NHL Face Off is probably the best hockey video game series to ever grace the Playstation. After three successful entree's into the series is it still possible to get any better?...YES. NHL Face Off '99 has gotten better than its last predecessor. Face Off '99 has improved graphics and detail. The picture perfect stadiums are simply marvelous, right down to the reflections off the ice. The shaking of the glass from '98 is still there and the player animations have improved I would say by 20%. Even the goalies feature motion capture animation. The players skate like an actual hockey player, none of this computer simulated crap which makes them look like their dancing. What makes Face Off '99 better than some other hockey titles this year is its speed. Face Off's players are almost speed skating across the ice. Checking a fellow player has never felt so great with the new Dual Shock controller. I thought it was vibrate right out of my hand. NHL Face Off '99 features all of the NHL players and teams. Including the new Nashville Predators. FaceOff '99 has a great new TV style presentation which includes dual announcers calling the game. The game is called by famous broadcasters Mike Emrick and Darren Zang. Both sound great and give it that classic NHL Face Off sound. Choices, well Face Off '99 has them all. All updated uniforms plus selectable 3rd jerseys. Compete for a variety of NHL awards including the Conn Smythe, Hart Memorial, Presidents, and Vezina. NHL Face Off '99 is a on the right track to becoming the best hockey video game money can buy for the second straight year.
PUBLISHER: 989 SPORTS
GRAPHICS: 8.5 MUSIC / SOUND: 7
CONTROL: 8 ORIGINALITY: 7
REPLAY: 9 SECRETS: 6
OVERALL: 8
