"NHL 2K9"
Price: $15.99-$49.99
Consoles: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii
Rating: 2 stars
From the beginning it was clear that NHL 2K9 never really had a chance against its competition. 2K Sports has always been in the shadows of EA Sports, and never lived up to its potential, always finishing second best. That holds especially true with the hockey game, NHL 2K9.
When you begin playing there are seven available game modes and 30 available teams including a few international teams, an all-star and historic team. Most of the available game modes are much like you'd see in other sports games. There is an exhibition mode called "Quick Game," as well a franchise, season and practice modes.
Where this game differs from others is that it has a Mini Rink mode which is essentially a 3-on-3 game on a smaller rink. Then there's pond hockey, which simulates a gym class-style hockey game where you draft players to each team one at a time with professional NHL players.
The problem NHL 2K9 seems to have more than anything is it seems so far behind compared to today's sports games in almost every aspect. That becomes particularly apparent once you notice the game pamphlet lists "view the credits" under available features.
Graphics are the biggest issue. The only good thing to be found about them is that the crowd is actually relatively lifelike, unlike the players. They imitate real hockey games by introducing the home team with a big video projected onto the ice. After that, things definitely take a turn for the worst.
Take the loading screen before an exhibition game, for example. While it may ask some interesting trivia questions about the hockey history, it's displayed in a screen that looks like it was taken from a 1980s computer. When compared to today's graphics standards, these are as relevant as a record player. The players are boxy, the screens are jagged and the entire game in general looks like it was modeled using pieces of cardboard cut with a chainsaw.
During gameplay, the flaws go from being small to just downright annoying. In most games, whenever the game is stopped because of a foul or timeout, they usually turn to a video showing the players skating around on the ice or walking around the court almost like you'd see on TV. In this game, however, the creators seem to have this strange idea of what athletes actually do when play is stopped. First they zoom into players so much that you feel crossed-eyed. Then you have to sit and wait for the player to stop looking around, skating aimlessly, puffing his chest and rolling his shoulders, wasting time until play starts again.
After gameplay has resumed, you'll be disappointed to see that the sound effects are time delayed, the puck is nearly invisible and the players move around the ice like stick figures. Most annoyingly, however, is the announcer's commentary, which is about as engaging as playing Paris Hilton in chess. The only thing heard for the entire duration of the game was who had the puck, what team they were on and that's it. Many times players weren't even referred to by their names but by "the defender" or "the attacker."
Fortunately for those looking to buy 2K9, note that 2K10 was released in September. While it costs an incredible $49.99 for the Xbox 360 version, 2K9 has depreciated down to just $15.99. If you like hockey and are looking for a cheap video game to play, save the $35 off a new game and buy 2K9. If graphics, realistic gameplay and general top-notch game design are among your priorities you're definitely better off looking for something else.
jashomar@syr.edu
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