PLOT
You are in control of some of the meanest sportsmen in the business. This is Ice Hockey as never seen before on a console, fast, accurate, vicious, it is NHL is as close to the real thing as one can get before losing teeth!

GRAPHICS
The graphics are superior on the PS2. For the most part the console deals very well with all the players and the surroundings but smoetimes, especially in follow mode there is the odd chugg. The crowd when you are concentrating on the ice are acceptable, up close they all look quite blocky. The animation of the characters however makes up for the environment problems by producing smooth, realistic and sometimes downright impressive movement. After a while the ice begins to cut up . . . a pretty cool effect. The introductory scenes are typical of the PS2, good but not awe inspiring.

SOUNDS
The in game commentary is not intrusive and is the best I have seen yet on the EA sports suite. It is timely, funny and useful. It crows for you ; ). I particularly like the sound when you smack someone with the hard check. There is no accompanying music, allowing full concentration on this eye-bustingly fast game. There is the mandatory cheese a the end of quarters and after a goal commentary talking you through the move. A nice touch. For a complicated game they have done a fine job.

GAMEPLAY
I must admit to never having had a brilliant idea of Ice Hockey tactics, I am sure playing the game must be a help but I am a good mimic and playing the machine can give you some good ideas. The AI on the opposing teams is pretty class, the players move well as you get up the levels, but as ever they seem to be able to score on demand when it is difficult to do so as a human. To score a goal relies upon obeying basics like moving the keeper across and first timing it. When a player is 'in the zone' however, the chances of individual attempts is heightened. Passing is pretty straightforward, 90% of the time y
ou can get the puck where you want it but not always. Fluidity is the key to success combined with an uncomprimising attitude to taking the opposition out and demoralising them.

OVERALL
As with many sport sims 2 player mode is the best fun and in a few evenings you can become quite proficient, the controls take a bit of getting used to . . remember the manual is your friend. For the addict there are endless possibilites to customise your players and formations, for those with blood lust, the standard games are perfectly adequate for a great match.