Video Game Review

NHL 12

Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Genre: Sports
Available On: XBOX 360 and PS3
ESRB Rating: Rated "E" for Everyone 10+



















Story and Characters
 The goal is to win hockey games.  It's that simple.  There are different modes that can be played such as: Season Mode, Playoff Mode, Shootout, GM Mode, Be A Legend Mode (This allows you to play as a legend from the past such as Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios, and Patrick Roy), and Online Mode.  NHL 12 includes the user to play as European teams and for the first time ever, they added the user to play as AHL and CHL hockey clubs.  The characters are all based on real-life professional hockey players. 


Major Aspects

Graphics- The graphics of this game become more realistic every year.  They managed to make each player look like the real person, skate the same as they would in real life, and have the same skill level.  The fans are more realistic and involved after scoring a goal or between periods.  

Game Play-  The game play has also improved quite a bit.  It is difficult even consider different changes for a video game that comes out on a yearly basis.  EA Sports always manages to provide many changes within the game play to make it a substantially different game from the year previous.  This game allows hitting players over the boards, being able to fight with the goaltenders, and just the hitting itself has become more realistic.

Difficulty- The difficulty of this game depends on how you have your settings.  there are 4 different levels of difficulty to choose from the rank from rookie and end at superstar.  Also depending on how you would set your game speed, shooting power and accuracy, and the level of hitting all reflect on how difficult the game will be.

Audio-  The audio for this game is spot on.  Whether it's fans cheering or booing at appropriate time or the puck being shot off the post or boards, the sounds are legit and sound as they would if you were actually watching a real game of hockey.

 

   
All screenshots have been provided by: xbox360.ign.com