One aspect that Visual Concepts sought to improve is its accessibility. This series hit its apex of controller complexity last year and it’s clear the plan was to simplify things with this edition. There’s essentially two control schemes now: a fairly straightforward Classic setup (the default) and the Pro-Stick Evolution setup which focuses on using the 360’s right analog stick to control your hockey stick (shooting and swiping the puck, primarily). Both modes are simple to use, but if you want the best of both worlds there’s a third setup, Hybrid, that combines these two options. Overall, mission accomplished. However, there is one area of the game that remains frustratingly complex is the deke system used for both Hybrid and Pro-Stick Evolution configurations. (Using Classic controls there’s just a deke button that handles these moved for you.) In these modes you have to both hold down the controller’s left bumper and push the left and right analog sticks in specific directions to initiate unique moves. Granted, there’s a lot of power for the user who can master this feat of dexterous heroism, but for the rest of us, this ridiculously complex system restricts us to using the Classic mode, which disables the right stick for shooting and defensive stick work.

As for the presentation, it’s top notch. The commentary, which is newly recorded with the San Jose Sharks tandem of Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda, is largely forgettable, which is actually something of a compliment. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t stand out in any meaningful way. What does stand out is just how into the game the crowd is. Its ebb and flow matches the on-ice action perfectly and can really amp up the excitement of a 2-on-1 breakaway or a series of fantastic saves from your goaltender. The pre-game presentation, which has small touches that are unique to each team’s home ice, also does a marvelous job of setting the tone for the home team. Graphically, everything looks good as long as you don’t look too close. The ice and ice reflections are gorgeous. The player models and their seemingly infinite number of context-appropriate animations are all fantastic. The only real weak point, if you care about such things, is the faces of the players, which can be outright hideous.

Statistically, the game produces its best stats when the games are set to periods of about seven minutes. I found that shot totals with this clock duration were consistently in the 20-40 range for both human and AI players. Goalies, likewise, put up believable save percentages, resulting in games where you can expect teams to combine for between four and ten goals. The only stats that appear prone to inflation are pass percentage (which is usually in the 85% success range), and human hits. The latter, of course, depends on how much you overuse the check button.

In terms of the online game, all the praises and criticisms I’ve already outlined apply. What really sets the online play apart, however, is the ability to put 12 players together for some unbelievably fun 6-on-6 action. While playing as the goalie really isn’t much fun, everything else about putting a different human player at center, wing or defense is utterly fantastic. It also really drives home the importance of learning where you should be on the ice. A team loaded with disciplined positional players can easily outclass a team of players that can’t keep themselves from all gravitating towards the puck regardless of where they are on the ice.

Off the ice you can choose from the usual array of game modes: quick exhibition games, single season play and franchise play in which you manage a team from season-to-season. (There is no playoff only mode, which seems an oversight.) Over the course of a five season sim, statistically, the game produced adequate results, though many stat totals were low. Goal, assist and penalty minute totals, for example, were all significantly under the actual NHL numbers from the 2007-2008 season. Ultimately, though, the numbers are close enough to the ballpark that they’re not worth fussing over. Nevertheless, franchise mode has taken a significant step back this year. Some minor features found in past editions, like team chemistry and scouting reports are MIA. Every season schedule is exactly the same, year after year. These problems may not be a big issue for many players, but for some, they’ll surely be a point of frustration. What will kill this mode for franchise players, however, is that the Free Agent feature is flat out broken. Season after season all-star caliber players go unsigned, resulting in a free agent list at the start of the season that looks like an all-star team. We see this sort of thing in nearly every console sports game, year after year, and it’s just flat out unacceptable.

What we have with NHL 2k9 is a top shelf hockey game that still needs some tweaking to perfect the on-ice experience. That said, the impact on the authenticity of the game of having such unparalleled realism in the realm of puck physics cannot be overstated. It’s too bad the off-ice experience, unless it’s patched, is a bit more of a mixed bag because the free agent problem in franchise mode is an absolute killer. Is it a better hockey game than NHL 09? That’ll depend a lot on how you like to play. While both games have their perks, I think EA offers a game that is a bit more fun to play because the controls and the overall feel of that game are just superior enough to make it a more compelling buy. There’s no question, though, that you can’t really go wrong with NHL 2k9, especially if you’re a dedicated fan of the sport.

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