ESPN NHL 2K5 – PS2 – Review

Serious fanatics of the
puck are divided into two groups: those that are fans of the EA Sports hockey
franchise and those that are fans of Sega’s ESPN NHL game.  Both hockey games
put up quite a competition since both games play fluidly and realistically.
Both always up the ante and offer improvements in practically every aspect of
the game to the point that there’s something different every year.  ESPN NHL 2K5
is this year’s entry in the competition to win hockey fans over and I must admit
that not only is this game astonishingly priced just right (it retails for
$19.99!) but it also has my vote for the best this series has released so far.

When ESPN NFL 2K5 was
released not too long ago, it’s $19.99 price tag baffled gamers everywhere and
one couldn’t help but wonder if we were getting the same NFL gaming goodness of
its $49.99 rival, Madden NFL 2005.  Turned out that even with the bargain bin
price the game was good enough to give Madden a run for its money.  The same can
be said about ESPN NHL 2K5, it’s very much a serious hockey game with all the
trimmings minus last year’s retail price tag.  Last year’s game was quite the
stellar treat but NHL 2K5 has it beat with improvements in all the right
places.  Practically the only thing that stops this game from being scored
higher is that NFL 2K5 set the standard in presentation.  NHL 2K5, while lacking
in this department, still has all the right moves, though.

For starters, the game
still controls like a dream.  You will check other players, deke, pass and dump
just as easily as last year’s game.  NHL 2K5 adds new moves this time around and
they work well.  The Total Stick Control feature, for example, sweeps your stick
in front of you for more precision while the new Defensive Skating allows you to
skate backwards by pressing the L1 and the left analog stick.  You can even
allow your players to hit more aggressively than usual, although sometimes that
type of thing could lead to penalties or fights.  Speaking of fights, they
aren’t as easy to pull off but thanks to some improvements throwing down the
gloves to send an uppercut just seems so much better this year.

Having said that, Sega has
decided to up the challenge this year by tweaking the opponent AI to the point
that they will seriously pose a good challenge.  The opposing team, you’ll find
out is good at putting up a defense that isn’t easy to break through.  You
cannot simply make quick passes, sidestep and attempt to slam the puck into the
goal.  This time you’ll find defenders blocking your path and doing everything
they can to keep you from the hot zone.  The other team also plays quite an
aggressive offense so don’t be surprised if you find yourself pinned to the
board or slammed into the ice by a vicious body check.  One of the game’s best
features is the gameplay slider that you can adjust to your liking.  You can
play the game as a serious simulator or go the NHL Hitz route for an arcade-like
experience.

The majority of last
year’s game modes are back and I, for the most part, am glad to see the Skybox
again.  The Skybox pretty much contains trophies, team stats, unlockable items
and even mini-games (Trivia, Air Hockey and Shuffleboard). All these things add
more replay value to the game but what will have you playing long until next
year is the Party Mode.  Party Mode contains fifteen mini-games (many of which
can be played with up to eight friends thanks to the PS2 Multitap) and serves as
an excellent (and highly entertaining) training ground.  One game, called The
Gauntlet, has you being chased through a moving maze while the other attempts to
bring you down.  Of course, Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, Skills, Extras
(mini-rink again) and Franchise mode are back.

The game’s Franchise mode
adds more elements to an already robust game mode.  Here you can control various
aspects of your league thanks to the Coaching Staff Control.  You’ll be able to
scout for new talent but this time put them through some drills to see how well
they respond to various situations.  You can’t have somebody assist a player
like Martin St. Louis if he can’t catch up, right? With better scouting and
coaching options, you’ll find yourself taking full interest in all aspects of
your team’s every decisions.  This is, by far, the best Franchise mode thus far.

Once again the game offers
an online multiplayer mode and once again we find ourselves completely addicted
to its smooth flow and Broadband or Dial-Up connection options.  You can form
your own online leagues and play in online tournaments against friends on your
buddy list.  Last year’s game ran smoothly enough, but did experience a few
hiccups.  This year is just a bit different thanks to some improvements here and
there but overall chalk this one up as another PS2 online multiplayer game
you’ll be playing a lot online.

Speaking of improvements,
this year’s game sees plenty of visual upgrades.  Player’s faces use to look
unnatural, especially when conveying emotion but in NHL 2K5 their reactions look
more natural.  Many of the players even actually look like the more recognizable
stars of the game like Jeremy Roenick or Chris Drury.  The arenas also look a
lot more detailed and many of the fans wear their favorite team jerseys while
cheerleading ice girls cheer their team on.  The ESPN presentation is present
but it doesn’t put the same effort found in ESPN NFL 2K5.  Still, this is a
visually presentable game.

Complimenting the game’s
visuals, the sound brings a pleasant mixture of arena sounds, crowd chants,
songs by indie rock bands and decent commentary.  Gary Thorne and Bill Clement
do a great job with the play-by-play and color commentary but there are times
when they do repeat a lot of what they say.  While this does become somewhat
annoying, gamers will be impressed by how accurate and timely their commentary
is and how good they are at pointing out spectacular plays.  The fans are also a
lot more vocal, chanting the name of star players or players that make a
particularly excellent play.  For example, my Red Wings goalkeeper deflects two
subsequent slap shots and this resulted in the Wings fans chanting the
goalkeeper’s name.  There are also some tunes by unknown artists and they’re
actually quite good.

Sega has once again
outdone themselves, ESPN NHL 2K5 is not only far more superior than last year’s
amazing game but it also proves to be best hockey game you’ll play this year.
While it lacks the dazzling overall presentation found in ESPN NFL 2K5, the
great new modes, deeper franchise and online leagues more than make up for it.
Hockey fans, to not have this game in your growing library should be considered
a tragedy and considering it’s bargain price ($19.99, somebody pinch me), there
really isn’t any excuse.

#Review Scoring Details for ESPN NHL 2K5

Gameplay: 9.2
The improvements in the gameplay
become obvious the second you’re slammed against the boards or the very instant
you perform a snap shot at just the precise moment the other team’s defense
drops.  Control-wise, the game continues to offer easy-to-get-into moves but
skill is still needed to sidestep, deke and deflect.  Franchise mode is deeper
thanks to the Live Scouting System that allows you to test out prospects by
running them through some drills. 

Graphics: 9.0
Graphically, ESPN NHL 2K5 is one
amazing-looking game on the PS2.  The details in this year’s game make for a
more visually realistic game since now the faces and the player’s movements look
more natural.  Even the arenas look a lot more detailed with the overhead light
reflecting off the ice itself.  The ESPN presentation is sparse despite its
various cut scenes and the inserted graphic giving players a closer glance of
every face-off.  Sadly, it’s nowhere near as presentable as ESPN NFL 2K5 is.

Sound: 9.0
Once again the game’s sound does a
great job of bringing the televised ESPN presentation.  The commentary flow is
wonderfully on the spot and although much of what you hear becomes annoyingly
repetitive they are always quick in pointing out events as they happen.  The
audience also chants the name of their favorite team as well as favorite
players.

Difficulty: Medium
Forget the challenges of past NHL 2K
games, NHL 2K5 sports a more aggressive offensive and defensive game thanks to
the smarter opponent AI.  You’ll find, even in the Amateur setting, that the
opposing team defends the goal to the point that players must really work hard
to break through the defense.

Concept: 9.5
The extras are juicier and more
plentiful with the Skybox filled with unlockable extras that range from vintage
team uniforms to fantasy arenas (e.g. a desert setting or the circus) plus a
trivia game, shuffleboard and (making its return) Air Hockey.  The new Party
Mode comes complete with fifteen mini-games that can also be played with
friends.

Multiplayer: 9.7
NHL 2K5 is big on multiplayer games
and with Party Mode you are able to take on a group of friends (using the PS2
Multitap) in any of the fifteen different games or a good old-fashioned
Exhibition game.  Yet it’s all about the online multiplayer mode that showcases
online leagues and tournaments, an accessible buddy list and the ability to play
the game using a Broadband or Dial-Up connection.  Online the game runs pretty
smoothly, although you might encounter a few hiccups now and again.  Still, this
is multiplayer hockey at its most entertaining.

Overall: 9.3
Hockey fans, ESPN NHL 2K5 delivers a
hockey game that rises above the competition with its solid gameplay and highly
addictive game modes.  Year after year we’ve seen the franchise bring new and
wonderful things to the table but this year Sega tops itself by bringing us a
game that offers more bang for you buck.  Pick this one up if you fancy owning a
hockey title that’s near perfect.