文章基本信息

标题：Gretzky Nhl
作者：Todd Zuniga
期刊名称：Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
出版年度：2005
卷号：June 2005
出版社：Ziff Davis Media Inc.

Gretzky Nhl

Todd Zuniga

While it always puzzled me that Sony��s first-party sports games struggle on the company��s own system, 989 Sports has hit its stride on the PSP. At worst, all of its portable titles are better than their PS2 counterparts; at best, all of them are fun. No small-screen 989 game exemplifies the fun factor like Gretzky NHL. The various PS2 gameplay bumps have been Zamboni��d out of this one, and what��s left is a Gaborik-fast hockey game that will even put a smile on the faces of grumpy, lockout-pissed Canadians.

In the spirit of the Sega Genesis hockey revolution, the team opted to keep the game simple instead of overanimating the skaters and bogging down the action. The gameplay can sometimes feel jerky since it��s paced to keep those with attention deficit disorder focused, but hockey fans won��t mind in the least. The game skews to the international style instead of the NHL left-wing lock, and you can expect lots of breakaways, big saves, and one-timer goals.

The AI isn��t brilliant, and the defense will stay put in front of its own net if it can get back in time. Plus, the replays show that many shots never actually touch the stick but are just flung out of the stick��s general vicinity. But I don��t care��there��s enough realism to allow the suspension of a little disbelief. And as rewarding as it is to tickle twine, and as cool as this game is, you won��t care, either.

No Goals

The NHL continues to be at a labor standstill. Lengthy meetings have gone nowhere. Latest developments have the NHL offering two proposals and the players offering no counterproposal. Expect replacement players if this doesn't get sorted out.

Pros Simplified shot aiming is tops, players hockey-stop instead of just stopping

Cons Where��s the three-minute period length? No commentary, sometimes you��ll skate circles around the puck

Verdict A great fill-in during the lockout

Pub. Sony CEA

Dev. Page 44/989 Sports

ESRB E

MSRP $39.99