pavona21's Full Review: NHL Hitz 2002 for GameCube
Hockey and Video Games: A Gorgeous Combination
Growing up in Michigan has always affected my development in many ways, but especially in regard to sports. Here in the glove state, it’s very difficult to become a fan of say the MLB, just because you have no reason too. Pushing for the Detroit Tigers is simply as worthless as buying a hat for the headless horseman. On the other though, hockey has always been some sort of a Michigan past time. Here, we have the always competitive Detroit Red Wings, which recently won their franchise’s 10th Stanley Cup. So, naturally, I’ve also always been a pretty die-hard hockey fan. Of course, being as though I love video games as well, hockey video games have always been my forte. I can remember playing hockey simulations such as Blades Of Steel, NES Hockey, and of course of the earlier installments of EA's great NHL series. Interestingly though, I always enjoyed the extra arcade style that some of these games sported, such as the fighting and the checking over the boards features. That said, it should come to little surprise that I picked up NHL Hitz 2002 for the Gamecube.(I know, I’m a little late) I knew coming into the purchase that because of the arcade-based gameplay, and because the word Midway is on the case, that this one would lose a little realism. In the end though, would the extra arcade fun beat out the lack of realism? Read on to find out…
And I used to think that hockey was 6 on 6
When you plop the NHL disc into your Gamecube and hit the power button, you should already be aware of the fact that this game is from the makers of NBA Jam and NFL Blitz. You should have also came to the realization that isn’t the hockey that you see on the TV. In conventional NHL style hockey, each team has 6 total players on the ice, and a bunch of back-ups on the bench. Real hockey tends to be a little slower than some of the sports that you may watch, featuring minutes of setting up, passing, and readying for a shot. Real hockey has penalties, rules, and consequences for being a delinquent. Finally, real hockey is about strategy, balance, and overall skill. After pondering all of those truths and facts, I came to the quick realization that NHL Hitz was miles away from what most people would call “real hockey”.
You see, NHL Hitz is about only having 8 people on the ice, just because the rink “isn’t big enough for 12”. It’s about checking an opponent in the back and merely laughing about it. But, more than that, it’s about playing what seems to be a full, hearty, and action filled game of hockey in only 15 minutes of real time. In this game, there are no penalties whatsoever. If you pass the puck over 2 lines of play, nobody will notice or care. If you just happen to accidentally check a player through the boards, the fans will cheer, and you will be a hero. If you get in a fight, the referees will begin betting amongst each other on who will win or lose.(not really, but you get the gist) When it comes down it, the only penalty in this game lies in losing, And luckily, NHL Hitz is the kind of basic game that newcomers and veterans of video games alike can sit down and enjoy together.
Game Modes: 8/10-More than you’d expect form Midway
The first big time surprise of the game, which was a pleasant one I must say, was the extra modes that Midway added to this title. Any of you that have played Blitz in the past should remember that title only featuring the basic Exhibition, Tournament, Practice, and Season modes. Unlike Blitz though, Hitz features new game modes on top of the aforementioned basic types. Along with the expected Exhibition mode, you also have the option to play in the championship, franchise, or NHL skills modes. For starters, the exhibition mode sets you in the rink either by yourself, or with up to 3 other friends, and allows you to compete in a normal arcade style hockey match. The championship mode allows you to match up with the other NHL teams in your quest to bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup. The NHL skills mode gives gamers the opportunity to learn the basic skills of the game by taking part in competitions that help you learn how to add mustard to your shots, how to check quickly and easily, and how to play basic defense. Lastly, there is also the franchise mode, which relays also on the create a team feature, and deserves its own paragraph.
The franchise mode is a very deep game mode, one that you might not expect from an arcade game of this type. You begin the mode by creating your own team. You are able to set your team’s name, their logo, the color of their jersey, and even the place that they call home. After getting all that done, you have the ability to edit your players. Each team has a total of 6 players, and a goalie, all of which are totally customizable. In the create a player menu, you have the ability to change your player’s appearance, including height, weight, and facial expression, and also give him a little more style. Although you are able to give him a real name that will set itself on the back of his jersey, you also must pick a nickname for your player, which is what the commentator will refer to him as. I personally found “Jack Rackham” and “Woody” to be two of the better nicknames, but I’m sure you can find your own. After setting your team up, and making the best damn franchise money could buy, you can finally play some games. You are treated to a 50 game season, which at the end will be for the infamous Midway Cup.(who wouldn’t want that on their mantle?)
The fun of Unlocking
Other than the sheer excitement of winning, or the lighthearted feeling when checking one your friends through the boards, there is also a couple more rewards for playing. As you continue through the journey that is your franchise mode, you will be given reward points for winning games and answering trivia questions. You then are able to spend your reward points in the “I wish I had one of these in my room” hockey shop. Here you can buy such things as new hockey rinks, new player faces, and old school NHL jerseys. Along with though, you are also given extra attribute points that allow you to upgrade your players. Now I must admit, the rating system is something that you’ve never seen before, or will want to see again, but I suppose it works out well in the end. Your attribute points are sorted by categories such as speed, passing, checking, shot power, and aggression. At first, I thought that the game used a 1-10 rating system, but then I realized that some players have a 14 in checking, or a 16 in shot accuracy. I will not attempt to answer the question of “why?”, but I guess that’s something you’ll just have to get to used to.
Sporting AI
One thing that you have to love to hate about this game is the concrete AI affect. There is a good chance that you might just score the first 6 goals of the game, but does that mean it’s over? Far from it actually. The computer has gone the extra cheating step to make every game close. Once you get a big lead on the opposing squad, they will surely come back with great haste. I was once up 6-0 in the first period, and merely won the game by the score of 8-7. My goalie almost immediately began to play in what seemed to be a soccer sized net, letting in everything that was in motion and coming his way. Of course, this affect has been seen in past Midway arcade sports titles, and is merely a minor annoyance, but it will serve as a big turn off to the realism lovers. I guess you can just never win. We don’t like blowouts, but we don’t like the computer cheating to make games close. Go figure?
Fighting: A Knee to the head? Perfectly Legal…
Possibly one of the best features of this entire game is its more complex than average fighting system. In much more realistic games such as NHL 2002, the fighting system is completely bland, with bare bones options and controls. This game, on the other hand, makes fighting a near complete mini game, jammed packed with options. Instead of seeing a mere one punch style in attacking, you are able to throw hard punches, soft punches, grab the opponent, and even duck away from other punches. There are even some cool finishing moves such as the wicked knee to the head routine. Plus, there is an extra incentive to win each and every fight. There are no penalties, but whichever player ends up on the ground must be benched for the rest of the game. So protect your stellar players and stat-getters with all you got.
Graphics: 6/10-PS2 Port With PS2 Graphics
Graphically, this game really doesn’t utilize the power of Gamecube as much as it should. Playing games such RE and ED(not to be confused with erectile dysfunction) lately, I have come to demand great graphics from my video games, but this one just doesn’t stack up. Unlike the xbox version of this game, which featured fully redone texturing and remodeled graphics, the Gamecube port seemed to get the short straw. The player animation isn’t horrible, except for the fact that the players in this game don’t really look their counterparts in reality. The lighting effects on the ice are nice, although shadowing can only been seen up the players knees. Along the same lines, the camera angle that most used throughout the game gives you an overhead view, which doesn’t really allow you to see any close-ups. What really saves the graphics though is the 60 fps framerate, the fully 3D animated crowd, and the great effects of the ice. Did I mention that the on-fire effects look cool?
Controls: 9/10-As smooth as the ice
The control aspect definitely makes the gameplay experience of Hitz very smooth and easy. The overall scheme could easily be learned by a novice, yet a video games veteran will still be satisfied by it as well. Basically, you use the B button to shoot, the A button to pass, the Y button to perform a deke, and the X button to protect the puck. One the other side of the ice, the A button selects a player, the B button poke checks the puck, and the X and Y buttons are used for checking. Along with those, as most arcade sports game feature, is the turbo meter, which is controlled using the R button. Fighting is equally as easy though. The A and B buttons are used for punching, the control stick is used to maneuver around punches, and X button grabs your opponent. Just as any arcade sport title should be, this game’s controls are easy is enough to pick and play, yet intuitive enough to enjoy.
Audio: 6/10-The sound track is rocking, the commentator causes the score to go droppin’
In the audio department, this game is a big mixed bag. On one hand, you have a star-studded soundtrack featuring artists like Limp Bizkit, Korn and Staind. On the other hand though, you have to realize that you’ll hardly hear the music. While these tunes are able to boost the menus and loading sections a bit, you won’t be hearing them at all in game. Instead, you’ll get to hear the voice of the redundant and pretty boring commentator. The fact of the matter is, the commentator does stay with the play fairly well, but only says words like shot, pass, and check, followed by the name of the player. In once sequence I heard pass by jack rackham, check by jack jackham, and shot by jack rackham. When all of that was over, I heard every clip that the guy was going to say. Basic sports game commentary I suppose.
The Legacy: 7/10
When the experience is over, you’ll realize that this game makes a pretty perfect rental. It is also safe, and very easy, to say that this is the best hockey video game on the Gamecube.(it’s also the only one mind you) I would say that the game modes, and great multiplayer support of this game should be enough reason for any hardcore hockey fan to pick this one up. I would also say that the shoddy graphics, unrealistic gameplay, and embarrassingly horrible commentary should be enough for non-hockey fans to consider renting this title first. Although you can find this title as a cheap $30 around the town, so if you have the money, this isn’t a bad pick.(I really told you didn’t I?) Thanks for reading once again,
-Pav
This was part of a W/O held by my man ChromeKiller called “The Slim Pickin’s W/O”. Check out the other great writers that participated:
ChromeKiller
Jeremy1456
Pavona21(third, but best)
Pearl-drum-man
Rock_On
Ss3goku
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