NHL 2004

 PC
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Play Magazine
    100
    Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]
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  2. Computer Gaming World
    100
    The best computer hockey game ever, period. More visually sleek and refined than previous versions, NHL 2004 has new dynasty mode, international leagues, and an enhanced fight system, all of which elevate it to benchmark status.
  3. PC Gameworld
    92
    The deep content NHL 2004 offers, coupled with its minute-to-learn lifetime-to-master gameplay make it a must-have for hockey fans.
  5. Yahoo!
    90
    This is almost certainly the best release in the history of the NHL series and one of the most authentic action-oriented sports games currently on the market.
  6. Armchair Empire
    88
    Hockey enthusiasts will absolutely love NHL 2004.
  7. Playboy
    88
    Expanded fight controls include grappling, punch selection and the ability to pull off the gloves whenever rink rage overcomes you. [Oct 2003, p.37]
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  8. IGN
    88
    Mimics the real thing more than ever and therefore the joys of the sport are found in big hits, near misses and brilliant scoring opportunities that barely miss lighting the lamp. If you can get over the fact that scoring is going to be reserved only for those that deserve it.
  9. GameSpot
    88
    Despite a few glitches--some which are quite glaring--the latest NHL is the finest, and certainly the most challenging, NHL to date, and it's a real step forward from last year's rather complacent "NHL 2003."
  10. GameSpy
    85
    Delivers a much more authentic representation of the fastest game on ice and this is reflected in its tight checking action (low-scoring games are now the norm) and truer-to-life gameplay mechanics.
  11. PC Format
    83
    While non-hockey fans can blag their way through the main game, Dynasty mode is a whole different puck game. It takes a real hockey buff to know what's going on with the different team lines, strategies, player trading and draft picking.
  12. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    While it's rough around the edges, playing more like a prototype than a finished product, there's finally a reason to get excited about the future of the series. [Jan 2004, p.70]
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  13. PC Gamer
    67
    All of the money management amounts to nothing, because the ongoing saga of a single-player dynansty is built on a foundation of unrealistic and unsatisfying gameplay. [Holiday 2003, p.97a]
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2003
45
#45 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 58
  3. Negative: 10 out of 58
  1. MaestroMaster
    Jul 26, 2018
    10
    It's 2018 and this pc hockey game is still the best, has a huge online community and 2 still very active and prestigious online leagues (EMLHIt's 2018 and this pc hockey game is still the best, has a huge online community and 2 still very active and prestigious online leagues (EMLH since 2006, join us on vikfe.blog.cz ;)… Full Review »
  2. Maestro33
    Apr 30, 2013
    10
    It's 2013 and this is the best hockey game made for PC so far! Completely rebuilt graphics, wide and active on-line community, superbIt's 2013 and this is the best hockey game made for PC so far! Completely rebuilt graphics, wide and active on-line community, superb gameplay. Absolutely perfect!… Full Review »
  3. CLARAAARW.
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    Awesome!!!!
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