Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast: Web Wombat: Games

Which is a bit of shame because I don't ice skate at all well and happen to have all the teeth left in my head, so playing the roughneck sport of ice hockey is well in fanstasyland.

Still, I do have the latest incarnation of NHL - the 2002 version - and that will be more than enough to ease my more violent sporting urges.

NHL 2002 is built on the excellent 2001 game, but has all sorts of little additions that give it a real boost.

You've still got the rookie draft, can trade draft picks, use the big hit button and can include photos for custom players.

But on top of that - and a lot of these add a more arcadey or console-ish feel to the game - you can utilise an NHL trading-cards book, switch on a special camera to get that in-your-face feel for added drama and follow the highlights of a game with the Game Story.

Total Domination was a strategy game

You earn points for electronic trading cards by doing good things on the ice - such as scoring a hattrick - and then you can spend those on cards, which can open up special extras. These include giving a player more energy or speed, having power-ups or new animations for goal celebrations.

The dramatic camera view puts the spotlight on your attacking player, when you've got a clear run at the goals, and then only the sound of the players breathing and heart can be heard. Okay, it's arcadey, but adds a bit of fun.

The Game Story acts like an in-game touchline commentator who points out major events in the match - such as hattricks, great saves, total domination by one side or else if a team fights back from an impossible position.

While moving away from the button-clicking action, this does add a huge being-there flavour to NHL 2002.

When re-examinging NHL the developers must have decided to pep up the artificial intelligence level and the computer has been given a serious hit of Gatorade. It is now a lean, mean playing machine and makes life tough for human opponents.

It's gets real messy about 30 seconds from now...

Goalies must be on steroids because they move much quicker and can anticipate shots more often, and the opposing team seems to pick up on your tactics if you repeat the same move too often. Still, the added AI gives extra realism - in particular with players adjusting their direction and reach to collect a not-so-well directed pass.

Graphically, NHL 2002 is a beauty, but it does suck juice out of your machine. Still, you can turn features off and on and fiddle with the set-up to achieve the perfect look-against-play balance for your machine.

There's plenty of amazing reflections - you're playing on ice after all - and the way the ice starts off glassy, then ends up scored and lined is very nice. The crowds in particular also look great, wearing team jerseys, to boot!

Another nice touch with the 2002 version is the puck control skill level of the players. This is represented by a coloured circle under them and basically shows you who can steer a puck well and who can't.

If your player is very skilful then he has a darker symbol, while those in need of skills tuition have lighter colours. Apart from single-player you can have three mates join you for an Internet match or a LAN game.

You have to tip your crash helmet to EA on this one - it's a winner.

Game: NHL 2002
System: PC
Players: 1-multi
Online: Yes
Developer: Electronic Arts
Distributor: EA Sports

Rating: 90%

(Ratings Key/Explantion)

NHL 2002 is on the shelves now.

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