NHL Rivals 2004 Critic Reviews

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.

While it doesn’t compare to "ESPN NHL Hockey" in terms of better control and game play Rivals makes up for it with the XSN sports community which you can use to create virtual leagues and better online capabilities.

In essence (online play) transforms it from being a non-descript hockey title, to the hockey game to own. What more can we say?

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.

Part of a very stable genre, Rivals has no glaring flaws. It's only what other titles have in additional teams, game modes and animations that might be the difference.

Everything is here for great hockey; it just lacks the flair or polish of the competition, but in all fairness, this is a debut effort as opposed to the other games that have been around for years.

The Live enabled play is a big plus. The rest is not on par with Rivals' rivals (sorry, bad pun) like EA, ESPN and Sega.

If you think you will play on-line, then it is worth getting.

With all this going for it, it's a shame the single-player game is so humdrum.

Gameplay falls right where it should be - not too fast, not too slow - just like hockey should be.

Much like a NHL expansion team that does unexpectedly well in its initial campaign but doesn’t have any realistic chance of competing for even a number-eight seed playoff spot, NHL Rivals 2004 is a good start for Microsoft’s hockey franchise, but needs many more superstar elements to challenge its competition in the hockey game arena.

It doesn’t really do that much to excite you though, as it lacks something that makes the whole experience a let down from being an exciting prospect. The graphics are average and the sound not a great leap better.

The biggest fault in Rivals is the A.I. - your teammates seem terminally lost, neglecting to chase loose pucks or go after rebounds.

"NHL 2004" and "ESPN NHL Hockey" are still the cream of the crop, but don't be surprised to see NHL Rivals join them in another year or three.

The control mechanics are intricate, though quick tic-tac-toe passes with the right stick, more in-depth faceoffs, and speedy line changes using the directional pad are nice features.