Ice hockey n. A game played on ice in which two opposing teams of skaters, using curved sticks, try to drive a puck into the opponent's goal.

NHL Hitz Pro n. A game played by one or more players (online if you have a PS2) that closely resembles ice hockey for the maddening crowd of raving lunatics (fans) that follow it, while getting its attitude dead on.

Next Level Games (the developers of the new installment) have nailed the atmosphere and energy that is NHL Hockey, the oft forgotten “fourth sport” that always seems to bypass the masses. Hockey is seen by many that understand it as the best sports to watch on TV or in person. A team is hardly ever really out of it, emotions run high and it relies on individual skill, unselfishness, and dedication to the team before all else. “Hot Doggers” are quickly relegated to the fourth line if not forgotten about all together. Bone crushing checks are almost as exciting (if not more so) than scoring and then there’s fighting, which involves much more than a simple brawl - it’s about intimidation, protecting your teammates and not lying down if you’re getting beaten. Hockey is an attitude of not compromising in the face of adversity. It’s about getting 15 stitches in between periods and coming out for the next as if nothing had happened, it’s not about prima donna blisters keeping you out of the line up for weeks. It’s ego, attitude, and tough as nails mental fortitude. Oh yeah, you have to try to score goals, too.

The songs are played loud and are inspirational, bearing close resemblance to most rinks around the country. Players are shown entering the ice from a variety of camera angles that capture “the feel” of the game. These are also used throughout the game with highlights that aren’t repeated ad nauseum but are a nice surprise when they are displayed. It can’t be emphasized enough how the in-game energy of the NHL is captured here. The game is electric.

There are multiple modes to the game - Franchise, Pick Up, Season/Playoffs, and Exhibition. Franchise allows you to build a team in the minor leagues and eventually get them up to NHL level. You have to win a certain amount of games before you’re eligible. Pick Up hockey is can be played on the frozen pond (eerily quiet) or perhaps in a park in the city by not yet ready for the NHL players (read: kids). It’s good for a quick, informal game that doesn’t mean anything in the long run. On the pond, for example, you’ll hear birds flying by and one of your own teammates drops the puck on the face-off in lieu of a ref. Of course, there’s also the standard season mode which allows you to pick from your favorite NHL teams and either complete a season (or shortened season) or playoffs with real rosters and players from the NHL. Stadiums (and crowds) are accurately recreated and you have the option of actually playing your next opponent or skipping it by letting console play it for you.

Obviously, the real meat and potatoes here is the game play. Next Level Games has retained the arcade feel that makes its Hitz series unique among its competitors and has incorporated multiple difficulty levels along with a decent AI to keep the game scoring at reasonable levels. Individual abilities are configurable and you can even set the CPU to have a comeback state of mind (taking more chances to score) when you have it down. The amount of minor tweaking in the game, down to such individual skills such as your shooting ability or goaltending prowess, basically guarantees you a good game if you want one.

You’ve got one timers that are easily executed. Fake shots can be turned into passes and then one timed into the net. Rebounds, wrist shots, hard slappers, dekes, stick checks, poke checks, long and short passes - it’s all here. Next Level Games has retained its trademark bone crunching check engine that’s simply a blast to use and maul your opponent who’s traveling towards your goal. My only beef with the check is that it seems to throw your player off balance nearly as much as your opponent - which is certainly a reality among a percentage of NHL checks, but not as often as it happens here. The AI recreates players’ appearances generally well and even mimics a few of the traits that you might have become familiar with on the ice. However, seeing Pavel Bure throwing a mean body check 3 or 4 times again is about as likely as Bush winning a U.N. popularity contest. It ain’t happening.

The goalies are reasonably difficult to score upon and getting goals isn’t terribly easy. You’re more likely to have success with one timers and rebounds than you are with individual shots (wrist or slap shots) from various angles. Scoring ten goals a game? Pump up the opposing goalie’s ability. Playing against a weaker player? You can fine tune, by game, which team has the best chance of winning via a once click slide lever in the middle of the screen. Stick handling is accomplished with the right analog stick (which, effectively, can make any player maneuver the puck like Alexei Kovalev with a bit of practice) and player movement with the left. You have a burst of speed (R1) that you can use to try for a breakaway or to get back on “D”. This gauge empties as you use it and slowly replenishes for each player in the game.

Statistics are thorough and allow you to view a multitude of stats (One Timing Percentage, anyone?) through either team or league modes. My only small nit-pick here is that when you’re viewing the league scoring leaders, for example, only the players name is given, not his team. While this might not be a big deal for big time NHL fans, it’s a bit more difficult for someone who might not know what team Kariya plays for. Trades can be executed before or during a season. You’ll also come across the AI trading players from two teams that have nothing to do with you once in a while. You have to “approve” any such trade and the AI will ask for your permission. Team management allows you to mix up line pairings (separated by offense and defense) to your liking.

Finally, NHL Hitz Pro does something here better than any NHL game out there - it’s decidedly for the hockey fan - and that’s a great thing.

· · · Haohmaru