Bush Hockey League
- March 28, 2017
- V7 Entertainment
- 4h median play time
Old Time Hockey rushes out of the box with a great presentation but trips up once it hits the ice and has to prove itself. The game just can't match up to the retro classics that were its inspiration.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Bush Hockey League" is a nostalgic ice hockey game that brings players back to the 90s with its retro graphics and intense action. The game features 21 unique teams, each with their own players and playing styles, as well as a career mode where players can lead their team to victory over multiple seasons. With Tag Mode, players can compete in chaotic 4-player matches, adding an extra layer of excitement to the fast-paced gameplay.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- A fun, old-fashioned arcade style hockey game that captures the spirit of 70s hockey.
- Great humor and charm, with references to the movie 'Slap Shot' and a unique story mode.
- Offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic hockey games like NHL '94.
- Controls are sluggish and unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating at times.
- AI can be inconsistent, often leading to unrealistic outcomes in matches.
- The requirement to unlock advanced controls through story mode can be tedious and detracts from the overall experience.
- story166 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story mode of the game has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its humor and charm, particularly its references to classic hockey culture, but criticizing its repetitive nature and challenging scaling. Many found the initial gameplay frustrating due to bugs and the need to unlock controls gradually, which can hinder progress. While some players enjoy the co-op aspect and the overall concept, others feel the narrative is weak and the objectives can be overly punishing, leading to a desire for more content and flexibility in gameplay options.
“Not only does Bush Hockey League feature a pretty neat story mode, but it offers local co-op for when you and your pals gather around for some beers on hockey night.”
“The story mode introduces lots of humor as you progress mid-way through a season to try and make the playoffs.”
“Where it really shines bright like a lit goal lamp is with its story mode.”
“Unfortunately, it is ruined by a few things (fights are way too often in story mode and cannot be disabled), no multiplayer, icing calls are strange, offside's are finicky, etc. I enjoy the game but wish there was more to it.”
“There were many times where in the story mode I would play a team and beat them and then the game would not save and move me on to the next game, this made me have to reset the whole story mode which made me stop playing the whole game entirely.”
“Story mode is boring as it's basically just the gameplay but with objectives.”
- gameplay93 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its clunky controls, slow pace, and missing standard hockey elements like one-timers. While some find it fun and reminiscent of old-school arcade hockey, others criticize its responsiveness and AI issues, suggesting that it requires a steep learning curve to fully enjoy. Despite its flaws, the game has potential for improvement and can be entertaining, especially for hockey fans looking for a casual experience.
“The price is perfect for this game, the style and gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and there's enough here to warrant a revisit from time to time when you're in the mood for some old-school, fun hockey.”
“Once you get a hang of the mechanics, it actually has some depth too!”
“The hockey gameplay is decent, arcade-like, and full of action.”
“Big disappointment from this game so far, but let's hope they fix problems with the gameplay.”
“Clunky controls, slow gameplay, and standard hockey elements missing (such as one-timers).”
“Gameplay... controls are sluggish, the AI (especially on goalies) is horrible, advanced controls are locked behind a tutorial wall that is annoying to play through, and lack of multiplayer.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic 70s aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like NHL '94, with a stylized presentation that some players appreciate for its unique charm. However, opinions are mixed, as many criticize the visuals for being outdated and lacking polish, likening them to PS2-era graphics. Overall, while the art style and environment are praised for their creativity, there is a consensus that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
“I love the environment for this game; its visuals are very nice and it really creates a nostalgic sense with its imaginative league from the 70s.”
“The 70s aesthetic along with its unglorified presentation of the sport gives this game a unique feel.”
“I like the stylized graphics presentation.”
“The graphics are awful.”
“While I do like the 70's league idea, the visuals of the game, much like the actual 70's, are a little ugly.”
“I get that they wanted the old school style of game, but that doesn't mean you should hinder the animations and player visuals.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm and nostalgic references, particularly to the classic film "Slap Shot." Reviewers highlight the quality of the soundtrack and sound effects, which effectively capture the essence of an older era of hockey, enhancing the overall experience despite some gameplay shortcomings. Additionally, the artwork and menu style complement the music, contributing to a cohesive and enjoyable atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is great, there's a lot of charm and references to Slap Shot (characters, storyline, gameplay), but the on-ice product needs some work.”
“Surprisingly great music and a story mode that reminds fans of the classic movie Slap Shot.”
“The only positive thing about the game is that it is a hockey game for PC and its soundtrack.”
“The sound effects and music clips capture an older era of hockey and sell it.”
“The soundtrack is the only redeeming quality of this game.”
- humor23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players appreciating its funny moments, particularly in the campaign story, which includes amusing scenarios like a fight with Santa. While the humor is often described as puerile and repetitive, it successfully elicits laughter through clever hockey jokes and a whimsical art style. However, the excessive fighting, while initially funny, can become tiresome and detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“It stands out for its sense of humor.”
“The story (only 5 games in so far) is a solid 10/10, the team getting into a fight with Santa at the Christmas signing had me laughing!”
“The humor is spot-on.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with reviewers highlighting its fun and engaging tone that enhances the overall experience, particularly in local multiplayer. Despite some rough edges, the game's setting and ambiance effectively capture the spirit of arcade hockey, making it an enjoyable experience for players.
“It’s a great touch to a sports game and v7 did a fantastic job setting a tone and atmosphere for the campaign.”
“Sure it's a bit rough around the edges but the atmosphere is great.”
“BHL brings fun smash mouth 70's hockey with great atmosphere.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively due to the absence of intrusive advertising, which enhances player immersion. However, some players criticize the emphasis on violence as a selling point, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience.
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Players express mixed feelings about the game's replayability, noting that while a multi-year mode could enhance replay value, the requirement to use the same pre-defined team may limit the experience. Concerns about player progression in sports games further complicate the potential for endless replayability. Overall, the mode has interesting elements, but its structure may hinder long-term engagement.
“This would not be very easy either, as player progression has been a complaint against many larger studios in their sports games with a multi-year mode, but it would make the game almost endlessly replayable.”
“This mode is more interesting than it sounds, but having to play the season with the same pre-defined team may not lend itself to replayability.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Many users report significant performance issues with the game, experiencing frequent slowdowns even on high-end PCs that exceed the recommended specifications. This inconsistency in optimization has left players puzzled and frustrated.
“Performance issues persist despite having a PC setup that vastly exceeds the recommended specifications. I still can't explain why 75% of the time when I run the game, it crawls.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from frequent graphical glitches, with players reporting issues such as heads and sticks protruding through the boards, indicating significant stability problems.
“Constant graphics glitches, with heads and sticks poking through the boards.”
“Constant graphics glitches, with heads and sticks poking through the boards.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's effort to evoke specific emotional responses, marking a significant development in emotional storytelling within the genre after years of gameplay experience.
“After 30 years of playing games, it was awesome to see a developed attempt to evoke a specific emotional reaction.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat tedious, particularly during the tutorial phase where controls are initially locked. However, this design choice is intended to highlight the challenges in story mode, and as players progress and unlock more controls, they experience a sense of improvement and mastery.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself doing the same tasks over and over just to level up, which quickly became boring.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
