Game Reviews

Hockey Nations 2010

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Hockey Nations 2010

For many non-Americans, ice hockey evokes memories of two things: EA's stellar run of NHL games on the Mega Drive back in the 1990s, and the scene in Doug Liman's Swingers where Vince Vaughn and posse are playing one of them.

In truth, EA's NHL license of old took the sport outside of its relatively confined fan base. Despite some obvious similarities to football, ice hockey has never made a breakthrough on this side of the pond. It's perhaps surprising then, that its first major release on iPhone and iPod touch should come from a British developer.

Defensive line

Yet Hockey Nations 2010 plays exactly as it is: a valiant first attempt.

Without official licenses, players, or even the ability to substitute your line-up, it offers a playable, if slightly shallow, stab at the sport.

Whether it's the app for you, depends on what you're looking for.

To put it bluntly, there isn't much depth to what's on offer. Hockey Nations 2010 focuses on national teams rather than clubs, serving up a league based competition and a Run for the Gold mode, which takes the form of a group stage followed by a series of play-off matches.

The games themselves certainly serve up action and, to a degree, are enjoyable, but the long-term appeal of Hockey Nations 2010 is hampered by a few bugbears that combine to undermine its otherwise light touch.

Puck luck

At least the controls seem functional. A thumbstick on the left handles movement, while three pads on the right determine your speed, the player you control and your defensive or offensive moves (depending on possession).

But gameplay is structured in such way that making use of these actions is a rarity. When in possession, it's hard to link up with your teammates. Passes often fail to reach their intended destination - not because of any insurmountable play by your opponent - but simply because the game doesn't read your inputs as it should.

As a result, success comes from solo runs followed by one-on-one shots, if you can engineer them. At this point you have to contend with the goalie, who has a prevalence for letting in attempts made directly in front of him. Those taken at an angle, bizarrely, are usually saved.

No stipulation on simulation

The product of these oddities is matches that don't simulate a realistic game of ice hockey.

The action is all too often dominated by bumping and barging rather than any semblance of clever play. Hockey Nations 2010 feels rather like the product of someone who's seen the action on TV rather than had a go on the ice themselves.

Nevertheless, it's difficult not to get wrapped up in a game when things are going your way.

On that level, Hockey Nations 2010 is presentable and, perhaps as a result of its misjudged take on the game, doesn't leave those ignorant of the sport out in the cold.

So though it might not be the ice hockey simulator you've been waiting for, Hockey Nations 2010 makes sure its take on the game is palatable, even if many will only be able to stomach it in short bursts.

Hockey Nations 2010

Though lacking when it comes to realism, Hockey Nations 2010's stunted take on the sport is playable in short bursts
Score
Keith Andrew
Keith Andrew
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font. He's also Pocket Gamer's resident football gaming expert and, thanks to his work on PG.biz, monitors the market share of all mobile OSes on a daily basis.