NHL 2K7

"A rehash of a good game with some new features"

Another year means another battle between EA and 2k Sports over their respective sports franchises. Usually 2k Sports wins this battle in the hockey field, but this year EA added a slew of new features to NHL 07 to pose a fighting chance against the dominant 2k series, did 2k add new improvements to ward off the EA juggernaut? Lets find out.

2k Sports games are noted for their excellent gameplay, usually a great experience for the player, but this year 2k seemed to skip out adding new features for their first real Xbox 360 offering, leaving you with a fulfilling yet all too familiar presentation. Yes, the traditional controls are all there, you still pass, shoot, poke check and race across the ice with all the same buttons as last year. One semi-notable feature is the revamped "Crease Control" that allows you to control your goalie, which you'll need because the AI of this game seems to rather lax, especially on Xbox Live, allowing the same types of shots into the net time after time.

Xbox live and intense single-player is still there too, even if semi-recycled. The franchise mode is still in-depth, allowing you a minor league team, player contracts, team practices, fatigue and intricate roster management. The franchise mode also adds a hardly noticeable rivalry system, where the other team has their stats improved if they are a rival. Xbox Live is a significantly better from EA's offering, having it's own feedback system, allowing entire seasons and tournaments to be played online with others.

Presentation is an element 2k always seems to get right, and one of the most hyped additions to this game improves it an incredible amount from last year. The new "cinemotion" adds a fine camera angle from above and behind the net at one end of the ice, which still surprisingly works out well. If you choose to have it, the cinemotion also adds orchestral music to the hockey game. Both elements of Cinemotion blend together beautifully to produce another 2k masterpiece feature, I just wish I could say that about the presentation without Cinemotion. The commentary is exactly the same as last year, so are much of the boxes, score tracker and other items that are supposed to make the game feel like a TV experience. The menus are just as ugly and blinding as last years. Keep in mind this is only the second year since the ESPN license was lost and this game is overwhelmingly the same as last years.

One item that isn't the same as last years offering are the graphics. The players faces, jerseys, equipment and the ice all look amazing and provide very nice scenery to look at while you score your third straight slapshot on J.S. Gigure. Some of the players faces, although well detailed, are still much different than their real life counterparts.

The graphics, cinemotion and old features still blend together to form the charm of a great hockey game. Still, it's a shame 2k couldn't have done more to improve it, making seem almost like a copy of last years edition which will bore anyone who has played this series for the last few years. If you're looking for a deep simulation game and didn't try the 2k series last year, pick this game up. Otherwise, grab EA's NHL 07 and escape the AI flaws, recycled features and design errors that net this game a 7.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/07