ESPN NHL 2005
Prediction: This will be the only hockey you see this year
Tags: ESPN NHL 2005 Categories: PS2 Reviews, Reviews, Xbox Reviews
Posted by Andrew on Nov 4th, 2004
| Title | Players | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN NHL 2005 (title page) | 1 - 2 | ||
| Developer | Publisher | Genre | Online |
| Sports | Yes | ||
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Sega has done what they wanted to with the $19.99 price point for NFL 2K5 – increased its popularity. SEGA decided to follow through with the same price point for all of its sports titles, and at twenty bucks, ESPN NHL 2K5 ends up being a steal. Especially when you consider that this may be the only hockey that is played this year, or scarier, that this is the only hockey that anyone cares about.
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Once you get on the ice, everything feels similar to last year’s ESPN NHL 2K4. This year, when you pass, you have the option of staying in control of the passer, so you may position yourself better for a shot. It really adds an extra element that has been missing in hockey games. Not only do you not always need to control the puck, but it brings a real life touch to the ice. Add to that full analog control of your stick and you’ve got more control than has been possible.
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Depending on the sliders, you can make 2K5 play any way you want. With the exception of neutral ice play, the sliders work well. Sadly interceptions in the neutral zone aren’t as common as past versions of the game and there is consistent action up and down the ice. There is adequate opportunity to set up plays in the opposition’s end. Depending on the aggressiveness of the defense, you can set up behind the goal and look for open players. If a defensive player follows behind, expect your player to be pinned against the board in an attempt to freeze the puck. Wrap-around goals can be effective this year if the goalie has no clear view of the puck and the defense doesn’t manhandle the puckhandler. Mostly, however, scoring requires timing, strategy, and luck. Setting puck rebounds high increases scoring chances, and fortunately the goalie strength has been toned down compared to past versions. The goalies are no longer superhuman, and it’s not uncommon for games to have a half dozen goals or more between the two teams.
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If you can master the advanced controls, 2K5 offers what it calls Intense Contact Controls. On defense you can tie up your opposition or put a big hit on him. Or if your short-handed you can sweep your stick across the ice to try to poke the puck away. On offense, there are a variety of special moves including dekes and a pass-and-go system. All of this makes the game play more realistically but does take time to get accustomed to.
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The ESPN presentation that permeates all their sports games is here, too. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, ESPN has become the face of sports the way ABC’s Wide World of Sports was way back when, and their identity lends a sense of realism to the package. Pre- and post-game graphics and introductions are familiar, with the announcers pointing out the same star players a few too many times. But it looks even better than last year. Little things like tunnel entrances set up the game perfectly. The ice is perfect at the beginning of a period – reflective and smooth – and it’s dull and in need of the Zamboni by the end. Players move as fluidly as real skaters, and that means they can’t always change direction on a dime. Their subtle movements work very well for checks, dekes and shots, giving you just enough eye candy to appreciate the moves you’re pulling.
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Also adding to the depth of ESPN NHL 2K5 are a number of party games, which are designed to increase multiplayer particpation. However, the new party games make up for the unpolished presentation. You may think that adding a party mode to a sports game comes out of left field, but the way the mode is implemented here makes sense and is surprisingly addictive. The premises of the mini-games are simple, and most can be looked upon as simple multiplayer drills, but trying to score more goals with varying obstacles in a set amount of time proves to be a pretty intense game between friends.
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ESPN NHL is the most realistic, complete hockey experience of the year, and if NHL labor negotiations go as expected, that will include the real thing. Gameplay, Stats, Franchise and online leagues – everything you could want is there. The only things it’s missing are the game-breaking bugs found in many sports games. And it’s $20. This is the second excellent sports game offered by Sega for $20, and that price still comes as a shock to any sports fan accustomed to paying $50 for games that aren’t half as good.
| What Works | Score |
|---|---|
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+ Good flow of the game + Decent Graphics + Multiplayer is active and fun + ESPN franchise (Both good and bad) |
8.2 |
| What Doesn't | |
|
- Too much time spent adjusting the gameplay - Multiplayer games can be annoying - ESPN franchise (Both good and bad) |
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| Under the Shrink-wrap | |
| One of my best friends, who styles himself the biggest hockey aficionado in California, recently moved to Canada for the year. Ironic that there isn't any hockey in Canada for the year, and I mean really, why else would someone move there? At least he can get this game. | |
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Tags: ESPN NHL 2005
Posted by Andrew on Nov 4th, 2004 and is filed under PS2 Reviews, Reviews, Xbox Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can post a comment, or trackback from your own site.
