NHL 2005

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GC,
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EA SPORTS lights it up in the 13th season of world championship hockey with NHL 2005. Delivering top shelf gameplay that captures the speed, finesse, and...
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8.3
very good
 

Game Overview

EA SPORTS lights it up in the 13th season of world championship hockey with NHL 2005. Delivering top shelf gameplay that captures the speed, finesse, and hard-hitting action of pro hockey, NHL 2005 challenges gamers of all skill levels to lace up their skates and create open ice. New Open Ice Control allows players to execute offensive plays such as Give-and-Gos and breakaway passes or call for a defensive double team with the touch of a button. A completely overhauled skating engine captures both the explosive speed of offensive skating and the surgical precision of backwards defensive movement. Dynasty Mode goes even deeper with a new, easier to navigate interface, and more interactive GM/owner relationships, including a deep new e-mail system.

The Bottom Line

The decade-long obsession begun by EA's Genesis-era hockey titles continues with NHL 2005. This year's enhancements include smarter and less scripted player AI, context-sensitive control features based more on the personalities of each real player (enforcers will have the power to level players, whereas more technical pros will have use more of finesse), easier player control for skating backwards and gliding after a sprint, Open Ice Control for coordinating players into better passing positions, and improvements to the robust Dynasty mode.

Expert Reviews

GameSpot review logo
79/100
score

This is still a solid game of hockey, but it isn't the most realistic or best-playing NHL title out there, and as such, it shouldn't be your first choice for one.

GameZone review logo
83/100
score

Better than last year's 2004 and the inclusion of Xbox Live support will be important to fans of the series, but there isn't anything remarkably better that warrants an immediate purchase.

IGN review logo
83/100
score

If you're looking for a raw, wide-open experience with lots of arcade elements, NHL 2005 is for you...If you're more into the strategy of real hockey'the poke checks, the traps, the dumps, the dekes -- then you'll either have to try to design this game

Game Features

• Open Ice Control: Seamlessly switch between players with or without the puck, call for passes, set up a vicious one-timer, drive the net for a deflection, or call for a defensive double team on the fly with just the push of a button. • All-New Skating Engine: A new skating engine emphasizes gliding and accelerating, capturing the fast pace of hockey. A refined backwards skating system also allows for unprecedented defensive precision and control. • World Cup of Hockey: NHL 2005 features all the teams, all the venues, and all the action of this year's global tournament featuring the top eight hockey nations in the world. • Pick up and Play Action: Fast-paced gameplay captures the pacing and flow of pro hockey, providing seasoned players with deep, nuanced gameplay, while hockey rookies are able to quickly dive in with a rewarding, easy-to-learn experience. • Dynasty Mode™: Gamers take on the role of a GM managing every aspect of their team's operations, from setting ticket prices to calling up a prospect from the minors. A new PDA and email system streamlines communications and adds new depth to owner/GM relations. • Personality-Driven AI: All-new AI recreates the play styles and personalities of the biggest names in the game. • EA SPORTS™ Nation: Go online with the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system* and compete with the best players from around the country.
EA's NHL 2005 Skates Into Stores Everywhere Today Top Selling Pro Hockey Franchise is THE Place to Play Hockey this Fall

Game Specs

Audio/Video
In-Game Dolby Digital

Controllers
Communicator Headset

Modes
Franchise, Season, Simultaneous, Tournament, Versus

 

Online Features
Content Download, Friends, Online Multiplayer, Scoreboards, Voice

Xbox 360 Compatible
Yes

 

ESRB Game Ratings

ESRB Rating of "E"
This game is Rated: Everyone
Content is most suitable for children ages 6 and up. This game may contain some cartoons or fantasy characters and potentially mild violence or language.
Content Descriptors:
Violence
 
Game Info
Platform:Microsoft Xbox
Release Date:9/20/2004
Publisher:Electronic Arts
Developer:EA Canada
Genre:Sports
ESRB Rating:E
Gamesite:--
 
Game Quality Ratings
Overall
8.3
Gameplay
8
Graphics
8.5
Sound
8
Concept
7.5
Difficulty: Medium
OVERALL
8.3/10

Recent Customer Reviews

Hard Hitting, Bone Crunching Hockey At It's Best

EA Certainly hoists the cup with the latest revision of their awesome NHL series.
Published 2666 days ago by banditosway

NHL 2005 for Xbox
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