NHL 12 Review (360/PS3)

[Retropyro]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

Guys, just as with the Madden review, the links about the new scoring scale and review process are no joke -- we do not score games like other sites so the 8 you are thinking of is NOT what the game is scored.

I don't have a problem with the score being an 8. I do have a problem with it being an 8 when NCAA 12 was an 8.5. A numerical score means an 8.5 is better than an 8. Doesn't matter what site you go to.

The game is lacking in some area's, I'd like to see more off the ice type stuff in the Be A Pro mode like NBA 2K has. But at the same time, being able to play a CHL career starting as a 15 year old before going onto the NHL is pretty cool. Imagine if NBA 2K included the ability to play a full college career before being drafted?

[jwilphl]

A game can be great, and even parts of a game can be the best version of those parts this generation (such as the gameplay in NHL '12), but that doesn't mean the game is an automatic 10/10. Let's face it, this game is far from perfect--the gameplay may be the best, but that doesn't mean other parts of the game don't hurt its overall score and appeal.

An 8.5 for NCAA '12 is extremely generous, no doubt about that, but I don't believe a lot of the bugs were relevant/known prior to publishing the review. I think reviews would better serve the public by being released perhaps a couple weeks down the road, but I definitely understand why they are released right when the game is, so it is unlikely to change.

I have no problem with any scores--let's face it, reviews are 100% subjective anyway. The reader will almost never agree entirely with the writer, if at all. I may think a game is valued around a 6, but Joe Schmoe will think it is worth an 8. Everyone has their own opinion. At the same time, I'd say those reviewing in a more visible manner, such as media personalities, probably have a greater responsibility in carefully scoring their reviews. Inevitably, developers look at scores and it probably affects what they do the following year. If you are interested in change, give the game a lower score, and perhaps you'll be more likely to see some.

Regardless, just ignore the actual number and read what the reviewer has to say--that's all that matters. If the game is good it will come through in his writing.

[MMChrisS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Retropyro

I don't have a problem with the score being an 8. I do have a problem with it being an 8 when NCAA 12 was an 8.5. A numerical score means an 8.5 is better than an 8. Doesn't matter what site you go to. The game is lacking in some area's, I'd like to see more off the ice type stuff in the Be A Pro mode like NBA 2K has. But at the same time, being able to play a CHL career starting as a 15 year old before going onto the NHL is pretty cool. Imagine if NBA 2K included the ability to play a full college career before being drafted?

NCAA was rated too high for the new scale for sure, that was one of the discrepancies i talked about in my blog today on the homepage. But I feel 100% confident that starting with Madden, every game will be held to the same standard -- something we've not done a great job of (and most sites don't either). However, I'll continually fight the perception that an 8 is a bad score, it's not a bad score on this site under the new scale, it's closer to what a 9 used to be.

An 8 means the game is 'Great'. I don't think we're arguing different points, NHL 12 is a great game. It's not a classic (which is what our 9.0s and above imply) and I think most would have to be fooling themselves to think that. When you boil it down, NHL simply didn't innovate and simply refined. That's fine, but the games we remember the longest in our genre are the ones which are polished, innovative, and realistic/fun. The base line for a 9.0 'classic' is great presentation AND great gameplay, and NHL 12 ONLY has the latter. I'd suggest you just read the scoring rubric and ask where does NHL fit for you in the scale. We are going to be honoring the scale going forward to the upmost degree, and while there's always a subjective nature to reviews, we'll always be trying our best to be the closest to right

[hf199]

I will continue to say this. Gameplay tweaks 4 years running since a major overhaul in 08. Presentation needs work till this day. It won't be realistic on the ice until you have all 4 referees (2 linesmen/2 referees) on the ice! WTF! How long will it take to do this?! I don't care about goalies fighting! maybe 10-12 years old do!

[hf199]

How about classic teams like in NBA2K12, now that would be awesome! 80-84 Islanders, Oilers dynasty, Canadiens, etc.

[hf199]

Quote: Originally Posted by hf199

I will continue to say this. Gameplay tweaks 4 years running since a major overhaul in 08. Presentation needs work till this day. It won't be realistic on the ice until you have all 4 referees (2 linesmen/2 referees) on the ice! WTF! How long will it take to do this?! I don't care about goalies fighting! maybe 10-12 years old do!

NHL2K10 had all refs on the ice! Maybe not the greatest game but it was authentic

[FBeaule04]

I'm falling in the same trap again I should say. So far, my NHL 12 experience is pretty fun. I would say that out of the box, I have more fun than with NHL 11 mainly because it took me around 3 games last year to see some AI dumbness that made the game unplayable for me.

Problem is that the more I play with this game, the more I find things that are close to what I was seeing last year, just not as terrible. For exemple, the AI D won't pin themselves on the board without pressure, but they will do odd things this year like shooting at their own net to change side.

I guess that with reviews, you have to be carefull too. My NHL 11 review last year when I got the game would have been a 7.5. This year, it's more of a 8.5 simply because I have fun. Come January last year, my review of NHL 11 would have been a 6.5, no more. With NHL 12, I will have to see, but at least, so far, I not see myself playing while making asbtaction of things ruining the game experience since the AI is doing just enough to prevent it when lock.

Reviews are like movie ratings. You have to take them for what they are, the view of the person writing it.

[nddurst]

Quote: Originally Posted by Retropyro

The bug infested NCAA 12 gets an 8.5, and this gets an 8? I'm speechless.

I think NCAA deserves a better score because, despite gameplay AI issues and bugs, which could possibly be patched, its dynasty mode is LIGHT YEARS ahead of NHL's Be A GM, IMO. It's much deeper and does a better job of immersing you in a virtual dynasty. NHL's version is clunky and issues that have plagued it since its inception in NHL 10 are still there (bad trading/roster AI, lack of depth).

So, while NCAA might have its bugs, overall it's a better product IMO and deserves a better score. I agree with 8 out of 10 for NHL. Great game, but severely stale and lacking in areas for a couple of years now.

[Spanky]

Quote: Originally Posted by MMChrisS

Guys, just as with the Madden review, the links about the new scoring scale and review process are no joke -- we do not score games like other sites so the 8 you are thinking of is NOT what the game is scored.

Makes no sense. If 8 is not what the game is scored then what the hell is the game scored? And was the numeral 8 placed there?

If 8 out of 10 qualifies as "great,'' then what is 8.5, or 9.0 or 9.5?

I'll give this scoring system a 3, but that's not what this scoring system is scored.

[CPRoark]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spanky

Makes no sense. If 8 is not what the game is scored then what the hell is the game scored? And was the numeral 8 placed there? If 8 out of 10 qualifies as "great,'' then what is 8.5, or 9.0 or 9.5? I'll give this scoring system a 3, but that's not what this scoring system is scored.

Spanky, the rubric is right there at the top of the page, and answers what an 8.5, 9, and 9.5 would be.

I think Chris meant that the 8 is not what you are used to seeing on other sites; sites that typically only use the top five or six numbers of there scale.

In other words, this isn't school. A 7 (or 70%) isn't average. 5 is average, making an 8 a pretty good score. Check all of the links at the top of the page...your questions have all been answered.