'NHL 11' Review -- We Are The Champions, Again

September is here again and you know what that means, right? Hockey fans get their yearly video gaming fix from Electronic Arts with the latest installment in the venerable series, "NHL '11." With each new entry that comes out, the question inevitably gets asked: is this just a roster update or did EA somehow figure out a way to put more meat on these already hefty bones? It's easy to answer this year: without question, more meat. Read on for the breakdown.

The Basics
There's not much to say here, really. EA's "NHL" series has long been and continues to be the premiere hockey simulation on the video game market. All of your favorite modes are back, including the RPG-like Be A Pro and last year's similar, front office-focused newcomer Be A GM modes. You basic "sit down and play" and franchise options are back as well, naturally. In addition to a handful of new, relatively minor features, there's one serious all-star taking the ice this season that amps what you get on the disc up to "Orange Box" levels of content: the insanely addictive playing card-based Ultimate Hockey League.

The Highs

UHL FTW
Ultimate Hockey League is a concept carried over from "Madden" and "FIFA" before it. Basically, you build a team by assembling a collection of trading cards. All players get a starter pack, with additional packs available through the game's story which you can purchase using either cold, hard cash or "Pucks" earned through UHL play. The experience is definitely weighted in such a way that starter players can skip a lot of early grinding by straight-out purchasing a top-level pack or two. The team, which can be further tricked out with head coach cards, training cards and contract extension cards, grows by participating in online and offline games and tournaments. Once "NHL '11" is properly released, EA will be overseeing month-long seasons with players divided by their skill levels. It's impossible at this point to judge how that will work, but even in its offline iteration, the process of playing your team and tricking them out with earned cards is insanely addictive.

Physics-Based Play
On-ice animations are no longer stock. Instead, play is governed by a proper physics system (and it's about time). This results in on-ice happenings that you could conceivably never see again. It's a little wonky at times, if only because the action happens from far enough away that it's not always easy to tell how or where you're handling the puck. Overall however, it is a refreshing new addition to the series.

Everything Else, Including The Kitchen Sink
There are a handful of other minor new features -- broken sticks, revamped faceoffs, tweaked passing controls -- but really, the strength of the series has long been and continues to be the wealth of options available. UHL is just another addition to an already robust offering that can please any hockey fan, from the casual party gamer to the hardcore statisticians.

The Lows

Stupid Is As Stupid Does
While the AI is generally competent, there are a noticeable number of downright questionable moments. Opposing teams have an annoying habit of dumping the puck against the back boards, even when there are clearly open teammates. More than once as I played, the puck would land behind the goalie and just sit there; the goaltender wouldn't react, the players would skate around aimlessly and only after a few precious seconds had burned off the clock would the play be called. The fact that the AI is mostly competent only makes these off moments stand out even more.

Bill Clement And Gary Thorne
Nothing against these guys personally, but someone REALLY needs to write a bigger script for their on-ice commentating. It becomes especially apparent during UHL games when there are no (or few) "star" NHL players for them to pull out anecdotes about. But the commentating frequently doesn't fit what's happening on the ice, seemingly moreso than it has even in past years. It's a minor thing all told, but perhaps "NHL '12" should give the commentator system a much-needed overhaul.

EA Trax
EA: If you're going to give your game a soundtrack, please include more music than could fit on a single CD. While players can use their own music, the pre-loaded soundtrack for "NHL '11" becomes repetitive very quickly.

The Verdict
Any complaints are ultimately minor. This is the premiere NHL video game experience. EA did it again. It doesn't hurt that they have no real Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 competition this year, but even if they did, "NHL '11" likely would have blown it out of the water. With EAUHL joining an already robust offering of modes, even nitpickers like myself will find very little to complain about.

Tags NHL 11