NHL 2K2

"That's strange--A real hockey game"

With this being the last game for Dreamcast, I was expecting to put away my Dreamcast pretty soon. This game has changed my mind. This is supposed to be a hockey game and that is what Visual Concepts made. Now let's bring the content!©Scott Keith

Graphics:
Great looking players with amazing detail. Probably one of the best looking Dreamcast games that I've seen. All of the players look very similar to their real life counterparts. The arenas also look very much like the real thing with players skates leaving lines on the ice as they skate. The crowd is the low point of the graphics as they are very flat looking and not detailed at all. That doesn't really take away from the overall look though.
Graphics score:9/10

Sound:
The sound in this game is also pretty well done. The menu
music isn't as annoying as in many other games. The sound effects and crowd noise are very true to hockey. The music played during the game is also something that you'd expect to hear during a real hockey game. The commentary is pretty average and often somewhat repetitive.
Sound Score:8/10

Control:
Very good. You can get by using the basic control, but there are also advanced controls that allow you to do more advance things. Whichever one you want to use is fine. Very easy to learn and use as well.
Control Score:10/10

Gameplay:
Ah yes, gameplay. The part that truly makes a game. NHL2K2 totally delivers. The goalie AI truly stands out. This is one of few hockey games where goalies actually come to play like the other players. In this game, once you move past the easy difficulty, you won't have anymore of those 8-5 games. They keep it realistic with very few goals going in each game. Goalies have to make moves to make the tough saves and they often do. All of the other players play quite realistically as well, with each player having his own unique style. There are the scorers who head for the net, the bruisers who look to take every one out, and the passers who look to set up a shot along with so many more. The only real problem is the fighting which is pretty much subpar. It's a hockey game though, so who cares.
Gameplay Score:10/10!!

Replay Value:
OK, I'll break this down.
The modes--Exhibition allows you to select any two teams for a 1-4 player game. Very fun, as you can select any team including the 2002 olympic hockey teams. The multiplayer is very fun and you can go for hours at a time without getting bored.
Quick Start lets you play a one player game with the teams selected for you. Kind of pointless in my opinion, but it doesn't detract from the game any.
Season allows you to take a team through an NHL season with all that is involved in that. This is probably the mode that'll bring you back to play with one player. You can make any trades or other roster moves that you feel are necessary for your team to succeed(or fail if that's what you want to do).
Playoffs allows you to pick a team and start from the playoffs in an attempt to reach the Stanley Cup. Pretty fun, especially if you want the glory without having to wait through an entire season.
Tournament mode allows you to select 4 or 8 teams to play in an elimination style tournament. Good if you have 8 friends over or if you want to play a bunch of teams without having to set up each time.
The modes are pretty good, only missing a franchise mode. The real part that'll bring you back is the gameplay(10/10) though, no matter which mode you choose to play in.
Replay Value Score:10/10!!

Buy/Rent:
A definite BUY as it will keep you hooked straight through until NHL2K3 is released.

Overall:
9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/25/02, Updated 02/25/02