NHL 2005

 PC
NHL 2005 Image
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: OPEN ICE CONTROL: Seamlessly switch between players with or without the puck -- call for passes, tell a teammate to shoot, set up a vicious one-timer, or call for a defensive double-team on the fly with the push of a button. TOTAL PLAYER AWARENESS: With more player awareness than everOPEN ICE CONTROL: Seamlessly switch between players with or without the puck -- call for passes, tell a teammate to shoot, set up a vicious one-timer, or call for a defensive double-team on the fly with the push of a button. TOTAL PLAYER AWARENESS: With more player awareness than ever before, make saucer passes just before the blueline, call in a second defender to break up a 2-on-1, or fire off wrist shots at the perfect angle on net. FACE-OFF PLAYBOOK: New playcalling system allows you to choose offensive and defensive face-off strategies every time the whistle blows. Plan an attack in your opponent's zone or protect the net right before the puck drops. THE WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY: Take part in the excitement of this year's World Cup of Hockey event featuring teams from USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia playing in authentic European and North American venues. ALL-NEW SKATING ENGINE: Glide then use explosive speed to get to the open ice -- now you have more puck-handling and turning control. A refined backwards skating system also allows for unprecedented defensive precision and control. THE DRILL: The intensity explodes off the ice with The Drill -- one net, one goalie, and every man for himself. Up to four can play and the one who scores the most goals wins. [EA Sports]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. IGN
    83
    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 to fit your tastes (which can be frustrating) or go elsewhere.
  2. Computer and Video Games
    81
    The only ice hockey game worth giving a flying puck about.
  3. PGNx Media
    80
    The actual gameplay is pretty solid throughout, the visuals are excellent and the rest of the presentation isn't too shabby. That said, it doesn't do anything principally different and online play could have been implemented better.
  4. Yahoo!
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.
  5. PC Gamer
    64
    Pretty, mindless action that only superficially resembles hockey. [Holiday 2004, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. games(TM)
    60
    This is EA's take on NHL action as it's always been, rejigged with improved animations and new moves so it's inevitably the best version yet. [Nov 2004, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. GameSpy
    30
    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.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 15 out of 24
  1. SergeyK.
    Sep 29, 2004
    9
    Very good game! But you must learn to play it, for a while.
  2. TerryB.
    Apr 1, 2005
    8
    This game delivers a non-stop, action packed hockey. It includes the best features of EA's NHL series of the last 5 years. Yes, it even This game delivers a non-stop, action packed hockey. It includes the best features of EA's NHL series of the last 5 years. Yes, it even has the speed of 2001 and faster. The only reason i docked 2 points is because on game cube there is no Create Player.… Expand
  4. MikeK.
    Dec 22, 2004
    6
    It's a good graphic and sound game. It's pretty kewl to have the world cup too. But where the hell ia creat-a-player, and playoffs. It's a good graphic and sound game. It's pretty kewl to have the world cup too. But where the hell ia creat-a-player, and playoffs. Come on EA SPORTS pull up your act or else I wont but 2006 if there is one.… Expand
  5. JoeS.
    Nov 4, 2004
    3
    It's ok..but no create your own player...glitches...well might as well stick with NHL 2004.
  6. SteveF.
    Jan 18, 2005
    2
    I'd have to agree with mostly everyone on here and say that this game is pretty bad in many respects. First, there is no leader board to I'd have to agree with mostly everyone on here and say that this game is pretty bad in many respects. First, there is no leader board to monitor your players individual stats in comparison with the league. Second, no create a player. What were these guys thinking? Most game players love the fact that they can create a player and view his stats with the likes of Hull, Sakic and Modano. EA did a poor job with this one.… Expand
  7. DavidC.
    Mar 1, 2005
    1
    After wearing out my NHL 2004, I bit the expensive bullet and purchased NHL 2005. Since 1996, I have created a player in my own image and After wearing out my NHL 2004, I bit the expensive bullet and purchased NHL 2005. Since 1996, I have created a player in my own image and name and suited him up with my San Jose Sharks. So with the graphics for '05 looking better than ever, I cruised the main menu (bad, bad interface) and discovered that Create Player had been deleted! Whose stupid idea was that?!! I tried playing knowing that EA Sports had banished me from the league forever, but I couldn't enjoy it. I reloaded my PC with the '04 version. '05 will languish in my desk drawer, unless I really need a coaster for guests. I can't understand the motivation for dumping Create Player -- the whole point of these games are vicarious thrills even more personal than those received when attending a sporting event; rather than cheering for "us" when you really mean your team become cheers from the virtual crowd for YOU, the cybersuperstar. Well, it used to be, anyway. I was playing NHL 2004 to get my hockey fix, which was denied by the demigods of the sport. Now this. EA Sports -- if you don't return Create Player to 2006, you have seen my last dime.… Expand
  8. G-Three
    Oct 29, 2004
    0
    The user interface is horrible beyond all sanity. The game plays horribly compared to 2004.

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004

Current PC Games

Full List »
8.8 ALFA: Antiterror
8.3 Stellar Tactics
6.7 Mon Bazou
All Current Games »