| NHL 11 | |
|---|---|
 The North American cover ofNHL 11, featuringJonathan Toews. | |
| Developer(s) | EA Canada |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Series | NHL series |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,Multiplayer,Online multiplayer |
NHL 11 is anice hockeyvideo game, which celebrated the twentieth anniversary of theNHL series.[1] The game was developed byEA Canada, published byEA Sports, and released in North America on September 7, 2010, with the game releasing in all other regions within two weeks. The game features a physics-based game engine, which replaced the old animation-based system, and was touted byNHL 11 producer, Sean Ramjagsingh, as "the biggest change inNHL 11". Other significant changes include broken sticks, which means the stick may now break when the player shoots.NHL 11 does not use officialInternational Ice Hockey Federation jerseys, as the game doesn't have the IIHF license. The cover ofNHL 11 featuresChicago Blackhawks captainJonathan Toews, who helped the team win their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years in 2010. NHL 11 was the last game to feature theAtlanta Thrashers as they became the present-dayWinnipeg Jets the next year in 2011.
As anice hockey simulation, the game attempts to emulate therules andplay of the sport as closely as possible.[2]Goals, for example, may be scored fromall areas of the ice through a variety of different methods, mirroring play of an ice hockey game inreal life.[3] The default control scheme uses the leftanalog stick to control player movement, while the right stick is used to simulate the movement of the player's hockey stick, performing actions such asdekeing and shooting.[4][5] Players may choose to use simpler input methods instead, such as the control scheme used inNHL '94, in which pass and shoot are the only buttons.[4]
A physics-basedgame engine replaced the old animation-based system. Touted as "the biggest change inNHL 11" by producer Sean Ramjagsingh, it took a full year to develop and implement.[6] The new engine allows for more natural plays and puck bounces, and simulates real interactions more accurately and realistically.[3][5][7] Each bodycheck and collision is unique, such as glancing blows that spin a player, hip checks that completely upend opponents, or any other possible reactions.[6] Player and puck movement now take momentum into account, and hits can be made high or low, with vastly different results.[8][9]
Broken sticks were introduced to the series for the first time, as EA claims this was the most requested feature.[5] Players without sticks are able to kick or grab the puck, and teammates may offer their own stick as a replacement. Alternatively, the player may return to the bench for another stick.[6] Discarded sticks remain "live" objects while on the ice; the new physics system allows interaction with skates, other sticks, and the puck.[9] The face-off system was completely overhauled after several years without improvements.[9] Previously, a simple flick of the analog stick at the correct time would win faceoffs.NHL 11 allows players to choose position and grip, tie up opponents or lift their sticks, shoot off the draw, or even immediately deke through the opposing centre's legs.[8][9][10]
Other mechanics were reworked in this iteration of the series. Passes are now triggered at therelease of the trigger button, instead of the initial pull. The longer the button is held, the stronger the pass will be, giving the player control of the speed of the puck.[10] Dekes are done using the controller's analog stick. There are four different types of dekes that can be made, corresponding to up, down, left, and right on the analog stick. The left and right dekes were retained from previous games but made quicker. The up deke has the player flip the puck up and jump over aprone player, and the down deke has the player put the puck in his feet and kick it back up to his stick. Each of the dekes was made to counter a specific defensive technique.[9] Completely new additions to the game include user-controlled goal celebrations, disallowed goals, playoff beards, and "hustle", a burst of speed that drains stamina quickly.[11][12][13]
NHL 11 features a new "Hockey Ultimate Team" (HUT) mode, similar to the corresponding modes in theFIFA series and theMadden NFL series which existed beforeNHL 11. In Hockey Ultimate Team, the players receive a pack of cards and use them to build up their own team and make it the best they can. The players will earn "EA Pucks" after each game they've played in the HUT mode, whether they win or lose. They can also choose to play online with another player or play alone with the computer.[14][15]
New additions in the "Be a GM" (general manager) mode includerestricted free agency, including qualifying offers, offer sheets and compensation draft picks; six seasons worth of draft picks available for trades and as RFA compensation (rather than only one season's worth of picks available in the previous games); a revamped "Rookie Generation" system; all-new pre-season games to help the players decide their NHL team; and the ability to trade up to five players/picks, instead of just three.[16]
On May 3, 2010, anFAQ was released on the EA Sports website regarding questions users may have asked regarding thegameplay of the game, before the game was released.[17]
On June 21, 2010,Jonathan Toews of theChicago Blackhawks was announced as the cover athlete forNHL 11 inNorth America, marking the first time teammates were selected in consecutive years. (Chicago wingerPatrick Kane was the cover athlete forNHL 10 in North America.) Toews won agold medal at the2010 Winter Olympics and theConn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Hecaptained the Blackhawks totheir first Stanley Cup win since 1961, all in2010.[1] Identical twinsHenrik andDaniel Sedin of theVancouver Canucks were announced as the cover athletes for theSwedish cover ofNHL 11, whileMark Streit was featured on theSwiss cover for the third consecutive year.[18] A launch event was held inNew York City on September 8, 2010, withJonathan Toews andPatrick Kane participating in a trick-shot competition and a match ofNHL 11, in which Kane knocked Toews out in a virtual fight.[19][20]
On January 11, 2013, all online services forNHL 11 were discontinued.[21]
| Aggregator | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| Metacritic | 88/100[27] | 88/100[28] |
| Publication | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| 1Up.com | B+[8] | B+[8] |
| Destructoid | N/A | 9.5/10[22] |
| Game Informer | 9/10[7] | 9/10[7] |
| GameRevolution | A−[23] | A−[23] |
| GameSpot | 9/10[3] | 9/10[3] |
| GameTrailers | 9.2/10[24] | 9.2/10[24] |
| GameZone | 9/10[4] | 9/10[4] |
| IGN | 8.5/10[5] | 8.5/10[5] |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | 9/10[25] |
| PlayStation: The Official Magazine | 8/10[26] | N/A |
NHL 11 received "generally favorable reviews" on both platforms according to thereview aggregation websiteMetacritic.[27][28]NHL 11 was the fourth best-selling title for September 2010 in theUnited States,[29] and opened as the 18th best-ranked title in theUnited Kingdom in its first week of release.[30] Cowen and Company's, Doug Creutz, said it had a "weak follow-through"[31] as it did not chart on the top 10 list the following month.[32]
The new physics-based gameplay was well received, withGame Informer describing it as "steady progress" over previous games,[7] andIGN noting it "isn't perfect... but when it works properly the results can be awesome".[5]IGN also noted that the general speed of the game as being slower thanNHL 10.[5]
The game'sartificial intelligence received mixed reviews.1UP.com took issue with the offensive AI, criticizing teammates who do not join the puck carrier on abreakaway, yet remarking that they show "flashes of brilliance in thedefensive zone.[8]GameSpot mentioned that the AI had been "noticeably ramped up", with "smart teammates" and "players [who] seem to know what they're doing", while lamenting the fact that "computer players still hold onto the puck a little too long".[3]
During the14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, theAcademy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominatedNHL 11 for "Sports Game of the Year".[33]
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