NHL 12
Encyclopedia
NHL 12 is an ice hockey
video game developed by EA Canada
and published by EA Sports
. The game was released between September 8–13, 2011, in Australia
, New Zealand
, Europe
, and North America
. The game was featured in the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Steven Stamkos
was announced as the game's cover athlete on June 22, 2011, at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
. For the first time since NHL 2004
, the cover athlete (Stamkos) is the same for all of the regions that NHL 12 was released in. The game notably includes more interactive goalies (i.e. players can have real contact with the goalies and vice versa
, and the goalies and skaters may fight each other), better physics engine, improved Be a Pro mode, and the ability to play the 2011 NHL Winter Classic
.
Along with several other new EA Sports titles, NHL 12 was made available three days prior the official release dates to purchasers of the EA Sports Season Ticket, a new digital program allowing users with a PlayStation 3
and/or an Xbox 360
to download and test the full version of new EA Sports titles for a three-day trial period by paying an annual fee of $24.99 or 2,000 Microsoft
points. Users who pre-ordered the retail version of the game may have received a code for a goalie boost pack, which improves certain parts of the player's goalie in the Be a Pro mode.
Like NHL 11
, Gary Thorne
(play-by-play
) and Bill Clement (color
) provide commentary for NHL 12.
, are included. Notable new features are listed below.
(NHL), American Hockey League
(AHL), Czech Extraliga
, SM-liiga
, Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Elitserien
(SEL), and National League A (NLA). The game also includes the Canadian Hockey League
, which comprises the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL), Ontario Hockey League
(OHL), and Western Hockey League
(WHL). Although the Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL) is ranked as the top professional European league, it has never been included in the NHL series (though the former Russian Superleague
was included in NHL 09
), nor is it included in NHL 12. In the CHL, the game also includes the teams in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game
, "Team White" and "Team Red". As part of the new legends feature, there is a "Legends" team that statistically has 100% in both offense, defence, as well as goaltending. The game also includes national teams, but because of lacking rights to the IIHF
license, official jerseys for the national teams are not used. This also means that no international tournaments are included in the game.
The Växjö Lakers Hockey
team replaces Södertälje SK
in the Elitserien league, as the Växjö Lakers Hockey team managed to qualify for the 2011–12 Elitserien season at the expense of Södertälje SK. EHC München, promoted to the DEL in 2010, replaces the Kassel Huskies
. The Chilliwack Bruins
of the WHL have been relocated to Victoria, British Columbia for the start of the 2011–12 WHL season and are therefore replaced by the Victoria Royals, the name of the relocated franchise. The Montreal Junior Hockey Club
in the QMJHL has been relocated to Blainville-Boisbriand to become the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
, which therefore replaces the Montreal Junior Hockey Club.
and the PlayStation Store
(PSN Store). In Europe the demo at the PSN Store was released the following day. The demo includes three modes: the Play Now and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) modes are included from the NHL 11
demo, but the new addition in the NHL 12 demo is the Be a Pro mode, which includes the new Action Tracker. The Play Now mode allows players to simulate a 2011 Stanley Cup Finals
game between the Vancouver Canucks
and the Boston Bruins
to the third period and play from there. By trying the HUT mode, players may win two packs of cards, but another pack may be earned if the player invites a friend to play the NHL 12 demo.
, the goal with the soundtrack is to reproduce the real-life experience in an NHL arena.
has an aggregated review score of 87/100, while GameRankings' aggregated score for the game is 89/100. GameTrailers
gave the game a 9.2/10, stating that the gameplay "just feels more alive," but were somewhat frustrated that they "did manage to find a technique to score a little too often," and also noted that the game "looks almost identical to last year's effort." They praised the EA Sports developers however, describing them as a team unwilling to believe that an "amazing" product is enough. The "Be A Legend" mode, however, did not get much of the same praise; Gametrailers said that the mode "feels like a missed opportunity."
PlayStation Universe
(PSU) gave the game a 9.0/10, while their average user score is 8.0/10. Their reviewer, Adam Dolge, described it as "yet another terrific hockey game, and well worth the attention of any puck fan." They mainly praised the gameplay improvements, noting the A.I.
and the physics engine, which has been enhanced as well. They also praised the revamped presentation of the game. However, PSU agreed with Gametrailers that the new "Be a Legend" mode is not well thought-out, and also criticized the Be a Pro camera angle. They also believe that the Be a GM mode needs to be revamped.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
video game developed by EA Canada
EA Canada
EA Canada is a video game developer located in Burnaby, British Columbia. The development studio opened in January 1983 and is EA's largest and oldest studio...
and published by EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
. The game was released between September 8–13, 2011, in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The game was featured in the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos
Steven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...
was announced as the game's cover athlete on June 22, 2011, at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. For the first time since NHL 2004
NHL 2004
NHL 2004, developed by the EA Black Box studios, is an ice hockey video game. It is the successor to NHL 2003 and is widely considered to be a major turning point in the NHL series. The game adds 3 European Elite Leagues: Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga , Sweden's Elitserien , and Finland's...
, the cover athlete (Stamkos) is the same for all of the regions that NHL 12 was released in. The game notably includes more interactive goalies (i.e. players can have real contact with the goalies and vice versa
Vice Versa
Vice Versa: A Lesson to Fathers is a novel by F. Anstey, first published in 1882.The title originates from the Latin phrase, "vice versa", meaning "the other way around".-Plot summary:...
, and the goalies and skaters may fight each other), better physics engine, improved Be a Pro mode, and the ability to play the 2011 NHL Winter Classic
NHL Winter Classic
The NHL Winter Classic is an annual event held by the National Hockey League on New Year's Day where regular-season games are played outdoors, in areas hosted by NHL teams. Though largely derived from the Heritage Classic outdoor game held in Edmonton in 2003, the Winter Classic has so far only...
.
Along with several other new EA Sports titles, NHL 12 was made available three days prior the official release dates to purchasers of the EA Sports Season Ticket, a new digital program allowing users with a PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and/or an Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
to download and test the full version of new EA Sports titles for a three-day trial period by paying an annual fee of $24.99 or 2,000 Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
points. Users who pre-ordered the retail version of the game may have received a code for a goalie boost pack, which improves certain parts of the player's goalie in the Be a Pro mode.
Like NHL 11
NHL 11
NHL 11 is an ice hockey video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series. The game was developed by EA Canada, published by EA Sports, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks...
, Gary Thorne
Gary Thorne
Gary Thorne is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ABC, working Major League Baseball, College football and Frozen Four hockey contests. He is also the television play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles...
(play-by-play
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
) and Bill Clement (color
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
) provide commentary for NHL 12.
New features
Per one of the NHL 12 producers, over 300 parts of the gameplay have been changed. All features from the predecessor, NHL 11NHL 11
NHL 11 is an ice hockey video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series. The game was developed by EA Canada, published by EA Sports, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks...
, are included. Notable new features are listed below.
- Players have the ability to hit the goalies and vice versaVice VersaVice Versa: A Lesson to Fathers is a novel by F. Anstey, first published in 1882.The title originates from the Latin phrase, "vice versa", meaning "the other way around".-Plot summary:...
. - Goalies are, for the first time with the current game engineGame engineA game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
that was introduced in NHL 07NHL 07NHL 07 is an ice hockey video game. It was released on September 12, 2006, the successor to NHL 06. The game improved the series' gameplay with more realistic features, such as stickhandling and a wider variety of controller schemes...
, able to fight players and each other. - The Be a Pro mode is more authentic. New additions include the ability to start in the CHLCanadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
and play there for up to four seasons, play through 18 career levels, be drafted in the NHL Entry DraftNHL Entry DraftThe NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
, get tasks from the coach, simulate games to the player's next shift, and break historic records. - Improved physics allow for more realistic hits with helmets coming off, players being hit into the bench, knucklepuck shots, shattered glass, and improved puck movements.
- Players don't as easily lose total balance if they're hit as with the previous games. For example, a player might use their hands or stumble to his knees to regain balance if hit.
- In the Be a GM mode, players are able to use retired jerseys. For this reason, certain jersey numbers may be excluded to the players. The Be a GM mode is more authentic with things like salaries designed for rookie players, and more accurate injuries.
- Players are able to play the 2011 NHL Winter ClassicNHL Winter ClassicThe NHL Winter Classic is an annual event held by the National Hockey League on New Year's Day where regular-season games are played outdoors, in areas hosted by NHL teams. Though largely derived from the Heritage Classic outdoor game held in Edmonton in 2003, the Winter Classic has so far only...
at Pittsburgh's Heinz FieldHeinz FieldHeinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
with fans donning Winter Classic gear. - Players are able to create female hockey players in the game, possibly to attract female gamers to NHL 12.
- An all-new feature, the Action Tracker, tracks games' every occurrence and allows players to intervene in simulated games when needed.
- Simulated statistics and results are completely dependent on the players' playing style and ratings.
- Improved trading logic makes it much more difficult to trade for elite players in the Be a GM mode.
- For the first time ever, NHL legends are included in the game and are fully functional in any modes. The legends are Ray BourqueRay BourqueRaymond Jean "Ray" Bourque is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League . Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and...
, Chris CheliosChris CheliosChristos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...
, Steve YzermanSteve YzermanStephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
, Patrick RoyPatrick RoyPatrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
, Jeremy RoenickJeremy RoenickJeremy Shaffer "J.R." Roenick is a former American professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League . He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks over the course of his 18 NHL...
, Gordie HoweGordie HoweGordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
, Mario LemieuxMario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, Börje SalmingBörje SalmingAnders Börje Salming , nicknamed "The King", is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for Kiruna AIF, Brynäs IF, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings, and AIK. Salming was one of the first European players to make an impact in the National Hockey League , paving...
and Wayne GretzkyWayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
. A "Legends" team is included in the game as part of the legends feature. However, in order to be used in the Be a Pro mode, they have to be unlocked by breaking the milestones that they set during their careers. - The presentation has been revamped, as explained in interviews of players' improved appearance, improving the player's personality on the ice. Over 100 new faces have been put in place into the create player feature, including 2 female faces. A new graphical user interfaceGraphical user interfaceIn computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
(GUI) is included.
Leagues and teams
NHL 12 includes seven professional leagues: the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
, SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
, Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
(SEL), and National League A (NLA). The game also includes the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
, which comprises the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL), Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL), and Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL). Although the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL) is ranked as the top professional European league, it has never been included in the NHL series (though the former Russian Superleague
Russian Superleague
The Russian Superleague , commonly abbreviated as RSL, was the highest division of the main professional ice hockey league in Russia. It was considered the second best league in the world, after the National Hockey League of North America...
was included in NHL 09
NHL 09
NHL 09 is the 18th video game in the NHL series released by EA Sports. NHL 09 was first released in North America for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 10, 2008, and on September 25, 2008 Australia, and September 26, 2008 in Europe. It was released for Microsoft Windows on October 22, 2008...
), nor is it included in NHL 12. In the CHL, the game also includes the teams in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game
CHL Top Prospects Game
The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event in which forty of the top draft eligible prospects in the Canadian Hockey League play against each other, each hoping to boost their draft ranking with the National Hockey League scouts and general managers who attend.The players are typically coached...
, "Team White" and "Team Red". As part of the new legends feature, there is a "Legends" team that statistically has 100% in both offense, defence, as well as goaltending. The game also includes national teams, but because of lacking rights to the IIHF
International Ice Hockey Federation
The International Ice Hockey Federation is the worldwide governing body for ice hockey and in-line hockey. It is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 70 members...
license, official jerseys for the national teams are not used. This also means that no international tournaments are included in the game.
The Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey is an ice hockey club from Växjö in Sweden. They play their home games in the Vida Arena. The club makes their debut in the Elitserien , Sweden's top ice hockey league, in the 2011–12 season...
team replaces Södertälje SK
Södertälje SK
Södertälje Sportklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club playing in HockeyAllsvenskan. Södertälje were charter members of Elitserien when the league was founded in 1975 and have since played 24 seasons in the league...
in the Elitserien league, as the Växjö Lakers Hockey team managed to qualify for the 2011–12 Elitserien season at the expense of Södertälje SK. EHC München, promoted to the DEL in 2010, replaces the Kassel Huskies
Kassel Huskies
The Kassel Huskies were a professional ice hockey team based in Kassel, Hesse, Germany. They played the majority of their seasons in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.The club was founded as ESG Kassel in 1977 and was renamed into EC Kassel in 1987...
. The Chilliwack Bruins
Chilliwack Bruins
The Chilliwack Bruins were a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League, based out of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The 2006–07 season marked the Bruins inaugural season in the WHL. The team played at Prospera Centre, which was expanded to 5,386 seats for the arrival of the Bruins...
of the WHL have been relocated to Victoria, British Columbia for the start of the 2011–12 WHL season and are therefore replaced by the Victoria Royals, the name of the relocated franchise. The Montreal Junior Hockey Club
Montreal Junior Hockey Club
The Montreal Junior Hockey Club were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The team is based out of the Verdun Auditorium, in Verdun, Quebec. The St. John's Fog Devils franchise relocated at the conclusion of the 2007–08 QMJHL season...
in the QMJHL has been relocated to Blainville-Boisbriand to become the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada are a junior ice hockey team of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Boisbriand, Quebec. The team play its home games at the Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau.-History:...
, which therefore replaces the Montreal Junior Hockey Club.
Demo
The demo of NHL 12 was released on August 23, 2011, at the Xbox Live MarketplaceXbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live members to download purchased or promotional content...
and the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
(PSN Store). In Europe the demo at the PSN Store was released the following day. The demo includes three modes: the Play Now and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) modes are included from the NHL 11
NHL 11
NHL 11 is an ice hockey video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series. The game was developed by EA Canada, published by EA Sports, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks...
demo, but the new addition in the NHL 12 demo is the Be a Pro mode, which includes the new Action Tracker. The Play Now mode allows players to simulate a 2011 Stanley Cup Finals
2011 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League , and the culmination of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the 118th year of the Stanley Cup's presentation. The Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference Champion Vancouver...
game between the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
and the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
to the third period and play from there. By trying the HUT mode, players may win two packs of cards, but another pack may be earned if the player invites a friend to play the NHL 12 demo.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack list was announced on August 16, 2011, including 14 songs. Like NHL 11NHL 11
NHL 11 is an ice hockey video game celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the NHL series. The game was developed by EA Canada, published by EA Sports, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with all other regions receiving the game within two weeks...
, the goal with the soundtrack is to reproduce the real-life experience in an NHL arena.
| Song title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Occult Enemies Russian Spies / Occult Enemies "Russian Spies / Occult Enemies" is a single from Against Me!, released as a 7" vinyl single on June 14, 2011 on Sabot Productions.-Background:After Against Me!'s break in late 2010, the band returned with a new drummer, Jay Weinberg... |
Against Me! Against Me! Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,... |
| I'm Alive | Anthrax Anthrax (band) Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene... |
| Standing on the Edge of the Noise Standing on the Edge of the Noise Standing On The Edge Of The Noise is a unique, intimate look at Oasis performing in their own space, instead of the huge stadium stages on which they are more often seen. The programme includes a mix of classics and new tracks from Dig Out Your Soul... |
Beady Eye Beady Eye Beady Eye are an English rock band formed in 2009. The band consists of vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer and guitarist Andy Bell, all former members of Oasis, rounded by drummer and percussionist Chris Sharrock who substituted for Oasis during their last tour in 2008/2009, before Oasis... |
| Mony Mony Mony Mony "Mony Mony" is a 1968 single by Tommy James & the Shondells, that reached #1 in the UK charts.-History:"Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell, and Bobby Bloom. The hook in the song is said to have been inspired by James' view of a MONY sign atop the Mutual of New York... |
Billy Idol Billy Idol William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X... |
| That Fire Post Mortem (album) Post Mortem is the second album by the American heavy metal band Black Tide, set for release on August 23, 2011. The album was produced by Josh Wilbur and GGGarth... |
Black Tide Black Tide Black Tide is an American heavy metal band from Miami, Florida. Formed in 2004, the group is currently signed to Interscope Records and is composed of Gabriel Garcia , Austin Diaz , Zachary Sandler , and Steven Spence... |
| Farewell Firefight (album) -Personnel:Blackguard* Paul "Ablaze" Zinay – lead vocals* Kim Gosselin - lead Guitar, orchestrations* Terry "Roadcase" Deschenes – rhythm guitar* Étienne Mailloux – bass guitar* Justine "Juice" Ethier – drums, percussion- References... |
Blackguard Blackguard (band) Blackguard is a melodic death metal band from Montréal, Québec, previously known as Profugus Mortis.-Formation :Blackguard was formed in 2001 by guitarist Terry Roadcase and drummer Justine "Juice" Éthier as a straight ahead black metal outfit, the Montreal-based sextet - was originally named... |
| The Sound of Winter The Sound of Winter "The Sound of Winter" is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. The song is the second single released from the band's fifth studio album The Sea of Memories.-Music video:... |
Bush Bush (band) Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big... |
| I Wish I Could Steal A Sunset | Death Letters |
| Hang 'Em High Going Out in Style Going Out in Style is the seventh studio album by the Dropkick Murphys and was released on March 1, 2011. It was the band's second studio release on their Born & Bred Records label, and marks the longest gap between two Dropkick Murphys albums, as it was released almost four years after 2007's The... |
Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St.... |
| Don't Bring Me Down Don't Bring Me Down "Don't Bring Me Down" is a song by the band Electric Light Orchestra, and is the last track from their 1979 album Discovery. It is their highest charting hit in the US to date.-History:... |
Electric Light Orchestra Electric Light Orchestra Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones... |
| You've Got Another Thing Comin' You've Got Another Thing Comin' "You've Got Another Thing Comin" is a song by British heavy metal band Judas Priest. It was originally released on their 1982 album Screaming for Vengeance and released as a single later that year... |
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Reception
Like most recent games in the series, NHL 12 has received very positive reviews. As of September 12, 2011, MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
has an aggregated review score of 87/100, while GameRankings' aggregated score for the game is 89/100. GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
gave the game a 9.2/10, stating that the gameplay "just feels more alive," but were somewhat frustrated that they "did manage to find a technique to score a little too often," and also noted that the game "looks almost identical to last year's effort." They praised the EA Sports developers however, describing them as a team unwilling to believe that an "amazing" product is enough. The "Be A Legend" mode, however, did not get much of the same praise; Gametrailers said that the mode "feels like a missed opportunity."
PlayStation Universe
PSU.com
PlayStation Universe is a website providing news and forums for the PS3, PSP and PS2 platforms.- History :Launched in October 2006, PSU.com is an online PlayStation magazine primarily known for its exclusive news and reviews for the PlayStation 3 console...
(PSU) gave the game a 9.0/10, while their average user score is 8.0/10. Their reviewer, Adam Dolge, described it as "yet another terrific hockey game, and well worth the attention of any puck fan." They mainly praised the gameplay improvements, noting the A.I.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
and the physics engine, which has been enhanced as well. They also praised the revamped presentation of the game. However, PSU agreed with Gametrailers that the new "Be a Legend" mode is not well thought-out, and also criticized the Be a Pro camera angle. They also believe that the Be a GM mode needs to be revamped.