NHL 2002

Posted Oct 12, 2001 by TBO.com

Updated Sep 10, 2007 at 04:52 PM

System: Sony PlayStation 2

Also available for: Windows PC; coming soon for Xbox

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Reviewer’s rating: A+

Game type: Sports

Kind of like: Well ... hockey

Best feature: New “saucer pass” lets you flip the biscuit over a defenseman’s stick.

Worst feature: Realistic player attributes mean the Lightning suck as bad here as they do in real life.

The bottom line: Last year’s PS2 debut was underwhelming only because our expectations of this franchise are so high. But ” NHL 2002” rebounds spectacularly, easily making up for whatever its predecessor lacked.

As always, all the teams and all the players are included excepting rookies and a few last-minute signees (never fear — the create-a-player feature is excellent). The on-ice action is top-notch, embellishing a mostly realistic simulation of the sport with a few arcade-style touches that make it more fun to play.

In addition to the saucer pass, other gameplay enhancements include the dramatic “breakaway cam,” variable puck control that depends on a player’s stickhandling skills (good players will reach back for the puck on a misguided pass, or kick it up to their stick) and the addition of collectible “trading cards” that unlock cheats and bonus features in the game.

Player AI has been tuned up, particularly for goalies, who learn from and adjust to your offensive tendencies.

Perhaps best of all, everything can be customized so whatever features you don’t like can simply be turned off.