NHL 12 Review

Graphically NHL 12 looks similar to the previous game.  That’s not a bad thing, as it does look really spectacular.  The players have speed and weight to them, making the checks with a good amount of bravado.  As players skate over the ice during the period, more tracks are visible on the ice.  Plenty of uniforms are selectable, from the current home and away to throwback uniforms of previous eras.  The entire game gives a feel like an NHL broadcast.  Between the intermissions they give pros and cons of the performance so far.  During the replays occasional stuttering breaks the immersion though.

The announcing team of Gary Thorne and Bill Clemente return.  Their banter usually adds nicely to the presentation.  Sometimes when there isn’t much action, the commentary is a bit sparse.  When there is a lot of action on the screen, sometimes the commentary takes a bit to catch up.  These are the exceptions though, and not the rule.  It flows nicely without feeling like the commentators don’t know what they are talking about.

Where the action really matters is on the ice and that has been improved.  The significant improvements are with the goalie.  While goalies were restricted in their movements in previous games, they are free to roam around now.  This means that goalies can fight against each other.  The net will break off of its post holes and cause the action to stop.  Overall he feels more alive and involved in the game.

The developers say that they have worked on the AI, and it is noticeable.  During power plays the team with a man down will shoot the puck to the other end of the rink to keep it away from the net and force the other team to take more time and energy to get the puck back.  Players invade passing lanes to try to steal the puck away.  Players will get slammed against the boards and stay there until the puck is sent away.  In previous versions you could just put speed skaters on the line and use their quickness to attack the net.  That speed can still work, but if you can work the tempo and grind away, you can find success too.

The AI isn’t perfect though.  Sometimes the AI players would get stuck in the boards on the sides.  It sometimes could have been because of line changes, but there were times when someone was just hanging out to side of the action until eventually breaking out of their trance and rejoining the action.  The other AI anomoly I had was when I was taking the puck around the back of the net and an opposing player would stay next to the net but not try to get the puck away from me.  It was another instance where the AI just seemed to stop working for several seconds.

I played this on both the Xbox 360 and PS3.  Both versions played identically with no graphical differences.  I would recommend you get the version for the console that you prefer the controller for, and the online play system you use more.

While this is becoming more common, it bears worth repeating.  NHL 12 has an Online Pass code.  If you are planning to play online, you’ll need to purchase a new copy or by a new code.  You’ll also want to make sure that the multiplayer servers are still up when you plan on playing online.

NHL 12 is one of the best sports simulations available that is accessible by both hardcore simulation buffs and casual fans.  While the improvements are subtle, they are definitely worth the price of admission, especially if you haven’t picked up a copy for a few years.  If you love hockey, you’ll feel the same way about this game.  If you are a sports fan but haven’t found out what the hubbub is about, then take a look at NHL 12.  It just might make you a fan.