Score
Gameplay:	7
Graphics:	6
Sound:	6
FunFactor:	7
PlasmaFactor:	6
Overall:	6.4

NHL 2k9 Review
September 30, 2008 by Jereme Puik

2k Sports’ latest entry in the NHL series, saw development handed over from Kash Games to Visual Concepts. This year’s version, however, doesn’t quite give it its all. With EA Sports taking over the hockey spectrum with the continually evolving skill stick, 2k Sports seems to be falling a bit behind on the ladder. I can tell you right now that there really isn’t much to hold NHL 2k9 together and is about as standard as you can get with a hockey game. There are only a few things that would be considered new and inviting to the series, but outside of that, not even the Zamboni mini-game can save this game from taking its 2 minutes to the Sin Bin.

NHL 2k9: 2 Minutes for Uninspired Gameplay

I would think that by now, 2k Sports would have had a winning formula in its hockey franchise just like it had found in its NBA and MLB series. Here, however, it seems like they are still trying to gain ground and catch up to Electronic Arts. When EA Sports introduced the skill stick, this is where I think 2k Sports became a little flustered in development and trying to gain its ground again. You can choose to go through the classic or new face-button style that seems to mimic, in some ways, the skill stick. What you have here, though, is a bit of a mess in terms of gameplay design. Whoever thought it was a good idea to use the right analog stick and a face-button for faceoffs, needs to seriously rethink gameplay physics 101. It shouldn’t be that hard to try and win a faceoff.

The AI programming is another matter altogether. The AI teams feel like you’re playing against each team AHL affiliate down in the minors. I could take a wrister (wrist shot) from the blue line and score almost every time, give or take, but when I take a slapshot at point blank range, the goalie stops it easily. Where’s the consistency in that? It doesn’t help that the overall defense of the team you’re playing against is flat and soft either. When it gets the chance, it’ll take you to the boards or you’ll end up with a penalty and be forced to the penalty box or sin bin as I like to call it.

2k Sports likes to add in its newest mini-game to try to keep you enticed in the hockey experience with the Zamboni mini-game. You are given 3 minutes to travel across the ice and clean as much of it as possible under the time limit. In my time spent with it, it was an even worse experience then the actual hockey game I was playing. It was realistic in the sense that the Zamboni was flying all over the ice and thus why you couldn’t really keep control of it for very long. I would have to say that I was expecting a bit more from this intermission. There is an option to skip the mini-game if you feel the need too.

There are other modes other than quick play to keep you busy. You have the standard season and franchise modes to follow your favorite team through the regular season and into the playoffs. Stanley Cup celebrations are user controlled and while this is fun for the most part, players still don’t look quite realistic.

Aside from that though, the online is pretty average aside from a few differences from EA’s realm. There is a mode that is similar to 6 vs. 6 online in NHL 09 called Team-Up. Team Up basically consists of picking your position and form a team with up to 6 consoles online. The final highlight is the Reel Maker, which allows players to generate highlights through their played games and shootouts…etc.

Graphics

I mentioned this a bit earlier the overall feel of NHL 2k9 isn’t exactly friendly. Every time my team stepped out on the ice, I wanted to turn my head away in embarrassment as to how bad the player designs looked. They are about as flat as you can get and look pretty uninspired in the process. The overall presentation of the games is a nice touch but feels as if we’re in some dark void considering the echo you get from the fans through team oriented cheers. There is a lot to look back on in NHL 2k9 and improve for next year. However, I will cut Visual Concepts some slack considering this is their first shot into the 2k series. But, there shouldn’t really be an excuse for the lack of detail given to player celebrations and team celebrations. At least make it authentic, no?

Sound

The echo doesn’t really help the fact that you feel like you’re playing in a dark void. The sound on the ice does differ slightly in than what you’ll hear at a hockey game. But, does the bang of the puck against the boards really need to be louder than the fans cheering in the game? The fans only seem to react to the shots on the ice and give an occasional cheer here and there, which is fine for most games. But, as the game progresses, I would think that the noise picks up with the momentum of the team. This is my one beef along with the graphics side of things, the sound needs to be toned down and balanced so that it doesn’t sound as awkward as it does.

Plasma Factor

For NHL 2k9, there might not even be a Plasma Factor that can save the title. Sure, I’ll mention the Zamboni mini-game as a plus, but even that loses its credibility once you hit the ice with the clean machine. The online modes are where I’m concentrating. There’s a bit more to do here than NHL 09 and that is with weekly match ups and tournaments against players currently online. Of course, make sure you get your skills up to speed before heading online or you will find yourself constantly losing.

Conclusion

I congratulate Visual Concepts for taking on the bold, NHL 2k series. With this first entry, I wouldn’t say it’s entirely bad, but it’s bad. The control scheme needs to be reworked to make it easy to pick up and play despite what the description on the box says. It’s hard to decide what kind of score to give this entry. It’s lacking offline modes and has uninspired player reactions and graphics. You’re mostly looking at a rental here and something you won’t really send much time with in the long run. I’d even suggest getting it from your Gamefly queue if you can. Either way, don't spend your money.