NHL 12

It's that time of the year again, when you anxiously await the release of the latest update to your favourite sports title. For non-fans and non-gamers, it must be such a strange spectacle, as they see us scrambling to buy the latest FIFA, NHL, Madden, NBA or even WWE game. I sometimes wonder if our non-gaming partners, siblings or friends notice the subtle differences between the annual titles or whether it all merges into a perpetual display of sporting goodness? Even if they don't, I'd like to think they're still impressed with our virtual athleticism (there's nothing wrong with a little delusion to keep the engine going).

While it's entirely possible to review NHL12 without comparing it to the previous titles, the beauty of the EA Sports' NHL franchise is showcased through its long and illustrious history (that currently spans over 21 games). It wouldn't be idle boasting to state that the NHL games have been the gold standard by which other hockey titles are measured, however, the reputation of the franchise has not always been flawless. If you've ever had the misfortune of playing NHL 05 and NHL 06 you'd be groaning in agreement. Nevertheless, what is ultimately important for a review of an annual title is whether the improvements over the last year is enough to warrant a purchase. In that regard, the question is fairly simple, "If I already own NHL11 should I buy NHL12"

To answer the question, we'll have to turn back the clock somewhat and briefly look at what NHL11 had to offer. Last year's game surprised many and improved greatly on 2009's instalment (NHL10). The "Be a GM" mode made a welcomed return from the previous game, and NHL 11 also introduced the (now almost standard) "Be a Pro" and "Hockey Ultimate Team" modes. Be a GM allows aspirant general managers and armchair coaches to tweak their selected teams to perfection and allows them to test their management skills over the course of a series of NHL seasons. However, the mode was let down by a finicky trading system. Trading has seen some improvement in NHL 12, however, AI-controlled GMs will still give you the run around during negotiations. Nonetheless, the mode retains its complexity and depth, and it's entirely possible to immerse yourself in the management side of NHL 12 alone. Whereas Hockey Ultimate Team reintroduces the zany card collecting game (it doesn't only appeal to those who relish in sports statistics).

Meanwhile in Be a Pro mode, players can now start their careers even earlier than the amateur divisions (unlike in NHL 11) by creating a wet-behind-the-ears 17 year old, who has just entered one of the youth divisions (like the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). The goal is similar to the Be A Pro mode in recent FIFA games, by following the career of a single player-controlled ice hockey player through a number of seasons (and games) and ultimately chronicling their rise through the amateur ranks and (hopefully) to be drafted by one of the better professional teams in the National Hockey League. Thereafter, it's all about the race for the Stanley Cup. It's a lengthy and involving mode and one that could potentially keep you busy for weeks.

In addition to Be a Pro, NHL 12 ships with the new (and much lauded) "Be a Legend" mode, however in reality, it's merely a modified "Be a Pro" mode. Be a Legend allows you to choose an NHL legend (you start off with Jeremy Roenick but can unlock 8 other NHL legends as you play, including the great Wayne Gretzky), and rather than starting in the amateur divisions, your legend finds himself already in the NHL (so there's no need to agonise over an ill-performing character, or wondering whether the only team that will sign you is the Ottawa Senators :P) but apart from some tweaks to feats and player requirements (as determined by the coach and management), the two modes are virtually identical. On the plus side, Be a Legend allows you to unlock some cool videos of the true legends of the sport.

In both the Be a Legend and Be a Pro modes, the AI-controlled players can be problematic in NHL 12, and it becomes easy to gain a loathing for your fellow team-mates, especially when you're in the perfect position to bury the puck in the back of the net, yet they ignore you and try to score with a slap shot from the neutral zone. I suppose selfish players exist even in code form. Another annoyance is that while its fairly easy to stack up on offside warnings or even to be penalised for going offside, the opposing team never seems to commit similar infractions. In those situations, you can't help but feel like the weakest player on the team, or the kid with the thick glasses who's wearing his sister's hockey jersey to PE.

Another major gripe is the fussy camera. This is especially true during faceoffs (after a penalty). While the camera plays ball during a faceoff in the centre circle, the same can't be said for the other faceoff circles and spots. Faceoffs are crucial to the game, and it's especially important to see the exact moment the referee lowers his hand to judge when he releases the puck and when to deke or feint. Due to a hostile camera, it's far too easy to lose possession, and it's especially irritating when your rating in Be a Pro depends on puck turnovers. The camera also becomes your biggest obstacle when you enter a match (coming off the bench), and for a brief few seconds, it can be very disorientating, or if you're really unlucky one of the easiest ways to gain an offside warning.

The controls have been tweaked ever so slightly since NHL 11 - though it's still possible to drive goalies and defenders mad with an effective deke - but the biggest change is undoubtedly the addition of an improved collision detection system (the Full Contact Physics Engine). This means that body checking (and checking in general) has been overhauled. It's now even more rewarding to put one of the wings (or even a burly defender) through a glass wall or to slam them against the railing. Goalies aren't immune to punishment either, and while it may deliver a few cheap goals or a quick trip to the sin bin, it's now possible to pummel them as well. This is after all ice hockey and not your grandmother's bingo night. You're probably wondering, "but what about fighting?" NHL 12 allows you to put your money where your mouth is, and the boxing mini-game makes a return, and thankfully they haven't imported the control mechanics from EA Sports MMA, although I was hoping to suplex someone through a glass wall. Maybe one day EA will bring back the EA Big brand and introduce a zany ice hockey game that doubles as a pro-wrestling or MMA game. On second thought, let's rather shelf that silly idea, before all my credibility vanishes before my eyes.

Now would probably be a good time to mention that NHL 12 includes seven professional international leagues (and their teams), from the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) to the Canadian Hockey League which includes Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. National teams are also included in the game, but owing to some licensing restrictions, official jerseys are not included, nor are the international tournaments (sadly the South African ice hockey team is not in the game). The addition of so many leagues and teams means that there are a staggering amount of ice hockey players, but I still can't help but bring up the issue of player likenesses, or should I say the lack there off. It's a minor issue, but where player likenesses is relatively well-handled in the FIFA games -(most of the major stars in the football game have their likenesses fairly accurately depicted), the same can't be said for the NHL games. At the very least, I wish some of the current NHL stars would have accurate likenesses instead of generic ugly face number 3. Granted of course, you can play as a female hockey player or... you could just use a coloured visor on your hockey helmet.

Graphically, NHL 12 hasn't received any noticeable upgrades, but much like in NHL 11, it captures the sounds and feel of an authentic ice hockey game. The stadiums are packed with cheering fans, and if you're lucky to decimate the home-town team, the crowd will reward you with a meaty "Boo" taunt . One of NHL 12's newest additions, the Winter Classic, showcases this perfectly. A converted Heinz Field (in Pennsylvania) is accurately depicted, and since the spectacle occurred as an outdoor event, a match during the 2011 Winter Classic becomes even more magical, as snow flakes dance in front of your eyes. It's absolutely amazing and with no frame rate problems, the effect is mesmerising.

Most likely, fans of ice hockey would have bought NHL 12 by now, but for those on the fence, I'll return to my original question: if you already own NHL 11, should you buy NHL 12? The simple answer is: probably not. However, if this is your first NHL game and you'd like to see what the fuss is all about (and wouldn't mind learning the controls of a new game or the rules to a new sport) then NHL 12 is a must-have sports title. The sheer depth of the modes will have you salivating, and the new collision system delivers all the thrills. NHL 12 is a solid - if not terribly exciting - inclusion to the franchise, that still manages to deliver the most authentic NHL experience around.

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