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NHL 2005 PC
Metascore
66 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
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  1. IGN
    83
    If you're more into the strategy of real hockey—the poke checks, the traps, the dumps, the dekes -- then you'll either have to try to design this game to fit your tastes (which can be frustrating) or go elsewhere.
  2. Computer and Video Games
    81
    The only ice hockey game worth giving a flying puck about.
  3. AceGamez
    80
    People who are looking for a fast sports game can't go wrong with this, but those wanting to upgrade might want to rent it first to see if it's worth their hard earned pennies.
  4. PGNx Media
    80
    The actual gameplay is pretty solid throughout, the visuals are excellent and the rest of the presentation isn't too shabby. That said, it doesn't do anything principally different and online play could have been implemented better.
  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! Games
    70
    While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.
  7. PC Gamer
    64
    Pretty, mindless action that only superficially resembles hockey. [Holiday 2004, p.98]
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  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. Computer Gaming World
    50
    NHL 2005's real merit lies in its online play and the new Free4All mode; the raw power and speed of the single-player game is way overdone. [Jan 2005, p.107]
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  10. Computer Games Magazine
    40
    The AI improvements make it worth picking up if you don't have a console system, and if you like big dumb vaguely hockey-like fun, but just barely. [Jan 2005, p.65]
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  11. GameSpy
    30
    Not only is it not equal to NHL 2004; on nearly every level, it's a step backwards. In the end, there's no reason whatsoever to "upgrade" to this new version, and that's the most damming thing you can say about a sports franchise.
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User Reviews

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User Score
4.5 out of 10

Generally unfavorable- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 15 out of 24
  1. JimH
    8
    The gameplay and graphics are very good. Yes the AI is very aggressive but with a little practice you can learn to control the puck in the zone and make plays. Don't care about Create A Player, and think it's a little (or a lot) pathetic so many do, BUT would like to see league wide stats and that song title thing is annoying.… Full Review »
  2. DM
    8
    Like the pace, the physics, and the fact that you have to keep moving your feet and thinking one step ahead, just to be able to put it all together once in a while, just like the actual game of hockey at a high level. I don't care about 'create a player', get over yourself already, I would like to see player stats for the league overall not just team x team and had a problem with theoff season team management, never did get my rookies signed and free agents on my team had outrageous demands,. Also it would've been nice to have the AHL teams included so you manage your farm team to. Overall though, despite some menu probs especially when manually changing lines, the gameplay is real good, I liked it alot!… Full Review »
  3. JustinK.
    7
    Nice graphics, but I too want to know what the hell happened to create-a-player.
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