Not sure if we have many hockey video game fans here but I figured I'd post my impressions of the latest EA Sports iteration anyway.
New this year:
- Be A Pro mode - create your own player, select an AHL farm team, and start playing. You are evaluated on different criteria based on the type of player you make (e.g. snipers are expected to score more golas, playmakers to get more assists, etc.). If you do well, you'll move up from the AHL 3rd, and eventually to the big NHL team. Basically the process that any young Canadian kid dreamed of. The gameplay is decent and you have to play smart, timing your line changes according to your stamina bar and where the puck is. Making a change when the opposition is on the rush, and you end up giving them a 3 on 1 will not put you in the coach's good books. Great mode.
- EA Sports Hockey League - Essentially Be A Pro but 100% online. You can join a team of up to 50 other human players and play against other human teams. Essentially, it is a hockey MMO. Full 6 on 6 human games is a lot of fun. EA is having some issues with their servers still given it just released last week but I have faith they will rectify these issues since they are heavily touting this feature.
- Improved offensive and defensive controls. I love how the game handles this year. Plus they give the option to use retro NHL 1994 controls that minimize the buttons used. Very nice for the noobies out there.
Here's a link to the easportsworld.com site where you can upload screenshots and videos taken from the instant replay feature. This one is my little sniper laying out a bid defenceman. My checking stat is only 55/100, which is why I found this hit so amusing. Keep your head up junior!!
http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/622600
Overall, a very solid sports title that I am sure will be in the front running for sports game of the year.