Rating:  5 Stars out of 5
Quite simply, this is the best hockey game ever made. Nothing comes
remotely close.  I can't call it the best game ever, but I personally
have never played a sports sim so realistic and challenging. Throw
away those Arcade games like Faceoff and forget about EA's bloated
NHL97.  Powerplay 98 is where it's at.
IMPROVEMENTS:  PP96 was an excellent game, but it lacked a ton of
basic features.  All are present in PP98.
Unlike EA does constantly, Virgin did not tinker with their strengths.
They improved slightly on gameplay and AI, but each are similar to its
excellent predecessor. Virgin attacked their weaknesses by improving
the goalies, allowing trades, and adding a  player editor. 
Overall, the biggest improvement is the realism.  Pavel Bure no longer
goes through everyone like they aren't there.  Player speeds are ultra
realistic, and there is not a lot of room to move.  Puck carriers
beware, because you will go nowhere without passing.  The acceleration
button remains, but it does not have the same impact as it could have
in PP96. It also penalizes your stamina quicker.  Scoring goals is
also harder. Gone are the days of shooting to the right and scoring
over half the time. If you are in tight, you better use a wrist shot.
PP98 forces you to score like the pros, and that means stuffing
rebounds and getting deflections. PP98 is the first game to
incorporate deflections, and it adds to the enjoyment. 
GAMEPLAY:  PP96 already had the best gameplay of any hockey game
before it, and PP98 improved on it.
The speed of this game is perfect. Everything was turned down a notch,
and it makes for a much more realistic pace. The faster players are
still faster, but not by a great margin. If you were used to splitting
defenses with Kariya every time up the ice, then you will need a new
trick. Computer controlled defensemen are smart and they will get a
piece of you. If they don't, they still manage to keep you outside.
Players tire faster, but they also have more energy as the meter drops
and they seem to recuperate somewhat quicker.
There are so many wonderful nuances in PP98 that it would be
impossible to list them all in detail here.  In most games, it is do
or die. Either you hit a guy and knock him down or you miss him. PP98
allows for puck control while being slowed up of hit. You can get
passes and shots away, but they won't be as accurate. Hockey is a fast
game, but space is limited. PP98 takes this into full account. Players
have to get rid of the puck or they will go down quick. Defenses swarm
you immediately. 
As mentioned above, goalie play has improved by 100%. They stop what
they should, and most of what they shouldn't. Scoring requires well
placed shots, rebounds, or deflections. Above all that, the coolest
goalie feature is the way they retrieve the puck for their defensemen.
They are smart enough to go get it when you are on a power play.
Choices on offense are plenty.  You can still try the one on one
approach, but that is low percentage. Even one-timers from the slot
are difficult to convert.  So far, my clean goal scoring has been off
breakaways, and they are few and far between.  You can deke and go 5
hole or pick or corner. The dirty goals are fun. There is nothing
cooler than winning a draw and going to the net. Meanwhile, your d-man
send one on net hoping for a deflection or rebound.  If you do your
job, a screen is created and the shot may go through. It also could
get blocked. It also could be deflected into the net. It is very
random and very real. Rebounds were non-existent in PP96, but here you
depend on them. 
Puck control remains incredible. You can work it low and kick it back
to the point for a one timer.  There are added Coaching features for
powerplays and shorthanded situations, and they really work. Players
are intuitive. They fill lanes, go to the net, etc. Defensive features
have also improved.  You can block shots effectively and dump the puck
easier.  Defensemen are very rough and like to take the body. They
always seem to get a piece of you.
FEATURES:  All teams and uniforms are present, as are World teams.
Trading, releasing, and creating players is very simple.  Seasons and
line changes can be saved. The sound is very good. All the basics are
in place. Fighting was added, but it can be more annoying than fun. I
advise turning it off for short games. There is nothing like losing
Lindros for the whole 3rd period because some goon started a fight. In
Virgin's defense, non-fighters don't fight here either. That is a
great feature in itself. 
SOUR NOTES:  Despite its 5 star rating, there are a couple weak spots.
The most annoying is Mario Lemieux. He retired last year, folks. Why
is he here? Same with Joey Mullen, who announced his retirement before
the year even ended. How come Bobby Clarke isn't in the game too?
Mario is gone -- LIVE WITH IT!
From the sounds department, on ice whistles could be louder. At times
play stops and you don't know why. Puck visibility could be better
when things get congested. Also, the rink could be a little bigger.
Things can get almost too cramped at times. Less space is good when a
guy has the puck, but "less space" overall (meaning rink size) is not
good. However, I hear the PC version gives ample rink space.
CONCLUSION:  This is the best sports game I have ever played. I see no
reason for a true hockey fan not to own this gem. If you are into
arcade games like Faceoff 97, then PP98 may not be your cup of tea.
But if you are really into hockey itself, this is the game for you.
Review by Mike Barrett, BDG Inc.
Mike B    
mbarrett@ibm.net
LETS GO FLYERS !!!