NHL Breakaway '98
Game by Acclaim
Reviewed by Robby Cox
koi@magicnet.net
Save: Controller Pak
Released: 1998
Works with: Rumble Pak, Controller Pak
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Opening Snide Remarks: When I first saw pictures of Breakaway '98, I really
wanted it, but I had read some bad reviews of it, so I waited.  A few months
later I found it for $40, so I bought it. 

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Gameplay Descripion: Breakaway '98 is a straight-up sim-style hockey game.  
There's no whacked-out physics like the Gretzky series.  It plays a pretty
good game of hockey.  Everything's right except that it's way too easy to 
score.  I can score upwards of 10 goals in a game with 5 minute periods.  
That's just plain wrong.  It also makes the games last an eternity.  The 
momentum based checking system is awesome to say the least.  Overall, it's a
pretty solid hockey game.       
Liked: Momentum based checking RULES!
Hated: Too easy to score.

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Graphics Description: Breakaway '98 looks pretty good.  It runs in a nice 
medium-res.  The jerseys look exceptional, as do the arenas.  The stupidest
thing in this whole game is that every player looks the same.  When you score
or there's an instant replay, every player has the same face.  It looks like
humans have finally been cloned and they've taken over the NHL.  This is very
lame.  
Liked: Great looking jerseys and arenas.
Hated: Clones!!!

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Sound/Music Description: Breakaway has some excellent music, but there's not 
that much of it.  The organ tunes are excellent.  The sound fx are good, but
the announcer sounds a little too robotic.  He basically says everyone's 
name on the hockey game.  There are some extremely funny things that the P.A.
announcer says.  
Liked: Funny P.A. announcer.
Hated: When calling out names, he sounds robotic. 

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Play Control/Game Design: Breakaway's controls are fine.  They're very 
responsive, but the default button layouts seem strange.  You will get used 
to them, though.  The game design is good.  Everything that you could want in 
a hockey game is here. 
Liked: Good controls.
Hated: Nothing.

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Improve: Hi-res graphics, better goalie AI.

RIYL: EA Sports' NHL series, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey.

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Final Words: NHL Breakaway '98 is a great hockey game.  At the time of it's 
release, this was the only hockey game on the N64 other than Gretzky.  
Nowadays, there's some more competition.  Breakaway is an extremely solid 
hockey game that hockey fans should check out. 
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Score
Gameplay: ****
Graphics: ****
Sound/Music: ***
Play Control/Game Design: ****
Personal Opinion: ****
Total: 19 out of 25
Final Score: 76 %

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Currently Known Codes: None.

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