NHL 2005

 Xbox
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Yahoo!
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.
  2. GamerFeed
    70
    It's worth purchasing for the World Cup and Free-4-All modes alone, but be aware that this isn't the defining hockey experience it could have been.
  3. Armchair Empire
    67
    You’re better off picking up "ESPN NHL 2K5" because for the third year in a row Sega’s hockey series takes the Cup as it’s made the furthest leap forward in improvements.
  5. Gaming Age
    67
    The ease of play, with the challenge of a good A.I. creates the perfect balance that not only makes for a realistic competition, but an enjoyable one as well.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    63
    Flow? NHL 2005's skaters have no flow, 'cause they're always lying out on the ice from hit after hit - just like last year. I know hockey is a rough game, but c'mon, I like to control the puck for more than two seconds before picking up my teeth. [Oct 2004, p.99]
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  7. Eurogamer
    60
    Even though this is undeniably a good representation, the feel of it is really not all that different from the SNES and Mega Drive titles of yesteryear.
  8. 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]
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  9. 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.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 3 out of 11
  1. 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!… Full Review »
  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.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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