Crono
08-05-2002, 07:11 PM
Well I've decided to do an NHL 2003 preview. I was gonna do a preview of an upcoming PS2 RPG but I seriously didn't think many people would be interested. Yeah, anyway....
Every time EA announces their new NHL game I was always get excited. Why? Because I love hockey games...and not only that, EA seems to be damn good at making them (duh)...
To some, hockey is a beautiful sport. A metaphor for life's struggles. A symbol of triumph over adversity. These people are Canadian. For most Americans, however, hockey is a bunch of guys on ice skates missing teeth and physically abusing one another. Hockey, in reality, is probably somewhere in the middle of these two ideals. And to many, it's not something they care for except when it's packaged for a console. For years hockey video games have transcended the sport they represent and EA hopes their latest, NHL 2003, can do the job again this year.
Features
Every NHL team
Alternate home and away jerseys for each team
Deep franchise mode so you can dominate the league for years
Tournament mode
New right thumbstick control allows for maximum stick command
NHL Cards earned through superior gameplay
Though gameplay is similar to last year's version, NHL 2003 comes to the rink with a few improvements that are sure to please one and all. From a gameplay standpoint, NHL 2003 makes use of the right thumbstick (camera stick on GameCube) to add greater puck control. Moving the thumbstick left, right, back and forward, you gain direct control of your stick. Want to reach out and try and shoot the puck around a defender? Now you can. Want to deke a goalie, make him think you are going left and then shoot the puck to the right corner of the goal? It is all yours. Wanna pull a little puck-fake on some foolish wingman? Sure, you can do that. Heck, you can even play the puck between your legs. It takes some time to get used to the new control scheme, but mastery of the right thumbstick can only further your dominance of the league.
But if you're the type who hates change, hates the right thumbstick, or simply doesn't want that much sim in your hockey, NHL 2003 may still be for you. You can play through an entire season and never once use the right thumbstick and still do well. The new control addition is there for those who want it, but won't hurt anyone who just can't deal with having so much command of the puck. But really, the right thumbstick deke moves are a great addition and add a new dimension to the gameplay.
The new deke moves add fuel to the new power meter. So do steals, hard hits, and other quality plays. When the meter fills, you can enter a bullet time mode, where things will suddenly slow down, allowing for superior moves and a better shot on goal. From what we've played, this feature isn't overused. You won't be doing bullet time moves every ten seconds. It's best saved for a moment when you are one on one with the goalie, or to provide yourself such an opportunity. This is not a replacement for the breakaway moments, where you get a close-up camera angle as you take it to the net, but is its own separate beast.
Continued in next post...
Every time EA announces their new NHL game I was always get excited. Why? Because I love hockey games...and not only that, EA seems to be damn good at making them (duh)...
To some, hockey is a beautiful sport. A metaphor for life's struggles. A symbol of triumph over adversity. These people are Canadian. For most Americans, however, hockey is a bunch of guys on ice skates missing teeth and physically abusing one another. Hockey, in reality, is probably somewhere in the middle of these two ideals. And to many, it's not something they care for except when it's packaged for a console. For years hockey video games have transcended the sport they represent and EA hopes their latest, NHL 2003, can do the job again this year.
Features
Every NHL team
Alternate home and away jerseys for each team
Deep franchise mode so you can dominate the league for years
Tournament mode
New right thumbstick control allows for maximum stick command
NHL Cards earned through superior gameplay
Though gameplay is similar to last year's version, NHL 2003 comes to the rink with a few improvements that are sure to please one and all. From a gameplay standpoint, NHL 2003 makes use of the right thumbstick (camera stick on GameCube) to add greater puck control. Moving the thumbstick left, right, back and forward, you gain direct control of your stick. Want to reach out and try and shoot the puck around a defender? Now you can. Want to deke a goalie, make him think you are going left and then shoot the puck to the right corner of the goal? It is all yours. Wanna pull a little puck-fake on some foolish wingman? Sure, you can do that. Heck, you can even play the puck between your legs. It takes some time to get used to the new control scheme, but mastery of the right thumbstick can only further your dominance of the league.
But if you're the type who hates change, hates the right thumbstick, or simply doesn't want that much sim in your hockey, NHL 2003 may still be for you. You can play through an entire season and never once use the right thumbstick and still do well. The new control addition is there for those who want it, but won't hurt anyone who just can't deal with having so much command of the puck. But really, the right thumbstick deke moves are a great addition and add a new dimension to the gameplay.
The new deke moves add fuel to the new power meter. So do steals, hard hits, and other quality plays. When the meter fills, you can enter a bullet time mode, where things will suddenly slow down, allowing for superior moves and a better shot on goal. From what we've played, this feature isn't overused. You won't be doing bullet time moves every ten seconds. It's best saved for a moment when you are one on one with the goalie, or to provide yourself such an opportunity. This is not a replacement for the breakaway moments, where you get a close-up camera angle as you take it to the net, but is its own separate beast.
Continued in next post...