NHL 2005 Member Review for the Xbox

EA is running out of ideas

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By: XboxLiveLover
November 9th, 2005

I've always been a fan of the EA Sports NHL series, ever since NHL 96 was out on SNES, and every year it seems that EA was making the NHL series better and better from then on. But the sad thing is that EA is just running out of ideas for the NHL series. Unless you are a die hard hockey fan, you will just find NHL 2005 tedious and a waste of time.

The graphics of the NHL series have improved dramatically from the past five years but year after year now, there is very little new improvements done to ‘wow’ the gamer. EA does try to make the game as realistic as possible but there is just nothing really ‘that’ new from the previous NHL versions (04, 03, ect..).

After EA introduced the new feature of managing your own favourite hockey league team, it was something new and great that hockey fans, such as myself, have been waiting for. But that’s it, either than that, there is nothing else special with the game except the same old playoff and season play.

EA should really sit down and possibly delay a year or so to get an NHL game worth not only renting but maybe even consider purchasing. Hopefully with the release of newer consoles, they may get the motivation to do so.

If you are looking for an NHL game, my recommendation would have to be NHL 2001. You’ll have the most fun you will ever experience from the NHL series. The graphics are not as great, the teams are out-dated but the ‘big hits’ are just ridiculous and a lot of fun. Not even my favourite player Markus Naslund on the front cover would make me consider touching this disaster.

It has everything from the previous NHL series.