NHL 2004
by EA Sports
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Video Game Reviews of NHL 2004
Customer Review: NHL 2004
Summary: 3 Stars
Ive always enjoyed EA Sports NHL series. I wanted a newer NHL game for my lap top so I looked around, and bought this game. While the dynasty mode is fun, create your own team can be used during a season, updated rosters...this game falls flat on game play. It's hard to control a player, game play is fast but can get frustrating, and you cannot have 56-0 games like on older versions. I prefer 2001 compared to 2004, get that game instead.Customer Review: Realistic hockey experience- as opposed to 2002
Summary: 5 Stars
The only NHL game I had spent lots of time on before 2004 was 2002. 2004 is a monstrous jump from 2002 in so many ways.
Pros: You can activate fights when you want to- it doesn't just happen.
Realistic skating, the glass breaks, goalie movements and saves are very real. The goalie can lose the puck in confusion and the players pass the puck around the boards like in real hockey.
Has eliminated the "magnet" effect of 2002, where if the puck is near the goalie or a player it will automatically be attracted to the player's stick.
Has also added charge up hit and the ability to aim your checks.
Cons: There aren't any trading cards like in 2002
Customer Review: NYC#4
Summary: 4 Stars
Definitely the best they've made. I was surprised at how they made it - great skating, hitting, shooting, and fun. If you miss 97', 98' and 99', this one really brings back their old touch. A real game that's intense, exciting and fun. The best of the best!Customer Review: Very Nice!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, to start this review off, let me say that the only NHL game I had played before this was 2001. That said, 2004 is a quantum leap forward in just about every area: graphics, ai, gameplay, realism, fight engine...the list goes on and on. So far, my only complaint has been that the scoring leaders in a league post some absolutly impossible numbers, I mean, how does a guy score 18 goals in 8 games?!!! Other than that. this game is definetly worth it. I have spent a little time tinkering with the options to make it just a tad more realistic, but then I just started playing. The Dynasty Mode is absolutly killer. Definetly an awesome game!Customer Review: A mix of good and bad
Summary: 3 Stars
Having played two seasons, and read many reviews I shall summarize some of my own observations about the game:Pros:
Improved AI in the defensive department;
SIM manager mode is excellent; maintains much of the EA quality from previous years (but see 'cons') making it well paced and fun to play.
Cons:
Despite the AI being improved, it still lacks overall, with many many flaws. Predominant complaint is the over zealous defense, who take on the role of forward all to much, leaving the forwards at the point--this is especially frustrating when you defense is your weakest link on your team and your forwards are your only hope to score; the difficulty ranking is especially frustrating: as one ascends in difficulty, the AI does get better as expected, but the increase in difficulty really lies in the computer increasing its clutch and grab game and not being called for penalties on them--this is especially frustrating when you get a rebound on either end and you get blatantly and extendly hooked, and the end result is a lost scoring chance or a goal,depending on which end you reside. This latter flaw I find most annoying, especially since all it does is mimic what is exactly wrong with the real game today. The tougher the team, the more they clutch and grab.
I will agree with other reviewers that the momentum is somewhat exaggerated, leading to scoring in bushels for the opposition; this seems to always occur late in the 3rd when you are up a goal. The only remedy for this is a great goaltender, but if your are playing a Dynasty and wish to build from scratch, you are SOL for the first 2 seasons anyway. The interface is clunky with lots of back and forth clicking between menus. No ability to see attributes of players offered in trades. A final complaint is the poor QC on the game: I created a team and took several players to create it (mostly crappy ones with high potential) but when I started the Dynasty there were clones of my players. This seems like something that should have been worked out on the beta stage and shame on EA for not working this really stupid problem out. Honestly, they should realease versions biannually and just perfect and update via patches and I'll bet they'll have happier customers at the end of the day.
Like many sports games, NHL2004 is entertaining, and it's bad points make you want to kick your computer into high heaven at various times. But, this has been the story for several years now and any fan of the franchise knows that you wait a year or two before picking it up, so you only pay 10 bucks for it tops. Many oversights (such as the overzealous defense) detract from 100% enjoyment of this game, and make it more of a way to kill time than something more engaging. I still like the old SEGA version best.