by Wyatt "JOEDOG" Elliott
The PlayStation 2 seems to shine brighter anytime EA Sports is involved.
Madden was almost perfection, NASCAR 2001 was perfection and now NHL 2001 is available. This game is so hot the ice is melting. This game stomps Sega's NHL 2K into the ground. NHL for PS2 plays just like the current PSX games. The PS2 controller is the same, so the only thing that changes here, is the graphics and sounds.
NHL 2001 for PlayStation 2 features marvelous graphics. HUGE NHL players with life like faces do battle on the ice. This game is so detailed you can see the snow shavings on the ice. The PlayStation has grown up and EA Sports is not taking this lightly. EA has added players and coaches in the box, picture perfect stadiums, fast and addictive game play.
The sound and commentary doesn't loose anything in the translation. They gain realism and believability. Instant replays and acuate as it happens commentary. Awesome!
The only thing that still stands for improvement is the fight sequences. All NHL games have this problem. And the PlayStation 2 is no exception. Oh, well. Maybe next year.
NHL 2001 is brand new from the ground up. This is no PSone game on steroids. NHL 2001 for the PlayStation 2 makes the $300.00 cost all worth while for any die hard NHL Hockey fan. More and More the PS2 is becoming less of a Sony machine and more of an Electronic Arts system. Because with titles like Madden, NHL and NASCAR, EA Rules the PS2.
PUBLISHER: EA SPORTS
GRAPHICS: 10 MUSIC & SOUND: 9 CONTROL: 8
SECRETS: 6 ORIGINALITY: 8 FUN & REPLAY: 10
OVERALL: 9