The golden age of console hockey returns when NHL 07 debuts with gameplay innovations that will allow players to feel like they are actually on the ice.Format: XBOX 360 Genre:SPORTS/GAMES Rating:E - Everyone UPC:014633152791 Manufacturer No:15279
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10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Disapointing Quality...Dec 13, 2006
By NYR
"Blueshirts"
First off I will say that the game play is pretty decent. That is it is pretty decent after playing for two weeks to figure out the new game controls. Once you get used to them the game is much more enjoyable though they are still somewhat "numb".
That said all there really is to say regarding this game is poor quality. I could review the game play and talking about all the features though I won't waste your time. The only thing you really need to know regarding this game is two things.
(1) The online play is great when people are not cheating which is about 1% of the time. The online play has a nasty glitch allowing people to reset the game back to the last face-off. This "feature" allows players to void goals, penalties, and just generally prolong the game. This along with other bugs in the online play effectively ruin online portion of the game.
(2) Ok, so there is always franchise mode. Franchise mode has a wonderful glitch that doesn't allow the players on your team to improve from season to season. The bug is discussed on the EA message boards and I have experienced it first hand. Nothing like playing an entire season and going to start season 2 only to find that all your players improvements are lost. This bug effectively ruins franchise mode.
So whats left EA? I am left wondering why I wasted my money on this game and most of all wondering why EA does not offer a patch to fix these blatent game problems. Overall this game is fun to play though the major game problems override the good with the bad. I would not recommend purchasing this game.
9 of 11 found the following review helpful:
It's about time...Sep 14, 2006
By Nik It's about time someone finally stepped up to the plate, or the blue line in this case, and changed the way we play our hockey games. EA's skill stick lets you use the right analog stick to basically control every movement of your player's hockey stick. When you're on defense you use it similar to Madden's hit stick. Your fingers never have to leave the analogs unless you want to change lines or initiate fights. The control scheme is nothing short of genius. You use nothing but analog and triggers to shoot, pass, check, hook, block, dive, and switch players. For those who are not comfortable with the change, you can switch it to the familiar setup.
Graphically the game shines and really shows the power of the 360. Players look like their real life counterparts, jerseys have fantastic detail, player equipment looks very authentic, and arenas are well represented although I'm not quite sure they are authentic because Cleveland does not have a hockey team so I have little chance to catch NHL games. The crowd is a huge improvement and while looking somewhat basic, they stand when goals are scored to cheer you on and seem to have some knowledge that good things are happening on the ice. It was just nice to notice that when I scored a goal. Most of the time I pay little attention to the cardboard cut-out crowds but the 3-D crowd is more noticeable. Players animate well though most of the animation is recycled from NHL 06 from the current gen. The AI has been changed so that finally players aren't glued to their position. For example, last year if you witnessed a loose puck on the ice you had to manually change to a player and chase it down because the players were too busy covering the opponent or playing their zone. And, finally, they have toned down the one timers. I cannot stress enough how difficult it really is to nail a good one timer in real life and it should never have been that easy in video games.
Goalies have been given all new animations which are extremely welcome. When you play the position in real life, you tend to become more critical towards the realism and effort in games - so naturally I notice every year what small changes are made to the net minders. Making butterfly goalies finally play like butterfly goalies brings a HUGE smile to my face. No longer are the goalie's pads glued to their legs like all previous hockey games (2k series included... even this year's). They will show the full face when in the butterfly on the ice. Also new this year, goalies limbs move independently. This basically means the goalie isn't locked into one whole body involving animation. They can move their arms while still in the butterfly to make glove saves or kick one leg out to knock the puck away. The end result is a much more realistic and life-like representation of the position.
All of the features we've come to know and love are included in this game. As Xbox 360 owners, we know how in the past, our sports games have skimped on the features and game modes to give us more graphical wow. I'm seriously happy EA decided to skip making a watered down version of NHL last year because you all know how the rest of the sports lineup was for '06. You can play single games, Dynasty, World Tournament, and Shootout. Sadly they have removed the single season game for those who are not interested in micromanaging a hockey team. The Dynasty mode has all of the basics of managing your team such as trades, contracts (which now include negotiations and 1 or 2 way contracts), upgrading team and facilities, line management, and messages. The interface has changed for the better and much needed update. It will take players a while to familiarize yourself with the new layout but it's still basically the same.
Now, I'm not strictly an EA fan and into glorifying their games. Every year since NHL 2k came out, I've been buying both because each game had its pros and cons. For the first time in years, I believe EA's NHL 07 is the closest we're going to get in a while to perfection in the gameplay department. And, I usually buy a hockey game for the game play, not mini games or shootouts or practices or skills competitions. I want to strictly play hockey. This year they've tightened up the AI, changed the way we play our game with the implementation of the skill stick, and the sound and graphics are very impressive. Despite NHL 2k7's online dynasty mode and plethora of game modes, I still feel as if I'm playing the same game as last year with only extremely slight changes. This is not enough to warrant shelling out another $60 for 2k. And for the first time since its release, I will not buy the 2k game. It's almost like EA and 2k has switched when discussing which is realistic and which is arcade. I feel EA has finally given the gamers what they want and that's realistic hockey that makes you feel like you're actually part of the game.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
+ for skill stick, - for AI and the restNov 06, 2006
By Bob Skill stick is an improvement. But everyone knows about that part of the game.
AI is horrible. I've noticed 3 of my team's AI controlled players standing still at once. Goalies don't get back into position, let in horribly soft goals, and have no concept of controlling rebounds. There is apparently no way to get defensemen to pinch reliably. I have yet to see a player anticipate a play. Defensemen don't clear out players around the net.
Passing is hit and miss, at best. There is often no way to tell if you have other players onside, and it is difficult to reliably direct passes to a specific player if two teamates are about the same angle from the puck carrier.
I understand that it may be difficult to program AI for a sport with play as spontaneous as it is in hockey (i.e., unlike football with set plays,) but it's disappointing that hockey games are at least 5 years behind football games. The 2K series has better passing controls, but 2K6 at least has similar difficulties with AI.
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
EA doesn't seem to know what it is doingSep 16, 2006
By Hockeyfan12
"Hockeyfan12"
This game is horrible. Your team's ai is must have came to the game in the short bus because they are stupid. Whenever I skate up the ice, my own players get in my way and I end up losing the puck. And they can't defend worth anything, I can't count how many times my computer controlled defensemen were caught out of position resulting in an odd-man rush. The opponet's ai is able to pole check and read passes way too easily. The hit stck is just a joke, it's not accurate and when you miss your player is pretty much screwed because he just stands there. And what is with the players poke checking, does EA not realize that you can move and poke check at the same time? The manual shot aim is worthless, most of the time it ends up being sucked up right into the goalies glove. And the computer scores on the softest goals but you actually have to work for a goal.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
The Best EverSep 21, 2006
By Tom M. Shannon With its new controlls, crisp graphics, and life-like gameplay, this is the best hockey game of all time. While the XBOX 360 has continued to disappoint me with its lack of titles...this game really unlocks the system's capability. It may take you a few times to get the controlls down (because it is such a new concept). Once you do, the controller will not leave your hand.
based on 29 reviews
( 29 customer reviews )
