When the final 360 launch titles were announced, I was sort of surprised by all the sports titles. This has to be the biggest choice for sports fans for any system launch. A lot has been said that a few of the sports games are just slight enhanced versions to cash in on the 360 market. I have to disagree with this and so far while not every one has been fantastic for a launch they seem great.

Now being a hockey fan when I read the changes and new features of NHL 2K6 and the fact you would have control of the goalie, I had to pick it up. If you read the Xbox review of this title, you already now that 2K is more of a Sim style of gameplay and not the high speed game that EA’s NHL series offers. A mix of both game styles would be more accurate and after playing the 360 version, I was impressed but also noticed a few things that just made me wonder why. Read the full review of NHL 2K6 for the Xbox 360 to find out.

Gameplay

Fans of the sport of hockey will be happy to know they did not strip the game of the features and modes found in the Xbox version. They even added a few new ones like the above mentioned goalie control and view and it’s easier to change coaching strategies on both ends, meaning offensively and defensively. This really adds more realistic gameplay for the fans of video hockey. It’s not a simple game to pick up and play but with some practice anyone will be able to understand the finer and more complicated gameplay options. So far it sounds great and for the most part it is, but there are a few things including the revamped coaching and goalie systems that just made me say why did they do this? The overall game does have some nice touches. Yet this is a $60.00 game and when compared to the $19.99 version the Xbox offered, it just seems lacking a bit. A few of the new features are in need of some fine tuning and not fully polished.

Any launch title will have certain areas they need to improve on and I have no problem with this fact. My expectations were a bit too high on this one though, after all, this is the 360 and games are supposed to be great and fully loaded. Granted, there was less time to work with the new system and with new coding. In no way am I making excuses, the game was rushed in a few of the new features. At times they work great and look great and then tend to show a few quirks. For the gamer that enjoys the realistic Sim style, NHL 2K6 offers it in spades but it’s not presented as it could have been. It shows at times that it needed more time in the development stages before launch. It has a few glitches and needs tweaked, but overall the gameplay is solid and even at times rivals the latest Xbox version.

Gamers who are not big hockey fans will need to read the booklet and watch the on screen advice on how to adjust the settings. NHL 2K6 does offer the most advanced, realistic play and coach options which is great for hockey fans. This can intimidate those new to playing hockey in a video game. Players will need to adjust their expectations on the next-gen look and gameplay. In short, just learn the game and take the time to read and understand the features and coaching system and the game will be more enjoyable.

The new enforcer players and system works well and remains in the 360 version. Icons will be under certain players these are the key players on defense and the ones that can save or score at any second and change the game. Everything is adjustable from the difficulty to line changes and first time players can allow the CPU to decide and switch and call plays and learn by just playing. This is what impressed me the most since when you play against another real person who knows their way around the game, they can make changes so fast and easy. It will make it look complicated. Like anything new, those playing 2K6 for the first few times will learn by simply playing and even the online mode can be adjusted for beginners or long time pros of the series. They added all the new rules of the NHL this year and the penalties at times can be a little harsh. It seems the A.I refs will call more penalties on the home team than on the away team and that is one thing that still needs fixed. The Xbox version had the same issues. It is not horrible but can be a little frustrating. For now there is not a better or more realistic game of hockey out there, but at times it could use more in the way of overall presentation. This may also be due to the fact 2K is still adjusting the series from the ESPN angle now that they no longer have the rights. Most fans will enjoy the realistic Sim style of play but again if you already own the Xbox version and plan on keeping the older system, you will need to decide if you need both versions.

Control / Playability

The controls are slightly revamped and the biggest change is when going into the new goalie mode. When you want to enter this mode, there are two types of controls. The first set moves the goalie into a better stance and all you need to do is hold down any trigger and the goalie will change his stance and position. To get into his view and behind the mask, you click the right analog stick and will be placed in a first person view. When a shot is hit and you’re in the right position, the puck slows down and the game goes into a slow motion mode. A target will appear and this is where you need to move his glove to save the shot from going in the net. It is a neat mode and adds a lot to the gameplay overall, but it is still in need of some tuning so to speak. The other controls are the same and the 360 controller makes the gameplay even smoother and easier to enjoy.

The D-Pad is where you give coaching commands like crash the net or attack etc. Line changes can be made at any whistle blow and is pretty simple but again you need to read the manual to cover every control would be impossible due to space for the rest of the areas I need to cover. I would say for those who have played the series before the learning curve is about 10-15 minutes and for beginners about a half hour. Just remember that learning everything will take actual ice time and just playing and learning by doing. Overall, 2K made the controls easy and great as far as everything within reach and nothing that takes awkward movements. Since the gameplay is more realistic, it was also made for fast changes just like the real sport itself. The passing controls are the same and are the best out there as well as the shooting options and controls. Overall no complaint but it is more complicated till you learn them.

Xbox Live

Here is where learning the controls pays off since when you enter any room and accept an invite or challenge, you have two minutes to adjust your settings and they can be saved. I was even amazed playing a few friends that seemed to set-up everything in about 45 seconds and just breezed through each screen and proves how fast the controls allow changes to be made. Of course I should mention the people I played with live eat and sleep hockey. The fact you can have two separate settings (one for online play and one for offline play) really impressed me. Of course with every time you face, adjustments are needed, so changing is easy just at the start of the game in the live mode or offline whatever the case may be. They have rooms for every player’s level of skill and even custom rooms. These are for the rink modes and tournaments. They have a nice online lobby and easy to navigate through. Finding friends is now easier thanks to the ability of hitting the 360 control button and shooting a voice message or receiving invites.

The game looks great online and really looks the same as offline. The play is lag free and the commentary keeps up what the action in real time. You will notice a new sports ticker at the bottom sort of like EA’s and shows trades, scores and important NHL information for fans. Getting online is easy and there are no issues at all finding new players or friends. The whole lobby looks like they really took time to think it though. A nice job and makes up for some of the other issues the launch title has.

Graphics / Presentation

The ice looks amazing and so does the arenas including the score boards and the fans. No cut out little cardboard fans, all are animated and look real and react to what is going on amazingly accurately. Players look real but here is where the game again could have been better. While they look real enough, a few features are a bit exaggerated. This may be due to trying to use the new HD technology to the best of their capabilities. Die-hard fans will and have remarked that the hair on the players does not look natural and that is one area that, while minor, needs work. The other graphics like the net and the water bottle being knocked off are simply outstanding. If you notice a pattern going on here, you are correct. It goes from being great to fair and back again. Overall not a bad first attempt and shows what the 360 can do. It just does not push or utilize the full power of the graphics. To be fair no games at launch fully use the 360’s power graphically; although there is some that look better. Overall nice and well done but needed more time and shows at times.

Audio

The commentary is about the same as in the Xbox version and could have used some added script writing. I have had the same complaint and sports fans in general always want more commentary. It’s not bad but at times seems a little weak. The little things like the sound of the puck hitting the net post and bouncing off is dead on. Even at times you can hear a board check and when the player hits the boards, there is a thud sound. Overall a great job except that the commentary. They also added some nice, realistic shot sounds and each type of shot sounds different, which again shows that the game tries to pull out enough to make you feel like you really are playing and not just controlling the action.

Replay Value

Now that the 360 has achievements to unlock, NHL 2K6 has some real challenge and will add to the overall replay value. Add in all the game modes and the season mode as well as the online mode and for fans of the sport, there is plenty of replay value.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 7.7/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

Visual Concepts and 2K Sports tried to bring out a great hockey game and for the most part succeeded. It does have a few parts that need polished and fine tuned before the next edition. After playing the game online and off, I found it to be loaded with many great features real hockey fans want in their games. I would have liked to see a bit more enhancements and the quirks worked out, but even so NHL 2K6 is a great and realistic game. You still may want to consider that if you own the Xbox version whether the 360 version is worth shelling out the $60.00. If you have friends who want to play and love the sport, it is worth it and is fun to play. It does take time to learn the controls and coaching commands but it is worth the time. I just hope the next one has the little things fixed and I am sure they will. Die-hard hockey fans will be drawn to this one more than the casual gamer.

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