NHL 2K11

NHL 2K11
Developer(s)	Visual Concepts (Wii), 2K China (App Store)
Publisher(s)	2K Sports
Series	NHL 2K series
Platform(s)	Wii, iPhone/iPod touch and iPad
Release date(s)	August 24, 2010[1]
Genre(s)	Sports (ice hockey)
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer, Online multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: E10+
Media/distribution	Wii Optical Disc

NHL 2K11 is an ice hockey video game, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. The game was released on August 24, 2010.^[1] It is the 11th game in the NHL 2K series.

The game was announced on March 3, 2010, as a Wii-exclusive game.^[2] It is the first game in the NHL 2K series since NHL 2K6 not to be released on the Xbox 360, the first game since NHL 2K7 not to be released on the PlayStation 3 .^[3] Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick said that "As far as NHL, we're taking a year off on PS3 and Xbox 360 to refine, redesign and re-think".^[2]

Game cover

Vancouver Canucks alternate captain Ryan Kesler is the cover athlete for NHL 2K11.^[4]

Features

The game will introduce an all-new "Road to the Cup" mode, featuring Miis. The mode also includes mini-games, trivia challenges and skills competitions. NHL 2K11 will also include things like broken sticks, more responsive skating, improved artificial intelligence and enhanced graphics.^[1] The Winter Classic is now a mode in the game.

Soundtrack

• Alice in Chains – “A Looking in View”
• Wolfmother – “New Moon Rising”
• Rise Against – “Long Forgotten Sons”
• The Bravery – “Red Hands and White Knuckles”
• 3 Doors Down – “Kryptonite”
• New Found Glory – “Oxygen”
• OneRepublic – “Everybody Loves Me”
• The Trews – “Hold Me In Your Arms”
• Styrofoam Ones – “OTTAP”
• Radio Radio – “Jacuzzi”
• Big Rock Candy Mountain – “Rocketship”
• "I, Omega" – Vita Beyond

App Store

A mobile version for Apple devices was released on the App Store, also on August 24, 2010. This version is significantly different from the Wii version, having touch screen controls and inferior 3D-graphics. It does, however, feature similar game modes found in the Wii version, such as season mode.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	64%[5]
Metacritic	62%[6]
Review scores
Publication	Score
1UP.com	C-[7]
Game Informer	6.0/10[8]
GameSpot	5.5/10[9]
GamesRadar	7/10[10]
IGN	6.5/10[11]

NHL 2K11 received average ratings from critics. The game received an aggregated score of 64% at GameRankings and 62% at Metacritic. GamesRadar reviewer Richard Grisham generally praised the game for its "staggering amount of content" and online integration. However, Grisham criticized the game for its "frustrating" controls and terrible menus.^[10]

IGN reviewer Nate Ahearn praised the game for its presentation and online features, but criticized the game for its gameplay, citing "many frustrations when using the Wii Remote".^[11]

Game Informer reviewer Matthew Kato criticized the gameplay for the players' skating and "inconsistent shots", giving the game 6.0 out of 10.^[8]

See also

• NHL 11, another ice hockey video game, developed by EA Sports, released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
• NHL Slapshot, another ice hockey video game developed by EA Sports, for the Wii console

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "2K Sports - NHL 2K11". 2K Sports. http://2ksports.com/games/nhl2k11. Retrieved 19 June 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "NHL 2K11 Announced as a Wii Exclusive". 1up.com. March 3 2010. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178211. Retrieved 14 March 2010. 
3. ^ Installments section on NHL 2K
4. ^ "Ryan Kesler is the NHL 2K11 cover athlete". Joystiq.com. March 9 2010. http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/ryan-kesler-is-nhl-2k11-cover-athlete/. Retrieved 14 March 2010. 
5. ^ "NHL 2K11 for Wii". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/991145-nhl-2k11/index.html. Retrieved 2010-12-24. 
6. ^ "NHL 2K11 Critic Reviews for Wii". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/nhl-2k11/critic-reviews. Retrieved 2010-12-24. 
7. ^ Bailey, Kat (September 10, 2010). "NHL 2K11 Review from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3181312&p=44. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
8. ^ ^{a b} Kato, Matthew (August 26, 2010). "NHL 2K11". Games Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/nhl_2k11/b/wii/archive/2010/08/26/nhl-2k11-review.aspx. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
9. ^ Todd, Brett (August 31, 2010). "NHL 2K11 Review for Wii". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/nhl2k11/review.html. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Grisham, Richard (August 26, 2010). "NHL 2K11 review". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/nhl-2k11/review/nhk-2k11-review/a-2010082614169716061/g-20100617132757202021. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
11. ^ ^{a b} "NHL 2K11 Review". IGN. August 26, 2010. http://wii.ign.com/articles/111/1116324p1.html. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 

External links

• Official website