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Better Hockey than EA 2003 | | Zenn from Richmond, VA says (2/Dec/2002): | Gameplay - This game shines in this area like no hockey game before it. Players will snag pucks out of the air, pin eachother along the boards in a scuffle for the puck, and actually play defence! OMG! DEFENCE!! The AI is good, finally...someone got it right, and if you put the settings high enough, the computer will simply kick your butt all over the place, even if you're like me, and slaughter EA's AI in double digit games. The goalie's are great, they save everything they should, and only let in the shots that a real life goalie wouldn't be able to stop. Not only that, but the goalies in this actually go down on the ice to cover up the puck with their glove. Fantastic, real to life hockey! The menu system is DEEEP, nothing is done for you, every line you must choose person by person...you just sign the players you draft, yes, SIGN...for money (done in points), take THAT EA! The fact you have to basicly do everything yourself makes the game very very deep, and puts you in complete control, but for a first timer, new to hockey or something (not me), I could easily see it as being a serious chore. Did someone say franchise mode?? I already mentioned the point system, which is something EA needs bad, but lets talk years. NHL 2003 = 10 years. NHL 2k3 = 250+ years...yes folks, 250+ years, thats not a typo. From everything I've read...it just doesn't end...it'll keep going as long as you keep wanting to play fanchise mode, talk about a dynasty!
Graphics - They are ok, good enough to do the job, but def. not as good as EA's. The players look a bit funky on the ice, the player faces are odd looking, and not very accurate, the jersery "detail" thing Sega did this year...its neat, but the jersey's look...wrong. This engine has a big problem with the color black...usually making it look like grey, or purple. The ice reflections are awesome, yet, a bit un-needed. I would have gladly taken ice reflection away for help in any other area of the game. The stadiums are fantasic...they modeled all 30 to be true to life, exactly...EA didn't do that folks.
Sound - Ehhhh, bleh! The sound effects are boring, and sound bad. The goalie pad sound is not right. The clang off the post is quiet and sounds wrong. The commentary is downright BAD...bad splicing of sentences, too much repeating, things sound like they are simply missing. Its annoying to have the main guy, ask the color guy if he has anything to add for the 50th time in a game...and the color guy never responds to him, lol. It does get the job done though, with the play by play, and at least we don't have 700 million stupid jokes every deke/hit/shot...like in EA's game.
Overall - NHL 2003 looks better and sounds better...but, I want a HOCKEY GAME...and NHL 2k3 is by far the BETTER HOCKEY GAME, with amazingly superiour gameplay. If you are a big hockey fan, and I mean a big one, a real one, get NHL 2k3. If you are new to the sport...and want a hockey game to play with friends, get NHL 2003.
GO BLACKHAWKS!
| Both 2k3 and 2003, I have | | Victor from Pennsylvania , USA says (2/Nov/2003): | Well, let me begin by saying that this game is spectacular. Any hockey fan should get this game when they have the chance. I'm usually a fan to EA Sports, but this game has just turned it around. The only problem with 2K3 is that 2003 has many more options.Now the greatest part of this game is the fact that YOU RUN YOUR TEAM! This option is big for huge hockey fans who want a simulation. Another small detail is the fact o 2k3's poor franchise mode. It lacks the manager style Ea contains. Well, let me finish by say, Im buying both 2003 and 2k3 this winter.
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