NHL 2005

 Xbox
NHL 2005 Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

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  • Summary: Capture all the speed, finesse, and action of professional hockey with NHL 2005. The game's new EA Sports Open Ice Control lets you execute offensive plays, such as a give-and-go and a breakaway pass, and you can also call for defensive double-teams. Dynasty mode has been enhanced with moreCapture all the speed, finesse, and action of professional hockey with NHL 2005. The game's new EA Sports Open Ice Control lets you execute offensive plays, such as a give-and-go and a breakaway pass, and you can also call for defensive double-teams. Dynasty mode has been enhanced with more interactive GM/owner relationships, including a new e-mail system. NHL 2005 also delivers all the action of the World Cup of Hockey with International Teams and venues from North America and Europe. … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Skates in a league of its own when it comes to the most basic function of hockey gaming: realistic physics. [Oct 2004, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Official Xbox Magazine
    85
    A better, more realistic game than last year's, but its still-vicious checking system might turn off hardcore hockey enthusiasts. [Oct 2004, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. TeamXbox
    83
    The on-ice gameplay is some of the best hockey you’ll ever play in a videogame; the control is unmatched. Then, the game lays an egg when it comes to all around game modes and extras.
  4. Computer and Video Games
    80
    Perhaps the biggest new feature for this year's ice hockey outing is the inclusion of Live compatibility...This essentially adds months to NHL 2005's appeal, and will turn the already feverishly loved title into a true competitive tussle.
  5. GameSpot
    79
    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.
  6. Yahoo!
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.
  7. G4 TV
    60
    The bar has been set higher by "ESPN NHL 2K5," whose presentation, sense of realism, and play modes simply outclass, outshine, and outperform those found in NHL 2005.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. MarkK.
    Sep 26, 2004
    8
    All the problems of this game can be fixed by adjusting the sliders for the most part. The play AI is still a little stupid at time. Overall, All the problems of this game can be fixed by adjusting the sliders for the most part. The play AI is still a little stupid at time. Overall, not bac, and better than 2004.… Expand
  2. SteveP.
    Sep 29, 2004
    8
    This is a very good game once the body contact slides have been adjusted to their lowest settings. The graphics, gameplay and on-ice pacing This is a very good game once the body contact slides have been adjusted to their lowest settings. The graphics, gameplay and on-ice pacing are superior in this game compared to ESPN 2K5, but it is lacking with respect to modes and other such options. I buy my hockey games for on-ice gameplay, and this is the one for me.… Expand
  4. Buried-In-The-Box
    Oct 5, 2004
    7
    It looks like EA has finally met its match and been bettered by Sega once again. This game, like Madden and Live, don't hold a candle to It looks like EA has finally met its match and been bettered by Sega once again. This game, like Madden and Live, don't hold a candle to Sega's new and improved sports line-up. Just stick with the Sega sports line-up this year. Next year they may not be as good, but taking 1st place from a competitor that has been on top for 15 years is enough for me. EA is going out and will have to completely re-think and re-work it's sports line if it wants to be taken seriously anymore. $50 for their updates each year has gotten old and has finally come back to bite them in the ass. They are on their way out just like the FF series by Squaresoft. Neither one of them have evolved in 15 to 20 years and people are starting to get smart. Sega may be the new king if they improve every game every year as much as they have this year. EA's hockey game makes me want to "hock" one in their faces. Oh, yeah, that's right, Sega already did that for me!… Expand
  5. Uter
    Sep 20, 2004
    6
    It's a tough call on this one. There's some really cool additions. The goalies and scoring variety are better than ever. The It's a tough call on this one. There's some really cool additions. The goalies and scoring variety are better than ever. The animation is the best of any hockey game out there. They also seriously nailed the look of most players and coaches. But there are definately a few flies in the ointment. Like a lot of reviewers, I have a problem with the insane amount of hitting in this game. It can be completely ridiculous at times - imagine a big hit every 3 seconds on average. Not even nhl hitz has this many hits (and that game's named hitz!). Okay so that wouldn't be a big deal if there was a slider to take the hitting effectiveness down a few pegs. But sadly there isn't a slider to do that, or much anything else for that matter. Other options aren't very customizable either. For example, period length has to be nice round figures... would you like them to be 5, 10 or 20 minutes long? You'd think this being their 13th edition of the game they'd have the basics down, but apparently not. Also considering this is the 3rd xbox version, you'd think they'd have considered including a custom soundtrack option. Why are we forced to listen to the stupid "ea trax" again? Although I must admit these tracks are less offensive than usual ea trax, there's not many of them, so you'll be hearing the same songs over and over. I sometimes wonder what moron is in charge of this franchise. It has the potential to be seriously awesome, but always disappoints me in a bunch of areas. Maybe they are cleverly avoiding putting out the perfect game just to keep suckers buying it year after year. Although I think it's just incompetence.… Expand
  6. MoniqueH.
    Sep 23, 2004
    2
    This is absolute garbage. The skating is unresponsive and sluggish, even with the game speed up. The shots are just as bad or worse than This is absolute garbage. The skating is unresponsive and sluggish, even with the game speed up. The shots are just as bad or worse than 2004, and it just doesn't "feel" like a real hockey game. I don't like it one bit. NHL 2002 is much better in terms of playability.… Expand
  7. BillF.
    Sep 20, 2004
    0
    Barney Rubble skating animations, dumb AI and essentially the same game for the past 3 years all wrapped into a lame MTV presentation system Barney Rubble skating animations, dumb AI and essentially the same game for the past 3 years all wrapped into a lame MTV presentation system (where's the hockey?) Maybe my sister will like this game. … Expand

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Xbox Game of 2004
83
#83 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004