NHL 13 arrives on PS3 and X360 with a new approach to player movement, and it mostly earns the praise critics gave it. The game asks players to think before they act, and that change shapes nearly everything else around it.
Trailer, via EA SPORTS MADDEN NFL.
The New Control Scheme
The biggest change in NHL 13 is the way players handle the puck. EA Sports built a system that rewards patience over speed, and it takes time to learn. Skaters move slower and react more slowly to contact than in past games, which forces players to plan their moves instead of rushing through them.
The change is not small. It alters how a player approaches every shift, from zone entries to breakaways. The game wants players to wait for openings instead of forcing shots, and that patience pays off in tight situations.
Faceoffs and Penalties
Faceoffs get a major overhaul. Players can now set their stick position before the drop, which adds a layer of strategy that was missing in earlier titles. It is a small addition, but it changes how a faceoff feels, giving the player more control over the first play of a shift.
Penalty shooting also gets a boost. The game now tracks where a shooter looks before he releases the puck, so a fake shot followed by a real one becomes a working tactic rather than a guess. That change adds a layer of deception to the mode.
Skater Movement
The new skater model affects every aspect of play. Players slide and recover more naturally than before, and the result is a game that feels heavier and more physical. Body checks carry weight, and fights land harder.
The trade-off is that the game can feel slower overall. Players who want fast, fluid hockey may find themselves frustrated by the pace of play. Those who take the time to learn the new controls will find a deeper game underneath.
Presentation and Sound
The presentation holds up well. Player models are detailed, and arenas look sharp. The sound design is solid, with commentators calling plays clearly and the crowd reacting to big moments. Nothing here pushes the genre forward, but nothing drags it down either.
Franchise Mode
Franchise Mode remains a strong reason to keep playing. Season management is deep, with options to build rosters, manage budgets, and scout talent. The mode has always been a strength of the series, and NHL 13 continues that tradition without adding anything truly new.
Multiplayer
Online play is smooth, with little lag during matches. The game handles multiplayer well, and the new controls translate cleanly to competitive play. The mode is not the headline feature, but it works as expected.
Where It Falls Short
Not everything lands. Some players will find the new controls too slow, especially those used to older games in the series. The pace of play can frustrate players who want faster action. These are fair complaints, but they speak to personal taste more than to flaws in the design itself.
A Solid Step Forward
NHL 13 is a game about patience. It asks players to slow down and think before they act, and that change carries through every part of the game. The new controls take time to learn, but once mastered, they reward the player with a deeper, more satisfying experience.
The game is not perfect. Some parts of it feel unchanged, and others feel too slow. But the core idea behind NHL 13 is sound, and it sets a standard for future entries in the series.
KEY FACTS
– Platform: PS3, X360
– Genre: Sports simulation
– Developer: EA Sports
– Critical score: 8.4/10
NHL 13 is a solid step forward for the series, even if it does not completely remake the sport. It earns an 8.4 out of 10.
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