E3 2003
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First Look
There’s little denying that NHL 2K3 from Sega Sports was the best
hockey game from last year. From amazing graphics to sweet gameplay, NHL 2K3
just felt like real NHL hockey action. This year’s NHL 2K4 improves even
more on last year’s edition, making it the leading candidate to hoist the cup
again this season.
Of course you can’t talk about Sega Sports without mentioning
amazing graphics and realistic gameplay, and NHL 2K4 glows from both. The
developers at Visual Concepts got the skating motion and feel perfect, and it
looks poetic. Player models and faces have been improved, as well as all the
NHL arenas and cutscenes. New checking and goalie animations add an authentic
feel to the game and bringing realism to the next level.
There have been a few changes to gameplay to make NHL 2K4 an even
greater force. Much of the gameplay has been even more balanced out, resulting
in less triple overtime games and solid shutouts. One of last year’s chief
complaints about the game was the unbelievable ability of goalies to prevent
scoring better than a 12-guage shotgun wielding farmer with three lovely
daughters. This year, goalies can still play, but they’re not all Jean-Sebastien
Gigueres. To further satisfy, any of the other features in the game can be
tweaked to gamers’ likings by way of the customizable gameplay sliders.
Sega’s continuing partnership with ESPN is even more evident in
this year’s NHL 2K game. In game overlays, statistics, and new commentary from
NHL 2Night’s Gary Thorne and Bill Clement turn this video game into an
experience. It’s so television realistic; you’ll wonder where the commercials
have gone.
NHL 2K4 will be available for on-line play on the PS2 and Xbox
systems.
NHL 2K4 skates to stores in Fall of 2003.
