Over the past few months, GamersInfo.net has followed the latest hockey offering from Sports Interactive closely. We were glad to see a lonely hockey-jersey clad figure hanging out in the South Hall to display the game at this year's E3 conference to show off NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005. Having already written a gold version preview there is not much new information, so let me summarize.
NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 is a text based hockey manager simulation. It lets you take control of a real team in practically any league in the world and try to lead them, and yourself, to ultimate glory. Over your career you can be hired to better jobs, fired, lead international teams, watch prospects from the age of 12 up to the day they retire, and so much more. The reason I love this game is that it is a perfect simulation of management glory daydreams that play daily in my head anyway.
You can buy, sign, trade, draft, hire and fire to your heart's content. Being the second game in the franchise, it features greatly enhanced and refined practice controls - to help you develop your talent, better scouting, and an improved match engine and match more. Generally, the reason I am having so much more fun with 2005 than the first installment is simply that they have had a full year to refine the game, its database and all the features that make it tick. Finally, SEGA the publishers of the game, had some issues in the first installment getting all the league licenses fans demanded. This is yet another thing going for NHL EHM 2005, as most of the major leagues missing including Germany and minor-pro North American leagues are now available for players to control. Unlike some other sports franchises, there is a drastic improvement in overall quality and thus fun from the already solid first installment.
The improvement that adds the most fun for me is the re-done in-game engine. In the first game, I always assigned my coaches to control the games, content simply with seeing the score and stats after. In 2005, the game can be simulated a lot quicker, which allows you to have a nice in between where you are able to have hands-on control, but do not need to invest five to ten minutes in each of the 82 games you play each year.
Since the game has gone gold, the team has continued to work hard at bugs and the database. If last year, or their soccer products are any indication, those who buy the game are also buying their continued support. The first version of the game had seven patches after launch. There were no show stopping bugs, but each one fixed minor things and added little bits of content that made the game easier. I anticipate this will continue with NHL EHM 2005.
As an avid fan of sports games of all types, NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 was the best thing I saw on display on the floor. It offers the depth and wonder of their more famous Football Manager franchise in a sport more familiar to the North American audience. One can only hope that they get the recognition they deserve and the game sticks to the top of the charts this season.
Lepidus is a proud Canadian and a lover of all things video games. Primarily he plays MMORPGs, shooters, text-simulations and sports games. His favorite games of all time are the EA NHL Series. Other favorites include Battlefield 1942 and Ultima Online. Lepidus has been gaming for as long as he can remember. Other interests include history, hockey and of course, writing.
