The next generation of Hockey is here. Well, on the Xbox360 atleast. The PC version of the game along with current gen consoles is nothing but NHL 06 with a few tweaks and new rosters. The games graphics are nearly identical to those in 06. It uses the same engine, though functional, with the setting maxed out it still looks a couple years behind current PC games. There are subtle changes such as the upper crowd is made up of more detailed sprites and a filter or shader is used in the background during most cut scenes. The overall presentation of the game appears to be done on a low budget. The games menus are not animated in any way and seem like a step down from previous NHL games which were much more full of life. Some of the menus can be confusing too (if you have played 06 you are already familiar with the layout) and make trying to manage your team that much less fun than it should be. There are several different modes including Season, Dynasty, Exhibition, Free For All, Shootout Minigame and Online. The only new mode, Shootout, isnt really just a slight variation of the free for all. All the others are much the same as before. Dynasty mode has been tweaked for the better. There is now a salary cap and the system for your teams expectations has been overhauled. You now gain confidence from your owner by winning games and get more trust depending on how big an underdog you were in the game. When you loose you loose trust in the same way. In EA hockey tradition 07 has a new gimmicky control feature, replacing the skill stick of last year. To pass now you flick the right analog stick in the direction you want. This works pretty well and is one of the best new features we've seen in a while. Although you need to use precision or the pass wont go where you intended. To compliment the new passing system the controls have been changed around completely which takes some getting used to. Unless your using the keyboard and none of this applies to you. NHL 07 does a respectable job when it comes to hitting the ice. It plays a decent game of hockey, a bit arcade like, and if thats all your really interested in then this game might be for you. Veterans of the series will likely find the game to be on the easy side but will appreciate that the AI has been tweaked a bit. Goalies no longer stack the pads every other shot and deffencemen dont go for a line change when the other team is on an odd man rush. Hitting has been reduced, now players will often stay on their feet and keep the puck when bumped. One timers are less likely to go in and instead it is easier to score in other ways (moving laterally on a goalie while manually dekeing then going far side works very well and is almost too easy to pull off in a game). The soundtrack in the game is made up of mostly emo, hard rock or punk bands popular at the moment. You can turn them off in the menu. The commentary is mostly recycled from last year unlike the 360 version. Its not especially good but its not bad either. Its the same story for sound effects. If you already have 05 or 06, dont have a game pad, dont have an Xbox 360 or are'nt the biggest hockey fan then this game is not for you. Maybe next year we'll have something to get excited about.
If you have NHL 06, This is a waste of money!! Every menu and every option on every menu is almost the same...Franchise mode hasn't changed in three years, besides the addition of a cap!! What the F#%% is this...what a... Read Full Review
This NHL game, if u can call it that, is a total disgrace. EA sports have no respect for its customers by releasing a slightly modified version of NHL 06. Even the shortcut logo is the same , all they did is replace the ... Read Full Review
