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NHL 12

2011

  • sport
  • non-fiction
  • single player
  • multiplayer
  • co-operative

The story

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. 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. Like NHL 11, Gary Thorne (play-by-play) and Bill Clement (color) provide commentary for NHL 12.

What it’s like

Bright arena lighting and crisp broadcast-style presentation define this sports sim: rinks gleam under white overhead lights, crowds roar in layered stadium sound, and close-up replays flash with a glossy, high-definition sheen. Play-by-play and colour commentary from a familiar broadcast pairing fill the air, rising and falling with each rush and save, while the arena soundtrack hums with arena-rock energy between whistles. Movement is fast and physical, with skaters bodychecking into boards and goalies sprawling across the crease, the collisions handled with a weighty physics feel that makes every scrum look heavy. The mood is bright, competitive and adrenaline-driven, with rhythm set by line changes, power plays and the tension of a close third period rather than any quiet interludes. Violence is limited to hard hits and goalmouth scrums, with no gore and only the usual on-ice shoving and fighting. It suits a Saturday-afternoon session with friends, a co-op night on the couch, or a season-long run for players who love hockey's speed, stats and broadcast atmosphere.

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