Digital Trends

NHL Hockey 2002

The only real competition EA Sports face is from their 2001 and earlier versions which will likely go by the wayside unless your system can't run the newest edition. The reason for this is simple--NHL 2002 is, in my humble opinion, the finest, sleekest and most option-filled hockey title you can ask for on the PC. There are a few problems in their multi-player modes, which keep the title from being perfect on that end, but the rest is pure hockey bliss. Graphics It seems to me that this year's version follows the general "port-with-benefits" that we get every year. This time, however, it seems that EA ported the PS2 version. Couple that with a powerful processor and video card and you experience higher-resolution graphics that Sony's little black box could only dream of. For the first time, parts of the crowd actually have depth, so when a penalty is called, you will see full 3D characters throwing up their arms. The stadiums are once again re-created with unbelievable detail, now a trademark of the EA brand. Facial animations and character models are much more detailed than they have been in the past. Small effects (like cutting the ice) look breathtaking, as do the real-time reflections that are cast on the ice. When you attempt a breakaway, a blue circle encompasses the screen with a heart beating in the background. The menu and interface have a sleek new look, and the transitions between gameplay and cinematics are seamless. From a visual perspective it's a hell of a year for NHL 2002, easily ripping apart any other hockey title. Sound What kind of a hockey title would it be without wonderful color commentary. Maybe the best so far, the commentary is a delicate mix of comedy, sports and gameplay references. Early in the game they will even be shouting out strategies and control set-ups so you can get the best out of your cyber-team. Music and effects are high-quality, boasting tunes from the Barenaked Ladies as well as a slew of high-quality grunts and moans. So pump up your speakers; this game sounds very good. Control It has always been relatively easy to get the control scheme down for EA's hockey game, and this year it gets even easier. You can still call formations and it still feels a lot like the rest of the titles, but this time there are options that can be used to auto-aim shots for those of you who lack serious skills. That said, the only way to play this game is with a gamepad. I attempted to play using the keyboard, and while the simple set-up definitely makes it possible, it's much more comfortable with a nicely designed gamepad. Gameplay A sports game without rock-solid gameplay has no shot at a high rating here. If it looked identical to real-life hockey but lacked the fun factor, it would get torn apart. NHL 2002 shines in every department except a still problematic multi-player mode. Single-player modes are everything you'd expect and everything you have been receiving for the past 10 or so years. Coach options are littered throughout, so if you like to be in control, you will get your chance. Create-A-Player is once again fine-tuned and customizing your character is painless. Multi-player modes, on the other hand, leave a lot to be desired. They had a great idea -- giving you the ability to jump into a chat room and start a game with whoever you may find. Being able to set up an online league and play with other leagues is a fabulous idea. But unless you plan to play on a LAN, you will be frustrated a lot. The EA.com online service is full of trouble, and dial-up users should steer clear. Outside of that, EA has done a wonderful job. After completing my second season, I have tons of LAN games ready to take up my spare time. Maybe a nice fat patch could fix up the blotchy multi-player modes, because with a full Internet-ready matchmaking service, I may never leave my house.
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