Who says a sports franchise can't reinvent itself? For EA Sports, the NHL game franchise has done just that over the last three versions. After introducing the analog control mechanic in NHL 07 along with the AHL teams and Create-a-Play feature in NHL 08, it would appear the franchise has gone as far as it can. Well, sports fans, NHL 09 attempts to break the mold once again with its Be a Pro mode. The mode is instantly recognizable to fans of FIFA 08 but different because it's spread across seasons in NHL 09, rather than single games.
In an interview with Joystiq at Microsoft's X08 in Toronto, NHL 09 producer Andy Agostini discussds the Be a Pro mode, annual creativity and the hardships of updating rosters after a title ships.
If there was one, it would be a version your grandma could play. Flick your wrist and your guys skates towards the goal. Another flick and you score! Fun for the whole family!
07 was the best since 04. 08 was a steaming pile of shit. 09's demo will have to blow me away before I even play it, because 2k9's was awesome and has good achievements, while 09's achievements are total trash. Buying 2k9 day of release. Very real chance I won't go past the demo of 09. For the record, I've been an EA NHL fanboy since '96. The only years I've chosen one over EA was 1999 (2k on the Dreamcast), and 2004 (2k5). Both sucked ass last year. Good to see 2k has at least turned it around.
You thought 07 was amazing and 08 was a steaming pile of trash?...
08 was just 07 with smarter AI and more features, 08 basically made 07 look like a glorified demo for the skill stick. I can't begin to fathom why you would possibly have thought that 07 was better than 08.
I couldn't stand the EA Trax in NHL08, but since I had it for PS3, I couldn't do much about that. However, gameplay/visuals wise, I liked EA's version more... which might continue into '09 because I tried the 2K9 demo and the player models looked like they were "sticker pasted" onto the rink. On the gameplay front, it just didn't feel refined enough. Passing wasn't very tight and shots on goal seemed more arcade like than simulation.
But hey, I'm reserving 'final judgment' after I rent'em.
Used to like the 2K games until EA came out with the skill stick. Now I can't even look at 2K games. Tried the 2K9 demo, and all I could say was wow, 2K has really lost it. The graphics were horrible compared to 08, the players looked super skinny, animations were clunky and the gameplay was pretty brutal. I'll have to say '08 was the best one in quite a while.
Be A Pro exists in Euro 2008. They use the game mode "Captain Your Country" where you can create your own player and compete in be a pro mode. Choose 3 other CPU controlled players and fight to earn the captaincy.
Nice pic that was another win for the Sens, cause the Leafs can't win and will NOT make the playoffs for two more years. So that will be six years without a playoff run!!!! GO SENS GO!!!!!
haven't played a ea NHL game since 01 but NHL 08 got me hooked again, Im getting 09 on release day but EA HAS to do something about there music. I dunno about anyone else but having Paramore as the NHL theme song bugged the shit out of me...
I have a love/hate relationship with the EA series right now. I love the skill stick, graphics, and control offered. The game plays great overall.
What I absolutely hate is the A.I. I can't even begin to explain my disdain for the A.I. Instead of them being smarter in the harder difficulties, they just become more cheap and glitchy. They don't score on good plays and good passing, they score by glitching out the goalie. Short side shots over the shoulder, glitchy dekes that work 100% of the time, and the most horribly over effective poke check in the world.
And don't get me started on their ability to knock you off the puck. If they sneeze in your general direction, you lose it. But if I slam them into the glass, they still manage to come away with it.
These things need to be fixed if I'm going to buy another EA hockey game.
{ Aug 26th 2008 at 3:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kyle7 @ Aug 26th 2008 3:07PM
Now if there was only a wii version :(
FOXHOUND @ Aug 26th 2008 3:14PM
Notion Secondededededed.
TrojanGuy @ Aug 26th 2008 5:18PM
If there was one, it would be a version your grandma could play. Flick your wrist and your guys skates towards the goal. Another flick and you score! Fun for the whole family!
arrrgh @ Aug 26th 2008 5:23PM
no that's wii sports hockey
mietha CAG @ Aug 26th 2008 3:09PM
07 was the best since 04. 08 was a steaming pile of shit. 09's demo will have to blow me away before I even play it, because 2k9's was awesome and has good achievements, while 09's achievements are total trash. Buying 2k9 day of release. Very real chance I won't go past the demo of 09. For the record, I've been an EA NHL fanboy since '96. The only years I've chosen one over EA was 1999 (2k on the Dreamcast), and 2004 (2k5). Both sucked ass last year. Good to see 2k has at least turned it around.
Huey2k2 @ Aug 26th 2008 3:17PM
You thought 07 was amazing and 08 was a steaming pile of trash?...
08 was just 07 with smarter AI and more features, 08 basically made 07 look like a glorified demo for the skill stick. I can't begin to fathom why you would possibly have thought that 07 was better than 08.
Also for the record, 2k7>07.
P.S. Go Leafs Go!
P.P.S. Fuck the Sens.
arrrgh @ Aug 26th 2008 5:24PM
ppps FUCK YEA!
Tim The Enchanter @ Aug 27th 2008 11:55AM
P.P.P.P.S.: Now if only the Leafs could get to the finals again... or even the playoffs...
FOXHOUND @ Aug 26th 2008 3:21PM
I couldn't stand the EA Trax in NHL08, but since I had it for PS3, I couldn't do much about that. However, gameplay/visuals wise, I liked EA's version more... which might continue into '09 because I tried the 2K9 demo and the player models looked like they were "sticker pasted" onto the rink. On the gameplay front, it just didn't feel refined enough. Passing wasn't very tight and shots on goal seemed more arcade like than simulation.
But hey, I'm reserving 'final judgment' after I rent'em.
Kodros @ Aug 26th 2008 4:29PM
EA Trax seriously needs to go away.
GL @ Aug 26th 2008 4:05PM
Used to like the 2K games until EA came out with the skill stick. Now I can't even look at 2K games. Tried the 2K9 demo, and all I could say was wow, 2K has really lost it. The graphics were horrible compared to 08, the players looked super skinny, animations were clunky and the gameplay was pretty brutal. I'll have to say '08 was the best one in quite a while.
Dan J @ Aug 26th 2008 8:39PM
The EA NHL series is the one game I'm guaranteed to buy every year.
mike_p @ Aug 26th 2008 4:08PM
Be A Pro exists in Euro 2008. They use the game mode "Captain Your Country" where you can create your own player and compete in be a pro mode. Choose 3 other CPU controlled players and fight to earn the captaincy.
Really looking forward to FIFA 09!
CDN Crockett @ Aug 26th 2008 7:41PM
Nice pic that was another win for the Sens, cause the Leafs can't win and will NOT make the playoffs for two more years. So that will be six years without a playoff run!!!! GO SENS GO!!!!!
nggaplz61 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:37PM
haven't played a ea NHL game since 01 but NHL 08 got me hooked again, Im getting 09 on release day
but EA HAS to do something about there music. I dunno about anyone else but having Paramore as the NHL theme song bugged the shit out of me...
Kevin @ Aug 27th 2008 8:20AM
I have a love/hate relationship with the EA series right now.
I love the skill stick, graphics, and control offered. The game plays great overall.
What I absolutely hate is the A.I. I can't even begin to explain my disdain for the A.I. Instead of them being smarter in the harder difficulties, they just become more cheap and glitchy. They don't score on good plays and good passing, they score by glitching out the goalie. Short side shots over the shoulder, glitchy dekes that work 100% of the time, and the most horribly over effective poke check in the world.
And don't get me started on their ability to knock you off the puck. If they sneeze in your general direction, you lose it.
But if I slam them into the glass, they still manage to come away with it.
These things need to be fixed if I'm going to buy another EA hockey game.
Mountaingoat @ Aug 27th 2008 4:18PM
Umh. EA's Wii sports titles have ALL sucked. They have been just PS2-imports with bad controls.
I really like what 2K Sports is doing with NHL 2K9. It has same features than X360/PS3 versions and 2K have done awesome work with the game.