NHL 12: Demo Impressions for EA Sports' Newest on-Ice Entry

In every year in the life of a sports gaming series, there is a signature addition or upgrade. For NHL 12, there are two. The addition of NHL Legends like Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman is one, the other is improved physics.

While the NHL Legends aren't available in the demo, the NHL 12 demo is still among the most robust I've seen, especially from a big-name publisher like EA Sports.

Three major modes of play are available to sports gamers: Be A Pro, Play Now and Ultimate Team.

The ladder is the mode I'm most impressed with.  It has received a structural face-lift from last year and is much more intuitive and easy to follow. It really builds from the original concept, which in its best form, could be the ultimate in custom teams and leagues.

The salary has been increased to 30K this year. On the ice, the differences are subtle but noticeable for those of us that played NHL 11 extensively. The physics that were already amazing have been improved and this is only the demo.

Interactions with the goalie and puck itself are the two areas where the upgrades were focused primarily. Now there is a gathering or controlling of the puck on the stick before any shot or pass is performed by a player.

For example, if you've received a pass, you won't always be able to immediately pass or fire a shot. The puck is always live, so there is a realistic controlling time before any action is available. We're talking like a second or less, but it is a very realistic effect.

With goalies in play, battles around the net now include one more player, but it's not as if it happens every single time you come anywhere near the crease. I didn't experience much of this in the 10 or 12 games I've played, but this could be due to playing style, on offense and defense.

This addition leads to instances of the net coming off the moorings and other real-life hockey situations around the net.

One consistent criticism I have for NHL the series and most EA published titles is the lack or absence of presentation and/or varied commentary. Beyond brief rants on young players, the NHL commentators probably haven't been back in the booth to record new material in two or three seasons.

Furthermore, there is still no conversational value with the commentators. The bar has been raised with the commentary in the NBA2K series; this separate booth commentating in NHL 12 is destined to be muted by your 30th game.

Overall, NHL 12 has not attempted an overhaul of their title, but then again, why would they? NHL 10 and 11 were among the best sports games of their respective years.

Beyond the commentating and dry presentation, the NHL 12 demo looks very strong. Hopefully, the two areas of opportunity will be tweaked in the retail version. If they are, we will have breached new ground with yet another virtual hockey classic from EA Sports. If not, it still looks like another strong entry in the series.

To view all of the NHL 12 demo gameplay videos, click here.