As a hockey fan
I felt the sting of the NHL lockdown and later the empty feeling you get when
you’re in need of a necessary fix. In this case I filled the void with hockey
video games and while this year it comes down to two major franchises, EA
Sports’ NHL 06 and 2K Sports’ NHL 2K6, it is NHL 2K6 that
satisfies my hunger for a deep and downright fun hockey game. Yes, this year its
NHL 2K6 that should be spinning in your Xbox and the main reason is this:
it’s a superior improvement that’s a step forward for the series and the bargain
price isn’t bad either.
One thing I
should mention is that the series has gone through several changes and most
recently the series has lost its ESPN brand that gave the franchise its stylish
ESPN feel. Still, even with the lack of the sports network’s brand the 2K series
has not lost any of its charming features. You’ll still be able to go into the
SkyBox and play Air Hockey, Darts, Shuffleboard and answer trivia questions.
You’ll still unlock extra treats like vintage jerseys from the past, fun arenas
(the circus and a space station being among the best) and historic teams like
the 1995 Devils team. All the modes we’ve come to love are still here and with
improvements and new additions make it safe to say that things have changed for
the better.
The biggest
changes are centered on the gameplay and the game’s overall style. We’re now
looking at a more realistic game of hockey with AI mistakes that seem to
humanize your computer-controlled opponents. While the opponent AI is still able
to produce some smart play, push the aggression to the max when needed and put
up a great defense, they are still prone to mistakes just like everyone else.
Instead of a seemingly unstoppable goalkeeper (yeah, I’m looking at you cover
boy Marty Turco), even the best goalies can be overwhelmed by a good offense or
miss a slap shot here and there. This doesn’t mean the game is easy, it’s far
from it, but it means it’s challenging enough to be realistic and even fun.
New to the
gameplay elements is the ability to take control of players like a good coach
and direct them to actions like crashing the net, screen the goalie or even
release the breakaway. As a player you can call for help (by clicking the right
analog stick and pressing a direction in the D-pad) or put your enforcers (who
are slower than the average player but tough enough to intimidate your
opponents) to work. With the Pro Control you can perform a one timer or lob a
high pass in front of the net to a teammate. You can even skate backwards with
the puck, which gives a teammate time to position himself to receive a pass or
clear a path to the goal for you. All these things just serve to make this a
complete game of hockey and it works amazing.
NHL 2K6 is also
big on game modes and there is enough here to keep fans more than busy. Aside
from the usual assortment of modes like Season, Tournament, Playoffs, Exhibition
and Franchise there is also Dream Team, Skills and Extra mode. Dream Team, for
example, allows you to create your fantasy team with top players from different
teams and then guide your fantasy team through a series of matches. Extra Mode
has six different game types including a mini-rink match or play a brutal game
sans protective helmets. Yet it’s the game’s Party Mode that wins big here
mostly because it tosses loads of hockey mini-games that feel like a separate
game altogether and one that you’ll definitely want to share with a group of
friends seeing as up to four players can compete on screen at the same time. The
mini-games aren’t just plentiful but way too much fun. If that wasn’t enough
there’s online multiplayer and trust me when I say that you’ll log countless
hours with this one. Not only does the game run perfectly but also there are
league tournaments and a lobby filled with players ready to hit the ice.
The game’s
Franchise mode is back and its better than ever with returning features
introduced last year and new ones that just help make this one the most
realistic Franchise mode ever. For starters you can sign some international
players into your favorite team but this time you have to watch what this change
means to your established team. Team chemistry plays a role now and if the new
center doesn’t get along with, say, one of your enforcers then you’ll have an
unsatisfied player on your hands. There are also injuries and trade offers and
players that will complain of fatigue if pushed to their limits. Welcome to real
hockey, folks.
Visually the
game is even far more gorgeous than last year’s offering and that’s saying a lot
right there. For one thing the character models are sharper and their movements
more fluid and realistic. The cutscenes after scoring is the real treat with
shots of good-looking fans going wild and you’ll even catch an arena security
guard pumping his fist in triumph. In short, while the game lost its ESPN
broadcast appeal the game still does a great job of making each game feel
like a televised game. While the menus do lack the charm it once had when ESPN
was still part of the franchise the new screens aren’t bad at all.
Even the game’s
sound makes something of an impact mainly because this year sees a nice number
of tunes, more than decent commentary and great arena sounds. While the music
comes from a lengthy list of unknown artists like Dixie Witch, The M’s or Jet By
Day, most of what we hear in this game isn’t actually that bad at all. Yet it’s
the broadcast commentary from known Canadian duo Bob Cole and Harry Neale that
stands out. They call the game perfectly without missing a beat and while some
of the color commentary is often repeated it doesn’t get on your nerves. The
arena sound is made up of fans cheering and calling out their team’s name while
a PA announcer reminds the fans that throwing things in the rink is not
permitted. You’ll also hear the usual on-ice sounds likes skates shaving ice,
hockey pucks slamming against goalposts and the sound of lumber smacking lumber.
Beyond its
gorgeous visuals, great sound and plethora of addictive game modes, NHL 2K6
delivers a near perfect and utterly satisfying game of hockey that’s well
worth its bargain price. With so much going for it and gameplay improvements
that overshadow this year’s EA Sports game, not picking this one up would be a
real shame. If you love hockey and you love a game that offers more bang for
your buck then NHL 2K6 should be on your Must Buy list.
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Gameplay: 9.2
With
improvements in the gameplay plus some much welcome additions (on-the-fly
coaching!) this game just plays like a dream. Aside from the great controls
there are a large number of game modes that will keep any hockey fan more than
busy and this girl is in love with the deep-yet-realistic Franchise mode.
Graphics: 8.5
The loss of
the ESPN brand is obvious from the start but that doesn’t mean the presentation
isn’t good and the televised feel is spot-on. The rest of the game is just so
gorgeous that the player models practically look like the real deal but the
replays of your best plays and footage of fans going wild will put tears of joy
in your eyes. I’m getting misty right now just thinking how good this game
looks.
Sound: 8.5
The two-man
commentary team is excellent and they call the plays without being too
repetitious. On the ice you’ll hear the puck ping against the goalpost or an
opposing player slamming against the boards after a vicious body check. The
soundtrack is a lot better than last year and there is bound to be a song or two
you won’t mind hearing again.
Difficulty:
Medium
The opponent
AI is able to put up quite a defense but is also prone to making realistic
mistakes. Instead of finding a goalkeeper that makes impossible catches every
time you’ll find that even the best goalkeepers can miss a catch or get
overwhelmed by the offense. In short, the game is nicely challenging.
Concept: 9.5
NHL 2K6
continues to
bring all the usual assortment of goodies we love about the series and aside
from the great unlockable goodies (vintage jerseys and legendary teams) there’s
Party Mode that is just way too much fun to want to put down. The Xbox Live
multiplayer is also a dream come true.
Multiplayer:
9.0
I must write a
review for this game, I tell myself as I try (hard) to tear myself away from my
Xbox but the player speaking to me via the Xbox Communicator is challenging me
and darn if the smooth framerate online and league tournaments don’t call to me.
One more game, I lie to myself.
Overall: 9.0
The good news
is that NHL 2K6 is the best hockey game you’ll find this year but the bad
news is that you won’t see the light of day for days to come. Really, this is
the most addictive and realistic hockey game this year. Sorry EA, but this one
is clearly the winner this year.
