NHL PowerPlay '98 by Virgin

To start off, I should say that I was a big fan of PowerPlay '96. 
This game is essentially an upgrade of the '96 version.  If you 
liked that game, you should really enjoy this one.  If you didn't 
like the previous game, maybe the additions will change your view, 
and maybe they won't...

The main reason I wrote this review is because of the other reviews 
I've seen of this game. They claimed the game was slow and not very 
good. I suspect those people never played the game, and formed 
their opinions from a few seconds of watching a demo...

CHANGES:

Here are the main changes in this sequel:
* Stats - the '98 game features full stat-tracking for the entire 
season, in a huge number of categories. A very important addition.
* Graphics - the nice graphics of '96 are now gorgeous, with great 
new animations.
* Load times - there is now no loading once the game has started, 
a major improvement.

GRAPHICS:

The graphics in PowerPlay '98 are just plain spectacular. They are 
a tiny bit choppier than the '96 version, but are still much more 
fluid than EA or Sony's hockey games. The players move very 
realistically, with great checking and goalie animations. Zooming 
in on the action (usually in replay mode) allows you to see the 
player's facial features, and read the name on their jersey. The 
crowd is animated, and looks very good, unlike the nasty looking 
audiences in most games. This isn't a huge factor, but is a nice 
touch. Real-time reflections on the ice, transparent glass, and a 
selection of good camera angles all add to the game's attractiveness.  
When you throw on top of that a very polished and well-laid out 
interface for setting options and viewing stats, you have a new 
standard for graphics in sports games.

Score: 9

SOUND:

The music in PowerPlay is excellent.  A hard-driving rock / metal 
soundtrack really sets the mood for the game.  You know the music 
in a game is good when you sit at the menus and just listen to it 
for a while. The sound effects are good, but not great.  There are 
a variety of sounds, which definitely add to the game, but some 
(like the checking sound) always sound the same, and become a little 
redundant after a while. But the cool sounds like the loud 'ping' 
of hitting the goalpost with a hard shot helps make up for the low 
variety of sounds.  The announcer is also excellent, and the little 
musical anthems played during the game are cool as well.

Score: 8

GAMEPLAY:

This is the category where PowerPlay simply can't be touched.  I have 
friends who hate the sport of Hockey, but love PowerPlay.  I myself 
like hockey, and find PowerPlay to have a perfect balance of realism 
vs. fun.  The controls are easy to pick up, and offer a lot of options. 
You can shoot wrist-shots (quick and accurate but weak), slap-shots 
(take more time and are inaccurate but are very strong), or a 
deflection-shot (intentionally hitting a player with your shot, to 
catch the goalie off-guard). There are big differences between good 
and bad players, and big and small players (when hitting a big player, 
a small player will most likely fail or fall).  Goalies can be knocked 
down outside of their crease, unlike most hockey games where they are 
invulnerable.  Penalties are called realistically, and mean players will
fight each other.  Players get multi-game injuries.  Players also react 
very realistically, filling passing lanes, attacking the puck, 
defending their goalie, all according to strategies you can set.

But the best area of PowerPlay '98 is the Multi-Player game.  With a 
multi-tap, PowerPlay '98 has become my very favorite PSX game.  My 
friends and I gather once a week, and play PowerPlay for about 6 hours, 
sometimes more.  There's screaming, replays of nasty hits and 
boneheaded plays, people running around the room in celebration, and 
good-natured mocking... In short, a good time is had by all.

Score: 10 

LASTABILITY:

This is another area where PowerPlay '98 stands apart from most other 
games.  I am quickly bored by most games, and very few last more than 
a month for me... But I played PowerPlay '96 for over a year before it 
slipped out of the 'CD-rotation'.  With all the enhancements made to '98, 
I can't imagine getting bored with it any quicker, and that's quite a 
statement.

Score: 10

SUMMARY:

Graphics:     9
Sound:         8
Gameplay: 10
Lastability 10

If you enjoy multi-player games, you really should give yourself a treat 
and try out PowerPlay '98.  If you're more a one-player-game player, 
you'll need to enjoy either: A) Good Sports Games, or B) Extremely Violent 
Action.  To sum everything up, PowerPlay is the kind of sports game I want 
to see more of in the other sports: Fast and pretty, realistic and VERY 
playable.  Now if only a baseball game could meet these criteria... 
sigh... :)

Josh Farley