NHL 07 and NHL 2k7 IMPRESSIONS

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:57 am

Badgun wrote:I think I'm picking up 2K7. It got a slightly higher review than EA's game and I think it looks better and you know the presentation is miles ahead of the lazy asses at EA.

Shot stick sounds cool, but I can use buttons.

If there is one place EA beats 2k every year its presentation.
Is there even a crowd in 2k ?
Why do you think you can hear player chatter this year, its not cinemotion its bad presentation.
No atmosphere in 2k game at all.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:01 pm

Gamestop is all f'd up I'll tell ya.

Now they are telling me NHL 07 will be in today so I can come this afternoon and pick it up, but it was NHL 2k7 that has been delayed until October. whatever....

Hopefully, I'll be playing NHL 07 tonight and post some thoughts.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:50 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Gamestop is all f'd up I'll tell ya.

Now they are telling me NHL 07 will be in today so I can come this afternoon and pick it up, but it was NHL 2k7 that has been delayed until October. whatever....

Hopefully, I'll be playing NHL 07 tonight and post some thoughts.

What I have heard is that the PS2 version of NHL2K7 has been delayed until October....

billharris44 · Post by **billharris44** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:54 pm

EBGames sent me an e-mail telling me that they'd shipped the 360 version of NHL2K7 last night, so at least that version seems to be shipping.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:12 pm

DivotMaker wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:Gamestop is all f'd up I'll tell ya.

Now they are telling me NHL 07 will be in today so I can come this afternoon and pick it up, but it was NHL 2k7 that has been delayed until October. whatever....

Hopefully, I'll be playing NHL 07 tonight and post some thoughts.
What I have heard is that the PS2 version of NHL2K7 has been delayed until October....

I've read that as well.

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:15 pm

Futureshop website, checking store stock of a few stores near me, shows

NHL2k7 XB 360 - in stock
NHL2K7 XB - in stock
NHL2K7 PS2 - NOT in stock

Can't believe it's only $19.99 CDN for Xbox version!

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:37 pm

James_E wrote:Futureshop website, checking store stock of a few stores near me, shows

NHL2k7 XB 360 - in stock
NHL2K7 XB - in stock
NHL2K7 PS2 - NOT in stock

Can't believe it's only $19.99 CDN for Xbox version!

NHL 2K7 got pushed back to October

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:48 pm

Divot, I didn't get a Frys ad today. Do they have a deal on the 360 version as well?

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:09 pm

Can I get an impression around this mugg??? Dag.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:58 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Divot, I didn't get a Frys ad today. Do they have a deal on the 360 version as well?

Scoop,

I did not see any mention of the 360 version. Sorry.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:04 pm

Got a couple of games in on the 360 version of NHL 07.....

Hard as hell to score which is a good thing as I am learning how to use the skill stick. I have been beaten playing as the RedWings versus Chicago 2-0 and 3-1 in 5 minute periods on Pro difficulty.

The controls are taking some getting used to, but I do like the fact that they took out the speed burst as now you have to play a bit more skillfully and plan what you are going to do on ice since it is unlikely you can simply speed burst past anyone.

So far so good, but I have got to invest alot more time in the game before I can give any real meaningful feedback...

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:05 pm

Since we are still discussing purchasing the game and haven't got to impressions yet, I'd like to let you guys know that Target is a good option to purchase NHL 07 for 360 as they will give you a $10 gift card. I picked my copy up there at lunch today. That takes the sting out of the purchase if it sucks because you could sell it for $45 and just be out the cost of a rental.

Hopefully, a couple of you hockey nuts will get a chance to play it before I open it around 6-7PM. I went against my better judgment in purchasing an EA hockey game.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:17 pm

I've posted some impressions of 2k7 over at OS. I'm playing 07 right now, and being a hockey gaming nut, I'm a little disappointed with the AI.

Puck movement by the CPU in the offensive end is non-existent. It's basically end to end, arcade hockey, which is what I was afraid of. I can't find a camera angle that I like. The skating and shooting animations are poor. Watching this game in motion is like watching flipbook cartoon, though the framerate dip could be more evident because I just finished playing 2k7...which was smooth as a baby's behind.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:13 pm

After playing two games of NHL 07 i couldn't be more impressed. The controls DEFINITELY take some getting used to but when you get the feel of them i'm not sure there is a sports game out there that gives more of a feeling of control over the result than this one. I played both games on All-Star, Bruins (me) Montreal (AI), one home, one away. Won the home game 2-0, lost the away game 3-0. Got outshot like crazy in both games (which is where i question Sully's comment about in zone puck movement by the AI, there were times my head was on a swivel watching the puck get moved around). Faceoffs are VERY hard. I won four of them in two games.

One thing i found interesting is that when you switch cameras the right stick is intuitive as to which direction your player is skating. What i mean is on the "Ice" or "Overhead" camera down and up is a slapshot, but on the "Broadcast" camera left and right is a slapshot (moving left to right on the ice) because the net is to the right. Many of you may have known that but i was unaware and found it interesting.

Hits are still high on the players side, BUT unlike past hockey games most of the hits bump the player off the puck, they don't send him reeling into the boards or flatten him out. You really need to be in great position and time the hit perfectly to bury someone.

The goalie animations are unreal. Same as the demo but now they can be seen in all their glory. Beautiful stuff.

One timers WITH SUCCESS are difficult to pull off. You must be in scoring position to make it work. In two games, 5 goals combined, NONE were on one timers for either team even though there were a number of attempts.

Passing with the right trigger and left stick make for a fair amount of missed passed (as IGN said) but i never felt cheated. If i missed a pass i knew why. Like i said, it takes some getting used to but i like the feel.

And lastly, when you score, you feel you earned it. Of my 2 goals one came off a pass from the corner to Chara who came off the boards and through a screen ripped a slapper up over the shoulder of the goalie who had butterflied but never saw the puck. I actually pumped my fist.

Now i'm not a framerate whore nor am i going to nitpick at little things (i.e. when a player is pushing the puck up open ice with one hand the puck appears to be just off the end of the stick--little odd looking). What i wanted was a game that felt like a solid game of hockey with the implementation of the new controls to add a fresh feel. And for me that's exactly what i have---again, after two games to take it for what it's worth.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:17 pm

Good stuff RM. I just grabbed NHL07 off my front porch...can't wait to play.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:39 pm

Yeah, keep it coming boys! I have a decision to make tonight...open NHL 07 or return it for ole reliable (albeit a bit stale) NHL 2K7....????

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:53 pm

Maybe it's just me, but the AI in NHL 07 appears to be lacking. I can't count how many times they've entered my zone with an odd man rush, only to have the puck carrier fire it from the boards, at some awkward angle. I'm seeing 1 or 2 passes max in the offensive end before they throw it on net. Granted, I'm seeing shots from defensemen too, but there isn't much puck movement at all. It feels like end to end, mindless hockey.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:08 pm

RM,

Seeing a great deal of similarities with your observations on my end. This game is challenging as hell and I probably suck pretty bad too which doesn't make it any easier.

I have to really watch my left stick movement with the players because I can get easily out of position on defense.

I also agree that I am seeing ALOT of movement of the puck by the CPU in their offensive end. I do feel it is a bit on the quick side, but they are definitely cycling the puck and giving me all sorts of fits with defense.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:11 pm

now how about for somebody who will play 99 percent of the time against another human opponent?

2K7 or 07?

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:16 pm

Well, I've played a few games of NHL 07, and for the most part I think the 2K7 demo is far superior. I'm not sure what the point is of laying on the graphical detail when you can't get the framerate up to a reasonable level. The framerate is significantly worse than either Madden or NCAA, and considering that there are so many fewer players to render, that's really unacceptable. The end result is that 2K7 is the better looking game, as it is much more fluid. NHL is chop, chop, chop. Not only is the framerate poor, but the animations are often quite poor as well.

All that said, there are hints of a good game in there. The stick handling element definitely works, and it can make for some enjoyable goals and/or maneuvering through traffic. It's harder to pull off one-timers, but correspondingly more enjoyable as a result. It feels like you can score in a variety of ways, which is good. I also give the AI credit for actually forechecking rather than just falling back to set up.

So there are some good things in here, but not enough. I can't recommend it over 2K7.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:25 pm

So there are some good things in here, but not enough. I can't recommend it over 2K7.

OK, OK, we get the point, you prefer 2k7.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:53 pm

I will say one thing for 2K - the manual is 57 pages. If you took all of the EA sports games for this year the manuals together would not add up to that many pages. It must be disheartening for an EA developer to add features that go undocumented and thereby unused by the neophytes who don't find them on their own.

Unlike last year, 2K's game feels next gen. I will post back later once I get some games under my belt.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:17 pm

If you talk to game developers and publishers, they will tell you that for most games created today, especially sports games that have new versions come out yearly, the game manual is by far the least utilized part of the video game. Therefore, if a company is looking to cut their production costs, this is one part of the package that is relatively expensive, especially if it is in color.

While I think EA has gone too far in skimping their manuals each year, 57 pages for a hockey manual is a bit much (keep in mind I have not seen this manual either)....

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:18 pm

I'm loving NHL 07 thus far, but it's only been a few games on default.

My last game against San Jose (I'm the Blues) went into OT where they beat me 3-2. Unreal game though and there were times when SJ was SJ, keeping the puck in my zone, cycling it around, etc.. I'm liking the AI so far.

Pros: Beautiful game, controls are great, not having a speed burst button to tap or hold in all the time is great (although I keep thinking I need to it), I love the replays during intermission, commentary has been good, best goalie animations EVER, period. I've seen so many different goals and saves, it's unreal. No slowdowns whatsoever.

Cons: framerate is not as smooth as the 2k7 demo was

That's about it so far. I can deal with the framerate as the controls are just so damn fun - not sure I can go back to hitting buttons.

So far, I'm happy as can be... but it's early.

Back to the game!

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:55 pm

Honestly, I was fine with online help, but I think that having to spend days figuring out how features work is just silly. I think that 20 pages for most sports games would do it - but the 8 pages that EA has been giving us - with half of it being eplilepsy warnings and non game related info is just too little.