ESPN NHL 2K5

"So long EA"

First things first, I have played EA Sports' NHL series since NHL '94 on the Super Nintendo. I have always liked them and have been very, very reluctant to, buy another brand of hokey game, but I took shot a shot with this one and I scored. This is great hockey simulation with a few minor flaws, but many, better things.

Graphics- 10/10. I give this game perfect graphics, because the details are amazing. The faces are so great you can tell whom you're controlling by the face, and finally a game where the stick does not miraculously go through another player's chest.

Sound- 9/10. This game has great SFX from the crashing of the boards, to a puck hitting the glass or a post. The commentators are good, somewhat repetitive, but at least they are accurate as to what they are saying and what is happening. The soundtrack isn't all that great in my opinion, but the game has custom soundtracks so that problem is easily fixed.

Controls/Game-play- 8.5/10. It would have been a perfect 10 out of 10 except for the fact that deking is a little difficult, but there is always someone who can do it, but I think an automatic deke would have been nice. The penalties are also a little too heavy so you might want to turn the penalties down a few notches. If your wondering about this face-off glitch I have not noticed it and even if it does bother you, you can be the winger and let the computer take the face-off.

Fun- 10/10. If you want a great hockey simulator, get this, if you want a hard-hitting hockey game, get this. If you want both then you can't avoid buying this.

Fighting System- 8/10. Good, I like the fact you can actually move and punch. I know you don't like my bad explanation of my 8/10, but it is just a feeling I can't explain.

Replay Value- 10/10. Great, it has a good franchise, which allows you to play repeatedly, and it's a sport game so just play a quick pickup game and then your bam done.

Overall (Not an Average)- 9.5. It's a great hockey game, extremely fun, and it is so time consuming you should not be bored near your system for a long time.

Rent/Buy. Well… It's a great game and you can't beat a $20 price. I can almost guarantee you'll end up renting it sop many times it would have been cheaper to buy.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/02/04