Hockey has
been a video-game staple since the old days of gaming. It seems that almost
every platform has enjoyed bringing the game to life, in one way or another –
whether it was simplistic sprites or the more intense animations and graphics of
the current-gen systems.
Well, video
gaming is progressing into the next generation and EA Sports is keeping pace
with the next iteration of its NHL franchise – this time the code was for NHL 07
for the 360. This was not a retail build, but still showcased some of the new
schemes that EA Sports has put into the game while also showing off the graphics
of the 360 version.
In regards
to the latter, NHL 07 is a powerhouse with stellar player animations and great
renders for the various arenas.
New to the
franchise is the Skill Stick. You use the left thumbstick to control your stick
and the right thumbstick controls the hockey stick. A quick shot is a quick up
on the stick, a slapshot is down and then up; wrist shots and backhands require
going to the left or right with the thumbstick and then moving it upward. You
can deke while skating with the puck. When shooting, you use the other
thumbstick to aim the puck. Sound complex?
It takes
some practice but the game includes a Dodge Shootout, which is a penalty
shootout, and enables gamers to understand the control scheme.
Other game
modes include Dynasty mode (you can
adjust your
skill level, period lengths, rosters
used, if the salary cap is used or not, the way season ties are broken). There
is also an EA Sports World Tournament.
Regardless
of whether you indulge in the Dynasty mode or take on some of the world’s top
national representatives, the game pretty much plays out as a cerebral and
reflexive exercise. You have to see what is going on, anticipate and take
advantage of your oppositions mistakes.
The Dynasty
mode is rather deep and once you take over the role of GM, you trade players,
sign free agents to build a top-tier franchise, deal with scouting reports and
finances, upgrade the staff and make roster moves.
In many
ways, despite the new shooting mechanics, NHL plays much like other hockey
titles. The game is fast paced up and down the arena ice, with passing,
switching characters on the fly, dumping the puck in the zone and then chasing
into the corners while setting up shooters at angles to the net.
Graphically,
the game is very strong. Sure, there are the overhead camera angles, but when
the camera gets down onto field level, you will see a big step up in the way the
character animations are handled and how closely some of these players represent
their real-life counterparts.
The sound of
the game is rather good, from the announcing to the on-ice game sounds.
NHL 07 is a
fast-paced title that really is a treat in many regards. Hitting store shelves
on Sept. 12, this is a title that should entreat hockey video-game fans.