Newly improved, but not a massive change from '09
Graphics/Look/Audio:
I'll get the negatives out of the way 1st & get the heavily opinionated aspect off my back. Year after year the soundtrack has been great I found, but this year I really think they missed the boat on the tracks. I know this is completely judgemental, but to me I might just copy a CD or 2 on my XB just to avoid the likes of Green Day & Nickleback.
Now the graphics on the other hand are great as always. Not a huge improvement from last year but they are smoother & have gotten many of the faces & fine details right in the players & arenas as well. I only wish that the goalies would have they're ACTUAL designs on their masks for once, not generic ones pertaining to the team they're on. This obviously has no effect on gameplay but I feel it just give more personality to the goalies & the game itself. There's probably some legal reason why this is never in it (or making your own jersey would be AWSOME as well) but oh well.
Gameplay:
Overall, great great game! I've said it time & time again to my friends, but every year EA & the NHL come out with my favourite game of all time every single year. '09 was a great improvement especially online & this 2010 edition imporves in many ways. Matchmaking & EASHL inner-workings have made it more accessible & alot more fun to follow & be a part of. Theres the new equipment system theyve thrown in that will effect your player offline & online, where you can buy new items with MS Points (Bill Gates Dollars) or unlock them with particular tasks you complete over the years of your offline Be a Pro career. Now this is clearly possible, but unless your planning on taking a good full week in front of your NHL'10, this will take quite a long time. Good idea, but its already an online community of "Gold Boosts" & fancy looking upgraded equipment from people using their extra $10-$20 on items.
Goalies have seen a fairly big change, with new moves & styles, it changes things up & makes it slightly more difficult to put in those all to familiar "garbage goals" of the fast few seasons.
The main offline game modes have changed, but I don't see it as anything monumental. Be a Pro is generally the same but is alot more realistic so far in wanting you to take more time to develop & won't let you work through the ranks of the respected organization quite as quickly (on All-Star difficulty I've been on anyways). The new Be A GM Mode basically just expands on the upper-management & front office tasks on the years past Franchise Mode by giving you particular tasks like saving $1M of cap room in a trade, winning 30-40 games etc... It is alot deeper & more immersive but is still a franchise mode with more down time between games ot organize.
Long I know....but I really think this is an awsome game & a can't miss for hockey fans. Once again EA shows up & trumps competition for another immersive, engaging & just plain fun NHL game.