a Pro mode, where players will create a player *or take an existing player if they want* and follow your player from the minor leagues all the way to the NHL finals. Users will be able to totally customize their character to their liking and will play all of their games directly from your character’s perspective. It’s really something that I’ve been anticipating in sports games, as I think the idea of controlling one player and focusing solely on that player instead of an entire team is really cool. I know other games have attempted it in the past, but I don’t think any game has pulled it off nearly as well as NHL 09 does. You really get the feeling that if you mess up and the other team scores that the goal really is your fault and not just poor teamwork. I know I said that my major complaints were over, and to some this won’t be a problem at all, but I do have to mention that I think the leveling up system in Be a Pro is horribly slow. It can take dozens of hours to max out your stats and in my opinion takes too long for such little reward. Some people won’t mind the long grind to becoming the best, but personally I grew bored of playing several games just to increase one stat point.

The Be a Pro mode is a great addition that really captures the essence of hockey, and is enough on its own to make the $60 price worth it. You’ll notice that everyone plays sloppy in the minor leagues *AHL*, and that the AI gets exponentially harder once you make the jump to the big leagues. And I have to give credit to NHL 09 for making the game fun even when I’m sitting on the bench waiting for my line to be called in Be a Pro mode, as the anticipation builds beautifully as I wait for my line to finally be called back into the game. I can’t stress enough how awesome Be a Pro is for sports fans.

In addition to the Be a Pro mode is the EA Sports Hockey League, where players once again take control of a specific character *like Be a Pro* and entire teams are made up of human controlled players *online* including the goalie. The Sports Hockey League really stresses teamwork *and making sure it’s not just 5 guys fighting over the puck*, and as long as everyone plays their role is another incredible mode that I can’t recommend highly enough. Even as the goalie I had a ton of fun watching and communicating with my teammates as we worked together to win.

The Dynasty mode also returns in NHL 09 to minimum improvements, but for those who are into micromanagement Dynasty mode is just as fun as ever. Hopefully next year EA will finally let me change the concession prices, as you can bet that I’m going to charge the hell out of beer *stupid drunken Canadian hockey fans*.

Now Be a Pro and the Sports Hockey League are awesome, but in my opinion what really makes NHL 09 a must buy is the traditional core gameplay. The core gameplay is just as awesome as it was in NHL 08, and EA really has mastered stick handling with NHL 09. I really enjoy using the right analog to control the puck, and it’s easy for players to consistently shoot the puck exactly where they want to every time they go for a shot. The core gameplay of NHL 09 is similar to NHL 08, but hey; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. It’s still tons of fun to play.



Sound


It’s like a symphony on skates!


NHL 09 features the return of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement on commentary, and for the most part the duo does a great job calling the action *I even unexpectedly laughed during one of their jokes*. Both Gary and Bill know the sport and will pass on their knowledge of the game down to you as they give you tips and hints as to how to improve your game. The crowd is also appropriate, getting loud when the action heats up and chanting for the home team when things are simmering. The sounds of a hockey game are represented perfectly in NHL 09 and you really feel the action when players get checked into the cross boards. The soundtrack itself is passable and gets the job done for a hockey game. There’s nothing bad to say about NHL 09 when it comes to sound.



Lasting Appeal


I’m gonna cock block ya!


As I mentioned above the Be a Pro mode will take dozens of hours to master, and to some that is a good thing, while to others is too long *such as myself*. Either way there is a ton to do in NHL 09 offline or on, and I can’t imagine that there’s anyone out there who will grow bored of NHL 09. The AI is stellar, and NHL 09 can really become punishing on the hardest difficulties *although the rookie difficulty is incredible easy and will help to train in first timers*. Whether you’re playing friends in a standard game of hockey or messing around in the Be a Pro mode there is a ton for players to do and you couldn’t ask for much more in a hockey game.



Fun Factor


What the hell is with the Sim’s icon above his head?


There’s one more little feature in NHL 09 that I’d like to mention, and that is the inclusion of the control scheme from NHL 94 on the Genesis. Now I know that it’s a highly inferior 2 button control scheme, but I am in love with it. I love it so much I prefer to use it over the incredibly accurate right analog control stick *well sometimes*. NHL 94 was the first hockey game that I ever played and the sense of nostalgia that I experienced while using it was incredible. Using one button for passes and one button for shooting is an incredibly fun control scheme that even the worst gamers can get into. I think every sports game from now on should include optional old school style control schemes.

But I digress. As I’ve stated above NHL 09 is an incredibly fun game, and one that nails the most important part of a game which is of course the gameplay. If you’ve ever enjoyed a sports game in the past than you will fall in love with NHL 09. Whether you play offline or on, single player or multiplayer there is something for everyone to enjoy in NHL 09.



The 411


I really did it!


NHL 08 was considered by many to be the best sports game in years, and NHL 09 is that much better. The Be a Pro mode is incredible, and the controls are still the best ever in a hockey game. If it wasn’t for the inconsistent framerate and the average graphics on the player models NHL 09 would be near perfect, and is something that I hope will be fixed for the next NHL game *I still think NHL 10 sounds weird*. NHL 09 is a must buy for sports fans, and has more than enough features to last for the next 365 days.

Graphics	7.5	While the game can look good at times, framerate problems hold this back from a better score.
Gameplay	9.5	NHL 09 is the best representation of hockey in a video game ever. It nails practically everything and the Be a Pro mode is terrific.
Sound	8.0	The announcers do have a bad habbit of repeating the same one-liners, but otherwise everything is solid.
Lasting Appeal	8.5	Whether you play offline or on, there is always something fun to do in NHL 09. Oh, and the Be a Pro mode is loooooonnggggg....
Fun Factor	9.0	All that should matter in a sports game, and NHL 09 is some of the most fun that I have had in a traditional sports game in a long time.
Overall	8.9   [ Very Good ]