NHL Blades of Steel (GB) (NHL Blades of Steel (GB))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	NHL Blades of Steel (GB)
Date:	14/04/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay

Disadvantages: Sound

"NHL Blades of Steel" is a video game released to the Gameboy Color console in 1999 by Konami. It is a title from the sports genre with ice hockey being represented. In the United States, the title received an "E" rating by the ESRB panel which deemed it suitable for all ages.

The gameplay does not attempt to be a simulation but comes across as being an action title. The traditional ice hockey rules, such as off sides and various penalties, are not implemented in this game which makes for very fast and furious play. The only time a player will be penalized is after losing a fist fight with an opponent. It can seem that gameplay is often encouraged to be more violent in nature with the player being able to trip and slash his or her opponents to steal the puck and shoot it into the opposing net. Control is relatively simple with an on-screen arrow continually rotating around the opponent's goaltender which signals where the shot is to be directed. Blades of Steel also features a second player option through use of a game link cable.

The graphics are reasonable and presented from an overhead camera angle which pans left to right. I found colouring to be excellent and made good use of the available technology the console possesses, but did find character detailing to be somewhat poor. I was able to distinguish clearly between the various teams as accurate colouring was implemented for various team uniforms. The sound is not particularly noteworthy and features only continually looped musical compositions and basic screechy sound effects for crowd cheering.

Overall, Blades of Steel is a very fast paced game and remains enjoyable to play with the second player option. It is not recommended to those looking for a true to form simulation but could be appealing as a more "light hearted" hockey game.

Summary: Thumbs up