ESPN National Hockey Night

"Hard, but a great challenge."

OK for those of you who have played this game once and not picked it back up, If you think this game is too hard(which I know a lot of you do)than you should read this review and try to understand where I am coming from.

Well this game is not that hard it's just really reallistic.I know everybody grew up playing hockey games that you could score in the same way, and you could win with one hand tied behind your back(the dominant one even)
but this game is very different because it is played just like in real life.

Game play: I would rate the game play at an 8.Like I said it's reallistic, which takes a minute(or two or three HOURS)to get the hang of the controls and the action.But after that it becomes more enjoyable.The players skate reallistic for the most part except when you are going back into your end and the other team is coming in with the puck,your players sometimes don't feel the need to turn around and face the facts.Shooting:9-This is a nine because of it's realism(once again)you can put it where you want it and you get the miss shot every now and then.On one-timers sometimes you can blast one,and other times you don't get the timing down and the puck starts down the ice towards your net.Checking:9-This game has great hitting with the evade check every now and then.Passing:10-This is the best part about this game and most realistic. You have to have the open lane or they will block it.Goaltending:7-It is realistic but sometimes it can be very hard to score,which makes it frustrating.

Story:How am I supposed to rate or even write about the story,it's just hockey,try to win LORD STANLEY I guess.(just have fun.)

Audio:5-not much went into this but it's not all that bad but it's not great either.Gary Thorne sound kind of slow on the play-by-play,but you can do your own announcing if you want.the sounds are ok nothing special.

Replayability:If you are up to a great challenge you will find you are like me and won't be able to put the game away.But if you want to just kill the other team and think your Mario Lemieux play an old sega game or NHL 2000.

Rent this first (unless you are a diehard hockey fan looking for the best challenge on ice)after renting this you can decide if you want to spend the $50 bucks (which is well worth it.)Well that is it for my review I hoped you liked it and I hope you will give truly one of the best games ever a chance.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/23/01, Updated 05/23/01