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Platform: GC,
PC, PS2, XB
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NHL 2005 |
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Besides the fate of the 2004/2005 season, hockey’s other big question mark is whether Todd Bertuzzi will be back playing with the Canucks. Or playing hockey anywhere, for that matter. (If you recall, Bertuzzi was suspended at the end of last season thanks to cheap, from-behind punch to the head of Steve Moore – somewhere in the fracas some vertebrae in Moore's neck were broken.) The question plays on my mind a little since EA’s NHL franchise has developed seemingly close ties to the Canucks organization. Coach Mark Crawford supplied the video tips in NHL 2004 and captain Markus Naslund has been announced as the cover player for NHL 2005. But will Bertuzzi be included in the game because he’s a Vancouver favorite? I’m sure it’s a small detail the development team is sweating about. But here are the details: EA SPORTS lights it up in the 13th season of world championship hockey with EA SPORTS NHL 2005. Delivering top shelf gameplay that captures the speed, finesse, and hard-hitting action of pro hockey, NHL 2005 challenges gamers of all skill levels to lace up their skates and create open ice. New EA SPORTS Open Ice Control allows players to execute offensive plays such as Give-and-Go’s and breakaway passes or call for a defensive double team with the touch of a button. A completely overhauled skating engine captures both the explosive speed of offensive skating and the surgical precision of backwards defensive movement. EA SPORTS Dynasty Mode™ goes even deeper with a new, easier to navigate interface, and more interactive GM/owner relationships, including a deep 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. In addition to all 30 NHL teams, NHL
2005 includes 39 teams from the Swedish, Finnish and German Elite
Leagues, as well as 21 International teams. Features: Open Ice Control: Seamlessly switch between players with or without the puck, call for passes, set up a vicious one-timer, drive the net for a deflection, or call for a defensive double team on the fly with just the push of a button. All-New Skating Engine: A new skating engine emphasizes gliding and accelerating, capturing the fast pace of hockey. A refined backwards skating system also allows for unprecedented defensive precision and control. World Cup of Hockey: NHL 2005 features all the teams, all the venues, and all the action of this year’s global tournament featuring the top eight hockey nations in the world.
Pick up and Play Action: Fast-paced gameplay captures the pacing and flow of pro hockey, providing seasoned players with deep, nuanced gameplay, while hockey rookies are able to quickly dive in with a rewarding, easy-to-learn experience. Dynasty Mode™: Gamers take on the role of a GM managing every aspect of their team’s operations, from setting ticket prices to calling up a prospect from the minors. A new PDA and email system streamlines communications and adds new depth to owner/GM relations. Personality-Driven AI: All-new AI recreates the play styles and personalities of the biggest names in the game. EA SPORTS™ Nation: Go online with the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and compete with the best players from around the country.
At E3, Microsoft and EA announced that EA would be finally utilizing the Xbox Live service, finally breaking out of the Playstation 2 online-only setup. The online play is a given for the PC version, but there’s no mention of Xbox owners being able to play over Live. While this might just be an oversight on the official fact sheet, it’s omission certainly makes me curious as to whether it will be included or not. On the whole, it looks like EA will provide a typical evolution of the franchise with updated stats and a new skating engine. It’s also nice to see an inclusion of more international play. But what really separates EA’s NHL 2005 and Sega’s ESPN NHL 2005 – both multi-platform releases? We’ll really be able to judge better once they’re both released this Fall. Until then, keep your stick on the ice! - Omni (July 22, 2004) |
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