NHL 13

Common Sense Media says

Fast, fun, and realistic hockey game shoots and scores.

Age(i)

2
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5
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8
9
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13
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17

Quality(i)

 

Learning(i)

(i)
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NHL 13 gallery

What parents need to know

Positive messages

NHL 13 awards points to players for exceptional play, both on an individual level and inside the team concept. There are three graded areas -- position score, team play, and stats -- and by playing well in those areas, players are awarded points that can be spent to upgrade their players. In addition, the play-by-play duo of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement are encouraging and complimentary to players who perform well during a game.

Positive role models

Players can choose their role in NHL 13 from being a sniper (shooter) to playmaker to enforcer. Bumping and pushing on the ice against other players can often result in opportunities to drop the gloves and fight, and players can also choose whether to take that path or steer clear of it. In an online game, there may be many opportunities to fight, but unless players choose to do so, there is not much another player can do. Penalties are another way to govern player's actions. Get too many penalties and you can hurt your team and affect your grading.

Ease of play

NHL 13 has a bit of a learning curve. The fundamentals are easy enough to remember, but some skills (performing a deke, and targeting areas of the goal while skating at high speed and then pulling off either a wrist shot or slap shot), take some time to perfect. The menus are easy enough to navigate. Within the game, finding the puck up against boards at the bottom of the screen can be elusive at times.

Violence

This is player-versus-player violence, either through body checking, swinging the stick, or actual fights. The animations for the violence look real enough, but there is no blood, cuts, or bruising shown, and the consequences can run from major penalties to missing games with injuries. When in a fistfight with another player, the perspective shifts to first person to show the fight happening up close.

Sex
Not applicable
Language
Not applicable
Consumerism

The EA Sports logo is in evidence throughout the game, gear is branded, and the boards of the arenas have advertising on them, from sports companies to commercial vendors of other products. Nothing is actually pushed in that regard, but players can unlock skills and then buy them through EA Sports with Microsoft points (360 platform), or Station Cash (PS3). To have those points, or cash, players spend real-world money to buy platform-specific equivalents.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable
Privacy & safety

Minor privacy and safety concerns: There is no voice chat in the 360 online game. Players enter a lobby for an online game, choose the style of game they wish to play (such as a ranked game), and then play. Player tags are displayed, though, and that can lead to inviting strangers to your friends' list.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that EA Sports NHL 13 is a sports simulation game that attempts to realistically replicate the action of the professional sport of hockey. The game requires an online account to play online as well as to update rosters and access some of the elements of the game, such as the multiplayer leagues. There is also fighting in the game, and players incur penalties by tripping, slashing, and performing dangerous hits along the boards. There are a variety of difficulty levels, so the game can be made accessible to younger players.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

  • arithmetic
  • money
  • statistics

Social Studies

  • the economy

Hobbies

  • sports

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • decision-making

Collaboration

  • teamwork

Health & Fitness

  • fitness

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

Learning Approach

Support

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

  • arithmetic
  • money
  • statistics

Social Studies

  • the economy

Hobbies

  • sports

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

  • decision-making

Collaboration

  • teamwork

Health & Fitness

  • fitness

Kids can learn about the rules of the NHL and the skills and tactics employed during a professional hockey game. Team work is a vital part of the sport and kids learn about it through participating on a team in an NHL 13 game. Kids can also learn about front-office management, including budgeting, drafting, and trading players to fit a team's needs. This hockey sim does a good job of introducing kids to the sport and business of professional hockey.

This Learning Rating review was written by Michael Lafferty

Parents say

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Kids say

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AGE
7
QUALITY
 
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What's it about?

In NHL 13, players can take on the role of manager, coach, or player and guide the team or career of the individual through the 13 modes available in the game. The game features both an online and offline component. As a career player, gamers can create and then guide a player from the low-level professional leagues up to the NHL and to an all-star career. From the coach's perspective, they can set lines and tactics while directing a team through the season. The general manager will be responsible for budgeting, drafting, and trading for players.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

NHL 13 features a new skating physics dynamic that makes the game faster and more entertaining. It also can present some challenges, especially when skating at top speed and then trying to alter the direction while handling the puck. The wealth of modes gives something to every hockey fan. EA Sports has introduced female characters in the create-a-pro mode, although female characters are still referred to as "he" by the announcers. There are a few issues, like pucks left unattended on the boards while players stand around (your player merely skates in, snags the puck, and play resumes), but overall, this is a great hockey game.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about violence in sports and the ramifications of that violence.

  • They can also talk about what it takes to be a professional athlete. What sacrifices must a player make to meet his or her goals?

  • Talk about how to stay safe when interacting online.

  • Families can also talk about the different roles within the professional sport arena, from the athlete up to the managers who make the decisions about player personnel and how to use those players. Giving children a bigger view of the sports world may hold value apart from merely focusing on the most visible element of sports, which is the athlete.

Game details

Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Price:$59.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:EA Sports
Release date:September 11, 2012
Genre:Sports
Topics:Sports and martial arts
ESRB rating:E10+ for Mild violence (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

This review of NHL 13 was written by

Michael Lafferty

About our rating system

  • 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.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

Find out more

Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

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What parents and kids say

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Teen, 15 years old Written bymattguy15 December 27, 2012
AGE
8
QUALITY
 

just my opinon

i hate this game i got it for ps3 and the controllers are crazy hard and it pissed me the heck off!!!
What other families should know
Too much violence
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Teen, 14 years old Written byCmh1 July 28, 2013
AGE
7
QUALITY
 

Great hockey game

This is the same as watching real hockey. It's not any more vilont or any thing. There are fights, the same as in a hockey game. But if you don't want your kid watching hockey then playing NHL 13 is not a good idea for your kid if he's under 7. It's a great game, in my opinion it's appropriate for every on 7 and over.
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Teen, 13 years old Written bySquabee August 9, 2013
AGE
6
QUALITY
 

Awesome game!

The best hockey game on the market, fans of hockey will love playing as there favourite players and teams. Nothing on it that you would not see in a real hockey game
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
Safety and privacy concerns
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