Games Database
PS2
Sport: Basketball
| Also for: | Xbox | ||
| Viewed: | 3D Third-person, floating camera | Genre: | Sport: Basketball |
| Media: | DVD | Arcade origin: | No |
| Developer: | Kush | Soft. Co.: | SEGA |
| Publishers: | SEGA
(GB) |
Released: | 28 Nov 2003
(GB) |
| Ratings: | PEGI 3+ | ||
| Accessories: | Memory Card | ||
| Connectivity: | Network Adaptor (Ethernet) compatible | ||
| Features: | Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only | ||
Summary
The third in a recent flurry of ice hockey games, this latest Sega title focuses its attention on delivering the true grit, true skills and true intensity of the fast-paced American sport. It also comes complete with the revered ESPN endorsement, which should go down well with hockey fans. While there's not much in the way of original territory you can tread with such a game these days, ESPH NHL Hockey is a solid ice hockey sim, with plenty of raw action and an enviable set of features.
Staying true to the aforementioned endorsement, the game boasts faithful presentation throughout, bringing you authentic box scores, overlays, stats and other elements that go towards capturing the atmosphere of an ESPN NHL broadcast. In addition, an impressive graphics engine renders highly detailed player models, faces, uniforms, arenas and environmental effects, which heighten the level of realism.
Placing emphasis on the physical aspects of the sport, the game features a realistic board pinning element, which gives you the option to wear down opponents, fight for possession, or tie up the puck in order to get a whistle. There's also a focus on what the developers like to term the "art" of a well-executed hit - pull off anything like an open ice hit or a check into the boards and it is showcased with high detail and authentic animation.
As is increasingly becoming the case these days, support for online play is provided, enabling you to hook your PS2 up to the Net and face off against other players across the globe. This feature also comes complete with an in-depth stat-tracking system that records all your triumphs and failures for the rest of the nation to admire. Or ridicule.
With the inclusion of customized playoffs that enable you to put together your own playoff bracket, a roster of playable historic teams and vintage jerseys, as well as the addition of 14 international teams (yes, they do play ice hockey in other countries), ESPN NHL is a fairly comprehensive sports sim that does the whole hockey thing very well.
Staying true to the aforementioned endorsement, the game boasts faithful presentation throughout, bringing you authentic box scores, overlays, stats and other elements that go towards capturing the atmosphere of an ESPN NHL broadcast. In addition, an impressive graphics engine renders highly detailed player models, faces, uniforms, arenas and environmental effects, which heighten the level of realism.
Placing emphasis on the physical aspects of the sport, the game features a realistic board pinning element, which gives you the option to wear down opponents, fight for possession, or tie up the puck in order to get a whistle. There's also a focus on what the developers like to term the "art" of a well-executed hit - pull off anything like an open ice hit or a check into the boards and it is showcased with high detail and authentic animation.
As is increasingly becoming the case these days, support for online play is provided, enabling you to hook your PS2 up to the Net and face off against other players across the globe. This feature also comes complete with an in-depth stat-tracking system that records all your triumphs and failures for the rest of the nation to admire. Or ridicule.
With the inclusion of customized playoffs that enable you to put together your own playoff bracket, a roster of playable historic teams and vintage jerseys, as well as the addition of 14 international teams (yes, they do play ice hockey in other countries), ESPN NHL is a fairly comprehensive sports sim that does the whole hockey thing very well.
