EA Sports NHL 2003 Review

As a tradition each year, Electronic Arts released their latest NHL simulator for all those avid hockey fans out there.  If you played all the NHL series, then you'll probably notice an improvement each year to the coolest game on earth.

Setup
The first thing you'll notice is that NHL 2003 has a refined installation program.  In fact, it is quite bland.  Unlike the previous NHL versions,  there's no other product ads -  but then again this is just the installation.

Gameplay
First thing you'll notice about NHL 2003 is it's new interface, which allows users to connect to the Internet much faster and multiplay against each other with EASO (Electronic Arts Sports Online).  If you want to just play against the computer, you still can with various modes available.  In NHL 2003, EA has renamed one of the modes to Franchise, where you get to pick your team(s) that you want to play throughout the regular season.

As like previous versions, NHL 2003 offers a variety of options from customizing the AI to the rules and regulations.  However, some options in the game are only available once you are in the game (such as Manual Line change or Auto shot aim) and you must change it every time you start a new game (unlike previous versions).

Graphics wise, the NHL 2003 is almost exactly the same as NHL 2002.  The players, audience all look the same from 2002, except for the coaches.  The audience may look flat while you are playing a game (unlike FIFA 2003).  Players faces are as genuine in the real world, however coaches do not have real faces.  You will no longer find any Trading cards like in 2002 nor will get "points" if a certain task is performed.  The cut scene replays are similar to 2002 and offer various angles.

The goaltender AI has been greatly enhanced compared to previous versions.  Also, players can now have the option of shooting the puck on the boards/glass.  EA has also include a few music tracks to enhance your gameplay.  Despite some numerous enhancements, NHL 2003 still lacks some defensive capabilities.  For example if you select the Trap, players don't really play the trap accordingly.  With all the players faces in the game, how about exact detail on the goalie mask or logo markings on goalie sticks.

Multiplayer
The once free match making service is no longer free.  Electronic Arts Sports Online now cost $5.99US per month, however NHL 2003 does include a free 60 day trial membership.  This does not mean that you can't play NHL 2003 over the Internet, you can still do so if you know your opponents IP address (as in previous versions).

Conclusion
To be honest, I like better NHL 2002 rather than this new version.  2003 does not really offer to die for enhancements.  Surely it's nice to see the players shoot at the glass to clear the zone, but other than that it's exactly the same as NHL 2002 with an updated roster list.
 

NHL 2003
Published by Electronic Arts Games
Rating 5/10

If you are wondering which teams were playing in the screenshots, it was USA vs Canada and the final score was 8-5 for Canada (computer = USA, me = Canada).  At 19:36, Rob Blake scored to give the go ahead goal for Canada and an empty net by Jarome Iginla.  Go Canada Go!