Kombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
NHL 2K10 is this year's entry in 2K Sports' hockey series. Up until the release of EA's NHL 08 and the introduction of the Skill Stick System, the NHL 2K series was respected as a solid performer in the world of video hockey. Since NHL 08, however, the quality and appreciation for the 2K line of hockey titles has dropped. NHL 2K10 is this year's opportunity to level the playing field with EA's colossal multi-"Sports Game of the Year" winner.

What's Hot
Well, this'll be quick.

2K10 succeeds on a few levels, and honestly the successes noted here are worthwhile enough to hold onto in future iterations. First of all, the presentation right until players take the ice is absolutely fantastic. Pre-game ceremonies are fantastic, creating an atmosphere of play that nearly rivals the real electricity before an actual NHL game. Team logos, fireworks, lighting and sounds fill each arena in a unique way that works well to pump up the virtual crowd and the players about to partake. Too bad this excitement doesn't translate to the section that matters: the on-ice play.



NHL 2K10 offers a huge bevy of playing modes straight out of the box. You aren't secluded to simply Season, Franchise, Quick Play or Online Play here. Sure, those components are a part of the game and they're filled out just fine, but the 2K series has been placing a lot of emphasis on completing the package with some unique additions. Pond Hockey has made its return, along with the new (I think) Mini-Rink and Zamboni modes. Yes, a Zamboni mode, live for it.

This wealth of simplistic options of play certainly falls in line with the campaign NHL 2K10's advertisements have been waging; they've been marketing the title as a hockey styled party experience, and that's certainly an option here. The party lure of the title would be strong enough to warrant a purchase by any hockey fan with friends if the gameplay didn't completely dunk the game in a puddle of sewage.

What's Not
The gameplay. Trying to play NHL 2K10 is like trying to skate on an ice rink covered in five inches of syrup. The motion is thick, sloppy, slow to start and horrifically clunky. Against the boards, in the office (that space behind the net), at neutral ice, in the slot and on the bluelines, NHL 2K10 makes you feel like your control has been the collection spot for tree sap in the great, American Northeast. There are, however, Sliders that you can tweak or even download to make things a bit closer to your liking. I did wind up getting a style of hockey that was a little better, but it was still weighed down by the issues noted above and below.



How about some issues that will likely keep you frustrated enough to wish you were playing NHL 10? Passing from player to player is an absolute chore. If you're trying to move up the ice in a South to North fashion, you'll find that it would be easier to lug the puck with one player than to pass. If you've gained possession in your own zone as a defense-man and you look up to a forward about to make a break, the forward will actually stop skating, address the puck and then start all over again. The AI initiative to move to the pass would be forgivable if it wasn't for the aforementioned syrupy motion. Stopping and starting with the puck takes forever, and breakout passes are rendered useless almost constantly.

And even with the breakout discouraging passing system, breakouts are just about the only way you can constantly score goals. Well, those and wraparounds. Welcome back NHL 94...yeesh.

2K10 never encourages players to setup their offense in the zone. The style of play is very much run-and-gun heavy, and those that take the time to actually setup and attempt to play realistic hockey are very rarely reward. In fact, I once spent five minutes in an online opponent's zone rocking tape to tape passes and quality shots. I never scored, he snagged the puck on an errant pass, skated down the ice and put one past my goalie.

Shooting, deking and checking are all just as shaky as the passing and zone presence. Every time you pull something magnificent, NHL 2K10 is there to backhand you into oblivion and remind you just how much fun it isn't.



I suppose the best place to try and stop complaining is with the commentary. 2K10 tries to be as realistic as possible by introducing coach interviews and unique color commentary. What they wind up with, however, is a host of repeated one-liners that sound like they were read by some folks they yanked off of the street.

Final Word
NHL 2K10 tries to wear way too many hats for its own good. At most moments it tries to be a party hockey game, and if it stuck to this principle throughout and adopted fast paced, arcade style hockey then it may have had a chance to succeed. But then their attempt at realism rears its nasty head and the horrific, slow and boring gameplay gets in the way of any party you'll try to throw down.

NHL 10 is the clear-cut, no-contest winner in the battle for best hockey title this year. But the shame of it is that NHL 2K10 doesn't even put up a fight on its way down. Why not take a year off and decide whether you're making a party game or a hockey simulator. Pick a direction and stick with it. Oh, and get rid of Ovechkin.