NHL 04 or NHL 05 - which is better?

[Leander]

I want to buy a cheap old NHL game. Should I go for 2004 or 2005? Which one is better?

[Pera]

I'd have to go with 04.

It brought me one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had with a video game. Its simple and great. It is probably cheaper than 05 and you wont miss a single thing that is in 05.

[Leander]

Ok, thank you.

[jonthefon]

I'd say 02

That game was absolute killer. But 04 is better than 05.

[benji]

I would agree with 2002. Best sports game on the PC that I have ever played.

[asgsjb]

I have '05 and can't compare it to '04. I like '05, although they make it way too easy to trade. I was able to put the ultimate all-star team together...you'd be scared to see my 4th line. It's a killer. But other than that, the play is pretty good.

[Tuomas]

2004 was the most realistic hockey game to date, I enjoyed it a lot althought I stopped following NHL hockey around 2000-2001.

[Leander]

I bought it from ebay and installed it...and updated it.

What next? There are some AI sliders and other settings...what should I use?
What are realistic settings?

And what controls are important? Only played a VERY old NHL years ago...I don't know much about ice hockey so I don't know what all the buttons are.

Ah well, I have the manual. But I still lack some information. What is deke?
Etc.

[shadowgrin]

What is deke?

Deke

[Pera]

A deke is a hockey move where a player guides the puck and rapidly changes the direction of the puck with his stick. Like from left to right or vice versa.

[benji]

It's basically the NHL games version of the old crossover/spin move button in Live.

[Leander]

Thanks.

Is there a forum somewhere? A still alive community?
Normally, EA Sports releases some arcade action-packed games...too fast, too unrealistic. Therefore, I want to adjust the settings. But I don't know which settings to use.

I also had a crash...the game froze. A link to a forum like this one would be nice. I need to know how to get the best out of the game and to avoid problems.

[joejam999]

2002 was fun. But thats like the only one I have.

[asgsjb]

I haven't found a forum or live community for NHL hockey yet. I've been looking also. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.

[Leander]

How do you play this game? It is really difficult for me, especially the defense.
I played on medium, lost 1-5, 22-44 shots.

The problem is I don't know how to play defense. I only use pass to switch defenders, default bodycheck and sometimes the stick.

Problem 1: what does the hook / tie up button do? Press the players against the glass?

Problem 2: the computer comes towards my goal...and most of the time all of my defenders are not as close as he is. They follow him from behind, want to catch him...opposite goalkeeper has the puck...pass 1, pass 2. ... I want to stop the player, miss him...and then he can skate towards my goal easily, from half of the field. And all my other players skate to the left or right or behind and nobody can get in his way.

Problem 3: how to defend with the right analog stick? Pressing the button as long as possible and then moving the right stick takes way too long!!! I don't have much time because I have to SWITCH defenders with the pass button...I can only control a player a second or so...how should I control him, press the button, wait for the meter to load, move the right stick? In this time the computer has already made some passes or skated away.

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Or in short: how to play D?

[asgsjb]

I keep my defensive play simple. I press my D so I start defending in my opponent's ice. If they pass around that (and tehy usually do), I switch to the defender closest to the puck, hit the speed burst to get him between the offensive player and my goalie, and then I check him into giving up the puck. If he gets around that defender, I do the same thing with the next closest defender. I have found this works for me, but maybe my settings are different?

I also have my defender skate backwards a bit when he is between the offensive player and the goalie in order to line up the check right (so as not to miss) and then I move forward for the check.

The hook button should let your player tie up the offensive player with his stick...but you could get called for hooking (a penalty) if you do it too long or have your penalty settings set to a sensitive level.

[Leander]

Thanks.

Just had a better game, 2-4. The number of shots were almost equal.

[Leander]

Does the game react to your ranking in the league? I had a draw...and three easy wins....everything was easy...but then I lost two in a row...I even got 5 goals in one period (5 mins)...the Rangers made 5 of 12 shots --> ???

It seems to me that once a goal is scored the goalie is confused or something...one goal...and then almost everything goes in and they score goal after goal. Very strange.

[asgsjb]

I hadn't noticed that. But that's one of those things where a good forum would be helpful (or a good manual) to discuss that point.