EA Canada again delivers a thoroughly enjoyable hockey sim for longtime fans, and newbies alike, despite small changes.
In years past we've seen dozens of new additions and advancements to the gameplay of the NHL series. In NHL 13, the additions are small, but noticeable on the ice. With the all-new True Performance Skating, players skate and play more realisticly than ever. Using your top-end speed to blow by a defenseman, or watching your defenseman make a smooth transition and pass out of his end-zone is as satisfying as watching the real thing. In addition to the new skating, EA also gave the A.I. a whole new IQ. The NPCs in NHL 13 are as smart as ever. Knowing that the rest of your team is back checking or clogging up the passing lanes is key to let you focus on your play. Also the all-new Presentation Overhaul is another addition. This new feature gives a more authentic feel on the ice, whether that would be more realistic lighting, arena atmosphere, etc.
It is at this point when I look back at the gameplay changes made and say to myself "isn't it time to take this to the next level"? As mentioned, the beloved NHL series a seen a slew of changes over the years, but it's time to once again make truely dramatic changes. The creation zone was a fantastic addition years ago, but the options on player and team customization have repeated for too long, and have become stale and boring. The time has come to overhaul the creation zone and create a much deeper customizable experience that will have us watching in awe at all of the many creation options in front of us. The creation zone however is just the begining. While the on-ice experience remains top-notch, it could be even better. There are several aspects of hockey and the NHL that are still missing from the game. Players getting tossed out of the face-off circle, a four man referee system (having one referee on the ice just isn't enogh anymore in an effort to be authentic), having the actual coaching staff for teams on the bench instead of just one generic coach, and a new fighting system to name a few. Seriously, when's the last time you saw everyone leave the ice and their benches when a fight broke out. And last but not least, even with the Presentation Overhaul, it's still not enough. It is time to really overhaul the presentation by making every arena authentic to its real-life counterpart instead of having every stadium look the same besides the home teams logo and stadium name on the ice. EA should take a hint from the MLB: The Show series, which has all 30 MLB stadiums exactly like its real-life counter part. A new feature like this would be dramatic in the NHL series, and one that needs to happen whether or in the current generation of consoles or the next generation.
Getting back to the actual game, NHL 13 has a slew of game modes to offer its players like every year. The most notable addition is the GM Connected mode, which for the first time allows multiple users to compete in their own league. It's like playing Be A GM, but as many as all of the other 29 teams are user controlled as well. The smart scheduling system attached with the mode allows you to play what games you want to play whenever you want. GM Connected is a game mode long asked for by the fans and it delivers well in its debut. Along with GM Connected, other modes such as Hockey Ultimate Team, Be a Pro, and more return to fill out the depth. Hockey Ultimate team continues to be a thoroughly rewarding and fun game mode, that can keep players playing for a long time. Online play and multiplayer are as good as ever with EA Sports Hockey League still the premire choice of competitve online play. As teams continue to compete in leagues everywhere, Hockey League is still at the top of its game.
Despite the new yearly feautures being not as satisfactory as they used to be, and the game in a needed state of true inovation like the games before it, NHL 13 still hold up to be a wildly fun, competitive, realistic, and rewarding experience. The gameplay is still the franchises greatest strength, and the new features and game modes hold up to be enough to earn $60 for another year of great hockey action.