With the new hockey season
right around the corner, ESPN NHL Hockey is the first ice hockey title to be
released before the other competition vie for your attention. For those gamers
that don’t already know, the ESPN franchise is really the newest incarnation of
the Sega Sports NHL 2K games but now with a more ESPN-styled presentation. The
result is a game with plenty of hard-hitting hockey action with that authentic
televised presentation that makes the game feel like you’re actually playing
professional NHL hockey. How good is this game, you might ask? Let’s just say
it’s the kind of game that will bring tears of joy to any sports fan’s eyes.
As I had stated above, the
new season is drawing near and you can already practically taste the
anticipation of hockey fans everywhere. The makers of ESPN NHL Hockey have also
sensed this anticipation and you can see it in their newest addition–an actual
Skybox. That’s right, sports fans, they’ve included a Skybox where you can
lounge and play air hockey and also keep track of stats, player updates . . .
all of which are indications that this will be a long and memorable season.
All the usual game modes
are available once again (such as Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, Franchise and
Tournament) but also included are Skills mode and Mini-Games. The Mini-Games
is a welcome addition to the series and has four different mini games that are
short but satisfying. There’s Shootout (just you and the goalie), Mini-Rink (a
two-on-two game using a small rink), Pond Hockey (played over a frozen pond) and
Super Speed (a lightning fast game of hockey). Skills mode offer six
challenging tests–a few of which are found in the game’s Exhibition mode. And,
since online play was unforgivably left out of the PS2 version of last year’s
game, ESPN NHL Hockey makes up for it with great online features (more on that
later, though).
One of the many changes
you’ll find in this game are the fact that the game rewards you for performing a
number of challenges in many of the game’s modes such as Exhibition or
Playoffs. You are rewarded tokens for completing a list of challenges such as
winning a game in overtime or qualify for the Playoffs. The tokens you earn can
be used in the Skybox to unlock anything from classic team uniforms, vintage
hockey masks and other historical features. Not only does this increase the
replay value but also this is actually a far better payoff than merely some
much-deserved props on the stat list.
And, as I had mentioned
earlier, the game can also be played online either using Broadband or Dial-Up.
Up to eight players can take to the ice and challenging each other for a spot on
the scoreboards. Most of the game modes are available to play here and it
includes two of the Mini-Games and Skills mode. Funny thing, though, is that
both Dial-Up and Broadband seem to suffer from some minor slowdowns. Playing on
a Broadband connection, I’ve found less of these annoyances and the ability to
use a Logitech USB headset (once again, we can put the SOCOM headset to work)
came through nice and clear.
The controls this year
have been tweaked enough that things run even more smoothly than before.
Shooting, passing and performing dekes are just as simple to pull off and the
checks are a lot more vicious this time around–sending players on the opposing
team over the wall. These things come in handy since the computer-controlled
opponents are a lot smarter than before and play a good defense. And while the
goalkeeper seemed impossible to trick in last year’s game, this game sees a
tough goalkeeper that can make the same mistakes you can.
Aside from the smooth
gameplay and tight controls, the game’s visuals are quite spectacular. While
the Xbox might have a better looking game on their hands, the PS2 version
certainly looks good enough that hockey fans will be amazed how close to the
real thing the player’s faces look. The arenas are fantastic once again,
especially when it comes to the ice itself that reflects the overhead lights.
The players move realistically and even cast more of a natural shadow this time
around. Yet it’s the ESPN-styled presentation that gamers will love the most
and its style is seen in everything from replays to the flashy graphics seen in
actual televised games.
The game’s sound, though,
is what adds the final touch on the broadcast-like presentation with its Sport’s
Center theme music and spot-on play-by-play and color commentary by Bill Clement
and Gary Thorne. Gamers will notice that the crowds have become more specific
in their taunts and cheers and the sounds of hockey sticks clashing echo with a
realistically sharp smack. The PA speakers keep things lively and you’ll even
hear snippets of music, most notably Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” This is great
stuff, indeed.
ESPN NHL Hockey is, by
far, one of the most gratifying hockey games to come from the Sega Sports
franchise. Not only is this the most addictive hockey game available so far,
but it’s also filled with great extras and–at last–a great online mode. So
grab your favorite beverage and some snacks because this game will have you
playing for hours for many months to come. This is a recommended buy if ever
there was one and it is well worth your heard earned cash so go ahead and buy
it.
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#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 9.5
Where do I start? Should I start
with the easy-to-get-into controls that make everything from a simple pass to a
hard-hitting check a breeze so gamers can concentrate on working on their
defense on offense? Or perhaps I should start with the fact that the game’s
many challenges are too tempting to ignore, especially when there are extras to
unlock and new game modes to try out? Yes indeed, this is hockey at its finest.
Graphics: 9.2
ESPN NHL Hockey is not a major
departure graphics-wise from the past NHL 2K series but the graphics are still
one of the best in terms of detailed arenas and players. The arenas, once
again, are wonderfully detailed that gamers will identify their favorite arenas
(anyone who has seen the Anaheim Pond to watch the Mighty Ducks play will
definitely be impressed). The player models are also amazingly realistic and
I’m not just talking about the detailed uniforms but the facial features of each
player. This is one great looking game, all right.
Sound: 9.0
Bill Clement and Gary Thorpe provide
one of the best play-by-play and color commentaries in a NHL 2K game so far.
Not only do they call the plays perfectly, but also their enthusiasm intensifies
the game to the point that it certainly does feel like a televised event. There
are also things that help make the game seem like an actual event. Slam a
player in his home arena and listen to the resounding boos and jeers from home
fans in the arena. The PA system booms loudly and the announcer calls out the
names of star players and even play short bursts of music much like they do in
an actual arena.
Difficulty: Medium
Many gamers voiced their
dissatisfaction with the difficulty level of last year’s game. Not only was the
defense nearly impossible to penetrate in the more average setting but the
goalkeeper seemed to have had gloves made of puck magnets. This game, though,
the opposing teams play more accurately defensively and offensively. It’s
possible, even in the All-Star setting, to trick the defense and the goalkeeper
and thus making for a fair yet challenging game.
Concept: 9.0
You really have to adore a sports
game that pays tribute to the sport itself and ESPN NHL Hockey does that with
its abundant extras such as classic uniforms and hockey masks and even two
hidden teams (I won’t spoil the surprise so you’ll have to unlock the teams on
your own). This game also features a number of mini-games (play a quick game of
hockey on a frozen pond) and challenges to complete for tokens (used to unlock
extras). The Skybox is also a wonderful addition to the series and will be much
appreciated by fans.
Multiplayer: 9.7
This is a sport’s and pro hockey fan
dream come true–a game that goes out of its way to affectionately accommodate a
gamers’ need for some serious multiplayer action. Not only can you play against
a group of up the eight players (using the PS2 Multitap) but the game can also
be taken online using the Network Adaptor for Broadband or Dial-up connections.
Not only will you be able to download new rosters and other extras, but the
game’s ability to use a USB headset will have gamers talking trash as well. One
small complaint is that there are some slowdowns in both connections but they’re
minor.
Overall: 9.5
ESPN NHL Hockey is, bar none, one of
the most satisfying ice hockey titles to grace the PS2 console so far. It
really does come close to perfection in everyway and that is saying a lot
considering the fact that last year’s NHL 2K3 was at the top of its game. With
a multitude of extras to unlock, brilliant gameplay and online play, this game
is hockey heaven for fans of the sport. Really, do yourself the favor and pick
this one up right away.
