It’s a 2-on-1 break. From the crease you watch the puck-handler, keeping the other attacking player in the corner of your eye. The man with the puck draws the lone defenseman, and then deftly slides a pass across to his teammate.

That’s when you key in on the other player, and realize it is none other than Wayne Gretzky. You would probably curse, if your heart weren’t in your throat.

His nickname was The Great One, and No. 99 was the most feared offensive machine in the game of professional hockey.

989 Sports and Page 44 Studios are offering a fix for all those hockey fans bereft of a season due to the strike with Gretzky NHL 2005 for the PlayStation2. When The Great One’s name is on the package, there are certain expectations, and unfortunately the title does not quite live up to those. While this title is not a bad game, it just does not have the stuff to compare with other titles on the market. That said, the newest member to drop the puck on the hockey games has some very good moments.

This is a game that does have a solid challenge, but allows players to configure strategies, and manually switch lines. You can also take control of the keeper, work a pass and go, as well as aim your shots.

However, when it comes to the latter, the netminders seem all too capable of seeing where you are aiming, and the higher percentage of goals scored will come off one-timers off the pass.

Game modes include practice, exhibition, franchise, rivalry, tournament and world cup. There is also an online mode but that was not available on the review build received.

The creation modes for both your players and teams are exquisite. You can even employ the EyeToy to stick your face on a created player.

The game is not without some problems though. During a quick start game between Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, the Lightning attack and a quick wrister from the left side is knocked down and the puck is frozen. The announcers call for the replay. Instead of seeing the Pittsburgh keeper make the save, the cutscene is of a shot the Penguins took that was turned aside. That was a bit confusing.

At one point the computer AI had three opposing players stuttering and trapped along the boards. They were in a bunch and seemed stuck for a moment. Not that it gave any significant advantage considering the way the human-controlled team was playing (or not playing, as the case may be).

Mike Emerick and Darren Pang do the commentary work on this title and do a very good job, with a few instances only where they seem to be talking about the wrong thing. At one point, in a game between Vancouver and Minnesota, just after a barrage of shots on the net by the Canucks, they comment on all the chances Minnesota is getting. And the musical underscore for this title is also really good. The in-game sounds consist mostly of Pang and Emerick, with the bang of the puck against the board, the cutting sound of blades on ice and the occasional oompf as players collide.

Graphically the game has a few problems, but most are associated with the controller’s interaction with the game. The game’s physics are solid. And the CGI scenes are strong, while the general animation is also nicely done. Line changes, directing your shot and passes are all handled well. Lighting, shadows are also well done.

The online mode will feature tournaments for up to 64 players with voice chat, leader boards, rankings, and downloadable rosters, and the game will keep statistics in over 50 categories.

Switching players can be somewhat of a chore. Not always do you get the player that you wanted, or necessarily the one closest to the puck’s progress. Sometimes you may have the offense attacking, and wish to switch to the defenseman, only to have the switch key you on a trailing offensive player who cannot even catch up with a speed burst. And by the time you get to the player you wanted, they are not the one you currently want. That can be a little frustrating.

While Gretzky NHL 2005 is a decent title, it is not yet the best hockey title on the market. The action is a little slower than its rivals, and the AI can be a little suspect at times, but the game does deliver in the challenge department, and has a nice array of features. If this is the new NHL hockey franchise for 989 Sports, then it has a good foundation and should get better as the game is fine-tuned in the future.

This game is rated E for Everyone.

Gameplay: 7.4
The controls seem a little sluggish in translating to the game, and the AI is a little suspect at times. The flow of the game is interrupted with cutscenes that you cannot, seemingly, skip through.

Graphics: 8

The look and animation of the game is very nice. The use of the EyeToy to put a face on a created player is a little bit freaky, but may be enjoyable for some. The lighting and shadows are also well done.

Sound: 8.4
Emerick and Pang are good, and the musical score kicks.

Difficulty: Medium

This game is a challenge from the opening drop until the final buzzer. The AI could have been a little better on both sides of the puck.

Concept: 8.2
The online features will be wonderful, and the game options are solid. This is a good beginning for the franchise.

Multiplayer: 7.8
With a suspect AI, head-to-head may be the best way to enjoy this game.

Overall: 7.4

This game will have a ways to go to catch up to its competition, but this is a good start. The AI needs to be tweaked, and the controls fine-tuned. The game also needs to work away from one-time shots off the pass having a higher chance of scoring than breakaways (most of which end when you are caught from behind). However, all that aside, the game has challenge, looks and sounds good, and sports a very good options package.