NHL 2004

Rating:
Summary: Same old story with EA. We need a challenger on the pc!!!!
Review: Alright, you won't be winning the high number of 10 to 2 games this year and the offensive play isn't as simplistic as in years past, but the same occurrences that made you want to punch through your monitor are still commonplace. It's still amazes me that when playing on any difficulty level with the exception of beginner, the computer teams will go on incredible scoring spurts. They never score just one, it always seems to be three or four within a very short time span. The centering passes they make always hit the mark and your worthless AI defenseman are content to lie down or just do nothing (just like every other EA NHL). My only defensive assignment is to try and account for this, otherwise I will have absolutely no chance at winning the game. Again, the familiar miracle goals by the computer will come into play whenever you manage to get yourself a one or two goal lead late in the game. This includes blue line wristers and shots from angles that hardly ever result in goals in actual NHL hockey. The passing system is a disaster, as you've probably already read or heard from other disappointed pc gamers. The graphics might actually be taking a few steps backwards, with the utterly laughable cartoonish faces, but I wouldn't even care if EA could somehow give me the impression that the computer isn't a GOD who scores at will and only toys with me for two and a half periods before unleashing a flurry of goals during the last few minutes of the game. Oh wait, they improved the fighting engine. BFD, that stupid system should've been overhauled at least three years ago. I'm glad I have a PS2 so I can play Sega's NHL version, but there must be a revolution to counter the tyranny of the lazy, repetitive EA Sports dictatorship.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't have dreamt of anything better!
Review: Although I've only played the demo, I am amazed at how realistic the game is. It's like a dream come true. I've always said the players had too much control of the puck and that they need fights along the boards. And if the Dynasty mode comes anywhere near what I expect, I'll be impressed. I've been on wishlists posting for great franchise modes since 1999 when I started playing my first Football Sim. And this is almost as good as it can get. (Also, for those hardcore simmers, check out Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition coming out soon....it's bound to be a GREAT game!)
For any hardcore hockey player/fan, this game is a must have! It's a little hard to get started but once you play 4-5 games you start getting the hang of it.

Unfortunately, for those who have never really played or watched hockey, this game will probably be frustrating.

One negative is that there are too many controls...With my 6- button gamepad, I can't do half of the commands...
So I'd recommend getting the PS2 or XBox version before the PC.

I haven't "bought" a game since I don't even remember but I'm getting this one as soon as my paycheck comes in...It's too bad my studies are gonna suffer :(

Rating:
Summary: Good Graphics, Good Game, Great Idea
Review: First off, I've been playing the EA NHL franchise since 93-94 and every few years the game gets a facelift. This year, you can see the mesh of the jerseys and the skating engine was improved. Another monster improvement was the lack of ability to skate through defenders with the puck. This means passing is very important, as it is in real life.

There are some bugs where defensemen (and goalies) knock the puck into their own nets, but overall the game plays well though it takes time to get proficient at it. The game scores are moderate (especially if you try and play it like a real game. If your scoring is spread around you might have 2 - 4 20 goal guys and maybe only 1 or 2 80-100 point players. Goalies are not likely to get more than 8-10 shut outs but your save percentage can get pretty high (around 0.930).

Dynasty mode. This is the best part of the game. The fact you can either take your favorite team or build your own (however which ever team is displaced from the NHL to accomodate you, their banners are still in your rink). You can do a complete fantasy draft and then start simming/playing games. Win now or win later by trading experience for potential, set your ticket prices, buy upgrades for your team, etc... The sad part is, you can't extend contracts until their last year (and then they usually want a big increase). Salary is based on stats, not performance, so if you have a really fast skater sitting 'in the minors' he'll want big league money....Hint: sign and trade for a young guy, especially if you don't need him right now.

The computer trades frequently though the dialog box you see does not have enough information. You have to go and manually look at the trade by proposing it yourself. The create a player feature, to me, was upgraded. Visually you are limited though now if you want a Wayne Gretzky - he's gonna cost ya. A lot of money.

The announcing team got a facelift with Craig Johnson becoming the new color guy. It sounded a bit stilted but at least he sounded intelligent.

I'll buy 05 when it comes out. I think the game went in the right direction this year from 03.

Rating:
Summary: Good Graphics, Good Game, Great Idea
Review: First off, I've been playing the EA NHL franchise since 93-94 and every few years the game gets a facelift. This year, you can see the mesh of the jerseys and the skating engine was improved. Another monster improvement was the lack of ability to skate through defenders with the puck. This means passing is very important, as it is in real life.

There are some bugs where defensemen (and goalies) knock the puck into their own nets, but overall the game plays well though it takes time to get proficient at it. The game scores are moderate (especially if you try and play it like a real game. If your scoring is spread around you might have 2 - 4 20 goal guys and maybe only 1 or 2 80-100 point players. Goalies are not likely to get more than 8-10 shut outs but your save percentage can get pretty high (around 0.930).

Dynasty mode. This is the best part of the game. The fact you can either take your favorite team or build your own (however which ever team is displaced from the NHL to accomodate you, their banners are still in your rink). You can do a complete fantasy draft and then start simming/playing games. Win now or win later by trading experience for potential, set your ticket prices, buy upgrades for your team, etc... The sad part is, you can't extend contracts until their last year (and then they usually want a big increase). Salary is based on stats, not performance, so if you have a really fast skater sitting 'in the minors' he'll want big league money....Hint: sign and trade for a young guy, especially if you don't need him right now.

The computer trades frequently though the dialog box you see does not have enough information. You have to go and manually look at the trade by proposing it yourself. The create a player feature, to me, was upgraded. Visually you are limited though now if you want a Wayne Gretzky - he's gonna cost ya. A lot of money.

The announcing team got a facelift with Craig Johnson becoming the new color guy. It sounded a bit stilted but at least he sounded intelligent.

I'll buy 05 when it comes out. I think the game went in the right direction this year from 03.

Rating:
Summary: Better Than ESPN -- Trust Me
Review: For PC users, SOLID sports games are a rarity. This year, however, we're seeing a revolution in PC sports gaming with titles like Madden 2004, Tiger Woods Golf 2004, and now, NHL 2004 from EA. Don't be fooled: THIS IS NOT LAST YEAR'S VERSION OF NHL HOCKEY FOR THE PC. Gone are the asinine commentary, the ridiculous deke moves, and overall warp-speed game play. This year, Electronic Arts got smart and reevaluated their once best-selling hockey franchise and put it back on the map with gorgeous graphics, exciting gameplay, precise control, and a true simulation feel that hasn't been there on the PC for quite some time.

I tried ESPN Hockey for the PS2 this year, and honestly, it doesn't compare to the PC version of NHL 2004. Graphics, sound, and gameplay are all superior. Yes, the ESPN version has the cool "owner's box" feature, but honestly, do you want to get rewarded with enough tokens to play with the '84 Oilers, only to find that instead of Wayne Gretzky, it has "Center" with the wrong number and statistics? You then have to manually go in and change everything to fit The Great One's stats. Not fun.

The "Dynasty" mode is NHL 2004's answer to the GM mode of ESPN, and it's much better. You can set practices, promote players, trade your 3rd line wingers for some help in goal, etc. All of this comes into play during the season in terms of people in the seats, revenue, and all the stuff that goes along with being a successful GM. Truly a great feature to the game, and one that adds ton of replay value.

Although the presentation could use some work, as it takes three or four mouse clicks to simply make a trade or get stats on a player, this game is essentially the best that has come out for the PC in a long time. The hitting has been toned down, and actually, almost made too difficult, but besides those gripes, NHL 2004 will reward players with unparalleled graphics, smooth, slider-controlled gameplay to fit your talents, and sound that brings out the best of the arenas across the country.

If you have a PC and you're a hockey fan, then you owe it to yourself to pick up NHL 2004.

Rating:
Summary: Great Game...Can use some improvements
Review: For those who TRULY understand the game of hockey and how it is played you will know to give this game a good review. It is much improved over the versions of yesteryear. Yes it can use improvements, no doubt, but overall I am pleased with this version and have been waiting since NHL 99 for EA to release something worth buying/playing.

The faults with this game are the AI, the computer does have a tendency to go on sprees of scoring when they gain momentum ar get a goal. But you HAVE to learn how to negate this! I have learned very well how to CONTROL momentum throughout the game, and this is what the designers of the game had in mind when they wrote it. There is also a little too much emphasis on the one-timer in this game, I would like to see a little more on the other facets of scoring as well. Also the bobbling puck that suddenly finds it's way into the net can be frustrating as hell. But heym thats video games for ya.

The pluses are the player movements, choice to fight, checking, (made it more difficult to do-because it is tough to do in real life!) And I LOVE the way you can grind in the corners in the offensive zone. There is truly nothing more real about Hockey than that.

I recommend this game to any hockey enthusiast looking for a good time. The upper levels can be tough to compete in, but in time you will be playing with the best of em. With a little arm pump I might add! For PC it is totally worth the $19.99. Go buy and have a blast. Trust me, I am a tough critic. This one is worth it!

Rating:
Summary: SAME OLD GARBAGE
Review: Good game, but the same.
Every year they make a new a NHL game, NHL 2000, NHL 2001, and so on.
Its all the same, exept maby better graphics, and changed teams.
This goes the same to Fifa, and other EA sports games.
They basicly have the same idea.
If you are gonna buy NHL 2004, dont waste youre money on NHL 2005, when it comes out, because its gonna be the same!
My point is, if you buy NHL 2004, thats it dont buy next 1, wait a 1000 years and then buy a new 1 which will be NHL 3004 ;)
So if you have NHL 2002 or 2003, dont get NHL 2004, its not worth the money.
:-)

Rating:
Summary: Good look, Good feel, Good game!
Review: I am more concerned with how "realistic" these games play more than how they look or what kind of gimmics there are. This game is good. The goalies do more than past versions. The board play is more realistic (players don't just skate right thru an opposing player). The game speed can be adjusted to your liking. Even when playing 5 minute periods (which is the only way to get "realistic" stats) you get a "real" two minutes on your power plays. You can actually set up a power play and move the puck around looking for a quality scoring chance. The computer plays good defense but still allows you to make plays. This game really makes you earn your victories. The look is very good. The fans are more realistic. The arenas look a little crisper. I thought 2002 was the best version but 2004 is better. You do need a computer capable of running it. The one thing I don't like is they took away the big save and big hit replays that 2002 had but still the game plays better. Also, it seems you can't save a game in progress? Either I can't find that control or they did away with it? Oh yah, the menu screens have too much info and the font is too small. Again, I look for realistic game play and this game has the best so far. All in all, this game is an improvement over 2002 (definitely better than 2003)! After reading some other reviews, I had to add this in. Why so much complaining about the number of controls? Don't use them all, you don't have to. I play this game with virtually 3 buttons, pass, shoot and speed burst. Yes, I could use more but I don't need to. Play the difficult level, boost your players and goalie to give yourself a slight edge and you will find yourself playing some really good games either against the computer or another human. So, if you don't like all the "control" options, then don't use them all and you won't get so frustrated. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in the game. I like playing a game where I have to work to get a "W", so I set my options where I get the most "realistic" play I can. If you want to play the Red Wings vs. Avalanche and come out with a 3-2 finish and feel like "man, what a game", you can set your options and get just that! If your looking for a bunch of gimmics that a 10-year old would find amusing then I guess you play something else?

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!!!!
Review: I have purshased every EA sports NHL series since NHL 99 (with the exception of 2000) And I have to say EA has come VERY LONG WAY and it doesn't appear to be stopping. NHL 2004 is the best ever. All the players are very realistic and, for once, they actually do realistic things. You can see the snow spray from their skates from stopping. It took me a while to get used to the new controls, but once you get it, it's great. (you may want to get a logitech dual action controller, so you can use the Bruise Control).The music is very cool. The only problem I have is the fighting. I think that it is a great idea and very realistic, but I can never seem to win a fight, but mabye that's just me. A great game all around. I encourage all to buy this game for only 15 dollars. Oh yeah, and 1 more thing. EA finally got smart and dropped Don Taylor and replaced him with Craig Simpson. WAY TO GO EA!!!!!!!!! P.S. GO COLORADO!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Installation of EA Sports
Review: I liked the Franchise mode from 2003. You could change teams any time you wanted, become every team if you liked, play any game. Even if my team didn't make the Final, I could still play the whole series! But EA Sports decided it'd be a wise decision to limit the people's options. Now, you can have ONE team, and you MUST deal with payroll, training and a bunch of other stuff that just takes time away from playing games. I wouldn't mind a salary cap (but then we wouldn't get the NHLPA to sign off would we?) or something to keep things in check, but that should be optional.

If you want to have one, and only one, team and mess with all sorts of budgets and firings and whatever, fine. But I don't want to. I want to be able to switch a team's ownership if I want one of their players on my team, and I don't want to have to fit him into a budget! I want to play Game 7 between Minnesota and Washington.

Please somebody from EA read this and add some choice to Franchise, because NHL 2003 ain't perfect but that's what I'm gonna play instead.