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NHL 2K4 Impressions

We've got hands-on impressions of the latest installment in Sega Sports' NHL 2K series.

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Last year's critically acclaimed NHL 2K3 set the high-water mark for hockey games, providing some of the most realistic hockey action ever to hit console gaming. This year's installment of the series is currently under development at Kush Games and will retain all of the solid gameplay that 2K3 had to offer, with a few general tweaks and improvements along with all-new visual and audio presentations.

The first thing you're likely to notice about 2K4 is a lot more of the ESPN influence. While last year's game had the ESPN license, it didn’t do much with it, save for some basic menus and overlays. This year features much more use of the license, from more accurate overlays and info screens, right down to the opening game menu itself, which features the famous NHL 2Night desk on display. Additionally, commentary this year will be provided by ESPN's own Gary Thorne and Bill Clement, replacing last year's voice actor duo that the majority of fans weren't too fond of.

NHL 2K4 will also be a significantly better looking game on the ice as well. Player models have been largely redone, with much more accurate builds and greatly improved facial maps. A host of new animations have been created just for player faces, giving them an extremely realistic look during cutscenes and replays. Scores of new hitting animations have been added as well, including a new option to bodycheck players over the boards, sending them flying into one of the benches. Celebration animations are also much improved, adding a lot more excitement when goals are scored.

Though last year's solid gameplay style seems to have gone largely untouched, there were a few noticeable tweaks. While last year's defensive AI was really good, some players complained about being completely unable to score because of the game's incredibly powerful goalies. Rather than just making scoring easier, the game will instead provide greater depth via the gameplay sliders, giving more-variable adjustments based on your skill level. Adjustments can be just as minor or drastic as you choose, letting you decide how you want to play the game.

Online play was also a big factor in last year's Xbox version of the game, and NHL 2K4 will be back on Xbox Live and in fact will additionally be online for the PlayStation 2. Little was said about PS2 online functionality for the game, but it will support voice chat via a peripheral headset. Xbox Live functionality will be very similar to last year's, but with a new, more in-depth leader-board system, letting you learn more about whom you're playing against, including what teams they play as most often and even the average record of their opponents. Roster downloads will also likely be available for both versions of the game.

NHL 2K4 will be available for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox this fall.

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