NHL Rivals 2004
Description (IGDB)
NHL Rivals 2004 is the first NHL title for the Xbox, developed by MGS (Microsoft Game Studios), and the second title developed under the XSN Sports banner - the development team's first foray into hockey on console. At the time of its release, the visuals in this game were its major selling point, with each player's face mapped onto their model ingame. The game features a fully animated polygonal crowd, tons of motion-captured animations, NHL licensed players, teams and arenas. The look and feel of the game are much different than games like EA's NHL series. This was also the first hockey game on Xbox that let players play in online tournaments and leagues over Xbox Live and XSN Sports. Rosters were updated as the season went on via content downloads over Xbox Live, though were only available for a limited time. Rivals 2004 features the gameplay mode of 3-on-3 pond hockey. This pickup-game style of play is meant for those who prefer instant action, and it can also be played over Xbox Live. Players can connect and join in on a recreational game intended to simulate the fun pickup games that many people played as kids. The gameplay is arcade-like, with fast play and quick passing via a button or in specific directions using the analog stick.
Description en cours d'enrichissement.
Médias
Avis des critiques et joueurs
Critiques de la Presse (Metacritic)
« Impresses with smooth, realistic game play and rib-cage-crushing intensity. »
« It's gorgeous. The uniforms look like cloth (meaning they aren't shiny), while the ice and the plastic visors shine like the real thing. The physics are exciting and, because of the realism, the hits feel more devastating. »
« Xbox Live integrates into this title and elevates it to a level not seen in hockey in years. While the game won't take the crown from "Blades of Steel," it certainly can hold its own against almost any hockey game out right now. »
« Whilst this is Microsoft’s first venture onto the ice, it does quite a respectable job at recreating the action, speed and excitement of the game of hockey. »
« A good game with solid animation, and a terrific passing system. The game may not be one of the top scorers in the league, but it set up the goal scoring opportunity very well. »
« Features slick controls, an outstanding presentation, and challenging play. Unfortunately, the game’s AI is a little too challenging to the point of being too difficult. »
« The most fun I’ve had in quite awhile is playing the Rivals pick-up games – a fast moving, no-sticks-barred, 3-on-3 game of ice hockey on a little ice pond out in the middle of nowhere. »
« In essence (online play) transforms it from being a non-descript hockey title, to the hockey game to own. What more can we say? »
