Today, I’ll be reviewing NHL 11 on the PS3. I have played this game series since NHL 94 on PC. I have played each iteration up to this point, and this is one of the most enjoyable games in the series, for some very good reasons.
| Release Date | September 7, 2010 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Platforms | PS3/360 |
| Developer | EA Canada |
| Price | $59.99 US |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone 10+ |
| Players | 1-12 |
Game Modes
Hockey Ultimate Team
Returning to the series are the staples that have been a part of the game for years. These include Be a GM Mode, Be a Pro Mode, and Battle for the Cup Mode. There is one new mode in the game, which is quite a game-changer and probably not for the better. The mode is ‘Hockey Ultimate Team.’ This is a mode from the FIFA soccer video game series. ‘Ultimate Team ‘combines all aspects of controlling a hockey team through trading cards; each team gets a ‘Starter Pack’ consisting of lower-level players and ‘consumables’ to get them going.
Players use consumables to increase their attributes or contract length, since every player has a set contract length and career length. Your player can no longer play games once the ‘career length’ runs out. There are other cards to acquire, such as head coach cards, arena cards, jersey cards, and logo cards, to customize your team to suit your preferences. Packs can be purchased through the EA Pucks you get from winning games and tournaments, or using real-world money. You can also trade with other players in the mode to get the player you want using an eBay-style auction format. It’s a cool new addition, but one that will likely be monetized to the fullest in future installments.
Be A GM
While Be a Pro and Battle for the Cup remained largely the same from the prior year’s game, Be a GM had a few minor tweaks that majorly improved how a team is managed. ‘Restricted Free Agency’ makes its debut after an eternity of waiting and recreates the feeling of being in charge of an NHL team. Qualifying offers, offer sheets, and little things like six full years of draft picks and five trade slots give the game many more trade and signing scenarios than ever. The CHL is in the game for the first time, giving everyone access to players from the junior leagues in Canada, although you cannot complete an entire season with your Be A Pro player in the junior leagues, which is a bit of a bummer.
Gameplay
Physics/Passing
The gameplay for NHL 11 underwent significant changes from the previous year, introducing a physics system that replaced the former animation system. This feature makes each play dynamic, with no two hits being the same, making the game more interesting. Passing becomes much more fluid, allowing me to control the speed of the puck instead of releasing it the moment I press the button.
Broken Sticks
Broken sticks were the other huge addition to the game and can create some intense moments. Breakaways can occur if a player’s stick breaks during clearings. Live sticks that have been dropped or shattered can create havoc in front of the net for the goaltender, as the puck deflects off them. Additionally, defenders can trip on a stick lying at their feet. Players can return to the bench for a stick or be handed one by a teammate.
Disallowed Goals
Disallowed goals occurred this year, and while they are accurate most of the time, I have experienced the odd goal allowed that should have been called back, as well as the opposite. The last major feature that received an overhaul was the faceoff sequence, which now involves a lot more strategy. Sticks can be lifted right off the draw in addition to tie-ups. There are even dekes and shots off the draw that can be a bit more difficult to pull off.
Presentation
The music is better than ever in NHL 11, with effects enhanced, great commentary, and a diverse soundtrack featuring many well-known artists, including Airbourne and Danko Jones. Loud crashes and goals immerse you in the NHL atmosphere. The graphics are just as good as ever, although one problem I’ve encountered is the development team’s inability to add real faces to the actual NHL players, which detracts from the realism.
Final Thoughts
While NHL 11 wasn’t a mind-blowing update to the yearly formula, it made a handful of nice improvements that make it worth the upgrade for any NHL fan.
