Be A Pro

So a year ago, there was this video game that sent shockwaves throughout the sports games community. If you haven't heard, NHL 08 was praised by almost every reviewer and won Sports Game of the Year from Gamespot.com. Just in case you haven't noticed, the 08 season has come to a close and the 09 season is about to start. What does this mean for EA's NHL franchise? Probably back-to-back awards.

Before I go on, if you haven't a next-gen game console, now might be the time to buy it (especially since Microsoft slashed the price of the Xbox 360 premium to 300 dollars, down from 350). Can this game possibly be this good? It sure looks like it.

Hearing the accolades for NHL 08, I bought myself a copy, and boy was I glad I did. I spent countless hours in franchise mode building the Ducks into a powerhouse of a team. I think I steered them to 4 or 5 Cup dynasty, but I suppose that is neither here nor there. Point being, NHL 08 was ridiculously awesome and NHL 09 promises to improve on that formula in leaps and bounds. How, you say?

Be A Pro.

This is the name of a new mode they're introducing. In it, you almost literally strap on your own skates and develop yourself as a player from the minors to superstardom. What sets this apart from other hockey games (or game modes) is the fact that your success does not require the finger dexterity to pull off a spicy button combination to score highlight reel goals. This new game mode instead opts to test you on your hockey smarts. In this mode, you exclusively control your own player on the ice - with or without the puck. Do you position yourself for the one-timer? Do you screen the goaltender for your teammates? Do you join in on the rush? These are decisions made by real hockey players and for the first time, the couch potato can join in on the fun. As a player, you can select several templates including, but not limited to, standup goaltender, defensive defenseman, playmaker, grinder, etc. How well you play is determined on how well you play according to the expectations of your role.

The success of your player would depend on three factors, how well you position yourself, how you interact with your team, and how well you show up on the stat sheet. With this mode, gone are the days where all that matters is lighting it up. Yes, if you're often caught out of position, the coach WILL notice. If you always hog the puck, the coach WILL notice. If you don't shoot enough, the coach WILL notice. As line changes happen, you step off the ice and watch the game from the bench, at which point, the coach will give feedback. As you progress in your career, you are given points to spend on a variety of attributes, giving the player choice on whether he should choose to improve his speed, reflexes or whatnot. If that's not revolutionary, I don't know what is.

On Xbox Live, at least, there will be an EA sanctioned official hockey league. Teams are created and players would be recruited to teams with other players. They would play to advance to higher divisions and division 1 teams would play for a trophy, which I hear is an actual physical trophy (don't ask me, I don't know how it works).

The game hasn't been released yet, so the details are a little fuzzy. Personally, I'm excited to see how much realism is involved with this mode. Do I get to negotiate contracts with teams? Do I get traded? Mayhaps I can negotiate an NTC? At this point, only the folks at EA know the more fine details of this fine new game mode.

You can bet top-dollar that on 09.09.08, I'll be dropping 60 bucks for NHL 09.



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