"NHL Rivals 2004" has all the modes of play that hockey fans and none hockey fans alike will enjoy including single game, playoff mode, season mode and online play. In addition, "NHL Rivals 2004" showcases a variety of features including access to the quite excellent xsnsports leagues as well as xbox live play in its own right.An advanced stick-placement system with unique moves and countermoves makes the face-off as important in the game as it is in the NHL, and the in-depth Tournament Mode allows gamers to set up an 8, 10, 12, or 16 team round-robin knockout tournament.
The Rivalry Mode is challenging and is one that instantly puts gamers into a grudge match between historic rival teams, like: The Canadians vs. The Maple Leafs. The player roles are quite unique in that they include: Snipers, Enforcers and Agitators. These offer gamers a chance to experience different aspects of the NHL game, meaning each player has special moves indicative of their role on the ice.
Hockey fans can settle old grudge matches and create new rivalries online using Xbox Live, as I have already said, and gamers will be able to track individual stats, team stats, leader boards and win/loss records as well. Not forgetting the fact that you can support cooperative, team, ranked and non-ranked play with Xbox Live, gamers can download quarterly roster updates, All-Star game rosters and updated player ratings as well.
All of this adds up to a game i have thoroughly enjoyed and have spent many hours on playing. This game does not get my highest rating ever due to the fact that the game play is far too in-depth for a player new to the sport, such as myself, and the lack of a decent tutorial hinders this as well.
However if you have Xbox live then this is pretty much a "must have" title. Well worth a look for new gamers and for experienced players this will be a joy to play, I therefore give it a score of 8.7/10.
