Preview: 'NHL 2002' looks to score again

From...

Platform: PlayStation 2

By Air Hendrix

(IDG) -- After a stellar performance last year, the NHL series made some sharp off-season moves and looks to return with a powerful roster of new features and tweaks in "NHL 2002."

Leading the charge will be the new GameStory -- much like a TV broadcast, the game will track interesting situations like possible hat tricks, shutouts and so on. Key replays will be stored and shown later as the story unfolds, accompanied by discussion from the commentators.

Following "Madden"'s lead, "NHL 2002" will also enable you to unlock and use NHL Cards to boost a player's performance, try out a cool cheat and so on. The cut-scenes that added so much excitement to last year's game are also being updated with tons more scenarios to keep the variety strong. And a new letterbox camera will come into play during thrilling moments-breakaways, big hits, saves, etc. -- as the crowd sound fades out and the camera zooms in on the big play.

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For the hockey hardcore, you'll also find a 10-season Career mode and some intriguing control tweaks, including saucer passes that enable you to lift the puck over a D's stick. The new variable puck control means that Mario Lemieux will get instant control of the rubber, but rookie scrubs will need a few seconds and can be easily knocked off the puck. The goalie A.I. will now adapt to your moves, so if you find a money shot, you'll probably score only once or twice before the netminder starts shutting you down. Best of all, last year's load-time nightmares should be corrected as the development team is shooting for a 20- to 30-second load time.

In hands-on time with a preview version, "NHL 2002" performed like a champ. While there was naturally some tuning that remained to be implemented, the game's impressive potential shined through in the slickly updated animations and tight gameplay. As long as development stays on track, "NHL 2002" should clinch the Stanley Cup again this season.