NHL Rivals 2004 isn’t the only hockey game on Xbox, but it is the only hockey game designed from the ground up for the Xbox and XSN Sports. This means that NHL Rivals 2004 is taking advantage of the horsepower of Xbox and the incredible depth of XSN Sports to make a game that looks, sounds, and plays better than the competition in every respect.
Skating Old way: Dekes and fakes could be pulled off regardless of player speed. The laws of physics were questionable at best. New way: Different dekes are performed based on player velocity and orientation. Deke selection is automatically done based on game situation.
Passing Old way: You passed the puck in the direction you were skating … period. New way: In NHL Rivals 2004, you can use the right analog stick for passing. So you can be skating toward the corner, go left around a defender, and fling a pass over to the right at the same time. It’s the kind of thing hockey players do all of the time, and that hockey gamers have never been able to do until now.
Skating Backward Old way: The computer decided when you got to skate backward. You had no control over one of the most important aspects of hockey. New way: You can use the left trigger at any time to change the direction your player is facing. If he’s skating forward, he’ll keep moving that direction, while spinning his body 180 degrees. The result is better maneuverability on offense and tighter, more effective back checking on defense.
Player Roles Old way: You had to wait until a player had the puck to see his name and then remember whether he was a big hitter or a good scorer and then make a decision. New way: NHL Rivals 2004 features player roles for every player in the game. There are enforcers (big hitters), snipers (shooters and scorers), agitators (aggressive puck hounds), and balanced (jacks of all trades), and each class has its own special move with and without the puck and an icon for instant recognition. If there’s a puck in the corner, you know that an enforcer can race after it with his elbows out, whereas a sniper might want to steer clear of the corner.
Multiplayer Old way: You versus your friend (who’s probably raiding your fridge) on a sofa. New way: Online play with Xbox Live. Go online to take on your friends or the entire planet. It takes competition, attitude, and excitement to the next level. Even play five-on-five human-controlled games for the first time ever!
NHL Rivals 2004 is the inaugural hockey effort for Microsoft, but it already looks set to change the way we play hockey games forever.
