Gretzky NHL
We hit the ice, portable style, and return with hands-on impressions.
Published: March 7, 2005
Despite having no hockey to watch this year, 989 Sports has felt the need to channel their Gretzky license into a PSP launch effort, apparently seeking to soothe the puck-addled masses with something that not only replicates the on-ice action you'd see on TV, but offers yet another bullet point to the already well-rounded sports game launch lineup.
But hey, chin up, wayward hockey fans, there's actually quite a bit to digest in Page 44's PSP effort. The developer, who also worked on the relatively well-received PS2 entry, managed to squeeze all of the console version's gameplay and high presentation values into a nifty little 16:9 space, and did so without a whole lot of lost love on the play front.
Being a deliciously licensed product, we obviously got to tool around with all 30 league teams, as well as an Eastern and Western all-star lineup. The extremely fast-paced matches looked modest on the PSP screen, with a solid if slightly low framerate. The PS2 version's shot aiming mechanic returns, allowing you to target parts of the net that best skirt the defending goalie with the analog nub. The only time we ever scored a goal was when we'd baited the goalie pretty far to the right, but it was hard to restrain a little fist pumping when the puck finally slid through.
Given that the game bears his name, the Gretzky influence reaches understandably far into the game's unlockables. A Gretzky Challenge mode lets you best The Great One's records like multiple hits or goals per game, face-off conquests and so on for rewards in the form of points, which can then be (wait for it), yes, traded in for uniforms, team lineups during years Gretzky played on them, and so on.
The ubiquitous quick game, exhibition and season modes allow for a hands-free team selection, a user-chosen grudge match or a 82- or cropped 29-game season, respectively. The seasons play out much like you'd expect from a career mode, allowing you take the helm as team general manager and draft, sign or release players as you see fit, all the way up to the Stanley Cup if you so choose.
Our play time with Gretzky was cut too short to really relay the actual game mechanics (blame one too many drinks and too little experience with hockey games if you must), but we'll try to deliver a more well-rounded and accurate review as soon as the game ships.
But hey, chin up, wayward hockey fans, there's actually quite a bit to digest in Page 44's PSP effort. The developer, who also worked on the relatively well-received PS2 entry, managed to squeeze all of the console version's gameplay and high presentation values into a nifty little 16:9 space, and did so without a whole lot of lost love on the play front.
Being a deliciously licensed product, we obviously got to tool around with all 30 league teams, as well as an Eastern and Western all-star lineup. The extremely fast-paced matches looked modest on the PSP screen, with a solid if slightly low framerate. The PS2 version's shot aiming mechanic returns, allowing you to target parts of the net that best skirt the defending goalie with the analog nub. The only time we ever scored a goal was when we'd baited the goalie pretty far to the right, but it was hard to restrain a little fist pumping when the puck finally slid through.
Given that the game bears his name, the Gretzky influence reaches understandably far into the game's unlockables. A Gretzky Challenge mode lets you best The Great One's records like multiple hits or goals per game, face-off conquests and so on for rewards in the form of points, which can then be (wait for it), yes, traded in for uniforms, team lineups during years Gretzky played on them, and so on.
The ubiquitous quick game, exhibition and season modes allow for a hands-free team selection, a user-chosen grudge match or a 82- or cropped 29-game season, respectively. The seasons play out much like you'd expect from a career mode, allowing you take the helm as team general manager and draft, sign or release players as you see fit, all the way up to the Stanley Cup if you so choose.
Our play time with Gretzky was cut too short to really relay the actual game mechanics (blame one too many drinks and too little experience with hockey games if you must), but we'll try to deliver a more well-rounded and accurate review as soon as the game ships.
