The
agitator has done his job well, as has the enforcer. Now, if the sniper can only
…
Talking
about a gang-related action thriller? Nope. The latest RTS strategy game? Nope.
Although, in a strange way, both generic ideas do manage to lend themselves to
the title in question.
NHL
Rivals 2004, Microsoft Game Studios and XSN’s release for the Xbox, has
enforcers, agitators and snipers as well as balanced players. Each group has
special moves designed to fit the role they have on their respective hockey
teams.
While
the game has some great player moves, and has taken strides to present a
realistic passing format, at times this game feels a little like the old
table-top game where players moved up and down short spans of ice and rotated to
pass or shoot the puck.
But
before getting into that, let’s look at the game features.
There
are four main modes of play before you even touch the online capabilities of the
title. Open Ice allows you to take a group of five players, brush up on your
skating, passing and shooting skills against a lone keeper. Instantly rivalry
randomly selects two teams to go head-to-head. Single Game is self-explanatory.
Under a Game Modes button, you will find a season, playoff or tournament play
options. During the season you can make trades, or pick up free agents to
bolster your chances at winning the Stanley Cup.
The
game is also supported by Xbox Live, where you can pick up games, enter into
seasonal play or tournaments. The system link option will allow up to six Xbox
consoles to link for multiplayer gaming.
The
game also will allow you to create a player, manage rosters or adjust the
musical playlists.
Fighting may not always be the answer, and if an opposing player drops his
gloves, you have the option of either dropping your players and engaging in the
fight, or backing away and not risking a penalty. The game also features more
than 700 in-game motion capture animations, which do provide some nice player
movement.
The
goalie AI is also very good.
Sam
Rosen and John Davidson do the commentary, and this aspect of the game is very
solid. Davidson’s little aside jokes, though, lack the comedic rhythm and flow
of other titles. The musical underscore is also quite good. The game also does a
good job in simulating the crowds and sounds of the game itself.
Some
cutscene action has been inserted into the game and rather than look authentic,
seems just a bit out of place. Players will be shown changing lines at a frenetic
pace, almost as though the idea was to show them doing so, but to speed it up so
as not to delay the pacing of the game.
You can
also adjust the camera to give you the look you want for the action. The
computer AI evolves nicely to create a challenge even at the lower difficulty
settings.
The
game does have a good flow, but at times, the player-controlled team seems to
fall into skating lanes and won’t aggressively move to the puck.
NHL
Rivals does a nice job graphically. The passing system is very well done. Being
able to bank passes ahead, off the boards, or jump dumping the puck into the
enemy zone is a very nice feature. As mentioned, the goalie AI is superb and you
can afford to take some chances with the superb net-minding this game features.
NHL
Rivals is a solid title, but not one of the better ones on the market. This
title makes the playoffs, but likely won’t get into the Cup finals.
Gameplay:
7.8
Sometimes the players on the player-controlled teams tend to move into skating
lanes rather than move in the direction of the puck. They do spread the ice well
when in control offensively of the puck. The overall game flow is solid though.
Graphics:
8.3
The
game features some great player movement, but cutscenes tend to feel out of
place.
Sound: 8
Solid,
but the game lacks excitement.
Difficulty: Medium
The
game is tough enough and there seems, at times, to be a sluggishness in the
controls, which doesn’t help.
Concept:
7.8
The
game has some very nice features, but may not be quite deep enough for the avid
hockey gamer.
Multiplayer: 8
The
game does have good multiplayer support and the fields are a little more even in
terms of control reaction.
Overall:
8.2
NHL
Rivals is 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.
