The Demo is out now, Its pretty good. I've played it on PC and I enjoy the changes. The Free deking and different hitting options are fun. As well as improved AI.
I really enjoyed the demo! It seems much improved overall over last year's version, and includes (among other things) the one thing that is missing from an otherwise-excellent Madden NFL 2004: the ability to reconfigure all of the buttons on my PC gamepad. I can't wait for the full version to hit stores so I can play as my favorite NHL team (San Jose Sharks)! -G
I agree, a lot of the changes are for the better. It took me a while to get used to some of the new functions, but I'm getting better at it... I noticed the AI is much better too. The first two times I played was a bit frustrating because the computer kept poke checking the puck away! But I soon realized, hey... the AI is better! I may hold off getting the full version for a bit... only because I'm a Devils fan and love beating up on the Ducks.
Oh yeah, and you now have to think about the whole fighting business and not just mash buttons when you drop the gloves. Totally revamped fighting which is a vast improvement over previous years but they will probably tweak in future versions.
P.S. To my last post... The funniest thing happened when I was playing the demo. Near the end of the game, Marty & Jiggy went into it a la Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon a few years ago!!! "Dat Conn Smythe Trophy belonged to me, m**de à la tête!"
PS2 version sucks. They finally figured out how to do fighting after a decade of failure. But the game play on the other hand is very choppy and clunky and sh!t. Thankfully, I didn' buy it.
I got the PC version and I'm enjoying it even more than I enjoyed the demo, especially since I've created myself in the game and am now the first-line center for the San Jose Sharks. -G
Yeah, everyone knows the real-life Sharkies are seriously lacking at center. Ever think of giving Dougie Wilson a call for a tryout, Goodsie?
I'm seriously considering it, although he'll need to know that I'll also be starting at forward alongside Landon Donovan with the San Jose Earthquakes in FIFA 2004 beginning next month. -G
One thing I've learned by playing this year's version of the game that I wasn't aware of until now: Starting this season, all NHL teams (in real life) will be wearing their colored jerseys at home and their white jerseys on the road (a total reversal from the past). -G
Another interesting aspect about the jerseys: Besides the fact that you can have your chosen NHL team wear its "vintage" jersey in this game, you'll also see those jerseys elsewhere... In a game I played recently with the San Jose Sharks visiting the Minnesota Wild, I saw many of the people in the stands wearing not only Minnesota Wild jerseys, but Minnesota North Stars jerseys as well. -G
North Stars...but what will the Dallas Stars wear?!? I'm considering getting this game at my friendly neighborhood PC game rip-off shop (EB) but I'm not sure if it fits me budget what w/ CM 03/04 and Winning Eleven 7 coming soon also.
I just checked, and it turns out that the Dallas Stars "vintage" jerseys in the game are a much more plain version of the ones that the team wears now (i.e. it doesn't have the pattern at the bottom of the jerseys shaped like the bottom of a star). I don't remember whether or not the Dallas Stars really ever wore those "vintage" jerseys, though. -G
Those jerseys must be the first years before the newer cooler ones. I fit NHL 2004 into my budget and I bought it today..I can't wait to get home and Install it..
They're probably the ones that the team wore after just being renamed the Stars but had yet to really establish the "Stars" brand as separate from the "North Stars". So what do you think of the game? -G
Does the game auto save? I like it alot. I've heard ESPN is buggy. The hits are excellent and the penalties also. The fighting engine is fabulous..the best yet. I started a Season w/ myself as a created player on the Capitals.
When playing a season, the game auto saves after you complete a game... so there's no need to keep pressing a "save" button. The more I play this game, the more I really like it! Plus, it's pretty cool that as the first-line center of the San Jose Sharks, I've helped lead the team to the top of the league standings so far. -G
sorry for draging up such an old thread lad's n lasses,but i bought this yesterday for €10 on the ps2 out of the bargin bucket thingy at my local store,just to keep me entertained for awhile,but sadly i know f **k all about hockey and even less about the players so any hints or tips on good buys or anything gameplay wise would be the job thank's....
again sorry about this old thread,but i really need to know two things about the players.first is the potential rateing for each player,what exactly does that stand for? ive got a few players with an overall of 80+ with a lower potential,and ive one rookie guy with 60 overall and a 98 potential,what does it all mean.and secondly the +/- numbers for each player,again what does it mean and does it make the player better overall or what? thank's
i've never played that game, but it sounds to me like the players' ability changes throughout the game. i would be willing to guess that those numbers are something of a projection to how well the players will perform in the future. like, if you nurture and bring up that rookie like he's supposed to, he'll turn into a real star. conversely, those other guys with downside potential should just retire.
repped,thanks bud im starting to think the potential rateing for each player is for the season,i.e if a guy has a potential of 60 it means he can only gain +60 per season.im probably wrong though