Game Title: NHL Breakaway '98
 System:     Sony PlayStation
 Category:   Sports/Hockey
 Publisher:  Acclaim Entertainment

 NHL Breakaway '98 is the best console-based hockey game that I
 have ever played.  Not since the original Sega Genesis Hockey
 game have I enjoyed playing hockey so much!

 NHL Breakaway '98  is a  game developed by Sculptured Software
 and published by Acclaim Entertainment.  After playing over 20
 season games, as well as several practice and exhibition mode
 games let me just tell you that these guys really did their
 homework. This game has everything and more that I look for in a
 sports game.

 What makes this Hockey game so good?  For starters, the gameplay
 is top notch. The AI is challenging. The polygon gaming
 environment and 3D engine are fast. The graphics are detailed.
 The hockey ambience is terrific.  But there is so much more!

 What makes this Hockey game the BEST hockey game that I have
 played?  The OPTIONS!  This game has so many configurable
 options that it makes me want to just scream out for joy
 "FINALLY, SOMEONE IS LISTENING TO THE GAMEPLAYERS OUT THERE!"

 What is configurable?  Here goes.... :)

 + The Game Mode - Arcade, Sim or Pseudo-Sim/Arcade Mode
 + Period Length - 5, 10 or 20 minutes
 + Difficulty - Easy, Medium, Hard
 + Goalie Difficulty - Easy, Medium, Hard
 + Overtime - One, Shoot-Out, Sudden Death
 + Line Changes Home Team - Off, Auto, Manual
 + Line Changes Away Team - Off, Auto, Manual
 + Fatigue - On, Off
 + Goalie Control Home - Manual, Auto
 + Goalie Control Away - Manual, Auto
 + Penalties - On, Off
 + Offsides - On, Off
 + Icing - On, Off
 + Two Line Passes - On, Off
 + Fighting - On, Off
 + Injuries - On, Off
 + Rosters - Original, Custom
 + Referee Style - Lenient, Normal, Backbreaker, Random
 + Separate Music, Sound FX, Announcer, Organ volume controls
 + Game Speed - Slow, Normal, Fast
 + Fire Puck - Add a streak to the puck
 + Glow Puck - Put a glow effect around the puck
 + Tag Mode Home - On, Off
 + Tag Mode Away - On, Off
 + Game Controller Configuration

 All of these settings can be saved to your memory card.

 In-Game Options

 + Camera Angles
 + Replay
 + Edit Lines
 + Game Strategy
 + Pull Goalie
 + Line Change
 + Switch Goalie
 + Time Out
 + Stats
 + Reverse Cam
 + Controller Setup
 + Game Settings

 ---

 NHL Breakaway '98 features several game modes.  There are
 Exhibition, Season, Play-Off, Shoot-Out and Practice modes of
 play.  4 of the 5 modes are pretty much self explanatory.
 However, practice mode requires a little more explanation.
 Practice allows you to set up drills so that you can practice
 your moves and strategies. You can choose to have from 1 to 6
 players for both the home and away teams.

 The REAL Game: SEASON MODE

 Season Mode is where you'll find the real game. More options!
 Before starting a season you must:

 1.  Choose from the actual 97-98 schedule, a random 82, 41 or 25
 game season.
 2.  Configure Breakaway Bonus Points - Low, Medium, High  (More
 on this feature later)
 3.  Choose the Playoff Series Length - 1, 3, 5 or 7 game series

 From the season menu you can choose to start the next game. You
 can actually play the game or have the CPU simulate (no bonus
 points) it for you, view the schedule, standings, or statistics.
 You can also choose to go to the Team Management Section where
 you can make changes to your team roster as well as other
 things. This is a very cool feature.

 Team Management allows you to edit lines, form a team strategy,
 interview, hire AND fire coaches, view the roster, trade
 players, create players, draft players, and even go to the
 trainer's room where you can try to treat player's injuries.

 Remember option 2 (Configure Breakaway Bonus Points)?  You need
 these bonus points in order to hire coaches and dispense
 treatments for injured players.  You earn bonus points by
 winning games. You earn more for beating rival teams and having
 a higher score ratio. This NHL Breakaway '98 feature is ultra
 cool and almost gives the game a sports RPG feel!

 Hiring coaches should not be taken lightly. Having the right mix
 (up to 4 per team) will add various skills to your overall team.
 Each coach has a specialty. Goaltending, Skating, Checking, Etc.

 In Game Action

 Like I indicated earlier, the gameplay is top notch. Fast, in
 your face hockey action all the way.  The gamepad actions are
 responsive and quite flexible.  NHL Breakaway '98 offers some
 new and exiting features to 32 bit console-based hockey.

 Players get tired. The fatigue level is determined by his time
 on the ice, crushing checks and other bad in game happenings, as
 well as his overall stamina.  Bigger players inflict more HURT!
 When a player's energy is low he is at risk --- injury and
 performance wise. It is important to change lines or as I do,
 let the CPU handle the chore.

 Passing is handled in two ways. The first is the ordinary hit
 the pass button and shoot the puck in the direction of the the
 dpad. The other is a NEW technique  called the "Acclaim Sports
 Precision Pass System."  By pressing the L2 button
 semi-transparent colored icons appear over the other players.
 While the L2 button is help, pressing the corresponding icon
 button will pass the puck to the player. Groovie.

 Shooting is straightforward. Press the shoot button while aiming
 with the dpad. Press longer for a harder shot. Tap to do a wrist
 shot. Press the shoot button, release and then tap it again to
 fake a shot. One timers are also supported in this game.

 There are two forms of checking.... Regular and turbo. Turbo can
 be devastating but it will take energy. I've seen the glass
 shatter after a huge hit.  Quite a few injuries too. Not too
 many though. ;)  After one hit and slam against the net I
 witnessed the net being knocked off its pin. Nice touch.

 Hooking and holding can be accomplished too... yeah, it's
 illegal but the ref can't see everything. ;)

 Fights do occur on the ice. The neat thing about fighting is
 that it can rob stamina from the players - especially the
 L-O-S-E-R. This in turn can give an added advantage to a team.

 During the course of a game a player can loose his stick or
 helmet. Losing a helmet increases the risk of injury. Skate over
 the equipment to pick it back up.

 Players can skate backwards by pressing the L1 button. On
 offense you can call for the pass or shot. On defense you can
 atempt to block the shot using traditional means with the stick
 or you can aclually drop to your knees. Feeling brave? take
 control of the goalie. ;)  There are several other offensive and
 defensive moves too.

 Referees can be knocked down in this game! They also sometimes
 get in the way of he action.... Just like the real thing. :)

 Strategies

 There are many offensive and defensive styles and strategies to
 learn and understand in this game. There are also some more
 options such as the contact style and pinch for the defense!

 OK, that's enough about the game.  Here is my scorecard for NHL
 Breakaway '98:

 Graphics: A-
 Control:    A-
 Sound:     B
 Music:     B
 Features: A+
 Replay:    A
 Overall:    A

 Highly Recommended!

 Larry Tipton/Associate SysOp
 Video Games Forum (GO VIDGAM)
 CompuServe

 EMAIL: 76710.2174@compuserve.com -OR- tiptron@concentric.net