For all the flak this game takes from reviewers about being the same game as last year... Shut it. This game rocks hard.
That statement is quite literally a lie. If you just 'look' at the game, then you may very well think that. If you delve into the game and actually play with it, you will find you are very wrong. The simple little additions made to this game, such as the ability to alter numerous settings, the board play and the after the whistle scrimmaging, make it so much better, fun and involving than last year.
Don't get me wrong. Last years game deserved all the accolades that it received, but this game is most definitely a better game. Much better actually. It remains imperfect. This however is to be expected. I do not remember a game ever being perfect. It is getting close though. That is what makes it worth buying still if you have NHL 09. Sure, if you are not a hockey fan, you probably don't need to go out and buy NHL 10. Then again, you probably didn't need to go out and buy NHL 09 either. If you do love the game of hockey though, you owe it to yourself to get this game. It may not seem like it was worth it right away, but it most certainly will prove itself to be given a little time.
I recall far too many reviews where sequels to games are criticized for trying to hard to come up with new ideas. The passing cone in madden for one. Driving the Zamboni in the 2K series for another. In NHL 10, they didn't try to come up with some silly gimmick to prove to you that the new game has something worth spending $70 - $80 on (depending on where you live), they simply took a great game and made it better. This is what they should be doing and we are criticizing them for it. NHL 10 feels so much more like a real hockey game than last years game. I didn't know last years game didn't feel that real till I played NHL 10. The board play alone adds such a great new feel to the game. The GM mode, although flawed makes you really feel like you are a part of the team. Like its really YOUR team. Sure the trade logic is silly at times. I saw Martin Havlat traded for Eric Brewer straight up.... I also saw a team sign about 4 free agent goaltenders before the start of the first season. I was also told however that the trade I offered was being turned down because they were not willing to part with their prospects at this time. Thats pretty cool. I was also offered a trade for a guy on my trading block. I have played too many games where I put guys on the trading block and every offer that comes in is for my good players that I wanna keep. It can certainly be improved but its an enjoyable start to something great.
The one thing I find that does fit the " look at the cool feature we added this year" bill, is the first person fighting. Perhaps its because I am not very good at it, but I find it annoying and out of place. I would rather see computer simulated fights that I have no part in than to fight in this mode. I leave it on as fighting is part of the game, but I do not enjoy it one bit. Its is NHL 10's passing cone.
The only other real complaint I have about the game comes from the very enjoyable after the whistle scrimmaging. Just about every time the goalie covers the puck and I poke check towards him, I get a roughing penalty. This is ridiculous. One poke, that was probably thought of before the whistle blew but performed just after, puts me in the box every time. Sure I could just stop doing it, but it happens in hockey and it causes the defencemen to step in and start something. Then penalties could be called. I do not like that I get a penalty right away for simply poking at the puck. I also don't like that you pretty much start a fight every time you hit the Y button. Sometimes I just wanna face wash a guy without getting into a fight.
Thats pretty much it for complaints though. This game is absolutely incredible compared to last years amazing game. It is definitely worth buying if you love hockey... Heck, even if you just like it, its worth getting.