NHL 98

Die Verbesserungen sind wie immer gerade so gut, daß ich auch Besitzern des Vorgängers den "Neukauf" ans Herz legen muß. All die kleinen Mankos wie die fehlende Zeiteinblendung in NHL 97 wurden entfernt, dazu gibt es nun ein paar neue Mannschaften und sogar Taktik-Optionen. Und natürlich ist die Grafik wieder etwas besser, soll heißen, brillant. Kaufen, installieren, Spaß haben: So lautet meine Empfehlung.

Obwohl das Eis nicht neu erfunden wird, ist NHL 98 eine von den Renovierungsaktionen, bei denen sich der Kauf lohnt. Die eifrigen Programmierer haben fast jedes Detail aufpoliert. Sei es nun Technik (3Dfx), Sound (fantastische Stadionstimmung), Spielmodi (Nationalteams), Steuerung (Special Moves) oder Intelligenz der Spieler – überall wurde ein Zähnchen zugelegt. Die Störmomente sind minimaler Natur. Die deutsche Version hat einen braven, aber im Vergleich zum US-Original schnarchigen Reporterkommentar verpaßt bekommen. Beim Taktik-Menü hätte ich mir etwas mehr Flexibilität gewünscht. Und die Special Moves sind weder sonderlich spielentscheidend, noch optimal dokumentiert.

Apart from these improvements, everything else is pretty much standard fare for the series - which is by no means a criticism. With only one or two potential threats on the horizon, NHL 98 is a strong contender for the best sports game of the year.

If you like hockey, you will love this game. It really shows how far hockey has come as a sport and in video games. This game reminded me of the old-school NHL games I used to play on the Genesis. I have never been a big fan of the sport of hockey, but I have always enjoyed hockey video games and this is my favorite of all time.

When you think about the huge leaps non-sports PC gaming has taken in the last few years, it's pretty easy to see that sports games haven't really kept up the pace. It's common enough for game makers to successfully create a virtual corridor you walk through and kill monsters. But there are many more logistical difficulties to making a great sports game, like trying to figure out how to fit an entire hockey arena onto your monitor, or making the players large enough to see superb detail while still allowing you to see enough of the ice to know Brian Leetch is about to check your lights out, or Teemu Selanne is in a great position across the ice for a one-timer. Yet EA's team continues to handle these logistics well, and they continue to dominate the pack in a genre where very few game makers even attempt to compete.

Man, EA must have had a lot of balls to put out the same frickin' game three years in a row. Enough already! This final game in the Genesis Hockey series offers only a few miniscule enhancements. The game can be played at three different speeds, and players can have hot and cold streaks. On the box, EA tries to claim that everything is enhanced, from computer AI to crowd reactions, but to be honest, I really couldn't tell. It may be a terrific game, but it's still a rehash.

All told, NHL '98 clearly ranks at the top of the standings in the current season...though until the promising Face Off '98 shows up, nothing's final. Until then, this is one puck that every hockey fan should score.

Voor de sportfreaks onder jullie die over een stevige PC beschikken met misschien een 3D kaart er bovenop is NHL 98 een titel van formaat.

EA Sports have got their act together with this sound ice hockey sim. Excellent graphics, quite good sound and commentary, all of the skill levels, stats, play options, and team rosters you could want and Oooh, that intro. If there was one obvious flaw in the whole game it was the after goal celebrations went on a little too long, especially when it was the opposing team dancing around in delight.

A versão Saturn deste Milia d'Or, face à sua congénere da Sony, perde um pouco em definição gráfica, em beleza e execução de movimento/acção, ganhando entanto no som.

I know the word is overused. I know that 9 out of 10 games claim it. But the best way to describe NHL '98 is simply immersive. You turn on the game, you start a match, and you completely lose track of anything else. It really feels like you're in control of a televised hockey game, or the next best thing. Realistic touches abound, from the individualized goalie masks to the frustrated player mouthing off in the penalty box. While there is still room for improvement (isn't there always), this is a strong title fit for inclusion into any sports game library.

In the past, EA Sports ruled the hockey arena with its NHL series. When it made the jump from 16- to 32-bit gaming, EA lost its magic touch and was forced to go back to the drawing board. NHL 98 for the PlayStation is the best effort yet, and EA is definitely on the verge of another winning streak. If you love hockey games, this is the best title to pick up this season.