Fans of the NHL series are unlikely to skip an entry, for any number of reasons, including the roster and uniform updates, the online play or the simple lack of competition, and there's no reason to start now, as this version's tweaks offer a genuine improvement over last year's well-regarded title, once you adjust to the more realistic controls (either through practice or tuner adjustments.)
The best version of NHL in the past three years -- it's like the previous versions were simply leading up to this release. Everything looks and feels and plays as it should; a fine balance of entertainment and realism. It's a fantastic entry for any fan of the game.
This is very close to a masterpiece. This is what hockey gaming should be. It is so spectacular to be rewarded with so many game types. I do have one problem though and that is that the KHL is not included, but that is my problem and shouldn't affect the score whatsoever.
same as last but the last one was good. thats all i have to say but i have to have 150 characters. And the goalie fights are fun. grezky mode is aight, they could have made it better.
EA Sports once again make head roads into the hockey arena by creating the best hockey game to date... it seems that EA does this every year with their NHL series. Gameplay is refined, more powerful and caters for both newcomers and veterans alike.
NHL 12 is a very good hockey simulation offering a full year of up-to-date sports gaming. Certainly, there's nothing here to put anyone off the series. Lamentably, there's not anything to convert pro hockey simulation abstainers to the fold, either.
This is no big leap forward for the franchise, mind you--comparatively, it's almost less of a leap over NHL 10 than NHL 11 was--but for those who just want to tool around with their favorite franchise, build up a pro of their own design, and hop online against the masses of like-minded players, NHL 12 shan't disappoint.
With a clear conscience there is no way I can give this game less than a 10!. Its beautiful. The depth of game play is inconceivable. The sounds on ice and in the stands plus the commentary are all awesome. presentation is spot as well. oh and tight game play make this game a legend. if your a hockey fan or not you need to buy this game!
The lack of hockey knowledge of the designers of NHL 12 is glaringly obvious. The same brain-dead AI, barely any changes to game play aside from a couple tweaks, interaction with the goalie (which can be exploited, and is not adequately penalized,) and the hip check as the most effective means to separate an opponent from the puck, regardless of what part of your body makes contact with your opponent, make the high scores of this game laughable. I can't wait until the exclusivity of the NHL to be removed from EA, so that another designer can make a hockey video game that actually plays as the sport does, rather than an arcade fantasy for individuals who've never seen a hockey game, played the sport, or touched a puck in their lives.
I bought this game a long time ago and it really has little changes to the game play from NHL 11. The only thing new is the Glass breaking, the hitting is based on momentum now, you can hit goalies, and be a legend which is an unnecessary addition. Other things such as create a team and Be a Pro hasn't changed a bit. The thing I was looking forward to was create a team logo design which is terrible. You can only choose the logos in the game and you can't make your own, and some of the names don't even match the logos. Overall the game is basically the same as NHL 11.
A very disappointing release. The game continues to be riddled with bugs and terrible design and interface decisions. It seems like EA Sports has whittled the NHL developer down to about 4 people who's only job is to program in a couple new features. This game has all of the exact same animations, celebrations, and commentary as NHL 10. Career mode is still completely random and arbitrary. The servers were a mess at launch (an EA staple). EA, maybe next year have your 4-man team work all year fixing this game before spending any more time on meaningless bullet-points for the back of the package.