NHL 07 and NHL 2k7 IMPRESSIONS

[GameSeven]

Actually, FIFA: WC is much, much better than NHL. It's EA's best 360 offering. Aside from the gameplay, which is very solid, it is the lone game that manages to combine next gen graphics with a smooth framerate and excellent player control. It's hard for me to understate how much a poor framerate and poor controls (and NHL's controls are pretty poor, stick aside) affects my enjoyment of sports games in general and free flowing sports like hockey and soccer in particular.

I'll grant that I should not have maligned FIFA indiscriminantly as I haven't tried it's most recent game, having prefered the WE series for a long time and generally taking a hiatus from soccer games this year. EDIT: See Leebo's post above for my thoughts on the demo. I understand your complaints about NHL, but IMHO there is more right than wrong with the game and I'm hoping it's a turning point in the series as I am really enjoying it so far. I am a big fan of the offensive controls as well as the goaltender AI. As I've said so far, the defensive positioning and controls leave enough to be desired but not enough to detract from gameplay for me. Whether EA can eke out a smoother game experience remains to be seen but for a first-gen hockey game, I'm more impressed by EA than by anything they put out last gen.

I'll have the opportunity to play 2K7 tonight so I'm sure I'll have some adjustment to do to go back to EA's game, but I'll keep an open mind with respect to which one I'd ultimately enjoy more.

One thing is for certain, it's great to have competition back in the VG hockey arena as I think both franchises have been somewhat complacent for a couple of years.

Now if only the 360 can get a good baseball game, we could be well on the road to sports games Nirvana.

-G7

[10spro]

Here are some sliders that I am tweaking with on PRO for 2K7 and I am having some close games. The 1st are for Human, followed with CPU.

Goalie Skill – 25/25 clicks (out of 100)

Offense Skill – 60/60 clicks (out of 100)

Defense Skill – 30/85 clicks (out of 100)

Speed Burst Effect – 42/42 clicks (out of 100)

Speed Burst Time – 60/70 clicks (out of 100)

Speed Burst Recovery – 93/93 clicks (out of 100)

Fatigue Effect – 100/100 clicks (out of 100)

Fatigue Recovery – 50/50 click (out of 100)

Fatigue Time – 90/90 clicks (out of 100)

Hitting Power – 10/10 clicks (out of 100) Too much of this happening IMO.

Shot Accuracy – 30/90 click (out of 100)

Pass Accuracy – 40/100 clicks (out of 100)

Pass Speed – 50/50 (out of 100)

Pass Interceptions – 50/50 clicks (out of 100)

Rebound Distance – 50/50 clicks (out of 100)

Shot Blocking – 10/25 clicks (out of 100)

Puck Retention – 20/50 clicks (out of 100)

Puck Control – 10/55 clicks (out of 100)

Goalie Anticipation – 70/75 clicks (out of 100)

Goalie Cover Depth – 90/90 clicks (out of 100)

Goalie Saves – 50/50 (out of 100)

They are for the 360 and offline play an in this year's version a -10 or +10 makes quite a difference compared to previous releases.

[Sully]

Pass accuracy maxed out for the CPU? I'm playing with it at 0, and they're still more accurate than I'd like to see.

[10spro]

Interesting enquiry. I am always looking for the best pass aim assist setting. Up to last evening I had the CPU pass aim at 60, but I was still having too much success at poking their intentions and interrupting their cycling. It always felt a bit too easy, or too hard (face-off passes always flying past the D-men). At 100% I had my last game where the CPU was more aggresive in cycling the puck and they do control the gameplay.

Keep in mind I am playing on PRO level.

[DivotMaker]

To me, it sounds like both are good games and if possible, pick one and just go with it. If you get both, you are going to torture yourself with the things one has and the other doesn't. If you enjoy the "fun factor" more in games, then it sounds like 07 is the way to go. If you liked the 2K games of the past and want a visually upgraded 360 hockey game that plays a solid, albeit familiar feeling, game of hockey...then get 2K7. It sounds like either one isn't a bad choice. You don't see any of the "THIS ONE IS GOING BACK" posts, like you normally do, and that's a good thing!

I am leaning more towards NHL07 becasue it sounds like more fun to me....but I would also pick up 2K7, if we do a DSP League with it.

Man, does this post hit home with me right now. I can't recall the last time I was so torn between two games. I really like 2K7 for its depth and accuracy in representing the NHL game of hockey. I also appreciate how well the game animates and the framerates.

However....like a number of people who have stated here, I am beginning to miss the excitement that I had while playing 07. Most games I was on the edge of my seat during the entire game, framerate/animation issues and all. I really miss Thorne and Clement more than I thought I would. Scoring a goal in 07 just seems like it is better presented in 07 and I get more satisfaction out of it.

I think I am going to go back to 07 because I won't have time for two hockey games this year, not with Tiger 07 for 360 coming out next month. I will say this, I admire both games very much, but if I have limited time to play, I feel like I should go with the one I have the most fun with.

[snate]

...if I have limited time to play, I feel like I should go with the one I have the most fun with.

That sums it up for me right now. I have been having alot of fun with NHL 07 and I'm actually looking forward to getting the chance to play my next game.

[MizzouRah]

That's what it's all about, fun. Who knows, I don't like the NBA nor Tiger Woods all that much, I might just play two hockey games this year.

[Leebo33]

I played my first online game of NHL 07 tonight vs. Zeppo and it was a lot of fun. Despite some clunky defensive controls and the same choppy framerate (although it is no worse online without a hiccup at all) it was still nailbiting good with 4 memorable goals in regulation. Leaving someone standing wide open in the slot up by 1 with a few minutes left = a bad idea.

[10spro]

Well, one week after the release and after reading some of your comments I grabbed my copy of 07 for the 360. I look back now and I think it was a brilliant idea from EA to have the shootout in the demo as this game is all about learning how to control your player with the skill stick.

I must say it took me about five full games to get used to the new controls as it appeared awkward to me in the beginning. Passing with RT button took me awhile to get familiar with and I wished the game had a customizable feature in terms of which button does what.

While the offensive controls with the Skill Stick are innovative and very entertaining once you get into them, the defensive controls, however, need a bit more work. The transition from offense to defense does not go smoothly and I am not referring here to the framerate which I found it a bit choppy for my taste.

If I want to take the puck away from the CPU I am supposed to use the skill stick as well, sometimes it pokes at the opponent, sometimes it throws the player off balance but at times especially while I am pinning the CPU, the motions of the stick accidentally fires off the puck either to a yawning goalie or unnecesarily icing the puck.

It's still a great control scheme, like I said, but EA should have included more hands-on tutorials to give us the hang of it. The players sometimes seem to be too close to each other and passing becomes more of a chore.

Now on the offensive side, this is where the skill control shines and a great innovative idea for the Next-Gen hockey games to follow. I loved the fake shot movement, I had many goalies fooled with that action followed quickly with a wrister past them. Faceoff is great too, it takes skills and timing to win one, unlike previous years where you felt that the more you tapped on the X or A button you could easily win it.

It's not a scoring fest game, the most I won a game was by three goals and the game gives you the satisfaction that whenever you score, you really worked at it.

Graphics wise, I think most of you agree that it's a true marvel to look at and play with although I still prefer the ice on 2k7. I like the presentation over 2K's cinemotion and I wished EA came with more sliders where one could try different things.

I never thought I would say this on an EA hockey game, but I missed the speed burst on this game. I am not sure if it's because of the framerate issue but getting to a puck sometimes felt very sluggish and slow. The players sometimes seem to be too close to each other and passing becomes more of a chore.

Closing my impressions, I have to say that the game does not feel as arcade like as its predecessors, although it still falls a bit short of a Sim experience that 2K7 gives me. I liked the umpredictable trajectory of the puck physics and something tells me that with one more year to work with, EA could be at the top very soon again in the puck department.

For now I still prefer the smoothness and skating engine from 2K7 and 2K's amazing camera angle.

[seanmac31]

I have to say that despite its problems, I really like NHL 07. Once I slowed the speed down and changed the camera angle to classic, the frame rate became much less of an issue. The defensive controls are seriously lacking next to 2K7, the passing is generally not as good, and the camera angle is still inferior, but there is no getting around the dynamism of the scoring and puck movement, not to mention the much better goalie animations. I’m tempted to keep them both, but I know I’ll need to trade in one towards NBA 2K7. In the end it will probably by 07 that goes, as it’s a less finished game, but I’m very encouraged by the direction the series is going.

[10spro]

One thing I really liked in 07 is how a shot deflects the goalie into the stands bringing the action to a faceoff. However one thing both hockey games missed this year is the delayed of game penalty where a player accidentally flips the puck over the crowd. At least I haven't seen it yet.

[Wilk5280]

Picked up 2K Sports NHL 2K7

I hadn't played a hockey game in well over two years and I think the last hockey game I owned was NHL 2K4.

I am absolutely loving this game. I'm not sure if it's because no matter what hockey game I picked up it was going to be fresh, but this game is the real deal.

The control of your skater on the ice is done really well IMO. Graphics, while not exceptional, do get the job done just fine. I'm no hockey buff, but the game seems to play a pretty strait, real game of hockey. I do notice the ai cycling the puck, moving it around a lot and I've been scoredon from all over the place.

The main thing is that I find this game to be a lot of fun online. I was playing a buddy the other night and was just having a blast. It ran very smooth with maybe just one or two quick hiccups during our 2 games.

Really digging it so far.

[sportdan30]

Well, I finally got a chance to play NHL '07.

Positives:

I really enjoyed the shot stick, and really do hope 2K incorporates it in to their game next year.

The goalie animations are superb and very realistic looking.

It didn't take long to adjust to using the right trigger for passing. I kind of enjoy it better perhaps than using the "A" button.

It's noticeable that there is better goal variety than 2K7. I've scored on a wrister from pretty far out, something I've yet to do in 2K7.

There's better net animations in this game.....hey, I might be reaching for a positive.

Negatives:

The spacing in this game is pretty brutal. There were several times two of my players would be skating within a foot of one another, or I'd run in to one of my teamates.

The skating IMO looks nasty. While skating up ice, they almost look as if they're running in place. It doesn't even compare to 2K7.

The ice degration looks great, but other than that it's not even comparable to 2K7. It looks rather dated. That said, maybe 2K7's looks too glassy? I don't know. I just prefer that one.

I gotta tell ya, I wasn't blown away by the graphics like I thought I would. Honestly, I'm more impressed with 2K7. It might have something to do with the exceptional camera angle. I just can't seem to find a very good playable camera angle in '07.

I don't think the CPU does a very good job of cycling the puck at all. It's very up and down hockey. Too arcadey for my tastes.

I still see that weird animation between the stick and the puck in this game, and it drives me nuts! It's almost like there's some kind of magnetic field. It just looks strange.

All in all, I think EA did a commendable job, however I think they're a good year or two away from making this game feel polished. If this game didn't have the shot stick, I highly doubt it'd be drawing in raving reviews. That said, they're definitely on to something innovative that'll be the mainstream with hockey video games.

[XXXIV]

I keep reading and the more I read the more confused I am as to which one to buy...
They both have gotten good reviews from the people I trust to review and people who help me decide which games I buy...DSPers..

Bastages

[webdanzer]

I'm quoting out of the NBA2k thread here, but I wanted to get this in the correct thread...

Yeah, 2k7 will be much better, but everyone will praise the "shot stick" for its innovation and proclaim EA's game as "fresh" while saying that 2k7 is the same game they've been playing for the last 5 years.

That's what they did with the hockey game.

That's really missing on the boat on NHL 07. It's not that it has a gimmick feature that has people jumping on the bandwagon. It's that the game models a fairly important aspect of hockey much better than 2K7. The shooting control and the goalie animations for NHL 07 are far beyond 2K7, and with the proper adjustments (slower game speed and a classic or overhead camera angle to reduce framerate issues), it plays pretty well. 2K7 is stronger in most areas, but in the areas where 07 is stronger, it is significantly stronger.

Seanmac stole my response, I agree 100%, and despite my arguing with myself on the matter, I'm leaning towards actually keeping both games right now.

But this is where Badgun comes back in to say that he is the only one that can objectively judge games, and the rest of us are lying to ourselves, right? I'm also not sure who 'everyone' is, as folks around here are pretty evenly split between the two games.

[GameSeven]

Seanmac stole my response, I agree 100%, and despite my arguing with myself on the matter, I'm leaning towards actually keeping both games right now.

But this is where Badgun comes back in to say that he is the only one that can objectively judge games, and the rest of us are lying to ourselves, right? I'm also not sure who 'everyone' is, as folks around here are pretty evenly split between the two games.

And then you stole my response to Seanmac's response... and moved it here as I was planning to.

Bastage.

-G7

[MizzouRah]

Well, I've had a hockey game marathon this weekend so far. Playing 2k7 some and then 07 some.

If I had to choose just one game, it would be NHL 07. Don't get me wrong, I like them both for different reasons, but NHL 07 is just so much fun gameplay wise. Every game is different from the one previous played.

NHL 2k7:

1. Smooth framerate.
2. Franchise mode that's deep.
3. Presentation that's a tad better overall.
4. Dynamic camera that's perfect.

NHL 07:

1. Gameplay that is top notch
2. I like the reviews between intermissions much better
3. Player models and arenas that are better.
4. Ice camera isn't bad, but it's not 2k7's.
5. On default all-start with 10 min periods, plays almost perfect for me. I have 1-0 games and 6-5 games.
6. Variety of goals.
7. Goalies look almost real.
8. No speed burst (hello not having to hold the RT)
9. You can tell who's who player wise. Meaning, if Crosby is on a breakaway you'd better pray or take a penalty. If my backup goalie is in, I know it. If my top line is out, the other team knows it.
10. Again, variety of goals is OUTSTANDING!

I'm glad I purchased both games, but I've been playing NHL 07 so much more than 2k7 due to the fact the gameplay just draws me in. I love how easy it is to dump the puck, deke defensemen, etc... The game is just so much fun to play.

Final verdict: NHL 07 just plays a fun game of hockey without too many complicated joystick button presses. I find myself looking for the other teams great players when I play certain teams, I just don't do that in 2k7 as most teams seem the same. Good job by both developers, but EA did one heck of a job here for once.

I really "feel" like I've earned a W in NHL 07... and that's satisfying.

I would give NHL 2k7 an 8.5 and NHL 07 a 9.0.

[JRod]

Doesn't it bother anyone that both of these games are up and down style hockey. That really bugs me. Makes defense entirley about the goalminding.

[MizzouRah]

Started a franchise (screw the roster update). I am 0-2 going into Anaheim (3 road games to start the season). I start off 1-0 on a beautiful put back by Dean McHammond. The Ducks score twice to go ahead 2-1. Ryan Johson wins a faceoff deep in the Blues end and uses his speed to get past the defense and complete the breakaway on the way to a spectacular goal and a tie to the game. I haven't felt this good about a goal in a long.. long.. time. Wow...

[MizzouRah]

Ended up losing 5-4 in OT. Now I'm 0-3 with loses, 3-2 - 4-3, and now 5-4. We'll see what the home opener will do for us.

[RallyMonkey]

Doesn't it bother anyone that both of these games are up and down style hockey

It's the new NHL JRod. And i will say that when play ends up in the offensive zone i see good cycling in 2K7 and pretty decent puck movement in 07 so i think both games do a fairly good job of representing the new NHL. It's not the trapping, methodical game it used to be.

As i've said in a previous post, i think 07's neutral zone flow is far and away better in that forwards will move to open ice looking to stretch the play and back the D up into their own zone. For me that is a great adjustment to the game.

[DivotMaker]

Well, I've had a hockey game marathon this weekend so far. Playing 2k7 some and then 07 some.

If I had to choose just one game, it would be NHL 07. Don't get me wrong, I like them both for different reasons, but NHL 07 is just so much fun gameplay wise. Every game is different from the one previous played.

NHL 2k7:

1. Smooth framerate.
2. Franchise mode that's deep.
3. Presentation that's a tad better overall.
4. Dynamic camera that's perfect.

NHL 07:

1. Gameplay that is top notch
2. I like the reviews between intermissions much better
3. Player models and arenas that are better.
4. Ice camera isn't bad, but it's not 2k7's.
5. On default all-start with 10 min periods, plays almost perfect for me. I have 1-0 games and 6-5 games.
6. Variety of goals.
7. Goalies look almost real.
8. No speed burst (hello not having to hold the RT)
9. You can tell who's who player wise. Meaning, if Crosby is on a breakaway you'd better pray or take a penalty. If my backup goalie is in, I know it. If my top line is out, the other team knows it.
10. Again, variety of goals is OUTSTANDING!

I'm glad I purchased both games, but I've been playing NHL 07 so much more than 2k7 due to the fact the gameplay just draws me in. I love how easy it is to dump the puck, deke defensemen, etc... The game is just so much fun to play.

Final verdict: NHL 07 just plays a fun game of hockey without too many complicated joystick button presses. I find myself looking for the other teams great players when I play certain teams, I just don't do that in 2k7 as most teams seem the same. Good job by both developers, but EA did one heck of a job here for once.

I really "feel" like I've earned a W in NHL 07... and that's satisfying.

I would give NHL 2k7 an 8.5 and NHL 07 a 9.0.

I hate to pile on here, but you have captured my sentiments EXACTLY. Both great games, but for me, 07 just immerses me into the environment and the game much more and the end result is more satisfying. If we could ever get ONE game with the best of both games....(sounds like the old Links vs. Tiger debates)....

Great post!

[snate]

One thing that bother me about NHL 07 is that there a bit disconnect between you and the player you are controlling. Lack of control. Especially on defense. 360 EA football has a bit of this as well. It makes it very hard to play defense. I don't know if this is an animation issue, framerate, or what.

[seanmac31]

Well, I've had a hockey game marathon this weekend so far. Playing 2k7 some and then 07 some.

If I had to choose just one game, it would be NHL 07. Don't get me wrong, I like them both for different reasons, but NHL 07 is just so much fun gameplay wise. Every game is different from the one previous played.

NHL 2k7:

1. Smooth framerate.
2. Franchise mode that's deep.
3. Presentation that's a tad better overall.
4. Dynamic camera that's perfect.

NHL 07:

1. Gameplay that is top notch
2. I like the reviews between intermissions much better
3. Player models and arenas that are better.
4. Ice camera isn't bad, but it's not 2k7's.
5. On default all-start with 10 min periods, plays almost perfect for me. I have 1-0 games and 6-5 games.
6. Variety of goals.
7. Goalies look almost real.
8. No speed burst (hello not having to hold the RT)
9. You can tell who's who player wise. Meaning, if Crosby is on a breakaway you'd better pray or take a penalty. If my backup goalie is in, I know it. If my top line is out, the other team knows it.
10. Again, variety of goals is OUTSTANDING!

I'm glad I purchased both games, but I've been playing NHL 07 so much more than 2k7 due to the fact the gameplay just draws me in. I love how easy it is to dump the puck, deke defensemen, etc... The game is just so much fun to play.

Final verdict: NHL 07 just plays a fun game of hockey without too many complicated joystick button presses. I find myself looking for the other teams great players when I play certain teams, I just don't do that in 2k7 as most teams seem the same. Good job by both developers, but EA did one heck of a job here for once.

I really "feel" like I've earned a W in NHL 07... and that's satisfying.

I would give NHL 2k7 an 8.5 and NHL 07 a 9.0.

It's amazing what an up and down experience I've had with NHL 07, but all in all, I think I'd agree with you. NHL 2K7 is a better hockey game all in all, and I really enjoy both titles. That said, it comes down to a few simple things:

1) There is no experience in 2K7 as satisfying as a one-on-one encounter between a scorer and a goalie. Whether you are the one doing the attacking or you're screaming in terror with a scorer bearing down on you, this is an experience that NHL 07 simply nails.

2) I'm a graphics whore. Yes, NHL 2K7 plays smoother. But with the proper camera angles and play speed, you can close the gap enough for the outstanding EA presentation to come in and make it the better overall looking game. 2K7 looks great and moves great, and is the better graphical package in certain regards, but there's no question that NHL 07 is the more next gen-looking package.

3) The games seem to go by quicker. When I'm playing 2K7, the game seems to drag a little bit at points, and it never feels like it was too short. When I play NHL 07, the game is over in the blink of an eye. That tells me that whatever the respective merits of the game engines or the AI, I'm more engaged when I'm playing NHL 07.

Again, I think very highly of NHL 2K7, and if I were to put together a post dedicated to the things that make it a great purchase, I definitely could. A quick rundown would include the fantastic camera, the skating model, the quality of the passing game, the intelligence of play in the offensive zone, the variability of scoring (if you're used to the 2K series, 2K7 is definitely a big step up- just not as much as 07), the pleasure of playing defense, and the distinction between good and average players (contrary to most of the people who have tried both games, I've found stars to be more dominant in 2K7- I've got a playoff series going with the Rangers, and Jagr has scored or assisted on a good 75% of the goals. I don't plan it that way, but he has a much better scoring touch than the other players. He also is much more effective using deke moves to set up goalies.)

My response to 2K7 is really to lament the fact that we never got to see an NFL 2K7 on the 360. I would have loved to see the 2K engine looking great and playing with the buttery smoothness that NHL 2K7 and NBA 2K7 promise.

[TRI]

I think one positive for hockey games is that finally at least this year EA hockey is improving. Is it perfect? Of course not but at least it is better and it has the potential to be really good in the future. This is the first EA hockey game that is not crap in long time.