In hockey, if you've got all your original teeth, you're probably not doing your job. It's a physical sport, where bodies bang as players fight not only for the puck, but for position, too. EA's NHL series has never properly represented the physical struggle that takes place on the ice... but that changes in NHL 12.
Size matters now, as a lithe winger is going to have a tough time standing his ground against bigger, heavier defensemen. The battle in front of the net is a legitimate tussle as bodies interact realistically to give every game a feeling of authenticity.
Taking advantage of the game's physics is key to winning. The A.I. is smart, anticipating where the puck is heading and intercepting passes or otherwise clamping down on defense. Scoring in real hockey is tough, and it's the same in NHL 12. This game's not for the light-hearted: you have to grind, scratch, and scrape for every goal.
All the expected modes are back, including franchise, Be A Pro, Ultimate Team, and online play. Each has some small improvements that make the experience a little better, but nothing exceptionally new or innovative. The most notable change is to Be A Pro, which adds a new feature that allows you to play as one of nine legendary heroes of the ice (Bourque, Gretzky, Chelios) and compete against modern players.
NHL 12 is an improvement over last year's game, but hardly a revolutionary title. It's the best hockey game on Xbox 360 - though, of course, it's also the only hockey game on 360.
+ Improved physics engine makes every hit matter.
+ Plenty of good modes means you get your money's worth
- No game-changing enhancements that redefine Xbox 360 hockey.
? Does Jeremy Roenick really deserve to be on the same Legend roster as Wayne Gretzky?
