NHL 2003

"Could have been better"

I was very excited about this game. I own 2001 and have rented 2002. I am disappointed that the game did not live up to my expectations.

The game play on this one wasn't bad except for the step back in terms of custom difficulty settings. The major one for me being the goalie and player boost. in earlier versions you had separate sliders for each team. That is gone in 2003. To boost your goalie up or your opponents means weakening the other. This is just an example of the frustration you will have with the limited slider settings. In terms of on the ice game play my major beef is with the goalies. Your entire defense has to center around limiting shots on goal since your goalie will let a lot of terrible shots thru no matter how good his ratings are. meanwhile it is normal for you to hit the opposing goalie with 25 quality shots and only get 1 or 2 goals out of it even if the goalie isn't that good. The other annoying part about this game is when your player gets stuck circling a puck because he cant get his stick on it. I like that they do have to get the stick near it to pick it up but maybe they could have made this a little less strict.

The redeeming factors which makes me give this game a 7 instead of a 6 is the features. franchise mode is a blast. I love being able to plan for the future and play thru multiple seasons. The easter eggs and celebrations in this one also make it fun for when you have friends over. you don't have to be a hockey fan to enjoy the easter egg modes. And the commentary for this game is funny and keeps up with the action very well unless you are a button masher like my brother. The music is very good as has been the case with EA sports games for the last couple of years. It is a strange experience to be driving and hear a song from the game on the radio and then think about hockey and have to fight of road rage when the car next to you almost ''cross checks'' you.

Replays are pretty nifty as well. I don't really care about them but others have said they are really impressed. They especially like the ones set to music. Although sometimes the games choice of what to replay is puzzling.

The very last thing I have an issue with is the information windows. the ones that have the information on the song that is playing or some other trivial stuff. It would be nice to turn that off if we could. If you don't give us that option then at least take the time to position them so they don't affect game play. it is annoying to have a face off about to happen and the window telling me the band that is playing is blocking my view.

In all I enjoyed the game but I expected more. It really wasn't that much better than 2001 which is disappointing. seven out of ten and I hope 2004 is better.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/24/03, Updated 02/24/03