- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release Date: Sep 24, 2001
- Also On: PC
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Simply the best hockey game ever released.
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The high watermark for hockey games on next-generation platforms, and has set a standard that will be hard for competing products to match...it's damn close to NHL '94 for addictiveness.
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The butter-smooth controls make the game a joy to play—between the big hits and the player-controlled dekes, you’ll alternate between brawling like Tie Domi and dangling like Pavel Bure.
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Simulation junkies might be turned off by the exaggerated goal scoring, comical commentary and cute gimmick cameras, but a bevy of gameplay options can remove all such tom-foolery from the game.
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Best of all, the sound mix supports DTS 5.1 output, allowing you to literally feel every hit when cranked up loud enough on the right system.
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Game InformerIf you enjoy listening to the broadcast, NHL 2002's dual commentary is the best I've ever heard in the game. [Nov 2001, p.104]
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The improved puck control alone makes this game a gourmet meal for diehard hockey fans.
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It's a phenomenally deep and highly playable single player experience and the multiplayer gameplay is a enjoyable as it ever has been. Bottom line -- this is the best game ever released in the series.
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Not only will you get your money's worth, but you’ll probably still be playing it when "NHL 2003" is released.
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The worst and pretty much only snafu with NHL 2002 is the lame fighting. I didn't think that last year's rock 'em, sock 'em fighting could get any worse, but it feels like it has.
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Simply incredible.
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A landmark release in that it is the first PS2 game to support Dolby™ Pro Logic and DTS™ sound. These surround sound technologies allow for realistic environmental surround sound like you've never heard it before.
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Official U.S. Playstation MagazineThe Franchise Mode is 10 seasons of blissful replayability. [Nov 2001, p.160]
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The goalies are still a bit of a sore point, however, since a single defender can run the gamut from godlike to pylon within a single period with little rhyme or reason.
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NHL 2002 has finally unseated "NHL '94" as the only hockey game I would actually fight with other players over a controller in an eight-man multiplayer match.
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The deepest, most realistic 3D NHL game on the market. Its graphics are impressive, its depth of gameplay modes is staggering, and the gameplay is predominantly tight.
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The best hockey game available -- until NHL comes out on the Xbox.
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Electronic Gaming MonthlyNearly every gameplay element seems finely tuned. [Dec 2001, p.244]
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A major improvement over last year's version in terms of both the gameplay and the in-game features.
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Changes are by and large cosmetic, but this is a skilled surgeon at work here, and the new model is undeniably smoother, faster, and more in-yer-face, with a new big hit move arguably worth the admission price alone.
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NHL 2002 gives players amazing control, and pin point accuracy, while still leaving enough of a learning curve to make you come back for more than just a few games.
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Next Generation MagazineThe simple fact remains that it’s difficult to play deliberate, defensive oriented hockey. [Dec 2001, p.108]
Awards & Rankings
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8
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53
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#53 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 19 out of 28
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Mixed: 5 out of 28
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Negative: 4 out of 28
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Apr 3, 2013
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Jul 9, 2016
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DonTaylorJan 14, 2004