NHL 18 PlayStation 4 Review: It’s Hockey Night Again
11/09/2017 05:08 pm EST
Packed With Modes
On top of regular match-ups, you can also hop online and compete against some of the best hockey players out there. Online play works really well here, and the features are stacked, so you can actually challenge appropriately, and get something for your efforts. This, tied in with your Ultimate Team accomplishments, will keep you coming back for more.
There's also a new mode with Threes, an arcade style mode with Tim Kitzrow of NBA Jam fame announcing in a deep, gutsy voice as you take on three-on-three hockey with a number of arcade-style options, like scoring Moneypucks (for extra goals) and playing with teams with mascots. It's not as enjoyable as Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey, but it's definitely an addition that some people will get into. I enjoyed it for awhile, but I think I prefer the straight-up approach to hockey.
There are plenty of other modes as well. The ability to build an NHL franchise from scratch with the new Vegas Golden Knights is awesome, as you really learn the depths of putting something together that works for you. Be a Pro has also returned so that you can master the nuances of hockey, should you feel so compelled. There are challenges, mind you, but if you want to learn what the sport is all about, this is the way to go.
A Good Looking And Playing Game
So there you go – you can be a pro player, build your own franchise, take on an arcade-style mode, and challenge the world. That's not bad, even though I would've liked a few things to change with Threes, like maybe Kitzrow's growling voice being more like his NBA Jam voice (though I still enjoy his return) and the AI not being so over-the-top. I like difficulty, guys, but not powerhouses. At least the Campaign Mode offers a lot to do.
Presentation-wise, NHL 18 makes the sport look better than ever. The odd facial animation aside, the players look great, the crowd details are amazingly accurate (right down to cheering fans), the arenas appear to be a lot of fun, and the animations are sharp. The replay camera could be a little less hyperactivity, but otherwise, it still looks like a champ. The running commentery featuring Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk is fun too, and Ray "Chicken Parm" Ferraro (yes, that's his name) provides some enjoyable insight as well.
While NHL 18 doesn't reinvent the wheel, it keeps it spinning, and makes this sports ride highly enjoyable. Though some people may think that Madden NFL 18 defines evolution in sports in itself, I'd like to think NHL deserves its own audience as well – hockey fanatics and newcomers alike. So if it's a rewarding, packed sports experience you want, don't be afraid to slap the puck around.
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: ComicBook is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of Paramount. Sign up for Paramount+ by clicking here.
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