Beautiful game of hockey!
I recently bought nhl 07 in high hopes EA has done somthing right. After playing EA games since Nhl 93 with its crappy sounds and its aqua blue ice im really hoping they are getting on the right track since NHL 05 and NHL 06 have been less then impressive. NHL 07 this year has a new feature, The skill stick. This is used with the right analog stick to give you free motion to deke and shoot and to use the backhand, you will no longer use the face buttons to shoot or hit. This give a real sense of your controling your stick and aiming where the puck goes. It isn't too complicated to get to use, even if you don't like the new stick settings you can go to the classic way. R2 now passes the puck, it seems kinda weird at first but it does suit it.
Salary cap is also in the game this year, it is getting to a realistic managing system but there could be more depth, But it is EA's first shot at Next gen hockey so i wont complain too much. It still gets the job done and still gives you a sense of managing and it is fairly enjoyable.
Gameplay. The days of one timer scoreee one time scoreee!! is gone, its hard to score on a one timer which is a good thing it makes it seem so much more realistic and fluid. Defence is good, there are some minor issues with the defence but they still challenge and do a good job. They dont over check but it seems like all they have to do is run into you and the puck is gone off your stick, which makes sense if you think about it, no more magnetic puck on stick.
Goaltenders move realistic they move to the puck no more teleporting pucks into gloves. It seems like a lot of goals slide between the legs, also i had a few garbage goals but it isnt as common as you may think, it does take skill to deke out the goaltender and get around the defence. The sense of satisfaction scoring on a breakaway is always great too!.
Graphics. EA went all out graphicly. Its just an amazing looking hockey game HD or Non-HD you still go wow. Skating animations seem like they were taken straight out of 2006. Checking animations have been taken straight out or 2006 so you will get some familier feels. The fame rate is stable, 30fps. 30 frames in my opinion is good, its still a fast paced game but some people do like 60fps. Its also lacking in game modes, you have online, dynasy, international and shoot out. No free for all this year:(
Online- yeah.. a very weak spot in the game laggy, with faceoffs that come out of no where? im guessing patch work will fix this but honestly the online play is not good right now.
Sound is wonderfull in this game. the comentary is very well done, its not too repetative but this is the best you will hear in awhile. Emo songs are back though i mean EA has always stuck to the Emo ish songs but thats okay. Gameplay is where its at.
Closing comments its a great game of hockey in its own right. EA did a lot of right this time around and if you like hockey most of you will like this game. I know i do. Rent it first if you like because it is a bit different then other games. No speed burst, and it is a loose game of hockey. hockey is hockey thought! GO OTTAWA!~!~ hehe:)