Little improvement from last year, but still a solid game.
Sure it had some flaws but was a formidable hockeygame none the less.
NHL07 is, as you´ve probably read in numerous other reviews, about the same with a few exceptions.
I don´t use the dynasty mode, I just play the occasional exhibition game against the computer and mostly I play online against a friend, so I´m just covering the gameplay area here.
Graphics: About the same as last year, except that the differences in size isn´t as freaked out as last year where some players looked like they weighed about 400lbs, and some looked like little kids. Sounds: New sound FX for some hits & puck rebounds. Can´t say that I´m overly impressed by the sounds the hits make. Sounds like the players are made of fiberglass or something. Goalie-rebound fx are great. There is a certain "thump" sound when it hits the pads that sounds really good.
Gameplay: The superdekes and fake shots have been removed. WHY!? Also the poke-move is totally screwed up. Hold the poke-button and your player looks like he´s having a seizure. Otherwise it feels pretty solid. Passing has been sped up and improved. Goalies let in some fluke-goals which I´m getting used to more and more. Just means that they are human.
AI: Pretty ok. Sliders need to be adjusted to make it more challenging, since the computer often skates waaaay to close to your goal to be able to score. He practically stands on the goalie when he´s about to shoot. Defense plays pretty good, and your offensive players are just where you want them most of the time. Overall: Solid hockeygame with a few gameplay features "missing" (see gameplay)