Backyard Hockey 2005 review:2 stars (i really believe someone somewhere can do better) - I know, I'm an adult- don't even have kids so what am I doing with this game? Well, I'm interested in games, have not been entirely satisfied with the ea sports games I've tried and heard good things about this series, so when I ran across a cheap 2005 hockey I thought I'd try it out. I found it disappointing enough that I probably would not try another backyard game and would not really recommend this to anyone be they 6 or 600.
I've rated it on the following factors that are important to me.

Story: B-, okay, it's a sports game- no story, but the commentators are amusing and the little goal dances are cute

Characters: B, I could care less about the real hockey players as kids stuff, but the create your own player thing (which I often find limited and/or boring in games) is reasonably simple, yet cute, and I was able to make versions of people I know sometimes with success.

Gameplay: D-, starts falling apart here most crucially. The simple mostly mouse only controls are okay, you win some and lose some with it- less control, but nice and simple. but unfortunatly things like what sort of situation would make you score a goal are very off and don't make sense to me. The power ups are cute but sort of ruin the game as some of them basically provide free goals. Better just have easier to score goals. Too much of the game revolved around the power ups. And I know its for kids, and that maybe the idea is if you can't score too easily then wait till you get an under icer (the puck goes under the ice when you shoot so no one can stop it) and you'll get a goal, but why not just make it so that on easy setting, at least, if you get a decent shot off in the open it might actually go in? also, what about getting to control your goalie! This would be a very big improvement if you could go into goalie mode or something.

Graphics: C+, pleasant. They work. Rinks could really be a little cuter.

Dreariness factor: B, sunny and positive, you don't spend hours in dank corridors killing aliens, which is usually a nice change from other games-even some kid ones.

Technical issues: I had no problems on a mid range system.

Learning factor: D, I know it's simple, but that just means they could have put in a nice, very thorough, tutorial without too much effort. In the time before I gave up on this game it seemed you don't so much get better as just figure out how it works.

Product materials: D, tiny booklet, could use a little more information, tips, etc.

Chore factor: C, didn't make it through a whole season- almost did. Was a bit of a slog.

Difficulty: F, it's a kids game for, um, cripes sake, easy setting is way too hard really, though it's not terribly hard to win at any setting. And even on easy I think the computer cheats. I suspect the other team makes goals I never make in the same situation. i could be wrong on that, but... And just for once I'd like to see a sports game where the easy setting means that not paying too close attention or being too careful I can win 11 to 2. Paying good attention and really concentrating after a few games I should be able to win 15 to nothing. In this game, paying good attention I could win, oh, maybe 8 to 3. I know there are loads of 9 year olds who could do better, but there are also a lot who can't.

Game saves: C, adequate, quite a few menus. Can't save during games, which would have maybe been nice, but would probably just be trouble for me as i'd try and perfect my games or something, though in this game that ability would maybe be an improvement.

Other: D+, all that league stuff with real teams and all seemed a bit of a waste as its sort of too huge a league. It would be more fun if it were more intimate and teams had a bit more personality. They should also make a lot more out of stats and have player rankings and stuff like that. They touch on it with all star voting which is a good start, but kind of thin. There are awards at the end of the season I didn't get to, but it sounds hopeful. I really like a feature where you get news and certificates like `so and so got her first hat trick' and would have liked even more of that.
4 stars (Great fun on the ice.) - I almost didn't buy this one because of the awful box art (what happened Humongus?) but my kids love the other Backyard titles and this one is no exception. My son and even my daughter enjoy playing it. Their favorite is making up their own players for their teams. The game play and characters are delightful. The controlls are easy to learn, my daughter had never played a hockey game before. I highly recommend picking this one up, well worth the $20.
Backyard Hockey 2005 Features:
Computer Games
Sports Simulators (Simulation)
Hockey
CD
Outrageous power-ups and exciting end-to-end action
Hit the ice for the "coolest" Backyard game ever
New lineup of NHL kids and amazing 3D gameplay
New street-hockey rinks; draft your own NHL teams
Control every quick move and scorching slapshot

Backyard Hockey 2005 is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around  19.99USD.