WHICH VERSION of 2K Hockey do YOU feel was the GREATEST?

[oldskoolmaddenfanz27]

2k5 was the peak of every 2k video game

[onlybygrace]

Hmmm...

Interesting convo here...

My personal favorite is 2k8 for the 360.

With 2k games it is really all about sliders, so of course it takes some time with each game to find the proper way of playing that suits your personal needs.

But with some work with 2k8, I've found that the CPU AI presents a good challenge both offensively and defensively. The goaltenders on the game are perhaps the best goalies ever in any video game which in turn has a direct effect on the quality of goals that are scored. The goal variety is incredibly random and spontaneous from not only myself but also the CPU.

Other great features are the varied attendance in the stands at home games based upon your teams record and place in the standings.

The franchise is loaded with options and depth...maybe the best FA signing period ever.

Really a great game...I got into it late (just 6 months ago maybe) and don't regret it one bit.

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by DarkFudge

now that I think of it and recently played some more of 2K3 on my Xbox....there's a striking resemblence or at least feeling of NHL PowerPlay Hockey in 2K3. I wonder if anyone remembers that great PC hockey game....I think there was a PowerPlay Hockey and a PowerPlay Hockey 98. There seems a very similar play mechanics and feel to these games.....I like it

I played PPH on the PS2 and I liked it a lot.
But I read it was much better on the PC. And had lots of customization.

[baa7]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

NHL09 has the best AI to date.

Let's see... ZERO neutral zone pressure by the CPU; the User can skate up the ice and into the CPU's end with impunity EVERY RUSH; and CPU "AI" consists entirely of cheesy, idiotic speed, agility and shot accuracy boosts.

NHL 09's AI is TOTAL garbage. 2K5 is light years ahead in that department.

[Lisa_Bonami]

I have to agree with Baa....I think alot of people have been hornswaggled by EA's NHL 09. Aside from the excellent player models and the realistic offensive set up play inside the blue line, NHL 09 is a very unimpressive game.

It has horrible puck physics, franchise mode, fighting engine, neutral zone play, goalie interaction and animations, board play and overall scrappy realistic NHL hockey play.

I just dont get what everyone loves about NHL 09.....However, Im just as dissapointed with NHL 2K9 for other reasons and especially because for me 2K8 was so close to being a great hockey game. I was really expecting 2K9 to make the necessary adjustments and elevate 2K8 to the legendary status of the NBA 2K and MLB the Show sports status. Now, I feel they actually went backwards and have more ground to makeup in 2K10

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

Let's see... ZERO neutral zone pressure by the CPU; the User can skate up the ice and into the CPU's end with impunity EVERY RUSH; and CPU "AI" consists entirely of cheesy, idiotic speed, agility and shot accuracy boosts. NHL 09's AI is TOTAL garbage. 2K5 is light years ahead in that department.

I have to respectfully disagree.
In 2K5 I could let the AI have one breakaway after another, as well as many odd-man rushes as they wanted and the AI might score 5% of the time.
At the same time, the Neutral zone play of 2K5 was non-existent as well.
I could take the puck and skate end to end until I was at the hashmarks before the CPU even looked at me.

NHL09 certainly has it's share of AI flaws but it's still smart enough to pick apart missed assignments, move the puck around on the PP and make you pay on odd-man rushes and breakaways.

For me, the most important aspect of CPU AI is whether or not it can score. Especially in high-percentage plays. 2K5 fails miserably in that department. In NHL09, while there are a lot of things that bother me, this is one area where you will actually fear the CPU if given prime scoring chances.

[daflyboys]

Ya, let's get another EA vs. 2K thread going. God, I can't read enough of those!!

[RealmK]

Quote: Originally Posted by baa7

Let's see... ZERO neutral zone pressure by the CPU; the User can skate up the ice and into the CPU's end with impunity EVERY RUSH; and CPU "AI" consists entirely of cheesy, idiotic speed, agility and shot accuracy boosts. NHL 09's AI is TOTAL garbage. 2K5 is light years ahead in that department.

Have you even played NHL09 offline post patch 2? Oh wait its a baa"the ai cheats"7 post, never mind. Kinda funny you have no quams with the 2k AI speed boosts though.