NHL 13 News Post

NHL 13 Review (360/PS3)

12:07 PM - September 11, 2012 by RaychelSnr

Looming lockout be damned, because there is a new hockey game to review.

I think it's safe to say that commercial and critical success have followed the NHL franchise in the last few years, as the hockey product has always brought something new to the table, whether that be a meaningful gameplay iteration or new online modes. To my mind, this year's game takes the biggest risk by skewing the gameplay in a much more �simulation� direction. The speed at which you play is drastically altered by the new skating engine, the goalies are formidable presences, and the tendency for bobbled pucks, missed nets and blocked shots is notably increased.

But does this make for a compelling game overall? I feel this direction serves to represent the sport in a much more accurate way than before, but it may leave some players feeling initially shackled by the change in pace and timing. For those that are willing to get out of their comfort zone a little bit and learn the new skating engine and all of the subtle gameplay changes, you'll find an awesome hockey simulation waiting for you.

Read More - NHL 13 Review (360/PS3)

Game: NHL 13Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 23 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 addybojangles @ 09/11/12 12:27 PM

I'm pretty psyched. As strictly an EASHL player the past few years, I'm finally getting into another mode, Be a GM Connected, and can't wait.

Sounds like the skating engine has really changed things!

# 2 dafilthymofo @ 09/11/12 12:51 PM

I played the Early release and look forward to getting my copy.

I love the GM Connected online mode. Like the madden connected career online mode it is a new way to play and I will be playing it on both games a lot.

# 3 GlennN @ 09/11/12 01:18 PM

Did they change the ability to view players' career stats and awards finally? Can we get to each player's entire career stats year by year?

# 4 adayinthelife @ 09/11/12 01:18 PM

I'm strictly an offline player when it comes to this series (and sports games in general, actually), and the changes made this year are incredibly refreshing to me. The new skating combined with upgraded puck physics and the absolutely incredible new broadcast cam have made this essentially feel like a new game to me. There are a few lingering issues to be sure, but to me this is precisely what this series needed: a solid kick in the ***.

It's early to judge, having only had the retail version since Friday, but my initial impression is that this is the best hockey game of this generation, easily. The only issues that really stand out to me thus far are a poor hitting engine (what the hell happened since '11?), not quite enough penalties (though I'm not seeing completely penalty free games like some are reporting), and I'd like to see a little more done with presentation in the commentary department.

Are these things important? Sure. Are they stopping me from enjoying the hell out of the game this year so far? Not a chance.

# 5 Vikes1 @ 09/11/12 03:02 PM

Solid and fair review, imo.

My only disagreement would be with the score of 8.5. Personally, I think it should be a bit higher. I'd say maybe 8.8/8.9. The skating engine and overall physic is such a huge innovation that works imo, extremely well. And has added very nicely to an already highly thought of game. I mean...this seventh release of this game in this current gen feels like nearly a new game, gameplay wise.

Jmo of course, but no video sports game has giving me the enjoyment and excitement of the NHL series. And that's gone up nicely with NHL '13'.

# 6 Cletus @ 09/11/12 03:50 PM

Just played my first game vs. CPU. I beat Florida 5-0 as TB. every goal was nice, except for one shot from the high slot where it was a 2 on 2 and Jovanovski tried to play the other side, bumped into his other D man and screened the goalie. A lot more rebounds this year, which makes the game a whole lot more fun.

# 7 liberaluser @ 09/11/12 07:11 PM

I don't like how an obvious 8.5 game was hyped as a possible GOTY contender by a few editors a few weeks ago. And I don't think I'm the only one who saw that happening either.

The skating engine doesn't fix the fact that the hitting physics are horrible years after introducing the feature, the puck is still not realistic in how it plays and the post whistle animations need a lot of work.

Maybe next year EA, maybe.

# 8 gigadkc @ 09/12/12 05:24 AM

are there any new european leagues?

# 9 captaink @ 09/12/12 09:35 AM

Well, I went ahead and ordered NHL 13 from Newegg, they had the Stanley Cup edition for the same price as the standard version so I ordered the Stanley Cup edition, this will be the first hockey game I've purchased this generation of consoles, I just figured with all the positive reviews I'd go for it. I have always loved playing hockey games, I must admit though I'm not really a die hard NHL fan, I will watch the Flyers in the playoffs but don't really watch much regular season hockey so hopefully I can catch on to all of the small fine details in this game.

# 10 Section_25 @ 09/12/12 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captaink


	Well, I went ahead and ordered NHL 13 from Newegg, they had the Stanley Cup edition for the same price as the standard version so I ordered the Stanley Cup edition, this will be the first hockey game I've purchased this generation of consoles, I just figured with all the positive reviews I'd go for it. I have always loved playing hockey games, I must admit though I'm not really a die hard NHL fan, I will watch the Flyers in the playoffs but don't really watch much regular season hockey so hopefully I can catch on to all of the small fine details in this game.

You're in for a treat .... and a serious addiction ..... LOL Congrats !

# 11 MizzouRah @ 09/12/12 11:40 AM

Aside from trying the franchise mode yet..

This is no doubt the greatest hockey game I've ever played. It's not a perfect 10/10, but it's easily a 9-9.5/10 on game play alone.

It is about as close as you can get to watching a game live on TV.

# 12 FBeaule04 @ 09/12/12 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah


	Aside from trying the franchise mode yet.. This is no doubt the greatest hockey game I've ever played. It's not a perfect 10/10, but it's easily a 9-9.5/10 on game play alone. It is about as close as you can get to watching a game live on TV.

NHL 09 with the EASHL had me in the same state of mind towards the game. NHL 13 skating engine, the improved AI, the goalies reading of the play and most important, the fact that I can now play with my friend and not face idiots, morons, cheaters, glitchers, etc. online is just plain fun.

It's far from perfect, but it's so much better than NHL 12 that you won't me complain every 2 days how frustrated I am with this game. NHL 12 had no fun factor for me, and it came after a week of play. With the early release and last night, I've nothing more to say that you'll see me playing NHL 13 for the year, and not cursing like crazy! :-)

# 13 onac22 @ 09/12/12 12:36 PM

I do love this game for the way that it feels. However the more I play it the more I realize that it is the same old EA package named shiny turd instead of stinky turd. Let me explain:

From the drop of the puck this game has us skating realistically as well as shooting and passing. After playing more than ten games and the new tuner the same old EA sports AI doping begins to play into factor.

For those of you that haven't witnessed the blood doping, it occurs when you beet the snot out of the game then in the second half nothing the human does is right and EA AI scores every time your wrong even when you are right. Whhhewww long sentence but that is how it feels.

So i decided to switch it up to online. First couple games on EASHL were fun.....then the toe-drag top shelf shot comes in. OK time for 1 V 1, or in most cases two guys pretending to be 1. After possessing the puck 3/4 of the game some jackhole scores on two random bounces off of pads and one breakaway that went through Quick, all of this after I hit the post three times in one minute(twice with Doughty once with Carter). Once again proving EA rewards aggressinve random play over actual knowledge.

Oh did I mention the numerous odd-man rushes and 2 on 0's I had.

# 14 onac22 @ 09/12/12 12:51 PM

Backdoor passes complete with the one-timer followed up by Bryzgalov with his thumb up his yep waving his hands around making saves he has no business making. Thinking about the universe. So I go to shooting, still nothing, then I try the fake shot pass and shot, still nothing.

Bottom line EA lose your fetish with making money on hut and ccm and make a game that plays consistent competitive hockey/football for sixty minutes please, otherwise I think it's time to become a 2K fan simply because during the time I have spent here on OS forums people have voiced opinions on both EA and 2K.

The only company I have really seen make an effort to make the voice heard on a consistent HONEST basis is 2K. GROW UP EA AND PLEASE MAKE ONE CONSISTENT GAME THAT CAN PLAY 60 minutes of an entertaingin product without doping the AI to hide your bugs and glitches.

# 15 onac22 @ 09/12/12 12:54 PM

GAMEPLAY: 8

PRODUCTION:8

AI: 8 till it gets you then 1 not even fun anymore

ONLINE: 6 until the toe-drag top shelf shot begins then 1

ONLINE matchmaking: hahahahahahahaha yeah right

Trading in Madden and NHL for borderlands and living stress free 100,000,000

# 16 onac22 @ 09/12/12 12:56 PM

I've been to Indian Casino slot machines with more AI consistency than EA's on any game.

# 17 ithurtsme23 @ 09/12/12 04:59 PM

In last years game the passing system was so broken that it ruined the game. I had players wide open for a pass that never got to them instead went the other way leading to a breakaway goat for the other team. Did they fix that this year?

# 18 jb12780 @ 09/12/12 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onac22


	GAMEPLAY: 8 PRODUCTION:8 AI: 8 till it gets you then 1 not even fun anymore ONLINE: 6 until the toe-drag top shelf shot begins then 1 ONLINE matchmaking: hahahahahahahaha yeah right Trading in Madden and NHL for borderlands and living stress free 100,000,000

No offense, but if your stressing about video games, you need to see a doctor bro.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

# 19 DBMcGee3 @ 09/13/12 09:41 AM

I can't really tell any difference from prior iterations of the game, at least not from the videos I've seen. The guys often still seem to spin around unnaturally when they stop on a dime, and sometimes I swear it seems like the sticks don't move at all when passes are being made, the puck just shoots around. Don't get me wrong, it's been a fun game for years and I'm sure this is no exception, but to me this is far less of an upgrade than this year's Madden. Maybe I just need some demo time...

# 20 mgsmith119 @ 09/14/12 12:51 PM

Small thing, but I can't access my HUT team on the iphone companion app. It will only allow you to look at cards that are up for auction or trade.

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