NHL 2K3

Xbox review by Chris Lamanna - Wednesday 23rd April 2003

Hockey is a sport of course founded in Canada, but over time, hockey has become a global sport. Players all around the world enjoy this blood-thirsty work of art on ice. What's even better, is playing online. Don't worry about that damn AI anymore. There is no need for it in this year's Sega Sports hockey title!



Of course, when you first pop the game in and load it up, you notice the ESPN style menus. There is a flash back of a similar game last year. You may recall the title ESPN Hockey Night. Cruddy graphics, horrible sound; it was a game destined for hockey hell. Well, with Sega Sports and Visual Concepts on your side, there is not much room for error.

The graphics of this game may seem a little blah to any EA Sport fanatics. Well, you are right. The menus are better than NFL and NBA 2K3, but there is still room for improvement. You really don't give the graphics much thought when you get into the game. This is mainly because the default camera angle zooms out a lot! If you want to experience the beauty of this game, then fool around with the camera angles and the zoom. I'm not sure why Sega Sports would want to hide these graphics. They are solid and completely adequate. There are many times where the graphics are very sketchy.



If you will ever remember one hockey game for its gameplay, this is definitely it! The gameplay is absolutely superb. The players accurately and quickly react to what buttons you hit on your controller. It gives you a great feel to the game. The checking and fighting aspect becomes very amusing when vibration is turned on. The puck moves swiftly and fluidly. The goalie's realism is outstanding. You will see beautiful saves come to life. And there is no BS! No goalies doing five foot dives to make a save, it's unbelievable!



There are a wide variety of control settings. You choose your style, if you want to control your goalie, manually direct your shots, you name it! This game is very easy to pick up and play. If you want to rent this game and get the feel, you will be amazed how quick you get into the action. It will be impossible to put down for one second!



Of course, in any game, there is a downfall. In NHL 2K3, it's the sound. The in-game audio is great, nothing corny. But the announcers and music is enough to drive you crazy! They are so repetitive and lame, a five year old could put together a better soundtrack. I think there are about three in-game songs, and that's it. And the announcers, god, just mute them out! Let's hope for an improvement in next year's game.

NHL 2K3 has a very long lifespan. There are many different modes that can keep you occupied. You can play quick games, a season, or go straight to the playoffs for some intense action. The franchise option is great, and can get you in the managers seat for as many as 10+ seasons! I was disappointed though, to see this game lacking the franchise excitement included in NFL and NBA 2K3. You can play in a tournament, as either NHL, or International teams.



NHL 2K3 would be nothing without LIVE play! Oh baby, LIVE play is the backbone of this game. I'd feel naked without it! If you have LIVE, it's a must buy for the hockey fan. Even if you don't have LIVE, or are a hockey fan, you will find it enjoyable.

Thunderbolt score: nine out of ten

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