The graphics in Konami's Blades of Steel 2000 are, to say the least, average. There just isn't the high polygon rate that we have come to expect from the PlayStation. Whether this was intentional to keep the framerate high (and let me add - the game is fast) or not, at first glance I was disappointed. The players do not stand out as they should, and the bench players are poorly textured. In fact, they are nothing more than indistinctive sprites (as with the crowd). The sound of the game is not much better. The ambient sounds of the gameplay and of the crowd are pretty good, but dig out that old Bon Jovi CD and pop it in your stereo, cuz you will get tired of the announcers' one-liners and choppy recap very quickly.

Hmmm...well, my first reaction was: 'This game sucks!' However, after toughing through it, my attitude changed. While controlling the skaters in Blades of Steel 2000 was at first hard to get used to, I actually developed an awareness of how the feel of the game plays. My absolute favorite part of the game is the adrenaline rush I got when there is 2:00 on the clock in the third period and I was down by one goal. I truly felt the rush and necessity of scoring quickly. Konami did a great job here. The gameplay seems to get more frantic as you struggle for that tying goal. There are also plenty of options in Blades of Steel 2000, including a 27, 41, or full 82 game season. You also have the option of setting up a 16-team playoff tree to battle your way to the Stanley Cup. With up to 8 players (Multi-Tap needed), you and your friend can have a showdown to the finish. I do have one question for Konami. 'Where are the fights?' There is almost an entire page in the instruction manual for different fighting attacks. If you recall in the original NES version, the reason to play the greatest hockey game of its time was the fighting. In Blades of Steel 2000, I played over a dozen games before I encountered a fight (and then I got my ass kicked!).

Let's just say that I find a good level of difficulty with the Rookie mode! I'm not the best gamer when it comes to hockey, but I feel fairly balanced against the computer this way. For added difficulty, you have two higher modes, Pro & All-Star, as well as the ability of setting the goalie's difficulty to any of the three skill levels. This should give a wide variety of difficulties for newbies as well as old-school players. As an added bonus, here's a tip for scoring: 'Use the slapshot for your initial shot, and then use the wristshot for rebounds.' This is my technique as I have yet to find 'the move' that is ever so common in hockey games.

You may want to re-define your controls in Blades of Steel 2000. I have had problems with trying to steal the puck, succeeding, and giving it away when I accidentally shoot the danged thing! The menus in the game are fairly well structured, and easy to navigate, while navigating your players (at first) takes a bit of getting used to. Konami did a good job at delivering the fast and frantic gameplay that is hockey, and you will feel right in the action as you struggle to score those ever-precious goals. I did feel at times as though the computer was taking control for me by clearing the puck, even though I was actively skating. This was frustrating, but I think necessary as my players probably needed to have another line put in. To recap, Blades of Steel 2000 is actually are decent game, however, I recommend renting before buying.