Review: NHL 13 (PS3)

There is nothing more unsatisfying then having to simulate a hockey season, but for the 4th time in my lifetime, we're having yet another stoppage. At least the price of EA's NHL series doesn't go up year to year like our ticket, concession, and parking rates do. Serving as the salve to our bruised egos, we get the chance to live out the season our personal dreams electronically.

Review: NHL 13 (360)

With the lock out well under-way, NHL 13 is likely to be your only source of NHL hockey this season. (Check your local paper for alternatives, like the AHL or WHL for very high calibre live hockey!) It's fortunate that NHL 13 is as good as it is about simulating so much of what happens on and off the ice -- it's pretty close to being the real thing, as real coffee is to decaffeinated coffee. Not quite the same buzz, but it will fool anyone not paying attention.

Preview: NHL 13 (360, PS3)

In retrospect, I think NHL Hitz 2003 was probably the last hockey game that completely absorbed my attention like few games have and it stands out in my mind as the premier hockey video game. It was the arcade trappings that did it for me. EA's own NHL 3-on-3 Arcade was a solid attempt at recapturing that flavor -- and it did, for a brief time -- but was quickly replaced by other games.