NHL 12 Reviewer: Initial Impressions

[ChaseB]

Judging by my first 10 or so games, I think the NHL series is nearing some dangerous territory. I won’t say the series is about to plateau, as that sort of has a negative connotation. It’s just that, as the game continues to refine itself, the major changes will become harder to find if you're not a hardcore fan.

Some big changes are included this year, and readily apparent for those with an intimate knowledge of the game. Things like the new anticipation engine make for a much more fluid game, especially in transition; signature style and traits certainly put a focus on star players as they take the ice; new animations and stick-work for battles around the net give a tactical and physical feel to those exchanges, and puck physics continue to impress (it feels like flip dumps lead to all sorts of different outcomes, for example).

Yet as meaningful as these changes are to the hardcore hockey fan, the other additions --those likely added to attract the more casual fan -- don’t quite hit home. The new mode, Be a Legend, feels like a half-hearted attempt at bringing something brand new to the table. The Winter Classic is pretty enough, but it would probably be better if it was current rather than about "reliving the 2011 Classic." (To be fair, the NHL hasn't really solidified all the details yet, but people know it's going to be Rangers/Flyers.)

In some ways, this intro is a back-handed compliment. Sure, at the end of the day, there are not any groundbreaking improvements. That being said, NHL 12 is still a rock solid game. The small changes affect the game and the way you play it -- they just are not "game-changing."

Read More - NHL 12 Impressions

[tril]

another EA title with lack luster commentary...what else is new!?

[don28]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Sometimes it's OK to just make minor tweaks and changes instead of reinventing the wheel. I have enjoyed NHL 10 and 11, and look forward to doing the same with NHL 12.

Thanks for an honest and impartial review. At least those who are looking for the reinvention of the wheel have been forewarned.

[SGMRock]

Ya EA has made the mistake in the past of going to far and actually making these worse as apposed to better. I thought NHL 11 was great with some minor tweaking could be much more refined and thats what I'm really looking for out of NHL 12.

[cbrock24]

Amazing to hear the comments from people who have played hockey and haven't. I grew up playing hockey, played the NHL 12 demo for 5 minutes, and was hooked. NHL 12 is the closest game to how hockey actually plays in the series. NHL 12 is a big improvement on NHL 11. Focusing on "signature style and traits" is probably the most important aspect of hockey. Set plays really do not have an impact and the flow of the game is dependent on the individual movement and reaction of each player based on what is actually happening.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Thanks for the review, Chase.

Myself, I like the idea that they've focused a decent amount of dev time trying to refine the gameplay. It's what matters most to me. In my experience with the games last few releases, it isn't very often I see things that really make me think...WTH! Things that can really drag the game experience down. Of course there's always going to be a few things here and there with any game. But to me, NHL does a good job of holding those things to a reasonable minimum.

I guess in the end, I like what I've seen outta the demo. So I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy the heck outta the retail game.

[DatsyukianDeke]

Any new details or impressions from EASHL? That's what matters most.

[savoie2006]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Well everyone knows this is gonna happen at some point with sports games. It's hard to reinevent a sport. However, there is still plenty that can be done and something that would please the casuals/hardcore fans. Revamp the Presentation (commentary included) and beef up BAGM. Those two improvements would make everyone happy and be quite noticeable. That said, improvements to the physics and AI will always be welcome as well.

[Vikes1]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Well everyone knows this is gonna happen at some point with sports games. It's hard to reinevent a sport. However, there is still plenty that can be done and something that would please the casuals/hardcore fans. Revamp the Presentation (commentary included) and beef up BAGM. Those two improvements would make everyone happy and be quite noticeable. That said, improvements to the physics and AI will always be welcome as well.

Very well said, Savoie.

[Simple Mathematics]

Playing the game is going to be really fun this year. It's the part when you're not actually playing a game that is going to be stale this year. I am a BaGM guy, so I will be a bit bored of that mode. However, the new sim engine will be a lot of fun for me.

I just wish they would fix these things in BaGM:
1. Players getting stuck in Free Agency
2. Players who are like 82 overall not playing while a player who is like 74 overall is starting
3. Trade logic

If these 3 things were fixed, then BaGM would be great! They aren't huge problems so hopefully a patch could address them. Then next year maybe we could get some things like a better scouting system, controlling finances like MLB The Show, and better BaGM presentation.

[gsize19]

Here is what blows... Peopl here want a finished game to reinvented every year... As for a simulation, NHL and MLB The Show series are there for a sports sim, there isn't much more you ca do with it in terms of gameplay... EA needs to leave gameplay alone and work on other items, deeper franchise, authentic NHL arenas, etc.

I don't mind paying for a $60 roster update yearly if it is a finished game. This game is in all intents and purposes finished, and those true fans that play online in the EASHL, they will pay for the next title year after year.

The game is stellar and the more people want new things, or controls to be different, it causes games to go three steps backwards in gameplay... The review said EA is reaching dangerous territory, the only dangerous territory EA is reaching is changing this game when it is where it needs to be already. It is a fair accurate representation of the sport of hockey, so don't change a damn thing... It will cause you to bite off more than you can chew!!!

RIP team Lokomotive and my thoughts and prayers are with the families after this tragic accident!!!

[RealmK]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Here is what blows... Peopl here want a finished game to reinvented every year... As for a simulation, NHL and MLB The Show series are there for a sports sim, there isn't much more you ca do with it in terms of gameplay... EA needs to leave gameplay alone and work on other items, deeper franchise, authentic NHL arenas, etc.

I don't mind paying for a $60 roster update yearly if it is a finished game. This game is in all intents and purposes finished, and those true fans that play online in the EASHL, they will pay for the next title year after year.

The game is stellar and the more people want new things, or controls to be different, it causes games to go three steps backwards in gameplay... The review said EA is reaching dangerous territory, the only dangerous territory EA is reaching is changing this game when it is where it needs to be already. It is a fair accurate representation of the sport of hockey, so don't change a damn thing... It will cause you to bite off more than you can chew!!!

RIP team Lokomotive and my thoughts and prayers are with the families after this tragic accident!!!

Seriously, the game play at this point is just about as good as they're going to get it on this generation of consoles with the ram limitations. Get all the actual modes themselves working properly and get the presentation to a NBA2k level and you have the perfect hockey game. It's not rocket science EA, sure it won't make for great bullet points on the back of the box like the half *** Legends mode or EASHL now with more exploits!!!111eleventy! (I really want to see that on the back of a box actually heh)

But at the end of the day, the hardcore guys who shell out the 60 bucks every year will be happy, the casuals that good reviews and word of mouth bring in will be happy at the depth surrounding the already solid gameplay. And Hank and I will be happy because GM mode finally won't be a broken mess.

[Money99]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

Seriously, the game play at this point is just about as good as they're going to get it on this generation of consoles with the ram limitations. Get all the actual modes themselves working properly and get the presentation to a NBA2k level and you have the perfect hockey game. It's not rocket science EA, sure it won't make for great bullet points on the back of the box like the half *** Legends mode or EASHL now with more exploits!!!111eleventy! (I really want to see that on the back of a box actually heh)

But at the end of the day, the hardcore guys who shell out the 60 bucks every year will be happy, the casuals that good reviews and word of mouth bring in will be happy at the depth surrounding the already solid gameplay. And Hank and I will be happy because GM mode finally won't be a broken mess.

So true. I'm fine with the gameplay.
If they fixed the GM mode and gave us awesome presentation, I'd be all set.
I'd be more than happy really.

[Dazraz]

I have no doubt that EA have further perfected the hockey experience. Where this series fails is how dull it is outside of the gameplay. With the presentation improvements made to Madden this year & the already well established presentation in MLB the Show & NBA 2K, EA's NHL is the odd one out of the quartet of North American based sport simulations in that it in no way captures a broadcast presentation. Ageing commentary, lack of stat overlays & an unrealistic broadcast cam take away from the realism otherwise depicted within the gameplay, In addition the lack of depth within it's career/season modes will limit the long term appeal of the game.

[savoie2006]

Re: NHL 12 Initial Impressions

With the presentation improvements made to Madden this year

Madden's Presentation isn't all that great. In fact as a whole I would say it's rather poor.