NHL 2003

"Champion of Hockey Games"

I was anxious to get this game because i had always enjoyed the nhl titles, it started a few years ago when i first got Nhl 99. The gameplay was fast paced excellent, the graphics were also top noch.

After have playing 99, and 2001.Both on the pc, I heard that the PS2 version is way better so i wanted to try it out...

Graphics: 10/10

These graphics are excellent, Flawless. The helmets are shiny, the ice is to, even every superstar has a different face which is very good. In between plays there is little clips of the players pushing eachother around, the celebrations for scoring were very good. These graphics are perfect i think there is no room for improvement(screenshots do not do games justice don't trust them).

Replayability: 6/10

The one big big big problem in this game is that i had no motivation to keep playing, you win a couple stanley cups it becomes boring, i didn't find it realistic that they expected you to play 9 season. that is just crazy, especially since i picked 84 game seasons. If you are a die hard fan You won't care.

Overall: 8/10

This game is an excellent game, any NHL fans should pick it up, altough you may want to get 2004, 2003 price dropped and it is the exact same so i highly reccomend this game to any who doesn't have any sports game in their colloection

Sound: 10/10

The major point of this game was the sound, in the past games there was only one announcer doing the game. Now Don Taylor and Jim Hughson( both from rogers sportsnet in canada) are doing the announcing. They are an excellent balance. Lots of times Jim uses a figure of speech, Don takes it literally and they start arguing over nothing, its really good. Also they say every player in the leagues name which is pretty good. The sound is where this game excels above all sports games.

Gameplay: Without gameplay what is a sports game? Nothing. That is good because this game's gameplay is where it shines above all game in the sports category. Very easy to control. You control whatever team you want in a game of hockey( kind of a gimme).

There is a few additions to thius years version, one is the game breakers. Your game breakers fill up by doing good things in the game, such as scoringa goal or making a big deke. This Game breaker is difficult to use if you don't reall care about it, the game breaker slows down time giving you an edge over your opponent. One things that isn't new but is good is the break aways, if you get on a break away time slows down, its just you and the goalie, you hear your heart pounding, you shoot you score.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/03