Pros: Realistic hockey action, Dynamite controls, Fun to play
Cons: All Star level VERY challenging Not enough Stat tracking
The bottom line: If you have a Dreamcast, you need to own this game (even if you don't like hockey!) Tons of depth, you'll be playing for a very long time.
I played Sega's Nhl2k a couple years ago and while it was entertaining, it lacked a lot of guts or "soul".
As a rabid hockey (Leafs)fan I expect a lot from hockey games....
Well I am happy to say that NHL2K2 delivers on many levels.
The gameplay is rock solid. The players move just like in real life and they do what the controller tells them. (The odd time your computer controlled teamates do weird things on defence). Its tricky to get used to at first but once you master all the physics, it becomes second nature.
I was watching this years' playoffs at the same time and I tell you, on All-star level the pace and tight checking are bang on to the real thing.
Goals are hard to come by on All-star level as the defence is air tight and the goalie is stingy, but hey, it just makes the game that much more exciting. The new deke button is wonderful, watching Alex Mogilny dekeing Richter out of his jock-strap and roofing it over his shoulder almost brought me to tears!
The goaltenders are a lot better in this one (they'll even come out and play the puck at the right times)
The checking is a bit extreme sometimes and you wonder how Theo Fluery keeps takin' people out in the corners but keep your head up and you'll be okay.
The commentary is mediocre at best but the crowd noise makes up for it.
My only real gripe with the game is the stat tracking during a full season. Maybe I haven't found it yet but it doesn't list shutouts?! C'mon....
Otherwise, this is a great hockey game with enough difficulty that you'll be paying for a long time to come.