NHL 13: Release Date, Features and Preview

Madden 13 is getting tons of well-deserved attention, but NHL 13 is a strong early candidate for sports game of the year.

Based on the feature set and the awesome gameplay refinements displayed in the demo, this year's virtual ice experience looks to be noteworthy. The full retail version will be available shortly.

This is the vital information about the release, and a full preview of the game.

Release: September 11 (September 7 via EA Season Pass)

Formats: Xbox360 and PS3

Publisher: EA Sports

Features

There are a good number of new things to discuss with this game. The new features are fairly balanced across the board with some things affecting gameplay, and others adding options.

Here's a detailed look at what's new.

True Performance Skating

This is an enhancement that you have to feel to appreciate. When you have the controller in your hands and you're skating around the ice, you can feel the difference.

Even more respect has been given to size, weight and momentum. It takes a few moments to get used to, but it is certainly a move towards increased realism.

I highly recommend putting in a few minutes in the free skate practice mode. It is helpful in allowing you to get the feel of controlling your player with the puck.

The change isn't anything catastrophic, but there is a noticeable difference.

EA Sports Hockey IQ

This is yet another change that can truly be comprehended when you're playing. Increased A.I. and True Performance Skating sound great, but they can easily be overshadowed by sexier announcements.

Make no mistake, these two features are possibly the biggest additions to the NHL series.

The increased IQ is clear in almost every gameplay situation. Defensemen react quicker to rushes, and your teammates respect spacing better, which causes less frustrating moments of gameplay.

Most importantly, teams are supposed to learn and adapt to tendencies.

The latter can't be completely confirmed as of yet. Most of the demo modes don't allow games that last long enough to verify the adaptability concepts, but I'll give NHL 13 the benefit of the doubt.

It seems to have made good on every other tout of gameplay innovation.

Active and Intelligent Goalies

The increased intelligence isn't limited to the position players on the ice. The goalies are no longer remedial slugs in the crease placed there to be the object of your abuse.

They make far more acrobatic saves, and its generally tougher to beat them.

GM Connected

This is the big one for NHL 13. This humongous mode takes Be a Pro, Franchise Mode and Online Franchise Mode and smashes them all together.

The result is a monstrous mode that can facilitate a league with 30 general managers, and up to 750 players in one league across the world.

Per EA Sports, there are five ways to play this mode:

"

1.       Play against the computer

2.       Play against another GM in head to head play.

3.       Co-Op/Online Team Play – Have friends play with you against the computer or against another team with human-controlled players in up to 6 vs. 6 action. (First time ever in a multi-user dynasty).

4.       Build Your AI – New to the EA SPORTS NHL series: Control your team’s strategies with all-new systems and bias sliders. Customize and record AI sequences so that your players play your game.

·         This can be set up so that a user who can’t make a game against another human controlled team will be able to let the CPU play for them with their strategies in place.

 

5.       Coach Controls – Be the mastermind behind the bench and control your team’s strategies and line changes to help your team to victory. (A quick shoot button allows you to control when your team goes for goal.)

"

This sounds similar to Madden 13's Connected Careers which has received mixed reviews. Some have been very vocal (forum post from Gamespot) about missing fantasy drafts, and other traditional franchise mode options.

Others have had no problems with CC, (forum post from Gamespot) and enjoy the features expansions of traditional franchise mode.

I'm closer to the middle on the feature, as I miss those options, but CC offers enough for me to enjoy the game because of the solid gameplay.

Update: September 7, 2012: By Brian Mazique:

NHL 13 does have Be A GM Mode.

It appears the same dynamic may be headed NHL 13's way. Per an IGN article from June, GM Connected will mirror the debut philosophy of CC:

"

Though GM Connected shows much promise, this year's version will not support a fantasy draft option and will have an automated entry draft.

Prior to the entry draft players will be given the option to set pre-draft rankings in order to have some what a say in who their team chooses to draft.

If not set, the CPU will select the best available player in early rounds and fill positional needs in later rounds.

"

Because I enjoy the gameplay of NHL 13 so much, and GM Connected isn't exactly a shallow mode, I'll still play and be satisfied with the product.

That said, I expect NHL 13 to have some of the same criticisms Madden 13 is enduring.

The saving grace is that Be A GM is still available for those that want to go that route.

Be A Pro/EASHL

One difference from NHL 13 and Madden 13 is that Be A Pro is still available separate from the GM Connected. Gamers can still play in this mode individually.

More control has been given to gamers in regard to requesting trades, retirement and matchmaking in the EASHL functions.

Be A Legend mode also returns for NHL 13, as it appears nothing was removed from the NHL 12 feature set.

This appears to be more of a touch-up than an overhaul.

Presentation Overhaul

Presentation is so huge in sports games, but in many cases EA Sports' titles haven't exactly taken full advantage of their resources.

They hold some of the most awesome licenses and relationships with networks and personalities, but the presentation has been a little empty in some instances.

NHL 13 is trying to improve on that front. 

There is a new menu system that has a three-dimensional value. It's similar to what you see in Madden 13's menu.

On-ice nuances like skate spray and fog are represented. The replay system is made to create continuity between the cut-scene and the actual play being revisited.

These are small changes that are a plus, but a pregame show, detailed intermission recaps or postgame show would have been more impacting.

NHL Moments Live

I enjoy these types of alternate modes. NHL Moments Live allows you to replay exciting moments from the 2011-2012 season, as well as play the upcoming season's stellar moments as they are uploaded to EA's servers

This mode also includes moments from NHL history that feature greats of the game like Wayne Gretzky.

Hockey Ultimate Team

The Ultimate Team concept has really taken off in EA Sports' titles. The NHL series is not the exception to the rule.

Combining the traditional fantasy draft with virtual hockey cards and the video game unlockable concept works well.

There are tons of items that gamers can receive in their virtual hockey card packs. This year players in Ultimate Team can get injured, but in role-playing game fashion, you can obtain healing cards to reduced or eliminate the time of injury.

Not sure I'm feeling that concept, but it's in there.

This is also the mode that allows gamers to unlock the NHL legends included in this year's game. Some of the greats available are: Gretzky, Jeremy Roenick, Doug Gilmour and more.

You can read more about each of NHL 13's features here.

Anticipation Level

 I feel like I know what I'm getting with NHL 13, and I'm pleased with the gameplay and features. The demo was so polished, I have no concerns about how the retail version will translate.

I'm pretty excited about getting full control of all teams and features. I'll deliver a full review for NHL 13 on Saturday, September 9.

Stay tuned.

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