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.
Of all things you'd expect out of a sports game, the number one priority, the most vital, is that it needs to be better than the previous version. You can talk about features, tweaks, graphics, or whatever, but if a game isn't as good as the year before, then what's the point? That's the problem with NHL 2005 on the PC. Not only is it not equal to NHL 2004; on nearly every level, it's a step backwards. In the end, there's no reason whatsoever to "upgrade" to this new version, and that's the most damming thing you can say about a sports franchise. Read More »
Time for winter, ice, skating ... and EA's NHL 2005. Read More »
Vancouver Canucks all-star left winger signs on as spokesman, cover athlete for EA Sports' upcoming hockey title. Read More »
Also known as: NHL '05, NHL Hockey 2005, NHL Hockey '05
Release Region: United States
Release Date: September 14, 2004
Publisher: Electronic Arts
E for Everyone ViolenceRelease Region: Japan
Release Date: September 14, 2004
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Also available on: Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube
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