In my recent inclusion of sports games into my regular gaming routine, I added a hockey game, NHL 20 from Game Pass. I was very tempted to add NHLPA '94, also available on Game Pass, but I wanted current players of which I know nothing because I haven't followed hockey since the Flyer's Hextall, Lindros, and the Legion of Doom back in the '90s (or was that the late '80s, I forget now).
I played the tutorial for a while but had some trouble getting the more advanced stuff, so I just jumped into a game instead. I got how to pass but had some trouble with shooting and had no clue how to win faceoffs, but I got through a game and then played against my friend, who proceeded to beat me handily because he's been playing it off and on all year. After a few periods, I finally got the hang of shooting. It takes the coordination of both analog sticks and timing to get it right. I even got the hang of checking, although I ended up continually getting penalties for tripping because I poke-checked at the wrong time. It's no fun fighting off a 5-on-3 powerplay.
I don't know why hockey games stimmy me so much, but I guess with some more practice I'll get the hang of it. This is certainly an excellent hockey game.
I think the two sports games I never really play are soccer and hockey and I want to change that.
For some reason, Game Pass quests keep asking me to play FIFA. I am going to try it again, but I really can't get into it. If it was like Mutant League Soccer or something (not actually a game) I might like it.
I would say that hockey isn't very popular where I live in Texas, since we don't get a lot of ice and snow. But we do have the Dallas Stars team, and they seem to be pretty big. I went to a Dallas Stars game once. It was fun, but I had a bit of trouble grasping some of the hockey specific rules and such. So I never really felt compelled to play a hockey video game. Maybe if the Kunio-kun hockey game made it to the US back then, I might've played it since I was such a big fan of Super Dodge Ball.
I still don't understand what constitutes offsides in hockey.
