Bravo Microsoft! Its rookie-season hockey video game, NHL Rivals 2004, shows that it can throw the resources behind a project to really come out swinging in the very competitive sports genre. While this first game may not quite measure up to EA's current offering, it indicates that Microsoft means business and that its fledgling XSN Sports brand may well give EA a serious run for the gamer's money in the future.

Ever since Konami's Blades Of Steel on the NES, there has been no doubt in my mind that hockey is the perfect sport for video games. The almost non-stop action translates well to the video game playing medium for single players and it's great for getting together with a few friends and enjoying some rough-and-tumble competition. Rivals continues that proud tradition with plenty of modes that will appeal to both single and multiplayer gamers.

For single-player action the gamer can select between several modes. Open Ice allows the player to brush up on their hockey fundamentals. Instant Rivalry randomly selects two teams that have known rivalries and puts them on the ice. Single Game lets the player pick two teams and play them in an exhibition game. Season, Tournament and Playoff series modes round things out.

Season mode allows the player to manage teams through an entire season of play. Team management brings in one of the more unique aspects of the game. Gamers may build team players from the ground up and create them as Enforcers, Agitators, Snipers or Balanced. Enforcers clear lanes and protect their shooting teammates. Agitators generally get in the faces of the opposition and try to throw their concentration off. Snipers naturally are the shooters for the team. Balanced players have qualities of each. By creating players with these different attributes gamers can balance their teams any way they wish and then deploy them to their greatest effect against the opposing teams. Gamers can have a hard-charging offence, stone-wall defense or anything in between.

Hockey is a team sport so multiplayer support is essential. NHL Rivals 2004 delivers the team modes in spades. Of course gamers can have four players on one Xbox, but they can also System Link a maximum of six consoles together for up to a 10-player game.

Microsoft would not dare leave out Xbox Live support for their new XSN Sports line. Rivals allows gamers to get online and test their skills against other players around the world. Online rankings let gamers see how they compare. New content for Rivals is also downloadable via Live.

One really nice little mode feature is the Pickup Game. Through Live or System Link six players can put together 3-on-3 "pond" games with no crowds or announcers. Just hockey - pure and simple.

Graphics and sound are both good. Graphics do have to get the nod over sound quality though. The sound just does not quite make you feel the game. The match announcers' duties are ably handled by John Davidson, Sam Rosen and Dick Fain.