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Video Game Review: NHL 09
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Published: September 26, 2008
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System: Microsoft Xbox 360
Also available for: Sony PlayStations 2 and 3, Windows PC
Publisher: EA Sports
Reviewer's rating: ***½
ESRB rating: Everyone 10+
Game type: Sports
Kind of like: "NHL 08"
Best feature: The new Be A Pro mode - sort of like Superstar mode in "Madden" - really puts you in the action, letting you create a player and work your way up from the minors.
Worst feature: Online action still suffers from significant lag and a confounding interface.
The bottom line: Remember when hockey video games were simple? End-to-end action was relentless: A breakout pass, a deke or two through the neutral zone and a quick one-timer or wraparound shot was all you needed. Rinse and repeat.
Those games were fun, but "NHL 09" is better.
The days of regularly scoring 8 to 10 goals are gone. (Much to the chagrin of Gary Bettman, no doubt.) "NHL 09" is tough, mainly because it's realistic. Defensemen are no longer pylons. Goalies are no longer predictable. High-traffic areas are no longer safe. Strong work along the boards is essential. And the ol' chip-and-charge is finally a legitimate strategy in video game hockey.
Now in its third season, the Skill Stick control scheme is starting to feel really natural. Some defensive tweaks make it even more useful - and intuitive - than before.
But the biggest improvement to this year's game is the Be A Pro mode, which is basically like an RPG where you happen to be a hockey player rather than a dungeon crawler. When you finally make the big league, it's truly a rush.
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