ESPN College Hoops 2K5 (xbx: 2004): Reviews

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ESPN College Hoops 2K5


8.7

based on 18 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 9 votes
Read user comments
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GAMES:

Cheat Code Central

Capturing the true spirit and pageantry of collegiate roundball is one of the most important aspects in a college basketball title, and ESPN College Hoops 2K5 improves upon its stellar presentation to give gamers the ultimate college hoops experience. Smarter crowd intelligence and enhanced audio options deliver the perfect college ambiance, while ESPN anchors Jay Bilas and Mike Patrick return with a textbook full of commentary to illustrate the emotional tide of every tip-off. The game features completely new online features to satisfy even the most die-hard collegiate basketball junkies. Fans across North America benefit from new online leagues and tournaments, comprehensive statistics tracking, living rosters, and much more. [Sega]

PUBLISHER:	Sega / Global Star Software
DEVELOPER:	Visual Concepts
GENRE(S):	Sports
PLAYERS:	8
ESRB RATING:	E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE:	November 17, 2004

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Operation Sports

Well…I’m two weeks into playing this game non-stop and the other shoe hasn’t dropped. I can't find a major problem with this game, and I’ve just been enjoying it.

100

Play Magazine

Gameplay was virtually lag-free and response time was so smooth, it rivaled any other sports game played online. [Jan 2005, p.80]

Gaming Age

A true workhorse, it does everything strongly and efficient, and doesn’t have any real weaknesses that can’t be overlooked over a short bit of experience with the title.

Game Informer

Every bit as impressive as the company's flagship NBA title. In fact, I'd say that it even plays a hair better. [Dec 2004, p.167]

GamePro

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball.

GamerFeed

A defensive feast for the gamer who loves hacking and whacking over dishing and swishing. Its high level of strategy awards the player who makes the key steal over the one who soars to make the emphatic dunk, and the college "rah-rah-rah" atmosphere enhances the solid gameplay experience.

GameZone

Not only a gorgeous-looking game but also one of the sweetest college hoops game to come along this year.

Team Xbox

The online play and custom soundtrack options are in place, the gameplay is spot-on, the graphics are some of the best you will find in any genre, and the ESPN presentation is the cherry on top.

Next Level Gaming

With a superior dynasty mode, better graphics, good enough to be fun controls, and a sick $20 price tag, I can not think of an excuse not to have this game.

Sports Gaming Network

Some of the elements need to be fine tuned in next year's version, such as presentation and audio. With these problems asides, the depth of the Legacy mode, increased Xbox Live features, and better gameplay make this a good buy at $20.

IGN

My favorite hoops game of the year for its atmosphere, its wondrous meterless free throw system, and its improved Legacy Mode. Though there are still some gameplay flaws and sound bugs, College Hoops 2K5 is a diaper dandy.

Official Xbox Magazine

This year we're picking Sega's game over EA Sports' - it just feels more like the real thing. [Holiday 2004, p.82]

GameSpot

If you're a fan of college basketball, the attractive presentation, smooth online play, and deep legacy mode are all good reasons to check out ESPN College Hoops 2K5.

netjak

The solid gameplay foundation and attention to realism really makes this game a true hidden gem in the 2004 crop of sports games.

GameShark

In the end, it's a shame that the bugs in the game were not fixed prior to release; it is unimaginable that they weren't noticed by the design team. They're pretty blatant.

G4 TV

It’s half a step behind EA’s "March Madness," but with a $20 price tag ESPN College Hoops 2K5 costs less than a hot dog at the Final Four.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Using the same game engine as its NBA counterpart, 2K5 plays better than it did a year ago, in part because the A.I. is way smarter. [Jan 2005, p.128]

Xbox Nation Magazine

The sweat-while-you-play intensity just isn't there. [Jan 2005, p.92]

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jordan M. gave it a4:
Good game but it freezes ALOT during legacy mode. Would be great if you didn't have to reset your game every other time you play it!

J S. gave it a9:
Great game everything is pretty realistic with what real coaching is like... and I am one so I know... by the way to that guy that wants unlimited recruiting points, there are rules in NCAA that limit how many you have in real life, you can only make so many calls have so many visits etc... they're annoyingly complicated but the game does a good job of depicting them.

Cory K. gave it a10:
This game is the best basketball game of 2005. I probably would give it a 9 but it's only $20 and that's a lot of bang for your buck.

Mike H. gave it an8:
The Good AND the Bad This game is pretty good and for a college basketball game, great. But major upgrades are needed. GAMEPLAY: It's way to easy to deflect passes because every pass is within reach; if you get between a cross-court pass, you'll knock it down 90% of the time. Maybe this is just the sliders but the passing AI still needs work. Post moves are very good but the fade gets blocked everytime cuz they don't fade and ESPN still needs a dunk button. Guys can't shoot simple layups when they get it down low and they take the hit way more than in real life on penetration. However, playing aainst someone else is really, really fun and you can have some great games once you get the sliders how you want them. LEGACY: I think it is too easy to recruit above your program's level--let's face it, some programs just will never be able to recruit All-Americans no matter how many 20-win seasons they have. Don't even bother setting your substution patterns or style of play because it seems the computer does what it wants. If your team sucks, everyone plays; when they're good, only 6, maybe 7 play. The offense type selection is limited as well and I don't think the simulation accounts for it much anyway. Another thing I didn't like was the rebounding averages--it's almost impossible to get 10 per and your average has nothing to do with skill or even much with who else is on the squad. It's positioned based (4s and 5s get the most) but pretty much random. GRAPHICS: I bought 2003 and not 2004, so 2005 disappointed me. 2003 had the best player details I've ever seen in any game but 2005 is same old, same old, amybe worse. There only 6 faces I believe and the hairstyles suck. (For those of you who don't know, 2003 had probably 6 different types of cornrows alone). As always, the announcers say all the names and these are substantial--every name in college ball right now plus a few others. But the sound sucks overall as the announcing team is boring and repetitive. Finally, my game broke down really quickly and it freezes A LOT. One of my dynastys just stopped working too. Maybe I got a bad copy but it seems to me that ESPN has a lot more of these problems than EA, who worked them out years ago.

Dougan F. gave it a10:
This the best college basketball game I've ever played. I don't care about recruiting and setting up practice schedules as I'm way more into pure gameplay and classic teams and this game has it all. Good job VC & Sega. I pray you make many many more!

Joe K. gave it a10:
More bang for your buck. Similar to EA in most areas but crowd noise, college atmosphere and price make this a must.

The Goon gave it a 9:
Awesome gameplay experience. The legacy mode is deep and thorough. The only MAJOR beef I have is in the legacy mode though. I love the fact that the recruiting is handles in-season. However, why are you given a set amount of "points" allocated to recruiting? These points can easily be burned up in a month! They should have given the user unlimited recruiting points. Of course, the more recruiting you do in the week, the less time you can spend on training and game preparation. So, why not an unlimited recruiting budget for the season? It will hurt you in other areas if you do too much recruiting...let gamers have that option.