NHL 13 Critic Reviews

NHL '13 delivers a massive update to the series that has been long awaited by fans.

The gameplay and atmosphere in NHL 13 is something every hockey fan should experience for him/herself. If you haven't already, go out and pick this one up. After all – unless we see some progress fast, it may be the only NHL action we get this season.

Yet another masterful entry in the world-beating series, NHL 13 is an exemplary ice hockey game and the perfect example of how a sports game should be done. The presentation is second to none, the gameplay is nigh-on perfect and the wealth of content on offer is genuinely mind-boggling. NHL 13 is pucking fantastic.

NHL 13 is by far the most complete edition yet, surpassing the stellar NHL 12 by a long shot even if the commentary has some shortcomings.

NHL has reached its peak with number 13. Realistic physics, brilliant ice control, a lot of scoring options, tougher opponents and goalkeepers and many different game modes. NHL 13 also has its negative sides. EA could have put new legends in the Be a Legend mode or a bit more balanced NHL moments in the game. There's no way that there are 26 challenges and certain teams are not in this mode. But with its True Skating Performance and its whole atmosphere NHL 13, and maybe NBA 2K13, are going to be my sports games of the year.

Reconstructing the skating and goaltending succeeds at making the game more realistic, but not necessarily more rewarding. Still, these changes will pay huge dividends down the road. The new GM connected option provides just about as much flexibility in playing a sports game as we've seen, and there are more than enough ways to keep your mind off the looming lockout.

This truly is the sports title of the year and there really isn't something else to ask for in this masterpiece.

Loaded with options benefitting both single play and online interaction, it's got just about everything a fan would truly want except you still can't make Gretzky bleed.

There is so much on offer again, that there is easily something for everyone. It's not the finished article, but as each year passes, we get closer to perfect virtual recreations of the sport.

With a revisited physic engine and a lot of little tweakings, NHL 13 is one of the best sports game on the market.

One of the best sports game around, complete in every aspect and with some nice surprises like the GM Connected feature that we'd like to see it carried in other titles too.

Fast, furious and packs staggering depth into its streamlined controls.

Finally the major changes come to the ice-hockey simulation and we have got quite a lot of improvements after last year's stagnation.

With revamped GM and Pro game modes, a near flawless experience with online play, and a fantastic improvement upon the gameplay itself, NHL 13 proves to be worthy of hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Another step forward in the evolution of the NHL brand from EA, although the increasingly complex control system brings also some flaws for the arcade fans. Plenty of options and game modes make NHL 13 the most expansive chapter so far.

The season mode might not have changed, but the improved physics in NHL 13 compensate for that easily. More often than ever situations unfold like they would in a real hockey match. NHL 13 deserves to be crowned as the most realistic hockey game ever.

The new skating physics and player AI don't just deliver a more accurate simulation of hockey; they elegantly convey the complex interactions - blade on ice, right winger versus defenseman - that are at the heart of the sport.

There's so much to do in NHL 13. And in a year looking less and less likely to provide the real thing, NHL 13 proves a mighty promising distraction.

NHL 13 delivers fast-paced hockey and an addictive gameplay that takes it back to the top of the sports genre. The new game modes aren't the most important features of 13's edition, but the so-called true skating skill system. With a new way of skating and a more realist approach, EA Canada serves up another must-buy for this year.

NHL 13 is not a revolution for the series , but it's definitely a nice step in the right direction for its future evolution.