» NHL 09

NHL 09 Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: PS2 BEWARE...NOT FOR ONLINE PLAY
Comment: I don't know much about this game, I purchased it for my husband. What I do know about it is that you CANNOT PLAY ONLINE. The image that not just Amazon, but all retailers have for the game is incorrect. It blatantly shows the online sticker and states in the description that it can be played online. But after many phone calls to Amazon about sending us the wrong item (ours does not have the online sticker or online capabilities within the game)and receiving what Amazon believes to be a newer copy of the game, I frustratingly called EA Sports directly. Their representative informed me that the NHL 09 for PS2 is NOT MADE FOR ONLINE GAMING...only the PS3 and Xbox versions are. It is a misrepresentation of the item they are selling. If you or your husbands are an avid online gamer, please beware before you purchase this item.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: NHL2009, not the greatest hockey game
Comment: I bought this game hoping they had fixed previous flaws. I was disappointed to find out that EA Sports had only repackaged a lame version of their earlier games. I have faithfully bought every version since EA sports began making hockey games. NHL 09 is so slow, it puts me to sleep. Hockey is a rough game, but don't expect to see that realism instilled in this version. A player hit point blank with a slap shot or hit with a crushing hip check should get hurt and be out of the game; it doesn't happen like that, if someone is hurt, there is no hoopla. A huge flaw that has plagued the last 3 years continues; as you, the player, pass the puck, you have no idea if it is going to come right back or get sent to another unintended player; no hockey realism there. The games are too high scoring, especially when playing with a friend, but I bet Gary Bettman had something to do with that.
Pay close attention to where your goalie is; on many occasions and for no apparent reason, the goalie suddenly leaves the net. I lost a very close game because my goalie decided to leave the game or wander around because he was bored. Maybe he thought a delayed penalty was being called. Penalties do happen, and often are not shown on screen, maybe the goalie is confused, also. Speaking of the goalie, at one time EA Sports included injuries to the goalie; this led to realistic changes to the game, as you had to play the back up goalie, again this never happens. You won't even be called for goalie interference, so bang away, sometimes the puck will go in the net. I think most people know what boarding and charging are, don't worry, they won't call you for that, either. AI is still very challenged, my biggest complaint is the numerous off sides that will happen. Any NHL player will drag his foot on the line or try to get out of the zone to avoid an off sides call. This game gets frustrating so expect to have numerous off side calls. There is a visual and a verbal on ice warning, but the visual overlay is so small you seldom see it.
I was told this was the last version to be made for PS2, too bad, because not everyone can afford PS3; plus I am afraid the PS3 version is lame, too.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An Upgrade To Last Season, But Not Entirely A New Game
Comment: EA Sports NHL 09 is a solid game; much like last year's effort. Some improvements were made, and some added programming actually makes this game a purchase if you enjoyed last season's NHL 08.

Some of the new things in NHL 09 include better goalies (somewhat; still let in that soft goal more than wanted), a few new skating and checking animations, Create/Be a Pro mode, and the ability to play in numerous leagues (Russian, AHL, etc.). The Create a Pro mode is a neat idea, but not really all too great. It's interesting to create or be a current player and take them to stardom, but the reality is that this mode is really playing with the position lock (stuck in 3rd person perspective camera view) while following the development of one player. I enjoyed this mode of play except for a few bugs. First, no matter what player you have (that doesn't fight) control of, if you choose to drop the gloves, a fight will ensue with the player you control--it doesn't matter if you control a goal scorer and the enforcer is on the other wing; your goal scorer get in the scrap. A second bug in the game is with your AI teammates--they regularly skate right in front of you and get in your way as if you are the puck itself. Thirdly, the 3rd person perspective camera can sometimes be a problem as the action can tend to happen off camera if you fall behind. Other than that, this game play mode is fairly fun to play.

Dynasty mode is the same as last season. The major problem I have with the Dynasty mode is that you need to upgrade things like coaches, facilities, legal personnel, etc. I find this to be a little tedious as it makes your players worse more often than better. It's realistic, but I'd rather concentrate on drafting, signing contracts, and trading players. I have yet to discover a way to eliminate this micromanagement other than playing in the single season mode. However, in the single season mode you don't have to deal with the salary cap which can make lopsided teams, but teams and players play more to their attributes. In both modes here there are a few bugs as well. When trying to get in a scrap, the only players that fight are your defensemen; regardless if they have ever fought in their entire career. Additionally, your teammates tend to not find pucks and go off-sides far too often. In all modes, opponent AI tends to grab the puck in their offensive zone and skate to the middle of the circles, just stop there, and do nothing. Defensive strategies are a waste as even if you have your players in conservative play, they constantly get caught and trapped in the offensive zone leading to odd-man rushes and breakaways against you.

All advertisements for NHL 09 by EA Sports were for the PS3 and Xbox 360. In the PS2 version, certain things like the Create a Pro mode starts you in the NHL, not the AHL; as advertised. There is no stick lift option on the PS2 version, either (the closest you get to it is to hold the poke modifier and press the hook button). Lastly, there are no new fighting animations in the PS2 version as well.

I am not saying that this is a bad game, by any means. It is good hockey game. Rosters are pretty updated, but some players are found on your parent club's AHL roster (odd?). If you play it like how you see it, then you get a good hockey sim from goals scored, shots for/against, goalie GAA and save % (you will need to turn all but the defensive game play sliders all the way down--these are for player boosts only). However, if you constantly take players out of position to make big hits and have the game play sliders all the way up, then you will experience an arcade-like hockey game. NHL 09 vets will enjoy the complex controls, while those new to the series (or those who haven't played an EA Sports NHL games since the Sega Genesis days) can use the two-button controls (but you don't get most of the offensive/defensive moves).

Again, if you liked last season's game, then you will like NHL 09. The Create a Pro mode is worth checking out, but don't expect too much from it. It is an upgrade to last year's NHL 08, but it's not really a new title.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: NHL 09
Comment: THE PERSON WHO MADE THIS GAME WAS CERTAINLY A PENGUINS FAN. I PLAYED AGAINST MY FRIEND AS THE BLACKHAWKS,LAST YEARS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALISTS THE FLYERS, AND THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPION RED WINGS AND COULDN'T WIN. THEY MADE CROSBY ALMOST SUPER HUMAN. THE ONLY TIME I COULD WIN AGAINST THE PENGUINS WAS WHEN I USED THE PENGUINS AGAINST THEM. EXTREMLEY FUN GAME EVEN AFTER CAUSING ME TO THROW AND BREAK TWO WIRELESS CONTROLLERS.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: There is an easy 2 button only controller instructions.
Comment: Great game for the beginner to the expert. You can jump right in a play with only 2 buttons instead of taking a lot of time figuring out and studying what button does what.

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