PlayStation 2
Released in 2004 by Sega
Grade: B
ESPN NHL 2K5 is an incremental improvement over its predecessor ESPN NHL Hockey. The action plays out in a more fun, unpredictable way, but there are still some old nagging issues.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the third of eight 2K hockey games on PS2.
Praises and gripes
The strength of this game is its frantic, hockey-like action. I like the struggle to skate and pass through cluttered areas, with smart defenders ready to poke the puck away and block passes. Players seem guided by genuine hockey fundamentals, and there’s never a dull moment. Teams use distinct strategies, and there are obvious momentum swings.
As usual, well-crafted one-timers make up most of the goals, but you can beat goalies with other methods here and there. The goalies play more naturally than last year, giving you a better sense of how to attack, instead of slapping yourself yelling, “How’d he stop that?!”
I like how the puck pops loose and takes odd bounces more often than before. The poke check might look awkward, but it’s an effective weapon. Body checks are more rare and you need to line them up right, which feels fair. And the skating control is slightly tweaked, so that turns and stops are more natural.
But there are still issues. You can’t put extra zip on passes, which too often are easily gobbled up by defenders. Aiming your shots isn’t intuitive; the puck often goes high when you aim low and goes left when you aim right. You need to hold L1 and press Square for a slap shot; simply holding the button will result in a weak wrist shot. And goalies still make horribly weak passes, so it’s an unwanted adventure just to collect the puck and start moving it up ice.
This game was reviewed extremely well in its time. The graphics, presentation, and realistic action blew everyone away. In retrospect, though, there are too many flaws for long-term satisfaction, and this one will end up in the pile of games I’ll probably never play again.