NHL 10

Review

Common Sense Media says

Excellent, authentic pro hockey sim includes brawls.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a straightforward simulation of professional hockey. With that, of course, comes some physical play such as checking players into boards or even starting brawls. When a fight occurs, the camera shifts into a first-person perspective, making it feel more immersive. However, the game doesn't show blood. The game is also playable online with open chat, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend to children under the age of 12.

  • Positive messages0
    Players can engage in brawls that give your team an emotional boost. But this combative behavior often come at a hefty price.  Players fighting are assessed big penalties, and can even leave their team shorthanded, putting them at greater risk of giving up goals and losing the game.
  • Positive role models0
    As in real hockey, players can start fights or attempt to rough up opponents whenever they choose. But again, the penalties for doing so can be stiff.
  • Ease of play2
    The game is built to accomodate any type of play style.  Players can opt for a more arcade feel through the casual game setting and the use of classic, three-button controls. The more complex layout requires players to control and shoot the puck using the right analog stick, while the right trigger delivers passes.  Learning these controls is tricky at first, but there is enough flexibility in difficulty to make the process rewarding. There's also a tutorial that pops up when you first start the game to learn the basics.
  • Violence2
    Players can initiate brawls with opponents at any point in the game. If the opponent chooses to fight, the camera shifts to a first-person perspective as players throw punches at each other. However, no blood is shown during these fights.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism2
    Players can see various logos throughout arenas from either hockey-related companies (Bauer) or general sports firms (Upper Deck, Reebok).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What's it about?

NFL 10 is a simulation of the National Hockey League, with multiple approaches to playing. Players can guide any one of the NHL teams throughout a season or career in Be A GM Mode. Players can also create their own player and lead them to superstar status through the individual Be a Pro mode or in online hockey leagues. If you want the exhiliaration of a Stanley Cup playoff series, there's a mode for that as well.

Is it any good?

 

NHL 10 is perhaps the best, most realistic representation of pro hockey available.  This year's game adds only a couple new but key features to an already fantastic experience. The most notable change is the fighting, which feels far more immersive from a first-person perspective. Initiating fights is also easier, but just like the real sport, there's a penalty for choosing to start a brawl.

Fighting isn't the only key change. Players can now pin opponents more easily against the boards to trap the puck better, while passing feels slightly more precise. Developers have also done more to make the game accessible to novices. Not only can they set the difficulty and simplify the controls, but they can change the play style ranging from a casual, fast-paced game to a more authentic experience. The new modes, such as Battle for the Stanley Cup, help to add a bit more variety to what is an already astounding franchise.

Online interaction: Players are able to chat with each other online during games. These interactions can contain language that parents would prefer their kids not hear. Players can also create their own player for use in online hockey leagues.

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What families can talk about

  • How does hockey compare to some of the other professional sports, such as football or baseball?  What makes it better, or worse?

  • The game uses fighting sometimes as a motivator for your team. What do you think of that method of encouragement?

This review was written by Brett Molina
Teen, 15 years old
March 11, 2010
AGE
5
 
i love it nothing is inopropeiet.
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This review was written by Brett Molina
Topics:sports and martial arts
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Available online
Genre:Sports
Developer:Electronic Arts
Release date:September 15, 2009
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:E10+ for Mild Violence
This review was written by Brett Molina

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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