NHL 07 and NHL 2k7 IMPRESSIONS

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:06 pm

vader29 wrote:
JackB1 wrote:I hear that the PC version doesn't use the right stick for shooting???
WTF???

I believe the 360 version was made by a different development team than the last gen versions and is the only one to use the right stick for shooting.

Yup. EA Vancouver did current gen (hence, Jim Hughson is still the PBP guy) and EA Montreal did next gen.

As for the right stick for the PC, it's like the NHL Rivals right stick.

And JackB1, the PC game is not a travesty. If you are into total realism, that is it not. To me, it is fun, and my old reflexes need the speed boost and spin dekes every now and then.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:53 pm

****WARNING******!!!!!!!!!!!

for those that might not know it, the ONLY version that uses the right stick for shooting is the 360 version. I got suckered by the $19.99 (Target) proce tag for the XBox version, only to find out it is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT game than the 360 version???? I knew the graphics would be different, but EVERYTHING is different. NHL07 on the PC, PS2 and XBox is nothing but NHL06 1/2.

Oh well......if NHL07 360 continues to get high praise, it may be a "system seller" for me

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:59 pm

I suspect that when all is said and done, I'll end up returning 07 for 2K7, only to find myself really missing the stick control. If you could graft the 07 stick feature onto the 2K7 engine, you'd have an amazing game. The added level of control adds an element of variety that the 2K engine is somewhat lacking in. But all in all, 2K7 plays a better game of hockey.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:01 pm

JackB1 wrote:for those that might not know it, the ONLY version that uses the right stick for shooting is the 360 version. I got suckered by the $19.99 (Target) proce tag for the XBox version, only to find out it is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT game than the 360 version????

Oh well......if NHL07 360 continues to get high praise, it may be a "system seller" for me

'Bout frickin' time that the 360 gets the enhanced features!

I've only played one game of NHL 07 so far and I really liked the right stick controls. Definitely some adjustment time needed since I hit way too many wrong buttons during the game. I'm not as big into sim hockey as a lot of you guys, so the freshness of EA's offering is a bigger factor for me.

And Jack, Test Drive is your system seller, trust us on this one!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:29 pm

IGN did a comparison article......

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/732/732849p1.html

looks like if you are interested primarily in leagues and online play (listening Zep?) then 2K7 is you game. I dont think NHL07 even has leagues!!! Just ranked, unranked games and a leaderboard.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:00 am

I wished the hitting was toned down a bit on 2K7. Even on default Sim settings at two clicks it's a bit much IMO. Especially when you play online, the problem is that there is a big emphasis on hitting to break up the offensive rush towards the net. There's got to be more emphasis on defensive positioning. There should be a penalty for hitting from behind too, at the end of a game I had the opponent hitting me over 45 times.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:13 am

Ahhh...I've found something if you think 2k7 is bland and boring with no crowd interaction. Turn off the Cinemotion stuff altogether. I thought just by turning on the commentary, it would be cool...I don't remember an option to turn on the traditional broadcast when I created my profile, but at the team select screen you can. Then you get all of the replay shots, the more traditional broadcast cutscenes and the crowd interaction along with the loud as hell horn when you score at home. It really is night and day. Now there is no doubt in my mind that 2k7 is better than 07.

Sure, it would be nice if 2k had the stick, but the fact that 07 has all kinds of shortcomings like all of the skating and animations being choppy as hell, the cartoon graphics on the ice, and the severe lack of defensive sets and alignments and the ridiculous puck physics (rocket shots anyone?)...I'll live with 2k7 until next year when they introduce their right stick control.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:47 am

I think the puck physics in 07 are very good. I don't know what you're talking about with the rocket shots. I've played about 15 games and haven't seen one puck sail back to my end of the ice. I've seen that in past EA games but I haven't seen it in 07 yet.

The more I play both games, the more I'm liking 07 better. I also think out of the box 07 is way more of a sim than 2k is. 2k still makes you rely on one-timers and s-moves to score goals. With 07 I've seen an incredible amount of variety in goals. 07 reminds me of Winning Eleven in that respect. The choppiness in the graphics is not that bad IMO. 2k definitely has smoother skating though.

What can I say? I like both games a lot but I'm having more fun with 07 so far. Multiplayer with 07 is a total blast and sim-like. Jimmy and I played a game with 10-minute periods and neither of us had 30 shots on goal.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:05 am

There are so many issues with NHL 07 that I wouldn't know where to begin. These issues are technical in nature (framerate and jerky animations), relate to the lack of options (camera angles, ability to set periods in one minute increments, etc.), and gameplay (faceoffs are either way too hard or there is an undocumented way of winning them, the CPU does not hit enough, the CPU is shot happy, too many players stand around, etc.). This game has got to be a sim freak's worst nightmare.

HOWEVER...I can't stop playing it so far and it's basically because of the shot stick and goalie animations. I play using the Action camera and no auto zoom. It works perfectly for defense and about 80% of the time for offense. It sucks for power plays but I either live with it or switch for the pp. If my field of vision is too limited on offense, I'll just dump the puck which is probably a good thing anyway. It would probably work better for offense if I always had the action going down (lol), but I've always liked playing hockey games going up. The combination of the action camera and shot stick has provided me with the most rewarding and thrilling *goal scoring* experience. The rest of the game is a bit of a mess

I haven't had a problem giving up goals. I've never had a shutout and I gave up 5 once. This is on All-Star. I usually give up 1-4 with 10 minute periods and penalties maxxed. I had an awesome game last night where I was down 2-0, tied it at 2, but lost in a shootout. I really tightened my defense in that game. The pause screen shot totals are bogus because I don't think it accounts for blocked shots, which I'm getting better at. You have to look at the goalie screen to get an idea of SOG and I only gave up 30 shots to Carolina even after the OT.

How long will my enjoyment last? Who knows? I'm really looking forward to playing 2K and maybe I can find a rental copy today. However, unless the gameplay has changed substantially since last year and the demo (it's not like one-timers are the only way to score but it's by far the most efficient way to score). I can absolutely be certain that goal scoring won't be as fun. I dread going back to buttons for shooting and puck protection buttons when the right stick is SO intuitive.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:06 am

My biggest shortcoming with NHL 07 is the franchise mode stinks. Changing (editing) lines is a major pain in the arse.. I have no idea where to go to see transactions, etc... it's just hard to do anything. I really hate EA's sports games new interface.

I'll pick up 2k7 today just to run a franchise and keep 07 for vs friends when they come over.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:33 am

Are they calling major penalties in either of these games?

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:37 am

Any roster updates for either game out yet? The EA roster is really old and you know the Blues need all the help they can get this year.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:54 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Any roster updates for either game out yet? The EA roster is really old and you know the Blues need all the help they can get this year.

There is an update from 9/6 for 2k7.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:56 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Any roster updates for either game out yet? The EA roster is really old and you know the Blues need all the help they can get this year.

I have 07 for the PSP and the rosters were about a month old, even after the update. It was nice to see something out of 2K out of the box too online and although they differ from EA's they are not bad, although still a bit behind. I expect a more updated roster in a couple of weeks when the season start and all the UFA gets signed.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:04 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Yeah, I'm with HipE as well...I'm not sure why NHL07 is getting all this praise. I've been playing it off and on all day and it's not impressive at all oustide some of the presentation touches. It's a jerky mess. The player animations are horrendous compared to 2k7. Sure, the cut scene graphics are amazing, but the on ice action is just ehhh. I wonder if the newness and coolness of the right stick (which I like, don't get me wrong) wears off, people will be jumping back on the 2k7 bandwagon. I understand the presentation and graphics (in cut scenes anyway) are better, so that will keep people around a little longer, but the gameplay is where it counts around here, so I imagine people will migrate back to the only decent hockey game we've really known for the last 5-7 years.

And BTW...2k7 looks better ON the ice.

Spot on. The right stick is the only thing that makes me want to fire up 07. I can see myself grabbing "old faithful" over the weekend.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:23 pm

Thanks guys!! I know the EA roster update is really old.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:51 pm

Any have a Major called yet?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:59 pm

I just thought some might be interested to know that if you go ESPN's NHL page, the feature article is a review of NHL 07. It's a brief, very positive review, which does mention some goalie flaws and a 'clunky' poke check.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:02 pm

Interesting comparison of the two NHL games....

http://www.firingsquad.com/games/nhl_07_2k7/default.asp

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:08 pm

Zlax45 wrote:Any have a Major called yet?

I haven't seen a major called yet. I'm seeing a total of around 4-6 penalties a game called, playing with 10 minute periods and the penalty slider at max.

Anybody interested in a straight up swap of NHL 07 for NHL 2K7?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:12 pm

DivotMaker wrote:Interesting comparison of the two NHL games....

http://www.firingsquad.com/games/nhl_07_2k7/default.asp

"NHL 2K7 is NHL 2K6 with a roster update and slightly prettier graphics. The changes are confined mostly to the faces and the ice, otherwise the character models, animations, stadiums, and crowds are identical. Compared to 2K Sports’ best title last year, MLB 2K6, NHL 2K7 looks bad. Half a year later, the second NHL game on the Xbox 360, and it looks worse than the first effort baseball game."

This guy is a jackass...that statement pretty much solidifies it. MLB 2k6 was the best 2k sports title last year? Uhhh...not even close. 2k7 looks better than 07 on the ice...I don't know what the f*ck this guy is talking about. And this statement:

"Players skate the same, pass the same, react the same."

Absolutely incorrect. It's a completely different skating engine and almost everything is different when it comes to the skating and momentum stuff. I also disagree with almost all of his AI points. It is MUCH easier to skate around untouched in 07 than it is in 2k7, no matter what the skill level. I'm not sure this guy played either very much. He spent too much time looking at salary caps and concession stands I think.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:22 pm

That's a frickin' joke! I'm glad I didn't take time to read the entire article.

2K7 looks and plays a heck of a lot better than 2K6. In addition, MLB 2K6 could quite possibly have been one of the worst baseball video games I've ever played. What a loony that guy is. NBA 2K6 was the best 2K game of year by far, followed closely by College Hoops 2K6.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:29 pm

sportdan30 wrote:That's a frickin' joke! I'm glad I didn't take time to read the entire article

I actually thought it was a pretty good summary of NHL07 for those that haven't played the game. I certainly wouldn't have called him loony or a jackass. Under negatives, I would have added shot-happy CPU and poor cameras.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:33 pm

On the topic of the skating engine, how has it been changed?

The skating model has always been my biggest beef with the 2k series, as I hate how the players feel like they have absolutely no momentum. They can go from 0-60 in a split second, and turn at ludicrously sharp angles at top speed. Has that aspect been changed?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:35 pm

HipE wrote:Anybody interested in a straight up swap of NHL 07 for NHL 2K7?

I hope someone takes you up on this "one-time" offer.