The gameplay improvements probably wont be popular with the arcade crowd or anyone else who actually preferred the slapstick commentary, dramatic camera work, and double-digit scores featured in NHL 2003. Throw in some impressive new player animations, graphic upgrades, multiplayer enhancements, and a retooled fighting system, and there are more than enough goodies here to justify the upgrade. In addition to some welcome gameplay tweaks and AI improvements by new developer Black Box, NHL 2004 also ships with a beefy new dynasty mode where Glen Sather or Bobby Clarke wannabes can micromanage their favorite teams for a full twenty seasons. There are a number of reasons for this, but the key ones are pretty compelling. In addition to all 30 NHL teams from the 2003-2004 season, NHL 2004 offers 20 national teams as well as an international league composed of 39 teams from Germany, Sweden, and Finland.Īs with other EA SPORTS releases for 2003, players will be able to track personal ratings and unlock special features using saved games from each of the publishers sports titles.īoth the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of NHL 2004 have the added benefit of online play for head-to-head competition along with chat support.

Players who grimaced at NHL 2003s humorous approach to color commentary will be pleased to hear that Don Taylor has been replaced with ex-NHL player Craig Simpson, who offers a more traditional take on analysis. To help maintain its position as the best-selling hockey series, NHL 2004 fixes a number of presentation issues and promises a more realistic experience with computer players individually reacting to in-game situations rather than preset strategies. The collisions that often lead to fights have also been juiced up with more dramatic camera angles and new motion-captured animation. Players will be able to chain moves from a grappling position, offering more strategic possibilities during encounters instead of rewarding those with quick reflexes. Complementing the superb rink detail and authentic player representations are convincing new motion-capture animations (players bodies now skate and maneuver much more realistically) and some terrific new 3D crowd renderings that react and celebrate just like their real-life counterparts.īudding General Managers can help upgrade their teams rink, practice facilities, coaching staff, and front office with experience points earned by winning games.Īs players spend more and more points on upgrades, the team will gradually increase its attributes and will be more likely to attract other free agents and draft picks to the city.Īnother enhanced feature is the fighting engine, which is no longer a button-mashing substitute for boxing.

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