Spotlight:Bringing Back the Pick-up Game
“If I see another brain-dead play like that, I’m gonna come over there and beat you unconscious with your controller!” “Sorry.” Chip muttered a response under his breath. I didn’t quite catch it over my Communicator headset—something about intestines. While hockey fans can get pretty animated when talking about their favorite sport (I dare you to mention the Stars’ ’99 Stanley Cup win to a fan in Buffalo), NHL Rivals™ 2004 seems to do an extra- good job of grabbing fans by the back of the neck and throwing them into the game. One especially neck-grabbing aspect is the Pick-up Game. Like all modes of gameplay in NHL Rivals 2004, Pick-up Game supports up to six Xbox video game systems. So, even if your friends are scattered to the far reaches of space and time, there’s no reason you can’t all hit the ice as soon as someone shouts, “Game On!” Players pick teams with up to three players per side (plus an autopilot goalie) and then square off against each other on a virtual pond. No refs, no NHL teams—it’s just like playing on the neighborhood pond (except the other kids don’t make fun of my asthma). Instead of using an NHL player, you create your own player. You can name him after yourself, customize his look to represent you, and send him out to defend your honor. It’s like having a little digital version of yourself obeying your every whim, which in my case, often involves hitting people. And, you can start to take things personally ¾like when Chip switches sides in the next game and proceeds to spend the entire first period checking my little digital self into the snow bank. And, then, you know, laughing at me. I can hear his laughter, of course, because it’s coming over my Communicator headset, chortle by irritating chortle. But, I can also use my headset to call over Alan, who happens to be on my team … and who also happens to be controlling an Enforcer, one of the game’s big-hitting bruisers. That’s another beautiful aspect of this game—you can choose a player type that suits your particular style of play. If you enjoy dealing out punishment, the Enforcer role is for you. Goal-scoring glory hounds find their natural fit in the Sniper role. And, professional pains in the doo-pah (like yours truly), can find their true calling in the face-washing form of the Agitator. “Hey, Alan. Get this hoser offa me, wouldja?” “Be right there.” It’s a shame I can’t see the look on Chip’s face when Alan cross-checks him from behind, but luckily, the guys who made NHL Rivals 2004 took the time to include animated looks of shock, pain, and surprise for players. I could watch shock, pain, and surprise all day. And, the sound of Chip’s agonized scream coming over my headset? If I could get a dance mix, I’d be ripping it to an Xbox custom soundtrack. Now that I’m free of Chip’s constant hounding, it’s time for a little offensive action. No sense in just plowing in with the puck, though—the Communicator is there for more than just talking smack. “Alan, lemme get up on the goalie’s left. You send it to Ian. Ian, you bounce it over to me, and I’ll one-time it right in.” “Okay.” “Okay.” And, there it is: tic, tac, goal. The puck flies back and forth—left to Ian, right to me. Focused on my timing, I hit the X button just as the puck reaches my man. Without a hint of hesitation, he smacks the puck straight past the goalie. The frustrated groans coming from the other team are so gratifying. Of course, it’s all in good fun. Screaming, yelling, taunting—it’s all part of a friendly game of hockey. And that, if anything, is what Pick-up Game is all about. It’s a chance to go back to the pond, the street, the barn, or wherever you played hockey with the neighborhood gang. It’s a feature that comes complete with good-natured ribbing, some off-the-cuff strategy, and the chance to walk away with a more respect for the kid across the street. By Mat Parker |
