NHL 07 and NHL 2k7 IMPRESSIONS

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:14 pm

Whatever happened to Bethesdas Gretzky Hockey 2?...now theres a sim.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:16 pm

webdanzer wrote:I don't know that you can on 10 min, DB, though some games might fall into the realistic range. Lowering pass speed and puck retention seemed to help a little for me, though. (Everything else at default except for speed) I think 7-8 min for this game would be perfect.

Hmm...well I guess I'll just have to live with it. Shots in 2k7 are a little high as well, so it's not like 2k7 does this much better or anything. I just like playing 10 min. periods as I think it gives the game a lot of time to flow. 10 min. periods in 2k7 seem to drag on forever, so I put them at 7 min. and that seems a bit better, but like I said, 07 just seems to fly by when I'm playing it (unless I'm holding a small lead late in the game, lol).

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:17 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I'm trying to figure out how to limit the shots by both myself and the CPU in NHL 07. I'm getting 40+ per game (both sides) with 10 min. periods. I've used everyone's sliders and lowered the game speed...I just don't see how to get the shots to a realistic number.

The thing about it is...I'm trying to figure out which game I like better. One thing that I saw someone say earlier was that the time flies by when you play NHL and it just creeps when you play 2k7...and that's how I'm feeling right now. I clearly don't think that NHL is a more realistic game, but, as mentioned before, NHL just seems like more fun. I guess the time thing is a good indicator. I'm just trying to figure out which to sell and right now I'm leaning towards keeping 07 even though it's an inferior game when it comes to realism on the ice as far as I'm concerned. I guess fun factor can win out occasionally when it comes to sports gaming.

Well, at least you're being honest about you assessment of NHL and you seem to be playing it more and more. Fun factor is there and my shots are usually around 30+ - make sure you are reading goalie shots as the team comparison screen shows total shots and not just the shots on goal.

I've been playing 2k7 more lately to.. and I'm really thinking about keeping both of them as it was nice to play with that great camera angle and watching the game flow so smoothly. The ice in 2k7 looks so believeable to me - gives me that "wow" factor when playing.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:21 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I've been playing 2k7 more lately to.. and I'm really thinking about keeping both of them as it was nice to play with that great camera angle and watching the game flow so smoothly. The ice in 2k7 looks so believeable to me - gives me that "wow" factor when playing.

Yeah, my problem is that there really isn't time for me to play two games. With NBA 2k7 and Tiger coming out along with one of the soccer games, I don't keep two games around, that's why I'm trying to come to a conclusion today or tomorrow so I can move one on ebay before they lose too much value. NHL seems to be winning the race.

I still think the graphics in 2k7 are better...you're right, the ice is ridiculous, but it is a little over the top if you compare it to a real hockey broadcast. But you're right...it's crazy. I think the player models on the ice are better as well. The cutscenes...well that's where 07 shines.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:22 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
webdanzer wrote:I don't know that you can on 10 min, DB, though some games might fall into the realistic range. Lowering pass speed and puck retention seemed to help a little for me, though. (Everything else at default except for speed) I think 7-8 min for this game would be perfect.
Hmm...well I guess I'll just have to live with it. Shots in 2k7 are a little high as well, so it's not like 2k7 does this much better or anything. I just like playing 10 min. periods as I think it gives the game a lot of time to flow. 10 min. periods in 2k7 seem to drag on forever, so I put them at 7 min. and that seems a bit better, but like I said, 07 just seems to fly by when I'm playing it (unless I'm holding a small lead late in the game, lol).

Keep in mind when you are looking at shot totals that the shot totals listed when you pause the game are not correct. I'm not exactly sure what they are counting as a shot, but the goalie saves appears to be a more accurate number.

Shot totals are still too high with 10 minute periods though.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:33 pm

Yeah, that shot thing is really weird. I just played Columbus and they had 50 shots according to the team stats, but Joseph only had 35 saves (allowed one goal, so 36 total shots). Weird. That is a lot more realistic. But then again, I had 53 shots and Conklin had 49 saves and 3 goals allowed. That is a bit high. I wonder where they are getting those shot totals from.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:45 pm

Both games feature shot stat glitches. NHL2K7 has a save animation that credits the goalie with two saves.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:55 pm

I think I mentioned a few pages back that depending on which arena the game it's played in real life that they call the SIG even though it's not a legitimate scoring chance. A goalie save is well exactly that, the CPU calls in the game if it thinks that it had a legitimate way of entering the net but it also counts it as a SIG even though you slap one from your own crease to the other end by mistake.

EA has the minutes choice divided well in football and soccer and I don't know why they skipped it in Hockey.

My advice at this point is to go with whatever people are having more fun with, I have been playing more 07 because I really want to love the gameplay, and the goals give me a bigger satisfaction, but when it comes to realism and tactics I end up going back to 2K7. Not a big issue at this point as I will keep both games.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:02 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:I've been playing 2k7 more lately to.. and I'm really thinking about keeping both of them as it was nice to play with that great camera angle and watching the game flow so smoothly. The ice in 2k7 looks so believeable to me - gives me that "wow" factor when playing.
Yeah, my problem is that there really isn't time for me to play two games. With NBA 2k7 and Tiger coming out along with one of the soccer games, I don't keep two games around, that's why I'm trying to come to a conclusion today or tomorrow so I can move one on ebay before they lose too much value. NHL seems to be winning the race.

I still think the graphics in 2k7 are better...you're right, the ice is ridiculous, but it is a little over the top if you compare it to a real hockey broadcast. But you're right...it's crazy. I think the player models on the ice are better as well. The cutscenes...well that's where 07 shines.

Hockey is my only real "console" sports game I play on a regular basis, everything else I can get a "text sim" for... except for pro basketball, which I don't really like that much - but I do play Total Pro Basketball every now and then. I've wasted too much money on Tiger and really don't think I'll get it this year.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:53 pm

Finally bought NHL 2K7 for the Xbox last night. The proper title for the game should be NHL 2K6.5, so at least you have some context for my comments. My initial impressions:

PROS
+ New camera angle is fantastic, the best I've ever used in a console hockey game.
+ One or two more goals per game at default Sim levels, as Kush got the memo that scoring is on the rise in the NHL.
+ More penalties at default levels, as Kush got the memo that NHL games are called much tighter now. More 5-on-3's occur, too, which is realistic.
+ Default Sim level settings play a pretty decent game of hockey out of the box.
+ I'm actually seeing five-hole goals in a Kush hockey game.
+ CPU defensemen aren't as passive as in the past, actually standing up forwards at the blue line more in the past. It's still not enough to be realistic, but the forwards do a decent job of trying to clog the neutral zone.

CONS
- Still appears to be a slight speed advantage for the CPU on default settings, as I'm seeing too many CPU breakaways.
- Goalies are very immobile and seem like they're rod-hockey goalies until save animations start.
- CPU offensive AI still makes inexplicable passes at times to the half-boards or point when near the crease with a good shot.
- New Pressure Control is incredibly cumbersome to use -- hold white button and move right stick at the same time, WTF? -- and very useless when you can figure out the finger gymnastics to use it.
- Kush maybe wrote four new script lines for Bob Cole and Harry Neale. They're bad enough with a fresh script, but some of the lines are getting as old as the overcaffeinated origami artist of Dan and Peter of NFL 2K5 fame.

In a nutshell, this game has solid hockey AI and puck physics, and just enough tweaks to justify its $20 price tag. No way this game is worth any more, though, as it's little more than updated rosters, a KILLER new camera angle and some light sanding of rough gameplay edges.

If you liked NHL 2K6, you'll like NHL 2K7 for the Xbox. I did, so I'm happy, especially for $20.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:03 pm

Well, I sold NHL 2k7 and I'm keeping NHL 07. I now everyone cares a ton...but just so you guys know...it was all your fault. Fun factor wins out.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:40 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Well, I sold NHL 2k7 and I'm keeping NHL 07. I now everyone cares a ton...but just so you guys know...it was all your fault. Fun factor wins out.

I'm doing the same. I'll put it towards Splinter Cell in 2 weeks. I just can't stop playing 07. Every time I pop in 2k I keep thinking about 07.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 6:43 pm

pk500 wrote:but some of the lines are getting as old as the overcaffeinated origami artist of Dan and Peter of NFL 2K5 fame.

LOL...I will never forget that line as long as I live. It's right up there with Madden in videogames complaining about how it drives him crazy that a QB would throw a pass short of the sticks on 3rd down.

DivotMaker · Post by **DivotMaker** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:15 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Well, I sold NHL 2k7 and I'm keeping NHL 07. I now everyone cares a ton...but just so you guys know...it was all your fault. Fun factor wins out.

Fun factor got me as well...welcome to the "dark side"....

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:25 pm

I'll probably take one back as soon as something comes out I want, but I still switch back and forth between the two.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:14 pm

I know everyone here loves 07, and maybe I would too if I tried it out. But for whatever it's worth, I think 2k7 on the 360 deserves a lot more props. I put it aside while I played NBA 2k7 for a solid week or so (great game, and I'm anything but an NBA fan), and when I popped NHL 2k7 in after the Cards game last night, I had two great games....one in which I beat the Flyers with the Pens 4-3 and the other than I lost to the Devils 5-3.

I wasn't really a Kush fan before this year, and I never thought they did advance the game from where Trey Arch left it 2-3 years ago... But after spending a couple of weeks with NHL 2k7 now, I can safely say I've never played a more realistic or more entertaining hockey game. Again, maybe my feelings would be different if I played 07, but I haven't had any reason to put 2k7 aside. Great game.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:05 am

GTHobbes wrote:I know everyone here loves 07, and maybe I would too if I tried it out. But for whatever it's worth, I think 2k7 on the 360 deserves a lot more props. I put it aside while I played NBA 2k7 for a solid week or so (great game, and I'm anything but an NBA fan), and when I popped NHL 2k7 in after the Cards game last night, I had two great games....one in which I beat the Flyers with the Pens 4-3 and the other than I lost to the Devils 5-3.

I wasn't really a Kush fan before this year, and I never thought they did advance the game from where Trey Arch left it 2-3 years ago... But after spending a couple of weeks with NHL 2k7 now, I can safely say I've never played a more realistic or more entertaining hockey game. Again, maybe my feelings would be different if I played 07, but I haven't had any reason to put 2k7 aside. Great game.

Kush did a great job and I'd say don't play a game of NHL 07 because it just has enough "fun" to spilt your time between the two games.

I could live with either game, but after playing both, I like both of them for different reasons.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:14 pm

anyone have a copy of NHL07 they want to sell? I figure there has to be someone that got both and now just wants to play 2K.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:16 pm

JackB1 wrote:anyone have a copy of NHL07 they want to sell? I figure there has to be someone that got both and now just wants to play 2K.

You have a 360 now, Jack? Are MattK and I the last ones to fall now?

Take care,
PK

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:57 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:Well, I sold NHL 2k7 and I'm keeping NHL 07. I now everyone cares a ton...but just so you guys know...it was all your fault. Fun factor wins out.
I'm doing the same. I'll put it towards Splinter Cell in 2 weeks. I just can't stop playing 07. Every time I pop in 2k I keep thinking about 07.

I did exactly the same thing. NHL 07 is just way too fun to put down. As good as the 2K series is, Kush is going to need to go back and revamp the goalies and the shooting interface if they want me to grab their game next year.

Who’d have thought it? I haven’t bought an EA hockey game since NHL 99.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:58 pm

Yeah...I hadn't bought an EA hockey game since NHL 04 for the Xbox, but that was it since about 98. 07 reminds me a lot of 04...I just don't know what happened from 98-04 and versions 05 and 06. Utterly horrible.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:30 pm

Loving the 360 2k7!! Anyone have a link to some 'sim' sliders?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:54 pm

greggsand wrote:Loving the 360 2k7!! Anyone have a link to some 'sim' sliders?

Here are some good sliders...click here.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:21 pm

Thanks PK.

I might be picking this one up today....For some reason I thought the new camera angle was only for the 360 version. That enough can justify the purchase for me.

See you on live maybe.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:35 pm

Picked up 2k7 for the Xbox today...

Initial Impressions:

-Wicked new camera angle.
-Better goal variety. I've already potted some beautiful wristers and slapshots through the five hole, top shelf, etc...
-Slightly better CPU Offensive AI.

Otherwise, like others have stated, it's basically a small upgrade for a small price.