NHL 2002 ( PC )

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * * )

Ice hockey is almost a religion in the frozen wastes of America and Europe. The rest of us have just a passing acquaintance with the game, courtesy of recent movies like Mystery, Alaska or Mighty Ducks.

NHL 2002 took me back a lot further — 25 years — to the outrageously funny Slap Shot in which Paul Newman manages a team of losers until he signs the psychotic Hanson brothers who literally smash any opposition to pieces.
Like that movie, NHL 2002 is a blend of exciting action and humour, mainly thanks to the commentary of controversial hockey commentator Don Taylor. His off-the-wall, and sometimes downright rude, one-liners make him someone who real hockey fans love or hate.

NHL 2002 falls in between an authentic simulation and a game. There are all the bells and whistles for the diehard fan, such as full teams, uniforms, rosters, transfers and even trading cards. On the other hand, the WWF nature of ice hockey is catered for with incredibly big hits, power-up supershots and over-the-top goal celebrations.

The game itself isn't that much different to NHL 2001. The graphics are sharper, though, and EA say the artificial intelligence has been enhanced. The company is particularly proud of what it terms "adaptive goalies" — ones who learn your moves over time.

As if the computer wasn't hard enough to beat already!
Thankfully most options can be scaled down using slide bars, making the game almost arcade-like in its simplicity.

Another new feature is enhanced camera angles. One hones in on an attacking player and fades out all sound except for his thumping heart as he hones in on goal.

When he scores, the gameplay stops and you get a quickfire replay from three different angles.
Another neat feature are pop-up flashbacks, which remind you of key elements of the game, such as a player who's on a hattrick.

EA Sports

* peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz