Gretzky NHL 06

Written by Vadim Leonov  on April 17, 2006

Review: The Great One is back and he's better than ever.

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Hockey fans have much to be thankful for this season. The NHL returned after a yearlong lockout, allowing fans to enjoy the excitement and action that the game of hockey brings. Rookie phenoms Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are bound to be superstars for years to come, and the talented rookie class has brought the league the attention that is so desperately needs. Hockey fans were even treated to some world class hockey recently during the Olympics, which culminated in Swedish triumph. Yet even when hockey was absent from the lives of many, the video games were still available. The launch of the PlayStation Portable included a hockey game titled Gretzky NHL, and seven months later developer Page 44 Studios released a follow-up, Gretzky NHL '06. Gretzky NHL '06 is the only hockey game available for the PSP this season, so hockey fans should be thankful that this game is not a bust.

The main flaw that I recognized as soon as I popped in the UMD was that Gretzky NHL '06 lacks a franchise mode, which I am quite used to being a part of all console sports games. Without the ability to create a dynasty, conduct rookie drafts and win multiple Stanley Cups with the same franchise, the replay value of the game suffers quite a bit. Nevertheless, this game does have a fairly deep Season Mode, where you can play the full 82 regular season games along with the playoffs. Throughout the season, all of the player statistics are tracked in detail, and team chemistry and morale can also be monitored. Team chemistry is very important in this game. Each offensive line and pair of defensemen can become better if their chemistry is high. Balancing out the number of superstars on each line can influence the team chemistry, and if the morale of a certain player dips too low then he might request a trade. It should also be noted that although line-ups are more or less up-to-date, the rookies are not included in this game and it is impossible to create players (hence Crosby and Ovechkin are missing). Instead, you have some generic rookies thrown in.

The gameplay in Gretzky NHL '06 isn't a perfect hockey simulation such as the 2K series on the consoles, but it can't be deemed an arcade game either. For example, this is a very fast-paced game. On the default difficulty setting, goals are scored frequently, devastating hits are delivered even more often (sometimes to a point that is frustrating, especially when you are trying to set up a play in the offensive zone), and fights break out; yet oddly enough, penalties are called quite frequently. Also, you have the option of choosing between manual shot aim and automatic shot aim, which makes the experience more realistic. But there are also several small problems with the gameplay. First of all, passing is somewhat difficult, yet the computer opponent manages to zip around passes with ease. Another problem that I have experienced sometimes is that when you switch to a different skater, he will skate in a direction that you do not want him to skate in for a half-second, which can sometimes be very costly. Despite these small problems, some of the modes of gameplay still make Gretzky NHL '06 a very enjoyable experience.

Countdown is one of the new modes, and it is certain to please many gamers. This mode frees up the ice, as instead of the traditional 5-on-5 match-ups, Countdown mode turns the game into a 3-on-3 affair. Less stringent rules, more ice to maneuver on and a three goal limit makes this the perfect mode for some quick action. Showdown mode allows you to pick a NHL team and them face-off against each team in the NHL. After beating all 29 of them, you will face-off against 2 all-star teams and then finally an All-Gretzky team. Speaking of Gretzky, Gretzky Challenge allows you to unlock extra modes, jerseys and Gretzkys by reenacting several of the Great Ones finest moments.

But what makes this Gretzky NHL '06 is the new Wayne vs. Wayne mode. In this mode, the gameplay is virtually identical to that of a normal 5-on-5 match. However, as you accumulate moves, goals and hits, you earn points. Once you have accumulated enough points, you trigger 99 Time, which gives you a temporary 6-on-5 advantage. Who is the sixth man? You guessed it Ц the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is bigger and better than the other players on the ice, but unfortunately your opponent can also take advantage of 99 Time if he accumulates enough points.

As for multi-player, Gretzky NHL '06 supports both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure gameplay. Hence, you can utilize advantage of the WiFi connection if you know someone who also owns the game, but if this is not the case, you can face-off against players across the world. Finding other players online can be a problem, but once you do, the gameplay is actually quite good. I expected choppier gameplay with lags, but have not experienced this much whatsoever to my surprise.

Graphically, Gretzky NHL '06 has far more detailed character models as opposed to the first installment in this series for the PSP. The players look very realistic for a handheld game, and some of the player's faces are even recognizable. However, I think that the goalies and their equipment are rather blocky. There are several nice animations throughout the game as well, but the character animations themselves aren't as fluid as can be. The movements aren't genuine, as the players don't always seem to be skating on the ice; instead they appear to be moving awkwardly sometimes.

As for the audio department, one huge addition definitely bolsters the overall experience. Darren Pang and Mike Emrick delivery a play-by-play commentary, which is a must-have in a sports title. Although the commentary lacks substance and there is a lag between the action and the announcers, having one is better than not having one. As for sound effects, everything from the sound of the puck hitting the goal post to the end of period sirens sounds terrific. As for music, some generic beats and rock riffs have been included instead of licensed music.