PlayStation 2
Released in 2005 by EA Sports
Grade: B+
This one takes some getting used to, but its exciting gameplay can’t be denied.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the sixth of nine NHL games on PS2. The series jumped to Xbox 360 for 07 and PS3 for 08.
Praises and gripes
This year’s innovations result in an odd mix. To make things more realistic, goalies are tougher than before. Crafty one-timers are the best method of scoring, but I like that “ugly goals” sneak through often enough too. Players push the puck ahead when skating fast, so you should be more careful handling the puck. But the gameplay still has an arcade feel. It’s fast and frantic, and defenders can easily knock opponents to the ice from any angle.
The control initially feels jumpy, and the skill stick is more confusing and spastic than ever. Automatic line changes aren’t done well, but luckily you can just turn line changes off altogether.
And despite all that, this game is simply a blast to play. Once you get the hang of the control, you’re in for an exciting round of hockey.
Skating is fluid. Passing is crisp. Goals are scored in all kinds of different ways. The AI is tenacious and causes a healthy level of chaos on the ice. The puck has a way of taking unpredictable bounces. Strategy settings help mix up the action. The graphics got a nice, sleek upgrade, and the sound is solid as usual.
Important Post Script!
This game comes with an emulated version of NHL ’94 on Sega Genesis. I’ve read scathing reviews saying it’s not true to the original, but in my opinion, the gameplay is 99% of the way there. (The sound is off and the rosters have goofy made-up names, though.) If you’ve never played NHL ’94 and you don’t have a Genesis, this is a convenient alternative.