| Product: |
NHL Hitz 2002 (Xbox) |
| Date: |
05.05.02 (76 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Playability, Gameplay, Options packed, Realism
Disadvantages: Beware RSI
When browsing for a new game NHL Hitz 2002 is one of those games you will probably pick of the shelf, flip in your hands a few times scanning the front and back covers before returning it to the shelf. If you don’t already have halo which appears is the main contender for Xbox games, you could do a lot worse than pick this game. This is the first hockey game that I have played though I have played other team games such as NBA JAM, the Fifa series and other football titles. For me, team games tend to hold my attention for considerably longer than platform or arcade types as I can become very absorbed in the gameplay and competitive essence. NHL Hitz 2002 is no exception. I cannot imagine the number of ice hockey supporters in Britain being that big and clearly it is not going to have the large audience our more mainstream sports enjoy. Do not however let this prevent you from buying and becoming totally enthused in what is a very good game.
There is technically so much that can be said about this game and I have no doubt those "in the know" could list a barrage of technical attributes that would have my head reeling in seconds, in layman's terms it is simply loaded with features, options and capabilities as good as any football game I have ever played. Sound, graphics, playability, handling… You name it, nothing insofar as I can determine (though I am no expert) has been overlooked.
Straight out he box it takes a bit of getting used to but no more so than similar football titles and I image that anyone who does play the footy types will have no problems making the transition to this game. I did have to consult the manual on a few occasions to master the more complex moves that I saw the opposing CPU team execute with artificially simulated ease, but you can still have a good game with just the basic moves to your repertoire.
I was truly marvelled when I loaded this game and observed my virtual players
skate onto the ice occasionally scuffling as their names were announced. A quick double take was necessary to make sure I had not switched my TV channel to Eurosport, or some off peak Sky Sports station.
The small details and features that are packed into this game to give it realism and enjoyment are vast and convincing. The nicely animated crowd, the ability to engage an opponent in a fist fight if you think he was overly aggressive in sending you crashing through the glass fencing, (not quite dead or alive 3 but a great sub program) to name a few. It is also option packed. For example you have the ability to let the program control the goalkeeper or you can do this yourself (and get really hammered) should you choose. Trading players between teams. There is even the really good, though in essence, slightly gimmicky ability to adjust players physical appearance, and with a good degree of detail at that! The width of the nose, head, chin, ears, mouth … All the way down to the size of the feet can be adjusted when you create your own team. Of course you have the essential ability to completely customise your controller to coincide with the more familiar football actions but that is hardly a feature. There is a 'skill mode' option that takes your through the various moves and actions in a training format and as you improve you can increase the difficulty. I think novices like me will find his particularly useful, as you don’t have to throw the controller at the TV in frustration when you keep loosing on your initial attempts but can go into serious training. I could go on, but really the options are endless and the programmers have done a good job of providing you with all you could possibly need.
The manual is brief and not particularly comprehensive, but you don’t have to be Albert Einstein to figure this game out. As you fumble your way through the menus all will become clear.
I recommend this
game without hesitation and if you buy it from electronics boutique or Game stores you have the option of returning it in a week if you don’t like it. (How’s that for customer service!) But I don’t think you will.. Return it, that is. Enjoy I did.
Summary:
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