So thankfully, i got the game early thanks to a friend that sold it at walmart. Now on to the review.
NHL 2k10: This game was very addictive to say the the least.
Graphics: Player models are looking really good, and the colors are better than nhl 10. The goalies don't look as bad on an hd tv but some work is still needed on the game. the arenas look amazing and so do the crowds but i'm not digging the seating setup for the stadium and how far away the seats are from the glass. Clipping needs to really disappear by 2k11. Overall graphics for me get an 8 out of 10.
Animations: This is the part that bites. Transiton animations are the killer of this game and it really really bothers me, incidental contact is good but at times the animations become jerky all over the place. Goalie animations are decent but when are we going to see all these EXPIRED GEN ANIMATIONS disappear? It just needs to be worked on but there are some really good animations in there especially with deflections. Animations gets a 6.5 out of 10
Gameplay: the game play for me has the potential to be superior to nhl 2k8 minus the penalties. I for one actually thought 2k8 was a DECENT game but not a great game. The goaile animations in 2k8 and movement was good but the gameplay wasn't as good as i would like. NHL 2k10 gameplay on the other hand at times resembles a real hockey game. The read and react ai is pretty good but at times can get clumsy and make bad decisions. At times players on the same team bump into each other and thats not good. There is some warpage issues and that really needs to disappear by 2k11. Gameplay is very solid though and i give it an 8.2 out of 10.
Presentation: Amaizing, nuff said 9 out of 10.
Menus and layout: Its good stuff, easy to go through and more accessible but i really didn't have a problem with 2k9's layout. 8 out of 10
Authenticity and Realism: This game brings realism to a whole new level. It really is better than nhl 10 repetitve gameplay. I have already purchased 10 as well and i can say after 5 cpu games, i'm getting bored. 2k10 on the other hand seems to have done something with team styles? dunno what it is but its feels different when playing different teams. broken glass is a must for next year as well as upper netting physics and net physics. Authenticity is what drags this score down though. The lack of penalties is beginning to tick me off at times because there have been several instances in which penalties should have been called and it wasn't. Next year, there should be no excuse for lack of penalties, KUSH COULD GET EVERY CBA RULE INTO FRANCHISE MODE so penalties should not even be an issue. overall 7 out of 10.
Game Modes: The lack of vital game modes is also a killer, First off, next year, MY Player must be in and done to perfection. Franchise mode is really lacking. No playing minor leage games, no trading during draft, things like this make it hard to get immeresed in the game. On the bright side though, the GM's in franchise mode seem like they have a goal for their teams. Sellers always look to rebuild and trades offers are better and not completely retarded like NHL 09. VC has done a decent job with franchise mode but i think next year they need to expand on it. A major focus needs to go into my player and some money has to go out into aquireing more licences. A minor league system has to be created to either represent the ahl or licence some other minor league team. This is necessary because without this, it makes it hard to develop players into stars. It would be even better if VC did what they did with old 2k games and allow us to watch the prospects in a couple of games and decide who to draft. My player also needs to be in next year and the level of customization we witnessed from nba 2k10 draft combine needs to be in nhl 2k11. Anyway, sorry to veer off but like i said, franchise is pretty decent but it could use a little more tlc. overall 7 out of 10.
Anyway thats my review but feel free to make comments and all. i'm not going to give an average score because i'm too lazy at the moment to total it up.