| NHL 09 (Xbox 360) |  | From: Electronic Arts
Category: Video Games
List Price: £49.99
Buy New: £38.28
You Save: £11.71 (23%)
New (2) Used (2) from £36.99
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 945
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: hockey-games
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5030930066833
ASIN: B001B7H3G0
Release Date: September 12, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Very enjoyable October 28, 2008
Mr. Terence Jones (Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.)
I've had most of the NHL games since 1997.
Pros - The graphics are a slight improvement. The new Pro mode has been enhanced slightly and very good fun.
The AI of the goalies and defence is improved being a little harder to score on a goalie.
Cons - The difference between Rookie and pro levels is astonishing - Playing as Montreal Legends (best team in the game) against Italy
(probably the worst team) in Pro mode saw me needing a 55th minute equalizer to save being beat in a closely competitive game. In Rookie level i was 3-0 up inside 1 period and went on to win 6-0 in a very one sided game.
The refs are shocking in quck play mode- almost every hook or check merits a penalty unless you turn the settings for penalties down th the first level. In 5 games i collected about 20 penalties.
Would i buy it at full price? - no, i'd wait a few months and buy it once there's been 15 lopped off the price.
nhl 09 October 5, 2008
S. Tantum (uk)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Best sports game ive played for ages. There are so many elements to this game that all add up to make a quality product. The graphics are excellent and the various game modes are very enjoyable. If your in doubt try the demo.
Another Success!! September 24, 2008
M. Kim (London)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After enjoying playing on NHL 08, I've read and watched the previews on NHL 09 and I thought there weren't going to be much difference other than the new addition of 'defensive skill stick' and 'be a pro mode'.
But wow, it just even got better! not just interms of the gameplay but in many other aspects as well!
GAMEPLAY
First talking about gameplay, player movements seem more natural and smooth.- Also the hits and checking is more realistic and bigger which creats more excitement during the game.
Another difference in gameplay is that the puck seems more loose and separate from the players. I was able to get the puck more easily by doing poke checks and whereas in NHL 08 it was much harder. Plus the new addition of defensive skill stick helps to get the puck from the opposition as well, which includes lifting opposition's stick while defending. However, this means that the same thing applies to you, and it is more difficult to keep the puck in your possesion compared to NHL 08 which means that to trying not to lose the puck, you should possibly try to pass, move the puck around more and find spaces available, which adds more fun to the game.
This year EA also added new fighting system as well, which is going the right direction, giving you the option to grab the player as well as dodging the punch. However, the only problem is that the fights are too short!! This is one of the reasons why I gave 4 stars overall but this is a minor issue which I hope EA will improve it for next year.
GRAPHICS and PRESENTATION
Graphics have improved with more shadow definition on player's uniform. Also EA have added new cinematics at the beginning of the game as well as bringing back 3 stars announcement at the end of the game. which I think gets you more involved with the game and makes it more enjoyable.
Menu background also have changed by adding colour and pictures of players from some NHL teams.-This 'livens up' the menu a bit while you might look through team rosters or game settings, rather than having dark and almost blank background like in NHL 08.
GAME MODES & FEATURES
Personally, I don't play much on 'Be a Pro' mode even on FIFA series but it is nice feature to have on the game for people who might like to play on it. As you are trying to build up player's reputation, you constantly get tips and objectives to fulfill. Also during the game arrow is shown where to position your player on the ice and also you get positive/negative feedbacks from your coach.
All the game menus and features from NHL 08 is all there including golie mode, shoot-out mode and Create/Edit player mode with more addition of player equipment.
NHL09 now enables you to add your own music into the game for each teams and for different situations such as you can add your own goal songs and intro music at the beginning of a game.- I think this is a very cool feature but the only negative point is that the custom music is quite hard to hear during the game unless you actually edit the sound louder on your computer.(Even so, it's still quiet during the game.) I hope EA does something on this as well for next year.
Here I have talked about major changes and some of the new additions in the game and overall, EA have really added more depth to the game compared to NHL 08 and made the game more enjoyable.
It's 100% must buy if you are a hard core NHL fan or just a general hockey fan. However, even if you are a first time NHL game buyer and want to get to know more about hockey or just looking to have fun, this game is also definately for you!
 Too fast too furious September 22, 2008
G. F. Chalmers (London)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having played every NHL game and being a fan of the sport I have always wanted a Hockey game that delivered. NHL 2008 on the Xbox 360 was that game. This game offered `that much' talked about be a pro mode from Fifa 08 which, is excellent. I feel going too far would be the expectation of having the British Elite league in the game. Instead you have the German DEL, Finish and Swedish Elite leagues as well as the Czech and Russian as well as the usual selection of International sides. However, none of these domestic teams are playable in a domestic season the only competition you can play with them is either the World tournament or the Challenge Cup from Sweden or Finland. The teams can replace other teams in dynasty mode or world tournament. There is another mode where a group of eight teams play each other for the right to play the Montreal Canadiens centenary team. A Canadian team has lasted this long without being turned into an American franchise that's worth celebrating. That and the fact they won the first Stanley cup.
The gameplay is pretty good although in dynasty mode if the computer wants to play it'll leave you stranded. Feel you have the slot covered it'll just shoot from the blue line leaving you to destroy another joy pad. Control of your players feels slow and sometimes unresponsive. However, when you get it right the right stick can be used to check the opposition into next week just be ready to take a seat for a couple of minutes. The AI will put rings around you until you decide to control the right player by the time that happens the computer is forming another attack. Furthermore, the computer can poke check from anywhere and free the puck just as you're waiting for the slot man to take position or the defence me to form up. You can set up pretty well when it all goes to plan just remember to work those angles open and get the puck moving. If you don't understand Hockey then watch some NHL of how to work and dump the puck. Strategy is everything you'll have to give it some thought or you'll get hurt. I do miss NHL 2008 in dynasty mode. If the opposition is having a bad day you can blow them out providing you keep moving the puck. Here you'll lose the puck and your players just seem too slow to keep up with the computer controlled ones. PK and PP are impossible to defend and score on trust me try and keep the puck out on a PK it is impossible. Poke checking is similarly ineffective the computer will just skate around your players as if he was never there. Furthermore, if you've taken a shot and it rebounds your player just stands there. Every time the computer will retrieve the puck. Why have EA Sports done this??? In a nut shell it just doesn't feel as polished as the 2008 version.
With that said the pro mode is good. You get a sense of satisfaction when sitting on the bench waiting your shift. Or if you've just done some good stuff `chuffed' to bits you have added to the stats. If your team is losing you just want to get out there and change it but be careful of those turn over's you could cost the team. Equally so the penalty minutes add up if you are too aggressive. I would have to stress this mode is a reason to make a purchase. The only drawback is getting used to the camera angle which in the long run works well providing you get into position quick enough.
The graphics and commentary are excellent with arenas, kits and players looking superb and Gary and bill doing another fine job.
In conclusion if you want to play a fine hockey game and are not interested in the be a pro mode NHL 2008 can be found very cheaply and is a very good hockey game. If you know some hockey and feel like being a pro. I can recommend NHL 2009.
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