NHL 07 Xbox 360 Hockey Review
Last year when the Xbox 360 launched, fans of EA’s NHL series were left out for the season. Perhaps it was due to the fact EA had spent too much time trying to get their flagship titles out for the new system. Possibly the problem was that the deal EA had worked out with the players was rejected by the Commissioner of the NHL. The rumors were there, but the details were not. Rather than speculate, fans were left with one choice for their hockey fix on the Xbox 360. For the last few years there has been a debate — which hockey title really is the best game in town, EA or 2K? Like any debate, each fan has his or her own thoughts. EA has had a full year in training camp, so to speak, to bring out their new improved version of the franchise for the Xbox 360. The real question is did they manage to bring their A game or is the franchise still loaded with minor league problems? Read the full review of NHL 07 and find out.
While 360 owners were left without the series, Xbox owners did have their version last year. NHL 06 was decent but seemed overshadowed by the in-depth coaching and features found in 2K’s version. Many long time fans have said that EA’s NHL series is more of an arcade approach to the game and not a simulation. I would have to agree with this statement to a point and for the exception of 2004’s attempt, the franchise has seen little changes to the basic mold. I could go down memory lane and wax poetically the past versions. Instead I have a new version to review so let’s get to the face-off. This year EA took a page from Madden and throws the players right into the new direction with a shootout when the game starts. For those who may not be hockey fans, the shootout may be the most exciting few minutes of any hockey game. The shootout pits the line against the goalie and whoever can out skate and score 3 goals first wins. Now I liked this approach but, like Madden, when it opened with trying out for a team, it can confuse long time fans. The fact all the controls are new and the book is again only 7 pages seemed to magnify the changes too fast and too soon. Die-hard players will pick up the new controls and probably breeze through the shootout and even earn the first achievement for their efforts. Those new to the series will feel a little lost until the real start of the game and the “Skill Stick†controls are introduced in a series of on-screen cut scenes.
Once again anyone who has played the sport for real will have an advantage with the new control scheme. In fact, it is one of the best changes to NHL in years and makes the franchise at last more realistic.  After having time with the game, any gamer will learn the “Skill Stick†is less of a gimmick and more of a needed change. Let me say having to switch from moving the skater with the left and using the right stick to control his upper body and stick has a high learning curve. So they may have introduced the changes a bit slower but I understand what EA is trying to do. Offensively NHL 07 is solid and a great change for the series. It breaths new life into the old run and shoot style that the game had fallen into over the years. EA has managed to find new, innovative ways of making the analog sticks a vital part of all their sports games. EA also managed to give gamers a realistic feel of scoring or creating the play. I am all for adding more realistic game play features and EA succeeded in a big way in this area.
On one hand they brought a new control scheme that works and adds more of a realistic feeling although a bit awkward at first. Then on the other hand they still left out the defensive changes the series so badly needed. I understand they can’t fix everything in one version, but it seems a bit off balanced now and some gamers have already voiced this. Having spent a good amount of time playing the new version, I can see that their concerns are not just whines and moans but real issues. You now have to work for that one-timer instead of it almost being automatic. While the scores are more realistic, the goalies still give up goals in ways that seem to show the game needed more work on both ends. A puck will bounce off their glove, helmet or just bounce strongly and wind up in the net. The other major flaw with the new Skill Stick is any player with the skills (no pun intended) can deke past the robotic like A.I. defensive players, shoot at will, and make quick work of the computer. Players will find that all the other modes are basically left unchanged from the old versions and this too can leave players feel a little disappointed.
The Dynasty mode is still too basic. It is possible to simulate the games without ever playing the game or needing to learn the controls. While the player that chooses to do this is wasting their money, if EA had tweaked the whole game instead of just one area, this would not even be an issue. While basic, the Dynasty mode still takes some knowledge of the sport and the current players to do well in. I would have loved to see a few changes like found in 2K’s version practices with chemistry changes in certain lines and more advanced changes. The game is well done, but it just has that feeling as stated above that they developers concentrated on one area without adjusting the rest of the game. This may turn off some fans of the franchise. There is also a lack of throw back uniforms, teams and historic players which hopefully will be included in the next version. Hopefully, this year’s version is just the first step in a total revamping of the series.
Players are going to need to take time in the quick game mode and the Dodge Shootout mode to learn the new controls. The classic controls are also included and, perhaps, made it a little too easy to switch back to the old controls instead of making it fun to learn the new ones. I strongly urge anyone to take the few hours needed to learn the new controls. While it may take some time to get the gist of using one stick to move and the other stick to shoot and create moves, it is works great and is worth the extra effort. The learning curve is high and it will take at least 1-2 hours for players to get used to the new controls. The 7 page game manual is also something I wish EA would change or add all the controls and features on the disc itself for a quick reference. Since the game uses the new controls online, if you plan on playing friends on live, you need to learn the controls or get ready to be thrashed badly. Overall, the new control scheme is a great addition. I would have liked to see them add in new defensive moves but it does show progress and works well with the Xbox 360 controller.
Here again there is no change from the last version. It seems EA has a basic plan when it comes to their lobbies. Yes, it is easy to find a game and challenge a player, but it needs some updated features. Perhaps along the lines of those found in NBA live? In any case, the online mode is good, but could be great with a few changes. Long time fans will notice that the online mode is the same and will find it familiar but die-hard fans of the sport want more options and features. Overall, the game plays decent online with only a few minor issues. I did notice a few games online that just seemed to crawl and were a bit bogged down only to play fine a short time later. This may just be a server issue or connecting with some players since everyone has a different set-up. Overall, the online mode is good but could be great.
EA has worked hard over the last few years to tweak the franchise graphically. This year the fans and players look great showing that EA spent time to improve this area of the game. However, what hurts the changes and great graphics is the fact the game seems to grind to a slow pace and almost stutters at times. While the frame rate does drop from time to time, fortunately it is not a constant throughout the game. I really like to end period warm up with the fast replays. However, at times it can be very easy to accidentally skip this feature by hitting the wrong button.
If you have read my past reviews on EA’s NHL series, you already know I miss Don Taylor as the color commentator. He added a spark to the play by play and it was missed over the past few years. While EA did not bring him back, they did manage to make the best sounding NHL game ever in the franchise. They nailed down almost every sound perfectly and created a great commentary track that follows the action without the old problems. Now if they would add in a few options to adjust the EA tracks and allow custom soundtracks to be used more in the game, it would be perfect in this area. As it is this year, any fan will agree EA really worked hard to adjust and fine tune the audio and it pays off.
EA improved the franchise this year. Throw in a decent Co-Op mode and the ability to play online with more than one player and it has a lot to offer. I still want the Olympic teams and historic teams added. Also players have wanted throw back jerseys and other features to enhance the game play. I do think the Dodge shootout and new features added increase the replay value more than the past few versions and will appeal to the die-hard players. Those new to the sport or series may find it a little harder to find the most replay value, but if they take time to learn the controls, they too will find it fun to play even after the regular season is over.
Overall Score: 8.0/10 [not an average]
NHL 07 took some risks and for the most part it pays off. I still would have liked to see more added coaching features and defensive enhancements but it does show that EA wants to take the franchise to another level. Looking at the stats, it seems EA has scored when it needed but still needs some work on there special lines so to speak. Like any real NHL team rebuilding, it takes time. The changes to the graphics showed significant improvement as well. Hopefully next year there will be some great draft picks and continued improvements. I personally look forward to seeing what EA has planned. Let’s just hope they will continue the changes and not settle for what is there now.
Review by XBS Head Writer Rich Reed
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