NHL 2004

People have been complaining about sports games since EA's inception in 1992, since the sports game has remained fundamentally unchanged since even the days of Blades of Steel, Double Dribble, Bases Loaded and TechmoBowl. Faithful fans and players have been clamoring for more than just the same old year in and year out. Whereas before, when the only significant difference between games were the rosters, NHL 2004 revolutionizes the hockey game with an entirely new twist - Dynasty Mode.

When you start out, there has been a fire sale. While your team's roster is intact, the bottom line is not. Your job is to bring your team from the doldrums it is in, to annals of hockey history. You start with sub-par staff and facilities, and must win games, make the playoffs, draft rookies and sign free agents to gain experience to improve these facilities. Set ticket prices to protect the bottom line, and earn bonus experience for breaking the single-season point scoring and goal scoring records. Customize your office in literally thousands of combinations of desks, bookcases, computers, couches, and of course, the suit your GM's avatar wears.

When you add in the 3 European Elite Leagues that are included, you have over 80 teams (12 in each Elite League, 15 international squads, and of course all 30 NHL franchises). There is also the opportunity to create a team based in one of 80 or so cities.

While the color commentary gets repetitive, especially after 20 seasons at 96 games a piece (82+16 if you sweep the playoffs), the game stands as an incredible improvement over the past.

To say nothing of the EA BIO feature, that tracks (and rewards you for) your major accomplishments (50 wins in a season, 8 shutouts in a season, 97 goals by 1 player in a season, et al.) and allows you to unlock features like "Mile Wide Rink" and "Big Head Mode".

Pure, unadulterated addiction for the rabid hockey fan. Even people into RPGs and even mild hockey fan will find the game enjoyable.

***** out of *****