Players will be able to chain moves from a grappling position, offering more strategic possibilities during encounters instead of rewarding those with quick reflexes. As players spend more and more points on upgrades, the team will gradually increase its attributes and will be more likely to attract other free agents and draft picks to the city.Īnother enhanced feature is the fighting engine, which is no longer a button-mashing substitute for boxing.
Budding General Managers can help upgrade their team's rink, practice facilities, coaching staff, and front office with experience points earned by winning games.
It is estimated that 10,000-15,000 people play these modified versions of NHL 2004, with the community leaders attributing this to the very good gameplay compared to other EA Sports' NHL-licensed titles on the PC.The longest-running hockey franchise in video games returns to home computers with a more robust Dynasty Mode, redesigned color commentary, a new fighting system, and full support of the right analog stick for both deking and checking. Some aspects of the game, particularly the handling of statistics within the menus, are improved over the stock version as well.
A forum called "NHL04 Rebuilt" is dedicated to various fan-made modifications, ranging from roster updates for existing leagues, total conversion mods for competely different leagues and even retro rosters. Many years after the game's release, the modding community is still highly active.
Heatley was held responsible for the accident and was replaced on the cover of subsequent NHL 2004 printings by Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic. Heatley suffered a broken jawbone and his passenger, teammate Dan Snyder, was killed in the accident. Perhaps the most severe case of the curse crossing over from the Madden games.įollowing his appearance on the cover of NHL 2004, Atlanta Thrashers winger and All Star game MVP Dany Heatley wrecked his Ferrari by driving it off the road at an excessive speed. The PlayStation 2 and Windows versions of NHL 2004 support online play. In addition to the standard roster of NHL teams, there are thirty nine international teams for you to choose from, such as Germany's DEL or Sweden's Elitserien, plus the usual U.S.A., Canada, and other regulars. This feature isn't found on the PC version.
Playing more EA Sports titles, playing them for a long time, and winning special accomplishments (such as your first shutout in NHL 2004 or your first number one finish in NASCAR Thunder 2004) will earn you a higher Gamer Level, and will reward you with bonuses, such as cheat codes and new stadiums. NHL 2004 contains the EA Sports Bio, which is a feature found on all console versions of EA Sports game. Losing the game, being checked, making sloppy passes all raises his Agitation Meter, until he is ready to burst and will fight at the slightest poke check. Before you get into fights, you'll need to agitate a player, and this is where his Agitation Meter comes in. The right analog stick controls "Bruise Control", which lets you perform different moves by tilting the stick in different directions.
NHL 2004 features a new fighting engine, allowing for more accurate and realistic fights. Precise passes, shots, and accurate skating are accomplished by simply tapping the button. The control for NHL 2004 has been refined, allowing for more precise movement than in the previous games. If you're good enough, you may make it into the GM Hall of Fame.īesides Dynasty mode, you've got the basic game modes Season, Exhibition, and Playoffs. As GM, you'll have to negotiate contracts, conduct drafts, make trades, sign free agents, make sure your players are getting the training they need, and more. You take on the role of GM for up to twenty seasons. Like Madden NFL 2004, NHL 2004 has a deep career mode, titled Dynasty Mode.
Not an American user? DescriptionThe "best selling pro hockey franchise" is back with the 2004 edition, and it's loaded with more.