EA NHL 2005

[flames17]

just got this game does it ever rule, best ea game yet, does anybody else have it.

[troutman]

Which is a better simulation (less arcade-like)? EA Sports or ESPN? Is ESPN availalbe for PC?

[Old Yeller]

It'll all depend on who you talk to... I've never played ESPN, but a few of my console friends swear by it and say it's a better sim.

Personally I'm fine with EA's series as they're the only PC hockey series available anyways.

Edit: Fotze, if you go to cyber-nhl forums, some guy has taken the db.viv file and edited it and toned down hitting stats for all players, it actually makes it a much better game.

[Jiggy_12]

This years version is the best EA sim to date. Most realistic game they have made yet.

[Homer_J]

Since we have to hockey this season, and a guy can't go without his hockey fix, I decided to buy both games for PS2. I personally like the EA game better but, as it's been said many times before, it's all a matter of opinion. I think ESPN might be a little closer to an actual hockey simulation, but the EA game presentation looks so much better. The players look far more realistic and I love the new on-ice intro's, presentations, etc. The biggest downsides of EA IMO are the unrealistic number of HUGE hits and the lack of a create a player mode. They also need to go a little deeper with their dynasty mode (minor league teams, coaches, and I could go on and on). ESPN does a lot of little things right as well, but overall I enjoyed EA more. Best advice I can offer is to rent each game and then make a decision for yourself.

These guys really need to get together, take the best from each game and make the ultimate hockey sim.

[Wolfwood]

I've not played EAs game yet but I've heard good things. I'm just waiting until I can find a good sale for it to get it for my pc. I've already got the ESPN game for X-Box. I do enjoy the ESPN game as I think the gameplay has been better overall in the games for the past couple years (although I can't say this year since I don't have EAs game yet). But there always seem to be a lot of bugs in the ESPN games (especially the past couple years) that can make it hard to play at times. But as far as which is a better sim that is just up to personal preference. I've read plenty of reviews that say ESPN is better and I've also read some that say EA is better. It's just something you have to decide for yourself. I'm hoping the EA game is as good as it sounds. I'm looking forward to playing it.

[Mccree]

I have ESPN and it is a good game but there are MANY bugs.

1) Franchise mode freezes all the time
2) Cheap goals (but all games have it)
3) Cut scenes are few and far between
4) I got called for a two line pass ACROSS THE CREASE . Many times
5) Arena Horns (goal horns) are late or never come on
6) Many more


Just a few but for 30.00 cdn you cannot complain

I am going to get EA very soon

[Jiggy_12]

One thing thats great about this years EA is that I have yet to discover a guarenteed way to score. Sure, one-timers are fairly reliable when you set up a good one, and another good way is taking a hard wrist shot from the hash marks. But nothing that works every time, which I really like.

[flames17]

the faces during game play look more realistic except Nilson And McAmmond they look alike in game play

[Jiggy_12]

Nieminen's face is ridiculously accurate. I swear I can see that sh*t-eating grin as he speeds down the left-wing

[Vernie_30]

Originally posted by Fuel@Sep 29 2004, 11:45 AM
One thing thats great about this years EA is that I have yet to discover a guarenteed way to score. Sure, one-timers are fairly reliable when you set up a good one, and another good way is taking a hard wrist shot from the hash marks. But nothing that works every time, which I really like.

Well boys and girls this seems to work for me to score but you have to do a little research before each game.

There is a view matchup button, then there is a tab on the top that will link you to the weakness of the goalie you are going to be playing.

Turn on manual shot aim, then shoot at the weak spot as much as possible!!!!
Weak wrist shots and slapshots go in about 25%of the time if you master the manual shot control.

Also I do this alot, I pass up to a winger go down the boards on either side, hit the speed burst button and reverse direction so I have a stop on a dime, pass to a player just crossing the blue line and shoot at the bottom corner of the net that's farthest away from the goal.
Example:
Pass going from left to right, shoot at the right bottom corner.
Hope that helps some.

[BlackArcher101]

Another trick....

Have your winger with the puck come down the boards on his side. When you get to their blue line, skate a bit towards the net. This will make the defenceman pinch into the slot a bit more opening up the boards. Hit speed burst, go back to the boards and go around him putting yourself in the corner. Pass to one of your players in the slot for a one-timer and voila.

Or you can have your winger with the puck keep going on speed burst and do a wrap around on the other side of the net. That seems to work 50/50

[Jiggy_12]

A really fun way to try to score, but doesnt work very often: Win a faceoff in the offensive zone, and once your d-man has the puck, use the open ice control and switch to a player in front of the net. Then call for the shot and attempt to tip the puck in. Great fun!

[AaronSJ]

I'm far from a video game expert. Just this month acquired my second console system ever, an XBox to upgrade my NES system (that's the original NES). However, I have played the NHL series on PC and now have played NHL 2005 on XBox. My thoughts:

I think the gameplay and detail are exceptional. This is as close to real hockey as I've seen. Although there are complaints about the excessive hitting, I think it's much more realistic than past games in which a player could skate from end-to-end, around the net, and back again. If you try to streak down the side in NHL 2005, you will likely end up on your back -- and that is realistic. Most of the attributes can be tweaked to suit your preferences... and I think that makes for a game that offers a lasting challenge. The Dynasty mode is fairly realistic, allowing you to customize practices, allocate resources to training, coaching, management, accounting, etc. It's the detail that makes this game unique - The Flames raising the Western Conference banner, Iginla being awarded the Rocket Richard trophy, players and coaches that actually look like themselves, and the occasional goalie fight (last night, Kipper beat the snot of out Manny Lagace).

I think there are some weaknesses, however... First, not being able to create a player just stinks. What can I say... I like seeing my name of the back of the Flames jersey and setting up Jarome Iginla from behind the net! I find the EA Trax Jukebox annoying... I wish I could just turn the whole thing off. Finally, I've had a few crashes during the middle of a game, which is unacceptable for a console, IMO. Has anyone else experienced crashes for the XBox? Any suggestions?

Overall, I think it's the best gameplay that I've ever seen for a hockey game and the Dynasty mode (save for the lack of a minor league system) is very realistic. If I can stop it from crashing, I'd be 100% satisfied.

[Inferno]

Originally posted by AaronSJ@Sep 29 2004, 01:46 PM
I find the EA Trax Jukebox annoying... I wish I could just turn the whole thing off.

Go to Rules & Options and then go to EASPORTS Trax Jukebox and you can turn off any songs you dont like. I have them all turned off. They need to start mixing things up instead of just playing this punk sh*t.

[Homer_J]

ESPN's franchise mode froze on me as well. I got to the end of October, was scheduled to play the Oil, and it would not let me play the game. Every time I tried to play or simulate the game I went to a load window, and that's where it stayed (looping a 10sec segment of music). I had no choice but to start the whole franchise over. Very Annoying. Luckily I got my EA the following day. I've had no issues with freezing at any time with my EA game (PS2).

A couple of other annoyances with the EA game though. Trading is very tedious. Every time a trade offer is rejected the trade window is reset. You have to go back and enter all the players/picks again. Again, the lack of a minor league team really irks me, and I wish they had included more minor league players/free agents rather than having Marc Crawford, Rick the Temp and some 10 year old kid in the free agent pool. ESPN has Centomo, Krahn and others in the game.

The game has been really challenging. I've had trouble scoring consistantly, which is frustrating at times, but makes the game much more enjoyable in the end. The Western Conference banner raising, Iggy's Richard trophy presentation, and the different arena intros were awesome. Seeing the big Octopus in Detroit, the Oil Derrick in Edmonton, and the big Shark head in San Jose really adds alot of realism to the game.

Other than a couple minor set backs (2003) the game seems to get better every year. Already looking forward to NHL 2006.

[BlackArcher101]

Man I'm p*ssed. Just won the Stanley Cup and Presidents Trophy... simmed to next season and find out Gelinas and Fleury have decided to retire. How the hell am I going to replace them?

[kermitology]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101@Sep 29 2004, 03:49 PM
Man I'm p*ssed. Just won the Stanley Cup and Presidents Trophy... simmed to next season and find out Gelinas and Fleury have decided to retire. How the hell am I going to replace them?

Clark and Buzek for Stefan
McAmmond and Commodor for Zherdev

[Bill Bumface]

^McCammond and a 3rd for Zherdev. You suck kermitology.

[BlackArcher101]

I did manage to trade away Boumeester since he wanted a 4mil pay raise and got p*ssed off at me for low balling. Traded him for Ksesla and a 1st rounder.