News Post

Five Modes to Improve the EA NHL Series

04:31 PM - November 17, 2008 by RaychelSnr

If you’re a fan of EA's NHL series, then you have had a lot to smile about. Recently, EA released patches that improve some major flaws in the game; the patches served as a wrench that tightened up some bolts on an already solid ship. Still, even with the addition of modes such as Be a Pro, you have to wonder sometimes what else could have been put in to make this game the greatest of all time. So here are five modes that will put this franchise over the top and send hockey fans into perpetual bliss every fall.

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Game: NHL 09Reader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PC / PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 47 - View All

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# 1 jkra0512 @ 11/17/08 07:00 PM

Mr. Williams I agree with your article here. Before last year's edition of hockey from EA the series sucked. It had been going downhill for awhile. Gameplay just wasn't fun and there was really no reason to buy it unless you wanted the updated rosters.

I think EA focusing on AI and overall gameplay and nixing many features and mode really helped turn this series around and make it the better of the two. We have gotten the Stick Skill now, which is probably the single greatest feature this company has come up with.

You are right, for $60 we should be able to have more control over what gets included in the game. One big feature they should have included with ALL EA Sports games this year is the Online Franchise/Dynasty. That should have been a feature unveiled throughout the whole library of games this year. Sadly some are better than other (NCAA compared to Madden).

I like this article and I hope to see ALL these features in a hockey game in the near future!

# 2 Roscosuper II @ 11/17/08 09:28 PM

I would like to see a "mode" geared towards simulation. That is, a sim level/franchise mode with as much "attention to detail" as possible. I think the game should be released with 2 discs. One dedicated to the EASHL and one dedicated to franchise sim mode. I'd like to see the franchise mode based on 10 min periods, with proper stats and game clock and all the goodies like accurate stadiums and the such. And I'd like to go through the whole itinerary of a hockey game - pre game warm ups, cut the ice, intro, player intros, national anthem, game etc. And all this with multi user.

Yeah, there should definitely be a playoff mode. Enough said.

Winter classic could be part of the franchise mode, and you could have past stadiums as options.

I would trade a classics mode in for a really good practice mode.

# 3 Flyermania @ 11/17/08 10:14 PM

Good article...I feel that single season mode is also a must-have, and having full roster control for all teams (to keep rosters current during the course of a season) would also be a big plus.

# 4 bofa @ 11/17/08 10:29 PM

To expand on the Skills Competition Mode request. This should also be used when creating your Be A Pro. Giving us a little more control over the development of our BAP to start our career. Player Type gives you a baseline stat, and how well you preform in the Skills Competition improves ( or decreases ) those stats....

# 5 RaychelSnr @ 11/17/08 10:32 PM

Great list BDub.....completely agree with just about everything you said here.

# 6 statum71 @ 11/17/08 10:37 PM

Good ideas.

But don't forget multi-player seasons.

# 7 ofdman @ 11/17/08 11:16 PM

kicks and giggles? Did he really just say that?

# 8 bigwill33 @ 11/18/08 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ofdman


	kicks and giggles? Did he really just say that?

Ha, I figured my hands were kind of tied on that wording.

# 9 StatMan79 @ 11/18/08 08:57 AM

I'm hoping that the addition of the Canadiens 100th Anniversary team is a precursor to the future for this game in regards to Classic Teams. Getting loads more classic teams with the full graces of those players would be a huge coup and really put the game a notch above the 2K series where you need/needed to edit those rosters to make them true to reality. It's amazing to see the Habs team in full form and helmetless.

# 10 shanev @ 11/18/08 08:21 PM

This is mentioned somewhere else, but I think a 'recreation league' type feature would be brilliant. Create teams or load current ones, pick a league size and how many games you want to play, and go at it. I think that would be pretty sweet

# 11 Stroehms @ 11/19/08 02:11 AM

I would like them to have a deep franchise mode along with these

# 12 ronnyballgame @ 11/19/08 01:09 PM

I agree, I used to be a hardcore 2K guy for hockey, but in the last 2 years, my eyes have been opened and I am playing a game that I cannot get enough of. Last year was awesome, but this year, is easily the best hockey game ever made. It feels like hockey, I know, it isn't perfect, but I love everything about it, and do not ever want to turn it off. I reccomend if you have an ounce of interest or love for hockey get the game. But I agree, there is some offline things that need to be worked on in the franchise, but this game is better and better and moving in the right direction.

# 13 Donovan @ 11/20/08 03:12 AM

These all sound fine and great, but just deepening franchise mode and giving it more long term depth would make the NHL series better imo.

# 14 polish @ 11/20/08 01:05 PM

One thing I have never understood is this. Why do they no longer tally your total points in-game anymore. It seems like a very simple thing to do, yet the last time I remember it being in the EA series was when I still played it on SNES. It's a very small thing I know, but to celebrate a guy scoring his 50th goal, or breaking a record, things like that would be a nice little touch in my opinion.
Also have to agree with what Patrick has wrote here. I loved the Skills Comp. mode in 2000 (I Believe). Great when you had some buddies over and didn't want to play a full game. Plus it's quicker then playing a full game, so more guys get involved and more playing time.

# 15 OddyOh @ 11/22/08 06:25 PM

Playoff Mode is a must, and it should have co-op online play.

# 16 polish @ 12/17/08 10:55 AM

Glad to see someone else agrees and I'm not out in left field here. As I said, I know NHL '93 had it, why on earth with all the advances in video games would you take something like this away. Seems ridiculous.

# 17 bigwill33 @ 12/17/08 02:37 PM

Maybe it would be better if EA designated a Jr team to keep working on released products. A team that worked with the main group that produced the game and know it inside and out. That way the big squad can concentrate on the next version, while the "protege's" can work on bugs and patches for the current version.

I don't know really. But, with the economy the way it is and everything the last thing I see companies doing is hiring more people, especially for sales that are already completed.

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