nhl2002

NHL Hitz 2002

Hitz is all set to explode on GameCube at system launch. Check out new GCN screenshots and salivate.

September 26, 2001

Midway has finally come around and is bringing its over-the-top, hard-hitting game design to the hockey genre. Midway started it all with NFL Blitz, which let football-loving gamers perform bone-crunching tackles and other illegal moves. Now, fans of the original throw-off-your-gloves sport, hockey, will be able take their aggression to the ice field with NHL Hitz 2002. If Midway delivers on its promises, NHL Hitz 2002 could be a hockey lover's dream come true. The GameCube version is being readied for US launch on November 18, making it the first hockey game on the console.

Features

Full NHL license -- Play with your favorite NHL teams and players
"Adrenaline-style"extreme gameplay where players aggressively leap, glide, check, and fight
Detailed character models with real player faces
Watch as the ice deteriorates, showing wear and tear over the course of your games
Players come to life with exaggerated animations and facial expressions
A fully 3D crowd will heckle as the game takes place, even throwing objects at players
Classic Midway "On-fire Mode" -- Players and teams will catch fire becoming nearly unstoppable, flaming puck included
Extra fantasy stadiums, hidden teams and players
Hard hitting action lets you break the glass guard, putting players over the boards
Extensive play-by-play commentary overlays the action
Varying player skill sets with specific statistics, abilities and attributes
Create-a-player option lets players design their ultimate ice warrior
Extra mini-games including the official NHL super skills competition competitions
One to four players
Available for GameCube launch
Gameplay
Where Midway once failed with NHL Open Ice, NHL Hitz is supposed to succeed. Open Ice was modeled after NBA Jam and capitalized on the same "on-fire" aspects of the game. Hitz is being geared to take that to a new level. When Midway introduced NFL Blitz, its arcade and console football hit, it went straight to the core of gamers' aggression, striking a balance between over-the-top violence and skill. All right, so perhaps it's largely the idea of violent, illegal plays that is most appealing, but the concept of skill hasn't been totally overshadowed.

It is the same with NHL Hitz. Players will be able to indulge in an extreme four-on-four hockey match with their favorite NHL teams and players. The focus is on hard hits, rough checks, and blazingly fast gameplay. We haven't gotten our hands on the product yet, so we have no hands-on impressions, but the basic concept is apparent. You'll take control of a four-man team, check people until they're lifeless bodies turn to pulp. The more consecutive scores you make, the hotter your player gets, eventually catching fire, whereupon you'll be nearly unstoppable. More importantly, though, when you do get aggressive enough you'll be able to check opponents through the surrounding glass, pushing them over the boards.

To complement this the crowd interacts with the event. They'll bang on the glass, throw their hats onto the ice, and even walk out if your game is boring! Everyone is featured in full 3D, which makes for the first animated, polygonal crowd ever. All players' motions are highlighted with rich, varied animations to add to the realism. The entire game boasts 30 arenas with 32 unique and hidden fantasy rinks, as well as secret players and teams to unlock. There are secret arenas for every team, presented in a unique fantasy setting. Exactly how fantastical the rinks will get is yet to be revealed.

An actual GameCube screenshot of Hitz in action
In the end, if Midway does Hitz right it could be a popular hockey franchise for years to come. The sport of hockey by its very nature is violent. That's one of the biggest reasons people watch the sport, and even play it. Ever played a "friendly" game of hockey with some friends? Doubtfully, as the hard vulcanized rubber pucks are unforgiving streaking across the ice at 125 MPH. Hockey is not for those with a weak heart, and bringing that to an even more extreme level via videogames is a natural step forward.

Graphics
Hitz features detailed character models. Their faces boast real geometry and react to overhead real-time lighting. Even better the entire audience is modeled in full 3D. This is a first for the sports genre, and the effect is well worth it. Players in the background will stand up to jeer and poke fun at terrible players, and they'll even bang angrily on the glass when something doesn't pan out as they thought it would. Finally the crowd gives off the sensation of a real audience as opposed to the lifeless animated cardboard cutouts of old. The ice rink features reflections and the goal net is ruled by real-time physics. It will deform as the puck slams into the mesh netting and even waves in motion after the puck hits the ice again. Midway seems to be implementing some other effects tricks such as lightning bolts that will strike down from the ceiling, but we've seen no real-time lighting on that. Either way, the game looks great as far as next-generation hockey games are concerned. The crowd is definitely the most impressive feature.

Outlook
Just based on the idea of an extremely rough hockey game, NHL Hitz 2002 is shaping up nicely. If the gameplay mechanics pan out, and offer smooth intuitive control it could prove to be a great experience. Slamming an opponent into the glass wall and watching it shatter as he topples into the stands is a great proposal. Midway will need to capitalize on the ferocity if Hitz is to succeed, though. Any player picking up the game is going to want to bruise their opponents endlessly. Look for Hitz to make its mark on the GameCube console at launch on November 18.

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