ESPN NHL 2K5

[Zack Malibu 0]

Picked it up yesterday, but due to me being hooked on NFL 2K5 still (and nearly done with my first season in the Dolphins franchise, now up to 12-0-1 after beating the Pats~!) I haven't tried it out yet. Anybody here snag it, got opinions, etc.?

 

BTW, for those of you who didn't know, this game is also $19.99 and under.

[Urban Warfare 0]

I picked the game up yesterday. Awesome game, great gameplay. The cut out scenes are not in Playstation 2 however (or at least I have not seen them). Anyways, I started a franchise with Vancouver yesterday. First move was trading Bertuzzi for Kovalchuk and some draft picks. Kovalchuk has since scored 2 goals in 2 games.

[the max 0]

I'm very low on cash right now, but I'm thinking of getting rid of Vice City at Gamestop to pick up this game.

 

For 20 bucks, I'll take it over NHL2K_, which has gotten VERY stale. Granted, I've been playing EA's series since it came out so I'll end up getting it once I start my job.

[Red Baron 0]

Picked it up yesterday, simply amazing. I've found that in this game you have more variety chances to score, unlike in 2k4 where One-Timers where the majority of the goals.

[Guest Kaspar Kucera]

I picked it up yesterday. It's pretty good. I especially had a lot of fun with the offseason, between scouting and various skills events, it was fun, though I have to question why some of the top prospects in the draft came from Japan, South Korea, and China.

 

The only real problem with it is the fact that it seems to LOVE to Avs. After my team plastered them 11-0, the game froze when I tried to simulate through it. The same thing happened in the playoffs, when I plastered 9-3 on a level that I usually suck at. I decided to play Game 3, and I went up 2-0, then the game froze again. Finally, I just put it on the real easy level and 2 minutes in hopes of getting through this series. Oddly, it never happened again, only in my games against the Avs.

 

Also, trading seems like it is way out there. I kept peddling various deals to teams, but they wouldn't go for them, then I'd pull some odd trade out of the hat. For instance, trading a goalie prospect to the Kings(a playoff team) for Quintal, Modry, and a 76 overall defensive prospect, so I basically upgraded my entire defense for the price of one prospect who I couldn't pay any team to take just a few moments earlier.

 

I also wish I had a better clue about what free agents wanted. I don't want to overpay guys because I don't quite know what the heck they want for a contract.

[Urban Warfare 0]

The only gripe I have with the game (I play on Pro) is that it is extremely difficult to score. I outshot Detroit 51-20 and I lost 2-1 in overtime. Still an excellent game however.

[Red Baron 0]

I found pro a good difficulty. You have to set up in the offensive zone to make some good quality chances.

[Guest JJW]

I picked it up yesterday and i love it,but i found pro level to be to easy in my 1st game i beat the devils 9-0 with the bruins.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The only real problem with it is the fact that it seems to LOVE to Avs. After my team plastered them 11-0, the game froze when I tried to simulate through it. The same thing happened in the playoffs, when I plastered 9-3 on a level that I usually suck at. I decided to play Game 3, and I went up 2-0, then the game froze again. Finally, I just put it on the real easy level and 2 minutes in hopes of getting through this series. Oddly, it never happened again, only in my games against the Avs.

You're playing an ESPN game...I don't even wanna know what happens against the Red Wings.

 

 

And hey, I see you're going with the Nordiques Logo That Never Was. That's cool.

[cbacon 0]

Why is it that all the ESPN games are cheaper?

[the max 0]

Because they're trying to attract business by not only being the first game released, but with the 18-24 demographic (like me) being poor and unable to shell out 50 bones for a video game.

[GreatWhiteNope 0]

Plus EA's titles consistently sell better and they're trying to narrow that gap.

[the max 0]

They sell better because ESPN's game last year was simular price, but nobody knew what it was about, so nobody bought it.

[Red Baron 0]

I wonder how many people will buy EA's since there's no create-a-player for that game.

 

I've heard bad reviews about NHL 2005 so far...

[Karnage 0]

The only real problem with it is the fact that it seems to LOVE to Avs.

Looking at the Avalanche's stats, you know they are rigged.

 

Anyways, I picked it up two days ago and like it a lot so far. For 29 bucks Canadian, you can't go wrong. By the way, the controls are a LOT better on Advanced.

 

If anyone here is playing this on XBOX Live, Message me, my Gamertag is Thuganomics.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Is SportsCentre in the PS2 version?

[Guest Flyboy]

The only real problem with it is the fact that it seems to LOVE to Avs.  After my team plastered them 11-0, the game froze when I tried to simulate through it.  The same thing happened in the playoffs, when I plastered 9-3 on a level that I usually suck at.  I decided to play Game 3, and I went up 2-0, then the game froze again.  Finally, I just put it on the real easy level and 2 minutes in hopes of getting through this series.  Oddly, it never happened again, only in my games against the Avs.

You're playing an ESPN game...

And, that's suppose to mean...?

[MrRant 0]

ESPN loves the Avs foo.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The only real problem with it is the fact that it seems to LOVE to Avs.  After my team plastered them 11-0, the game froze when I tried to simulate through it.  The same thing happened in the playoffs, when I plastered 9-3 on a level that I usually suck at.  I decided to play Game 3, and I went up 2-0, then the game froze again.  Finally, I just put it on the real easy level and 2 minutes in hopes of getting through this series.  Oddly, it never happened again, only in my games against the Avs.

You're playing an ESPN game...

And, that's suppose to mean...?

It's the 3-D: Dallas, Denver, Detroit. They're the big media darlings.

[the max 0]

I can't imagine that Colorado is any worse in the ESPN game than they are in the EA NHL series.

 

If Sakic or Forsberg so much as get a shot within the slot, it's a goal. No exceptions. Forsberg lit me up for 7 goals once...in one period

[Red Baron 0]

A few of my friends have told me that the glitch is in the 2k5 season in the Franchise mode.

[the max 0]

This game is fucking awesome.

 

I suggest that anyone who gets it play the Pond Hockey game to get used to controls and such. I had never played the game before, but behind Glen Murray's 10 point game (6-4) I won 11-2 over the Lightning.

 

The franchise mode seems good right now, as it allowed me to shed two terrible players away for decent replacements and get rid of their contracts. It left Knuble, Murray and Nylander on the roster for the Bruins as well.

[the max 0]

Unlockables:

 

Teams that are remembered for one reason or another (So far, I got the 1993 Bruins, 1994 Canucks, 1984 Oilers, and 1982 Islanders, but there are SO MANY MORE) I also got the all-time Bruins team, a classic Bruins jersey (from 1943 I think), as well as Commonwealth Stadium.

 

Game play is SO easier than EA's series. The differences are like night and day. ESPN has a 'pick up and play' aspect that makes it much more enjoyable to play. EA has so much going on with the controls that it took me at least 10 games before I was comfortable with actually playing a game. My first game in ESPN, I beat the Devils 4-2 with great contributions from Patrice Bergeron and Andrew Raycroft (who is very good in this game). My first game in NHL 2004, I lost by 9 goals to the same Devils because I didn't know how to throw a decent bodycheck.

 

Trades are fair and easy to make. I was able to deal Hal Gill to Anaheim for Vitaly Vishnevski, Martin LaPointe for Alexandre Daigle, Tim Thomas for a second round pick, and Sean O'Donnell for Nick Schultz. Since I freed up about 8 million dollars, I signed Oleg Tverdovsky (who hurt himself in the first game of the season) and Jiri Dopita both for a combined 4 million dollars.

 

This is a game that I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with. I haven't even gotten into the party menu yet, where you can get crowned "King of the Rink" with an assortment of mini-games. Pond hockey was a fucking blast. It's a regular game, without penalties, icing, two-line passes or any other game stoppages. You don't need to make line changes, you get your #1 line without the center for as long as you want.

 

I highly suggest this game to anyone and everyone. For only $20, YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS GAME.

 

I give it an 11/10

[The Czech Republic 0]

I can't imagine that Colorado is any worse in the ESPN game than they are in the EA NHL series.

 

If Sakic or Forsberg so much as get a shot within the slot, it's a goal. No exceptions. Forsberg lit me up for 7 goals once...in one period

Hejduk and Blake are good for some assorted goals too. Tanguay and Hinote as well, but you're right, Joe Sakic is about a 95% sure thing, Peter Forsberg 98%.

 

 

I the Avs on video games...

[the max 0]

Just played Colorado in my franchise with the Bruins.

 

No problem, 4-2 on their home ice.

 

How you beat Colorado is use speed to counter their slow defensemen. I played a passive game in the first period which led to me being outshot by 14 and staring a 2-0 deficit in the face. I cranked up the aggressiveness and sent my fastest forwards in.

 

Normally, my lines are:

 

1: Knuble-Thornton-Murray

2: Rolston-Nylander-Samsonov

3: Zamuner-Axelsson-Daigle

4: Green-Dopita-Bergeron

 

Instead of that, I jumbled them up, creating:

 

1: same

2: Bergeron-Rolston-Samsonov

3: Zamuner-Nylander-Daigle

4: Green-Dopita-Axelsson

 

The extra speed and aggressiveness created by my 2 line resulted in Blake and Foote taking stupid penalties (which they tend to do anyway) allowing me to get my loaded power play units out. More speed on there with:

 

PP1: Bergeron-Thornton-Samsonov D: Gonchar-Boynton

PP2: Daigle-Rolston-Murray D: Salo-Liles

 

I had something like 3 straight PP's and managed to tie it heading into the third, where I skated the Bergeron-Rolston-Samsonov line to death. They managed to get the winner (Bergeron from Rolston) and Thornton got the icer on an empty net.

 

 

So, sorry about the long entry, but use your speed and be aggressive against them and Forsberg/Sakic can't hurt you. I can't wait to try this out against Detroit.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

My purchase of this game depends soley on the ratings of 3 people:

 

Mike Peca

Rick Dipietro

Adrian Accoin

[the max 0]

Want me to look them up?

 

The game also has an edit option, so if you disagree, you can change it. They've also been pretty generous with ratings as I like Nick Boynton as much as anyone, but there's no way he's an overall 82...a 79 maybe.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Want me to look them up?

 

The game also has an edit option, so if you disagree, you can change it. They've also been pretty generous with ratings as I like Nick Boynton as much as anyone, but there's no way he's an overall 82...a 79 maybe.

Yes, please....

 

for the record, this game is 29 in Canada and I've been rocking EA hockey games since the first one in 91-92....it was just NHL Hockey before they have NHL 93 for Genesis...

[the max 0]

Oh, I've been with EA since I can remember a hockey game that I had not being Blades of Steel, but for a cheaper price, you can't really go wrong.

 

Aucoin: 86

DiPietro: 84

Peca: 83

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Peca is below Dipietro? wow

 

 

Aucoin is only an 86? He's the msot overated player in the league. PERIOD.

 

I'm definately considering getting this game. I am tremendous at hockey agmes and can defeat anyone I go against. This may be a natural purchase for me. Your Bruins are going to have to watch out for my Islanders.