ESPN NHL 2k5
 

Wow, this one caught me by surprise. I've always thought that EA were hanging onto the better NHL game, but only just. This game caught me off guard, it's near perfect and shits all over NHL 2004. It probably will shit on 2005 as well knowing how EA change little in the yearly updates. This from the IGN review:

It's just brilliant all-round, baby and still only $20.

Yes, NHL 2005 is gonna be online for PS2 and Xbox. And PC.

I'm buying NHL 05 on the Deuce this year. I had a lot of fun playing 04 via PC with some of the guys around here (Mikey Metal 'Ed) and on my own when I got bored, so I'm buying it :D

As is 2k5 (minus a PC version)

I usually stick to the EA games simply because I want to play online (PC) against my friends and I know that's what they'll have. Not to mention the Sega games aren't available for PC. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a shot for ps2 though.

You seriously can't go wrong for $20 :D

This is why i think it's too late for Sega Sports to be accepted though, even if you prefer it, chances are your friends are playing EA games, thus limiting online play.

Which is why the $20 price point is a VERY smart move from Sega

Yeah I know, he asked about EA's game. Not ESPN :)

The 2k hockey games have always had great gameplay, and it's no exception this year. But I hear a lot of complaints from posters of some forums about how the game has bugs, how it freezes, etc. I think Sega overlooked so many of these problems because they were desperate to release it before EA's game...what a shame. I find it weird that reviews from sites like Gamespot and IGN never mentioned the problems though.

If you feel a bit weary of getting it, it's only $20 new. So the pre-owned price will just be stupidly low anyways. Give it a few :)

Also, the newest GI(Game Informer) has reviewed both games. NHL 2005 scored higher then ESPN 2K5. Not by much. But higher none the less.

I picked it up a couple of days ago and I've been playing it quite a bit.

I always loved the EA hockey games (actually NHL '98 is one of my favorite games of all time) and after NHL 2002 (which I also liked) I picked up NHL 2K3 because I'd had NFL 2K3 and I figured that a hockey game with the 2K gameplay system would = :drool:, and I was right.

When it comes to a realistic hockey feel, EA doesn't even compare to the 2K series and thats what I'm more into, as opposed to the more arcade-ish
style that the NHL series has.

the franchise mode this year is unreal. you can go to foreign countries and actually watch future draft picks play games and scout them and stuff. oh and you have full editing power over all of your players at all times.

EA this year doesn't have a create-a-player . :-\

It's not ALL pro-2K though, there's a lot of little glitches and bugs that can be annoying at times, it's nothing that bad though.

I can't really fully judge NHL 2005 because like I said, I haven't been in touch with the series for a few years.

But for $20, I'd recommend it for sure. :y:

You HAVE to be shitting me?

I speak the truth :(

Just picked up ESPN NHL 2K5. I also had 2K4, and didn't notice too much of a difference. The game does seem a bit more balanced; there used to be a sweet spot where the game was either too easy or impossible to beat, and it seems to have been corrected. Some of the graphics are improved, and I was pleasantly surprised that the statue of Al the Octopus was reflected in the ice of Joe Louis Arena. Another nice touch: the ice still goes from smooth to scuffed, but now it's smooth again at the beginning of every period (probably due to your friendly neighborhood zamboni operator).

So, even if you have 2K4, I recommend 2K5. At least you get an updated roster.

By the way, does anyone know what the heck Sega is talking about when they say the game has "ice gals"? I mean, it's written right on the box cover. I've played this game for probably 5 hours already, and no sign of anything that resembles an "ice gal." That said, I haven't been able to spot any of the "rabid" fans they show in game's intro movie, either.

Well everyone seems to be big on this game here but around the net the feeling is quite alot different.Most love the gameplay but the glitches are driving them crazy

Big Glitches include:Constant freezing(checking emails etc),After 2-3 seasons in Franchise mode their are about 31 +70 free agents while AI rosters after the second line are made up of players rated 30 and 40 because they have no budget to sign the +70 players.That is pretty bad when someone like Zetterberg can't find a team while Sean Pronger.

Does anyone have this problem on PS2 or X-box?

Nope. Had about 5 seasons now and I havn't had it freeze on me once (on XBox)

How about the rosters?