NHL 09 Looks to Hoist Another Cup

The zamboni has nearly finished smoothing the ice on this year’s highly anticipated hockey release, NHL 09. That’s right, it’s nearly hockey season again and 09 takes center ice boasting an impressive slew of new features that will have fans crashing the net in anticipation of a fat rebound. Regarded by many as the best sports game of 2008, NHL 09 bounces back to the hockey faithful with new game modes, exclusive online leagues, tons of new animations and a plethora of new moves. So lace up and get ready, this is a title that promises to be as sharp as Sidney Crosby’s skates.

NHL 09 builds off of last year’s award-winning success. Starting with the structure of a nearly flawless skating engine, 09 adds more depth and realism with improvements on both the offensive and defensive side of the blue line.

Last year’s Skill Stick gave players the ability to precisely control the actions of their skaters stick on offense; allowing them to jump, skip, and deke around defenders with ease. This year’s installment sees that same power given to the defense. EA will introduce a Defensive Skill Stick which will enable gamers to poke pucks, block passing lanes and lift the stick of the opposing team in an effort to get the puck moving their way. Hopefully this will keep a few more hairs on your head as you can finally defend against all those “passes you saw coming.”

That’s not all, though. EA has also improved its checking and fighting physics by adding over 300 new animations to its already potent graphical arsenal. This should bring some more intensity as skaters will stumble to the ice, use an arm to soften their fall or grab a hold of some jersey to settle that slash the ref didn’t see.

Centers and forwards exhale in relief, EA has also added new ways to carve through the ice, avoid defenders and embarrass goalies. The NHL’s most skilled stick handlers will have the ability use one-handed dekes, which will undoubtedly add to the sense of accomplishment on those YouTube-worthy drives to the net. Throw in a new breakout passing scheme which allows players to dump the puck up ice to a streaking forward, and you’re bound to keep the goal lamp lit.

Last, but certainly not least, are the new game modes offered in NHL 09. EA has implemented a new online mode which sees the first six-on-six all human hockey experience. Users will start this mode by creating a player and leveling him at his given position by playing through games. Players will be graded after each game based on their performance; if they play well enough, they will most likely become highly touted members of their created hockey team. Add a similar but more in depth “Be a Pro” mode and NHL 09 looks to be the guaranteed Stanley Cup Champion of the hockey video game world.