How to Play PHS'84

Pond Hockey Simulator '84 is a throwback to what hockey was in the 70's and early 80's. It combines 5-vs-5 gameplay, league simulation and nostalgia with a simple game loop.

If you enjoyed Ice Hockey, Blades of Steel on the NES or NHL '94 on the SNES or Sega Genesis, this should be your thing!

Create a Season

On the first launch, you're prompted to create a season. You can change two parameters:

• How many teams you want
• How many matchups between each team you want

For example, choosing 6 teams and 4 matchups will pit each team against the other five teams four times, twice as visitors and twice on home ice advantage, for an overall total of 60 season games.

Creating the season rolls random teams, random players and a randomized calendar order.

You can edit teams' colors, names, logos and cities, and players' names and jersey numbers.

Playing a Season Game

Each game of the season's calendar are played sequentially, from the first game to the last.

Before each game, the player is asked what game mode they want:

• Play on home ice (the Home team)
• Play as visitor (the Visitor team)
• Play Versus mode (1-vs-1 for two players: Two gamepads required)
• Spectator (two AIs)
• Simulate (skip the game and roll random results for the calendar)

So if you decide that your hometown team is the Newark Warriors, simply rename one of the teams and play all their games, while simulating all the other games.

After the game is played, game stats are compiled and the season stats are updated.

At the end of a season, you can either restart the season, or delete the entire league and start a new, better one.

Controls

Gamepad controls are D-Pad to move, Main button to shoot, and Secondary button to pass or select the closest player to the puck while not owning the puck.

Keyboard controls are arrows to move, Spacebar to shoot, and Left-Ctrl button to pass or select the closest player to the puck while not owning the puck.

For one-timers, simply hold the Shoot button when getting the puck to automatically shoot. No need to receive a pass: this works at all times so be sure to do this during a melée in front of the net!

Checking and Poke-checking

The game utilizes a roguelike-system to define if a player checks or poke-checks another player by comparing each player's stats.

To check another player, simply ram into them face-first! The heaviest player is most likely to temporarily daze the other and steal the puck.

To poke-check, simple run into them repeatedly. The player with the highest stick-handling is most likely to fight his way out with the puck. (see Player Metrics below)

Player Rollout and Fatigue

Each team has a bunch of players for every position on the ice (Center, Left Wing, Right Wing, Defense, Goalie) but at the start of the game, who fills each spot is randomized.

Moving, shooting and passing drains energy and the player will eventually go to the bench for a change, and be replaced with a fresh, random player for the same position.

As the player loses energy, their stats will be slightly reduced as a result. Each player has an energy meter at their feet so you know how close they are to heading for the bench for a change.

You don't need to manage lines; the players will change automatically. It's currently impossible to change goalie during the game.

Player Metrics

Each player, when created, is given random metrics. If their metrics are high enough, they appear at the player's feet while playing:

 High Accuracy - The player's shots are more precise; goalies have a higher chance to stop the puck
 High Endurance - The player stays on the ice longer
Heavy Hitter - Higher chance to daze their opponents with a check
Powerful Shot - The player's shots are more powerful
High Speed - The player's skating speed is higher
High Stick-Handling - The player is more likely to steal the puck from their opponents and less likely to lose the puck to others

Have fun while we wait for the new NHL season to start!