Hockey Media

Review: NHL ’14 by EA Sports

In 1991, EA Sports brought the NHL to life in video game form with the release of NHL Hockey for the Sega Genesis.  In 1993, the company released what is still widely considered to be the best sports game of all time, NHL ’94.  Twenty years later, the company is still churning out one of – if not the – best sports games of the year with the NHL series, and this Tuesday they release the latest edition, NHL ’14.

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General, Hockey Media

NHL 14 Online Modes Improvements

The developers of NHL have released more details on their upcoming NHL 14, scheduled to release September 10 in North America.

Several online modes have been tweaked and improved, allowing for a more accessible and enjoyable experience for online hockey players old and new.

EA Sports Hockey League Online Seasons is hockey’s version of seasons used in the FIFA franchise, complete with promotion/relegation setup through ten divisions, with online matchups based on which division you are in.

The playoff experience will last longer. Players will now have two chances to advance in the playoffs, being able to retry if they are unable to move on the first time.

Full details on the Online Modes Improvements can be found at the link below:

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-updates-gameplay/article/nhl-14-online-modes-improvements

Don’t forget to pre-order NHL 14 for exclusive pre-order content at your favourite game retailers! Details on NHL 14 pre-order bonuses can be found at the following link:

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-updates-gameplay/article/nhl-14-pre-order

General, Hockey Media

NHL 14 EA Sports Hockey I.Q. Gameplay Improvements Trailer

The developers of NHL have released more details on their upcoming NHL 14, scheduled to release September 10 in North America.

Details about the new Gameplay Improvements – Hockey I.Q. can be found by watching the following trailer:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ1IUtI96B4[/youtube]

Full details on the new EA Sports Hockey I.Q. can be found at the link below:

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-updates-gameplay/article/nhl-14-gameplay-improvements-hockey-iq

Don’t forget to pre-order NHL 14 for exclusive pre-order content at your favourite game retailers! Details on NHL 14 pre-order bonuses can be found at the following link:

http://www.easports.com/nhl/news-updates-gameplay/article/nhl-14-pre-order

General, Hockey Media

NHL 14 Cover Vote – Final Result

For the first time since John Vanbiesbrouck on the cover of NHL ’97, a Goaltender will grace the cover of an EA Sports NHL game. Martin Brodeur from the New Jersey Devils, and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets, were voted by the fans, as the final two, with only one being able to be on the cover of NHL ’14.

So, without further adieu, let’s reveal the winner of the cover vote, for NHL ’14!

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General

NHL ’14 – First Look

With the release of the Official Trailer for NHL ’14, EA Sports have also released some new features, that will be available in NHL ’14.

NHL 14 Features

  • NHL® Collision Physics – Developed from the same core technology that powers EA SPORTS FIFA’s critically-acclaimed Player Impact Engine, NHL® Collision Physics introduces bigger, more thrilling hits, and truer-to-life collisions. A new left-stick control scheme makes delivering a game-changing hit simpler and more rewarding than ever.
  • Enforcer Engine – There is a code in hockey, when it’s broken you have to respond. A first for the NHL franchise, Fight Night technology delivers a new 3rd person experience, physics-based punch targeting and player size differentiation to every fight, creating the most authentic and electrifying experience yet.
  • One-Touch Dekes – Experience what it feels like to be a superstar through a new, more responsive deking system controlled only with the left stick and one-button. From beginner to advanced gamers, the system allows for quicker reactive dekes and intuitive combination dekes, creating more moves than ever before.
  • True Performance Skating – Built on the breakthrough innovation that introduced physics-based skating and over 1,000 new skating animations to the EA SPORTS NHL franchise. The second year of the True Performance Skating features improved acceleration, explosive first-strides, quicker pivots and enhanced lateral skating, resulting in greater player responsiveness and unprecedented control.
  • Live the Life – The new incarnation of the Be a Pro Career Mode, now you can truly Live the Life of an NHL player. On or off the ice, every decision you make shapes your legacy as an athlete. Interact with teammates outside of the rink. Take part in media interviews. Each choice you make will affect your relationship with fans, teammates and management, influencing your skills and progression.
  • EA SPORTS NHL Online Seasons NHL 14 adds the best-in-class promotion and relegation system in the sports category to the Hockey Ultimate Team & EA SPORTS Hockey League modes. Win games and advance to the next division to face tougher competition, fall short and see your team bumped down. Teams will be able to track their progress across multiple seasons.

Courtesy of http://www.easports.com/nhl/news/article/vision-of-hockey-nhl-14

FIRST THOUGHTS

Live the Life sounds similar to the My Player mode found in the NBA 2K series. As the 2K mode based around a single player, is the best going around, it will be interesting to see whether or not EA can match the sheer superbity of their 2K counter-parts, because if they are able to, in EA’s own way, then Be A Pro could very well be the main feature of NHL ’14.

EA Sports NHL Online Seasons looks to be the same setup as in the FIFA franchise, also by EA Sports. This setup is very decent, very easy to follow, and adds just that little bit more when playing online. I hope this makes it into Ultimate Team as well, for online and single player, like it has in FIFA ’13.

Everything else just seem to be improvements and tweaks to features they have brought in from previous seasons, however I am sure that more information will come out closer to the release date of September 10th for North America and September 13th in Europe, and BoredHockeyFan.com will have all the details.

General

First NHL ’14 Screenshot revealed!

EA Sports, whose NHL video game franchise has dominated the hockey video game market since 1991, have released the very first screenshot of this year’s addition to the franchise, NHL ’14.  Along with the screen shot of Toronto’s Dion Phaneuf taking out Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec, EA has announced that more details about the game will be revealed on April 15th.  Stay tuned to BoredHockeyFan.com for complete NHL ’14 coverage!

Flashback Friday, PUCK YOU!

PUCK YOU! 3.1: The 2011-2012 Season Begins… Part 2 (repost)

Logo

While the 2012 NHL Lockout is underway, every Friday will be known as “Flashback Friday.” On this day of the week, a classic installment of PUCK YOU! will be released for your enjoyment.

This was originally published on Oct 24, 2011

And so, the debate about ice hockey continues… here is the second part of the Wonderpod Online Crew sounding off about the start of the 2011-2012 NHL regular season.
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