PlayStation 2
Released in 2005 by 2K Sports
Grade: B+
This installment of 2K hockey is focused on simulation, with stout AI, new strategic tactics, and well-balanced pacing. The realism doesn’t take its toll on the fun, though. There’s a frantic, hockey-like feel. Unfortunately, it still retains minor gameplay problems that always plagued the series.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the fourth of eight 2K hockey games on PS2, and it aligns with the first release on Xbox 360. As such, it looks like a lower-grade port of a next-gen title. Players look slightly blurry, the puck isn’t always easy to spot, and certain lighting effects are jarring. Despite that, without having played the Xbox 360 version, I’d say 2K6 has the best gameplay in the series.
Praises and gripes
The rink is bigger than in other installments, yet the players smartly clutter dangerous areas. The best ways to score — skating or passing across the goalie — are realistically difficult to set up with disciplined defensemen getting in your way.
The action moves at the right speed, although you still can’t control the speed of your passes, an issue 2K never fixed. Also, there’s still some odd skating control, with players often twirling around at just the wrong times.
I like how you need to use smart teamwork to move the puck up ice. Sometimes the critical pass in your attack is to a player who’s only a few feet ahead. Defenders use the poke check effectively. Big body checks connect at a realistic frequency. You need to line them up right, or else you’ll just rub against the guy.
Goalies are tough, routinely stopping the easy shots and sometimes miraculously stopping the hardest ones. The puck occasionally bounces in front of the net, resulting in chaotic scrambles, but you don’t get an overabundance of rebound goals.
There’s a “control the goalie” feature, and while it might be fun to mess around with, you won’t get better than the CPU-controlled goalie and you’ll ignore this option eventually.
There’s a set of quick plays on offense and defense, controlled with the D-pad buttons. Gamers who hunker down and learn them will be rewarded by their added strategic depth.
The game feels hockey-like, with frequent changes of possession and lots of variety. Dumping the puck in the corner is actually a worthwhile tactic, unlike almost every other hockey game. I like how some contests have a lot of goals and some have none. I like that the puck takes odd bounces, but it’s pretty weird that sometimes it’s frozen in place and other times it slides along the boards without slowing down. One other nitpick, goalies don’t pass well, although it’s improved from years past.
This game is worth a try, as outdated as it is. It’s got something to it that just might pull you in.