Any info or news on Sega's NHL 2K4 for the PS2?

Jeff Adams · 07-16-2003, 11:49 AM

I am very much looking forward to the release of NHL 2K4 on the PS2. NHL 2K3 was easily the best NHL game I have ever played. It was by far the most realistic gameplay to date.I loved the dump and chase into the zone and the poke checks were sweet. It made EA'S NHL 2003 look like a complete joke. I will NEVER buy EA'S hockey game again unless they do a total rehaul of the game. Anyway, I am assuming that Sega will just improve upon last years version. I was wondering if there are any reviews or release dates for this yet?
My wish list is
1. 5 minute majors are a must!
2. 4 minute double minors.
3. A much,much harder AI. I have it set on the hardest setting right now and still score 6-8 goals a game.
4. At least one custom player to be added to franchise mode.
5. A couple of different intro's before the hockey game starts. Watching and listening to the same one over and over again got old.
6. Make it harder to check a guy.
7. On auto mode,roll the lines a lot quicker and keep the 3rd and 4th lines out a little longer.
If I can think of anything else to add to the list I will.

GlenHaag · 07-16-2003, 12:10 PM

This is all that I've found thus far.

ESPN Hockey's presite

They link to the Thunderpuck forums, which is a very good sign...

Glen

Jeff Adams · 07-16-2003, 02:47 PM

Those screen shots are stunning. This game looks awesome!!!! I can't wait till 09/16!

Graeme Clark · 07-18-2003, 09:14 PM

I haven't really been keeping up with 2K4, but I'll probably start soon. My main wish for the game is better Goalie AI (which is a constant wish every year for any hockey game) and much much better online support and options.

And as much as I have disliked the EA product for years now, I'm actually rather interested to see what this years game is like. There is supposedly as stronger emphasis on the sim elements of the game, and since Black Box is making it this year, I'm actually inclined to believe it (unlike previous years where they keeping saying they are a sim game because they follow the rules and don't have flaming pucks).

Graeme Clark · 07-18-2003, 09:33 PM

Oh my, Rivals is going to support up to 10 players spread over 6 XBoxes. I just hope it plays well.

**HTF Ads**

Jeff Adams · 07-21-2003, 10:00 AM

Well I will beleive it when I see it. EA over the past few years has made a crappy hockey game. It is so juvenile and non realistic. It is like a circus atmosphere, I hate it! I will try it out but I am definately not holding my breath.

Jeff Adams · 08-01-2003, 09:23 AM

Just a little more info on this title. 2K4 will now have a skills competition. Thought that was a pretty cool feature.

RudyN · 08-06-2003, 11:11 PM

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/432/432512p1.html

James T · 08-07-2003, 12:35 AM

I guess any team would have wanted my goalie in 2K3. I played up until the all star game and just about every game, he had a shut out. If not a shutout, then he'd let in 1 goal, 2 at the most on the hardest level. I only found one way for a "sure" goal(the hash mark deek and quick shot).

But with all those extra goodies in 2K4, even if they didn't balance out the goalie AI, I'd still buy the game and have fun. The graphics look great.

Graeme Clark · 08-07-2003, 01:20 AM

Thunderpuck and/or ESPNHockey.net have posted their huge interview with VC about ESPN NHL Hockey. 5 Pages, 83 questions, not much dodging, lots of information and news of upcoming features in the games.

Some really good stuff coming I'd say (as someone who really only cares how the game plays).

Make sure you read it.