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NHL 2003 (PC)
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The rather disappointing NHL 2003 is, in all truth, NHL 2002 plus a few shiny bits. The new features for 2003 are an improved franchise mode, which has more of the hardcore managerial events to deal with, such as annual drafts, player waivers, more injuries and suspensions, and more Easter eggs and celebrations to unlock with the NHL cards rewards system. One major gameplay change has been added: the "Gamebreaker" is simply a power bar which slowly energises as you play, and once full a quick button press will allow you to pull off some pretty funky moves. Also improved is the in-game physics--the puck now rebounds off defenders and sticks with more realism. One main criticisms is that the overly comic commentators have really dumbed the game down; there are to many Matrix-style slow-motion effects on saves, goals and checks; and for some reason the create-a-player option lacks the function to add a photo of yourself to the game, a strange thing for EA to leave out as it had been so popular in previous NHLs. Unlike the previous versions, the menu screens have been re-jigged to tempt the online player with more and more functions and features for online play. NHL 2003 plays fantastically and is one of the finest sports games to grace PC screens anywhere; the presentation is top notch and most of the stats are up-to-date (although yet again many of the minor international squads still have imaginary players). But the new tweaks aren't really enough to justify shelling out full price if you already own last year's version--a lesson EA should have learnt after finally getting FIFA right this time. If you're a NHL completist or a hockey fan, or have never played NHL before, then this game over is for you. If you've already got NHL 2002 then make up your mind if you can do without this version's new features. --Laurent S Hall
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3/5 |
NHL 2003 On PC
(June 08, 2004) |
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I just got this game and was really looking forward to installing it to my Windows 98 PC. I put the disc in and it asked me to install a new internet, like an upgrade. This was only for the network play and the ea sports website. I did not install it. I got over to my dads house a put it on there. It still asked me for an internet unpgrade but we were already on Windows ME with a good internet. I did install this game. It has a good menu, and music! with loads of good features. It is very good. When you get to the game it was very jumpy and it was hard to play a sport game when the picture is jumpping all over the place and it is hard to control your player. I would recommend that only people with a good graphics card and a good internet connection (Broadband) would buy this game. I played the game on PS2 and it was very good but this let it down. I'm not inpressed. |
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4/5 |
A frantic adrenaline pumping game
(March 14, 2003) |
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Firstly to set the scene, I have had NHL 99 since it first came out and have been a fan of this game for many years. NHL 2003 is a great improvement, EA seem to have got the level of competition just right. One of the biggest frustrations with NHL99 was the jump between rookie and Pro game settings. On Rookie i would win easily and Pro, i couldn't win at all. EA have addressed this, games are a more even competition and goals are much more frequent. It is great to see that a 5 minute per period game can yield as many games as a regular NHL game. The graphics, movement and AI are all smooth and excellant and run well on my pc (1.8 ghz cpu, Geforce 2) My only criticisms are the slant towards online gaming over solo play and the lack of historic teams. It would be great if we could pit the 2002 Redwings against the 60s Maple Leafs, but alas this is still a pipe dream. I have played the NHL 2002 demo and can see why people who own the full 2002 game may want to think twice about splashing the cash for the 2003 version, but for everyone else, get your skates and pads on and lets rock!! |
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1/5 |
Stick with 2002...
(November 28, 2002) |
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NHL 2003 has a limited number of novelties, such as modified puck physics and a more intuitive main menu, but on the whole, it's not enough of an improvement over NHL 2002 that it's worth all that money. The computer cheats to get an edge over the human player and it's evident that EA has weighted the game to discourage "solitaire" play and encourage you to sign up for their online matchup service - which is off-limits to us Europeans anyway. Play NHL 2002 for another year and perhaps NHL 2004 will be more worth your dough. |
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3/5 |
NHL 2003
(November 04, 2002) |
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The latest Ice Hockey offering from EA Sports continues the trend established over consecutive years of producing the NHL series. For the first time buyer l would say it is a good game, easy to play, with four levels of difficulty and numerous sliders to make fine adjustments in setting the game up to play according to individual play. However, for owners of previous versions one is left with a feeling of disapointment that it's not as good as it ought to be. Each year they add some features to previous versions and take away some. It's a matter of personal preference whether you like or dislike the changes. The dilema for EA Sports seems to be whether to make an arcade type game or a true simulation. My opinion is that it's the former that gets the vote. Unfortunately, for hockey lovers this is somewhat disapointing, the most obvious deficiency being on the A1 defence which bears no resemblence to how a real hockey team would defend it's zone. Nonetheless, it is a game that will probably keep the hockey nut playing as there is no alternative hockey game produced for PC. Some competition in this field would be most welcome and may lead to a better all round game. The best features are that the graphics are up to the expected EA Sports standard, the sound is excellent, there is a facility for importing you own ditties and music, and the menu is easy to navigate. EA Sports also issue roster updates on a monthly basis via the internet, though there are plenty of independent sites to access to keep the game up to date on a daily basis if you so wish. Overall, l do not think there is sufficient improvement from NHL 2002 to warrant buying the new game if you already own the previous version. |
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