Nhl 2004

cinch · August 25, 2003, 16:44

I'm pumped.

I think I'm one of the few people alive who actually enjoyed NHL 2003. But it looks like they're definitely going in a different direction this year, so it looks like my fondness for last year's edition is irrelevant.

NHL 2004 Preview

The Deep GM mode makes me salivate, but I hope they don't end up sacrificing playability for needless depth (I could live without hiring coaches, etc.)... If it's all there... all the better.

I like Don Taylor on T.V., but taking him out of the game was probably a wise decision. And you cannot find a better replacement than Oilers player-turned-broadcaster-turned-assistant-coach Craig Simpson.

PLUS, it'll have three european elite leagues (Germany, Finland, Sweden)! Too cool.

Anyone else interested? Or has SEGA stolen you all for good?

Maquiladora · August 25, 2003, 17:41

Hockey threads usually dont fare too well

They need to get rid of the AI catch-up cheat, where my goalie goes deaf and blind for 5 minutes when im 8-0, this was in 2002 anyway and im told its still in 2003, also Ea should spend less time on motion capure animations. Id choose SEGA over EA anyday.

BustaMike · August 25, 2003, 17:42

That picture reminds me that now matter how hard they try to make CG rendered things look real in game with textures and bump mapping and whatever, they're still blocky. Just look at that shadow on the left and you can see the polygons on that guy. He's not round and/or smooth. That's just an illusion created by the textures.

As far as the game goes... eh, I don't play hockey games so I won't play it. Hope it's good though for everyone else.

Asher · August 25, 2003, 23:59

EA's NHL sucks donkey ass.

You should try Sega's NHL2K3 (and soon, NHL2K4).

It's seriously a much, much better hockey game.

optimus2861 · August 26, 2003, 11:42

Feh. Player AI, long EA's achilles heel, is listed fifth on that list, and doesn't get as much written about it as the right analog stick or the fighting. Another arcade-style junk "hockey" game, here we come

.

I wish Sega would port their NHL title to the PC.

Smash · August 26, 2003, 14:35

I have never seen a good hockey game.Something about the physics of ice just doesn't translate well into video games.
Note how much better it is when they put the game on grass.The FIFA games are all great.
A GM mode is somewhat intriguing...