Reviews Home » Arcade Games » Icebreaker Hockey™

Released: 02 Jun, 2011

Reviewer: Andrew Nesvadba

Version: 1.0 Size: 73.6 MB

Share Review:

Icebreaker Hockey™

$0.99

Save: 80% Was: $2.99Arcade Games1.0NaturalMotion Games ...

PROS

Brutal checks and elegant dodges thanks to NaturalMotion's smooth animations.
Intuitive controls; tilt to move, tap on the relevant side to dodge.
Unlockable customizations, difficulty levels and an Endurance mode.

CONS

Deja vu gameplay; including the unspectacular 'hard stop' and auto shooting fails to add to the series.
Performance issues; game would occasionally become unplayable (unresponsive menus, slow load times).

VERDICT

Despite a change of setting, Icebreaker Hockey fails to step out of the comfort zone of its predecessors; this is disappointing for a sport famous for its hard hits.

Video Review

Full Review

NaturalMotion are at it again and this time players are taken off the field and on to the ice as you attempt to spin, deke, stop or sprint your way past checks in Icebreaker Hockey. Sadly, what could have been an opportunity to try something out of the ordinary instead feels bland and more like a coat of paint thrown over the earlier Backbreaker series.

Fans of the series will be able to jump right in as the controls and basic gameplay are left almost completely intact. Tilting will move your player back and forth while buttons on the left and right allow you to spin, deke, sprint and 'showboat' once you're past the defenders. Points are awarded for pulling off these maneuvers while avoiding the opposing team, while additional points can be racked up if you slide over colored zones. Off-limits boundaries can provide some barriers, though players can turn back in the other direction, giving them the opportunity to literally run circles around the opposition.

The major changes are mostly aesthetic, with the game obviously being set in an ice-rink complete with crowds, over the top lighting and high-quality animations (which is to be expected of a group like NaturalMotion). Minor gameplay additions such as being able to shoot past a goaltender don't really add to the challenge as the shooting is handled automatically and 'hard stops' are to be expected given that we are talking about Ice Hockey.

As you progress you'll unlock additional teams for their jerseys, new difficulty levels to test your skills and an Endurance mode for 'endless' wave-after-wave gameplay. Achievements add some challenging objectives, but outside of collecting all the 'stars' most can be unlocked through repetitive playing.

At the end of the day, we've been here before and in some ways Icebreaker Hockey feels like a step back from Backbreaker 2 as the variety of options for avoiding other players has been reduced. If you've not played anything from the 'Breaker' series of titles or you're a hardline Ice Hockey fan, you'll get a real kick out of this game, but if you're a returning fan there's far less to enjoy.

App Store Info

NaturalMotion Games, the makers of the million-selling hit Backbreaker Football, are proud to present: ICEBREAKER HOCKEY! Crushing checks, slick moves, and super-addictive gameplay combine to create an experience that redefines action on the rink!Deke and spin your way towards the goal, dodging and skating past players on a mission to take you down. If you make it through, it's time to face the GOALTENDER: taunt him with your SHOWBOATING skills, and charge up a SUPER-SHOT to show him who's boss!AMAZING VISUALSIcebreaker Hockey pulls out all the stops in high-end iOS gaming: smooth, life-like skating based on motion capture data from professional ice hockey players; crushing sidewall checks and takedowns powered by NaturalMotion's endorphin simulation technology; advanced OpenGL ES 2.0 techniques (such as mirror ice reflections) for stunning graphics. SLICK MOVESSKATE down the rink using the accelerometer. SPIN and DEKE past opposing players for extra points. SPRINT to storm forwards, or perform a HARD STOP to send your enemies into the wall. Press the SHOWBOAT button to really rack up the points, and finish it all off nicely with a charged-up SUPER SHOT. The goaltender won't know what hit him. HOURS OF GAMEPLAYIcebreaker Hockey is packed with content:CHALLENGE MODE introduces 50 original waves divided into 10 ever-tougher challenges. ENDURANCE MODE lets you test your skills and stamina in a non-stop sequence of ever tougher waves. How far can you go?Eight ORIGINAL TEAMS let you choose your favourite colours and looks. ONLINE LEADERBOARDSPowered by Game Center, Icebreaker Hockey features online leaderboards, so you can see how you measure up against your friends and the world. And with seamless Facebook integration, sharing your latest achievements with your friends is easier than ever. ACHIEVEMENTS AND UNLOCKABLES42 unique achievements are waiting to be conquered, along with many unlockable items!CUSTOMIZATIONChoose your team and stick your name on the jersey!Icebreaker Hockey is pure, adrenaline filled fun. Whether you like quick bursts of action or want to dive deep with hours of gameplay, Icebreaker Hockey is for you!----------ALSO BY NATURALMOTION GAMESBackbreaker 2, JENGA, Backbreaker Football – Out now on the App Store!FOLLOW USTwitter: @nmgames Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalmotiongames