EA Sports NHL 07 / 2K Sports NHL 2K7

[thecoolstuff]

Go to gamespot.com and search for it. EA still doest have a official NHL 07 webpage yet (too focus on the friggin football). The graphics look pretty good on xbox 360! Can't wait for PC screenshots to come out.

[Systemfel]

I just hope they'll do something about all that slowness like when you're editing your lines for instance. It took years to do that in the '06 version...

[munky]

I'm willing to bet NHL 07 will carry on being an arcade breakaway relay with no semblance of realism whatsoever. It'll look nice, but that's about it.

[archibalduk]

I'm willing to bet NHL 07 will carry on being an arcade breakaway relay with no semblance of realism whatsoever. It'll look nice, but that's about it.

Exactly my sentiments. But at least it'll be out in Europe in time for the season - unlike NHL 2k6

[Minstrel]

The way I feel about the two games is how I feel about "Summer Blockbuster" movies; if you're settign yourself out to be a romp, a something explodes every five minutes fast paced ride then embrace it and be a ride. I know you weren't trying to be the Shawkshank Redemption and I'll give you credit for shooting for a target and hitting it. Kudos. If you want to be a film of gritty realism then do it... if you're going for that epic Cast of Thousands thing be epic.

I don't think the 2k series in any of it's incarnations was confused about what it wanted to be; and since that realism is what I prefer I usually appreciate their efforts more.

EA can't decide if they want to be a real NHL game or the next version of NHL Hitz/NFL Blitz so they continue to add seemingly random elements from both sides of the realism spectrum and it's just a chaotic mess of features that half work and half fit.

They came closest right when the PS2 came out when they made the great development of making the announcers break from the "reality" of the game and be self-aware that they were doing commentary for a video game. Then you knew what they were shooting for and no matter if you liked the approach you had to give them credit for pulling it togehter. They embraced that they weren't making a simulation they were making a ride; a blowout Summerblockbuster where the hits and goals and taunting of the people playing the game by the game's announcers never stopped.

At that point it made sense for Don to between periods not say "That's the end of the second period with the Blackhawks 11 and Red Wings 1" and trying to make tie that to realism but instead saying "This is the point where player two you should distract player 1 and hit the 'reset' button." During games he'd encourage you to "Keep up with all that crazy hitting, because it makes me say witty things." My favorite of all time of course being "Suffice it to say, if he were a jelly donut? There'd be jelly everywhere." Awesome.

But then they went to normal commentators again and the rock em sock em arcade feel was just frustrating because the game wanted to sound like hockey but not play like hockey and no matter how shiney the pads got or how slick the graphics or having Paul Kariya being able to blast people through the end boards I just don't get anything from playing EA's hockey anymore.

[thecoolstuff]

I have played the EA NHL games since 2002. And I can honestly tell you 2005(which Naslund grace the cover) is the worst EA NHL so far. I cant really have any comment on 2002 since that's the game I started with. But 2003 was fun, 2004 was fun too. Both game made me sit infront of my computer for hours. But when it comes to 2005, the game has so many changes from 2004 (most of them degrading) that I just feel utterly disguisted by it. Then comes 2006, which I still play now from time to time, is pretty fun actually.

BUT, when you play any EA NHL games dont expect it to be realistic. Although like all the other NHL series, 2006 is not realistic, BUT if you want to enjoy a fast pace, end to end rush of fun hockey game, you will find it in 2006. One of the thing I really like about 06 is the addition of skill stick. This put manual decking to a whole new level. This time around you can actually deck the way you want your player to deck, unlike the awkward deck control in 05.

The difference between EA NHL and the 2K series is that EA focus more on the visual experience while 2k forcus more on the gameplay. Personally I like EA better just because it looks better. I often wonder why dont EA combine the graphic that they already have with the gameplay like 2k? But then it would make the game too "perfect" and no one would go and buy the next version (which is why we know they can make the game 100 times better, but every year all we got is some upgrades on visual and some minor upgrades on gameplay....)

I'm still really excited about the coming of 07, the graphic looks amazing!!

[E5150_ca]

2k.. good... gameplay...????

[archibalduk]

Anyway.... In my opinion NHL 2003 was by far the worst game of the EA series. It was not even a good arcade game. I found the gameplay to be a little too unrealistic and arcardey. I didn't enjoy the game very much at all. 2002 was nearly as bad. I didn't enjoy 2005 very much either; I found the gamespeed was far, far too fast and I couldn't understand why this was so. It was insanely fast! I like NHL 2004 - I think they were heading in the right direction with that. Also, NHL 2000 and 2001 were good fun too.

[thecoolstuff]

2k.. good... gameplay...????

uh...compare to EA NHL...uh yeah...it DOES have good gameplay. I think its pretty obvious. Dont tell me you never notice their goalie mode, building dream team option, playing against historic team option, and how can you forget the MINI GAMES!?!? Sometimes I wonder do you even know what you are talking about? Cuz it looks like either your a big 2k hater or you dont know what's in 2k at all.

The best thing I like about 2k is the realism of player shooting the puck and goalie making saves. Dont try to twist my words here, of course, it's a video game, there cant be realism right? But keep in mind we are comparing to EA and only EA.

In EA, when player shoots the puck, its like the goalie knows where the puck will go. Even if you release a quick wrister 5 feet infront of the goalie aiming the top corner, the goalie still makes the glove save and the chances of that happening is very very high, almost everytime. And if you actually played EA you will notice, or annoyed like I am, by the ever flopping goaltenders in 06. In 2k I've notice the goaltenders makes save the way they should - in a nonsuperhuman way (most of the time, and of course they dont flop like crazy). And have I mention that its almost impossible to score 5 hole in EA? The only way you can score 5 hole is by the puck somehow manage to go through the 5 hole when the goalie is still IN HIS STAND and the goalie dont even seems to move at all, he just stood there and the puck will go right through him; or by a very weird deflection or by skating the puck right to his 5 hole and not even press shot, cuz the puck will squeez through the goalies pad(only seen that once), but those circumstances seem to happen like 1 in 40 games you play. That's a FACT for 06, and as far as I can remember that's pretty much so all the way to 2002 as well. My point is you will never in 06 see a goalie go down on butterfly and you actually score on his 5 hole with a wrister, which happens alot in the NHL.

Does 2k have better gameplay than EA? HELL YEAH!

[E5150_ca]

uh...compare to EA NHL...uh yeah...it DOES have good gameplay.

Just because its better then EA, that doesn't make it good.

I think its pretty obvious. Dont tell me you never notice their goalie mode, building dream team option, playing against historic team option, and how can you forget the MINI GAMES!?!?

Those are called retarded features to make up for something severly lacking.... Wonder what that something could be?

Sometimes I wonder do you even know what you are talking about? Cuz it looks like either your a big 2k hater or you dont know what's in 2k at all.

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 8366jz.jpg My webcam is a piece of rubbish, but you can make out the espn logo... kinda. The only reason I 'hate' on 2k is because its a horrible series of games.

The best thing I like about 2k is the realism of player shooting the puck and goalie making saves.

Yea, cause thats a huge improvement from NHL 94 for Super Nintendo right?

Dont try to twist my words here, of course, it's a video game, there cant be realism right? But keep in mind we are comparing to EA and only EA.

I play video games on a pretty regular basis, and yea, video games can have realism. Also since when are we comparing it to EA? I said the game is horrible, just because its 'better' then EA, that doens't make it any less horrible.

In EA, when player shoots the puck, its like the goalie knows where the puck will go.

He wouldn't be a very good goalie otherwise would he?

Even if you release a quick wrister 5 feet infront of the goalie aiming the top corner, the goalie still makes the glove save and the chances of that happening is very very high, almost everytime.

What is the goalie? A midget? what do you expect from 5 feet away? Its a hockey net, not a football (soccer) net.

And if you actually played EA you will notice, or annoyed like I am, by the ever flopping goaltenders in 06. In 2k I've notice the goaltenders makes save the way they should - in a nonsuperhuman way (most of the time, and of course they dont flop like crazy).

I know this one goalie from Czech Republic who's won a few trophys here and there... he flopped around alot too.. can't for the life of me remember his name though.

And have I mention that its almost impossible to score 5 hole in EA? The only way you can score 5 hole is by the puck somehow manage to go through the 5 hole when the goalie is still IN HIS STAND

I highlighted the key words for anyone who might have missed them.

and the goalie dont even seems to move at all, he just stood there and the puck will go right through him;

This has never happened in real life. Ever.

or by a very weird deflection or by skating the puck right to his 5 hole and not even press shot, cuz the puck will squeez through the goalies pad(only seen that once),

Highlighted those key words again.

but those circumstances seem to happen like 1 in 40 games you play. That's a FACT for 06,

So, let me get this straight, you've scored one cheap 5-hole goal, then you claim that it happens only once in 40 games. So in other words, you only ever played 40 games? Seems like a pretty short experience to start makeing facts about the game.

and as far as I can remember that's pretty much so all the way to 2002 as well. My point is you will never in 06 see a goalie go down on butterfly and you actually score on his 5 hole with a wrister, which happens alot in the NHL.

Go watch any highlight video on easports.com.

Does 2k have better gameplay than EA? HELL YEAH!

Which doesn't make it any less horrible.


Providing the admins allow it, I will be then happy to tear apart your response as well.

[BlackCats101]

I have to say I prefer 2k to NHL EA, it is perhaps too simplistic to split it like the Pro Evo-FIFA debate, but that is what it feels like to me when I play them both-2k sports feels more realistic to play and the skating motions too. The players on the EA games seem to hover above the ice and be able to turn on the spot. I much prefer 2k sports in terms of gameplay-they just need EA's presentation.

[Minstrel]

Providing the admins allow it, I will be then happy to tear apart your response as well.

Sure You're free to debate it Clinton-style word by word if ya like: "Depending on what you mean by the word 'is' in this case." Just keep to discussing the opinions in the post and not making derogatory statements about the person who put forth those opinions.

Here is an example of two posts that could be made if taking about the way skaters in either game are portrayed they are only examples!

Saying Something Like This Is Fine: "I feel that EA does a particularly shoddy job in translating the 'feel' of actual skating into their game with players seeming to float and be able to move in ways an actual person on the ice never could and that's what I mean by it trying to hard to look 'slick' than to look like an actual hockey match; those kinds of things drive me nuts."

Saying Something Like This is Unacceptable (as well as counterproductive if you're trying to have an actual debate/discussion of opinions). "Their skaters look like retards and if you like the game obviously you are one too."

*takes off his Official Board Admin Riot Gearâ„¢*

[thecoolstuff]

Wow, it seems like you have no idea what I'm talking about to the point that you sound funny.

Just because its better then EA, that doesn't make it good.

Well, why dont you just stop playing all NHL games?

Those are called retarded features to make up for something severly lacking.... Wonder what that something could be?

retarded features? that's what makes the game worth playing and FUN. Those are some of the best ideas so far in a hockey game..... retarded???? holy...

http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 8366jz.jpg My webcam is a piece of rubbish, but you can make out the espn logo... kinda. The only reason I 'hate' on 2k is because its a horrible series of games.

may I ask which 2k is that? If you "hate" 2k sport. Why do you waste your money when you cant even afford a decent webcam?

Yea, cause thats a huge improvement from NHL 94 for Super Nintendo right?

Why does it has to do with NHL 94???

I play video games on a pretty regular basis, and yea, video games can have realism. Also since when are we comparing it to EA? I said the game is horrible, just because its 'better' then EA, that doens't make it any less horrible.

If we are not comparing to EA what the heck are we comparing to? or your purpose of coming here is just to bash every NHL games? If both 2k and EA are so "horrible" I guess they would've bankrupted years ago instead of being the sport video game giants EH? Think your logic through buddy.

He wouldn't be a very good goalie otherwise would he?

What I was trying to say was when a player shoots the puck aiming the top corner, the goalie will move his blocker to the top corner even before the puck leave the stick for a good amount of reaction time. I'm a pretty good goalie, trust me, and this doesnt take a genius to figure it out that you need to know where the puck is going before you make your move. In EA, when player shoots the puck, its like the goalie knows where the puck will go before the puck leaves the stick long enough.

What is the goalie? A midget? what do you expect from 5 feet away? Its a hockey net, not a football (soccer) net.

Have you ever play hockey before? you shoot a puck 5 feet infront of the goalie and he can make glove save 90% of the time? Give me a break! What is the goalie? the lightingman? In the NHL level if your that close to the net I expect a friggin goal.

I know this one goalie from Czech Republic who's won a few trophys here and there... he flopped around alot too.. can't for the life of me remember his name though.

What are you talking about? Does every goalie in the NHL flop? It's obvious you never play NHL 06 before, cuz that basically what happens in 06. Are you trying to say because of Hasek it makes it alright that every goalie flop in 06? LMAO

I highlighted the key words for anyone who might have missed them.

what's wrong with "by the puck somehow manage to go through the 5 hole"? The goalie SOMEHOW can just let a puck go between his leg and not go down to the butterfly, and worst, he doesnt even move. You know what, its so obvious that you never played 06 that YOU HAVE COMPLETELY NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

This has never happened in real life. Ever.

If you are trying to prove my point that EA's gameplay sucks, then THANK YOU. But if you're just a Lidstrom and really dont know that I mean go through the goalie's 5 HOLE (which anybody from elementary can understand that i dont really mean it GOES THROUGH the goalie if you read the before and after context) then that maybe the reason you dont have the money for a decent webcam.

Highlighted those key words again.

I guess I'll have to thank you again for helping prove its almost impossible to score 5 hole in EA 06.

So, let me get this straight, you've scored one cheap 5-hole goal, then you claim that it happens only once in 40 games. So in other words, you only ever played 40 games? Seems like a pretty short experience to start makeing facts about the game.

Holy. Uh... did you even finished elementary? If I say it happens like 1 in 40 games, it means that I only played 40 games? I dont know where do you come up with these stuff. It's hilarious to read! You assume that I only played 40 games and I should be talking, but I bet you dont even own a 06, it seems like a pretty NO experience to start making facts about ANYTHING related to what I'm talking about.

Go watch any highlight video on easports.com.

Dude, do you actually believe those highlight footage happens in the game? It's sad how you can be tricked so easily. I started to play this game since it was out last year, I KNOW its almost impossible to score 5 hole with a wrister. And yeah, I guess you would have to watch the hightlight video on easports.com to know what's goiong on cuz you never even played 06.

Which doesn't make it any less horrible.

Then why did you waste your money? strange...very strange...


I have no intention to post such a long post, for that I'm sorry admins. But this guy just crack me up. He has so many holes in his argument that I just have to exploit them.

Minstrel: do you have a thing for this guy? Cause how can you not find his points retarded? EA is famous (and they are proud of it) for making very realistic cyber face of players. Try and find another company that do as well as they do. If you think they look like retards then I dont know if you can even be call as high as a Lidstrom. Does http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images ... een018.jpg looks like a Lidstrom to you? I have no intention of making any personal comments but I'm not the first to say Lidstrom am I?

[Calv]

Minstrel: do you have a thing for this guy? Cause how can you not find his points retarded? EA is famous (and they are proud of it) for making very realistic cyber face of players. Try and find another company that do as well as they do. If you think they look like retards then I dont know if you can even be call as high as a Lidstrom. Does http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images ... een018.jpg looks like a Lidstrom to you? I have no intention of making any personal comments but I'm not the first to say Lidstrom am I?

I think Minty was merely pointing out what is acceptable posting and what is unacceptable posting. You have come close to unacceptable posting with the following

But if you're just a Lidstrom

did you even finished elementary?

I accept you're not directly calling him a 'Lidstrom' but it's pretty darn close and we don't like personal insults here.

[thecoolstuff]

Oops, Minty, I misunderstand what you were talking about. A million apologies! You see, the COOL and uncool thing made me thought you were talking to me....terribly sorry, my mistake, my mistake. If it makes you feel any better, just think of it as those will be the responds I will have if anyone's responds to me is like the example comment you posted. Once again, I apologize.

[BlackCats101]

Jeez this thread has been one embarrassment after another...Calm down people...video games...

[archibalduk]

I'm with BC on this one

Please read Minstrel's post (above) before jumping into this debate. The man talks sense

[E5150_ca]

I can't be bothered to copy and paste quotes everywhere, so I'll just address things as I go.

Personal attacks? Calling me a Lidstrom? Not useing proper grammar... ever? And you insinuate that I didn't "finished elementary?"


You scored ONE 5-hole goal EVER. Then you claim that you only scored one 5-hoal goal in 40 games. Your basically saying
yourself you only played 40 games.

Also, concerning me "wasteing my money", I paid $14 last X-Mas for 2k5 for the PS2. Was a great 14$ spent, I know now not to ever dish out $40 (or whatever the price is) for any game in the sereies.

Also, having a working webcam really isn't important to me, I bought that one 2nd hand for like $10-15. Perhaps you should show us how fancy yours is before insulting mine?

I brought up NHL 94, because your saying 2k is great because players shoot and goalies make saves.... how is that anything special? AT ALL?

Also, I base a 'good game' on how well the main gameplay is, not how many features they can tack on to put somethign on the back of the box.

[Minstrel]

Maybe that edit of my previous post that I made to clarify things... will clarify things? And for the record thecoolstuff since you've wildly "misunderstood" several things on various occassions I'd make it a point to re-read things you think you've understood before posting in response to them... and then having to retract once you've figured it out. Unless you want to be Mr. Oops all your life

[thecoolstuff]

I have NEVER said I scored only one 5 hole goal, go back and re-read what I posted. I clearly mentioned a few ways a goal could be scored on 5 hole, and I encoutered one of them ONCE, and you somehow think that I only score one 5 hole goal?? When I said 1 in 40 games, its just like saying its 2.5% and in other words - almost never. Do you really think I would count how many games I played in 06? How can someone not understand this figure of speech?

And about the players shoot and goalies save which make 2k great thing is just bizzare. After all I said and that's the only thing you picked up about how I feel about 2k? I wont make further comments on this cuz all my answers are in my previous posts.

So do you like 2k or not? Because from what I heard it seems like your $14 was well spent on a "horrible game" and on top of that you dont even like its gameplay... congrats on saving 30 bucks on a horrible game I guess.

Btw my webcam is a Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000. I dont mean to insult your webcam, but I really think you should get rid of it. It serves no purpose at all if the quality is that bad.

p.s. Minstrel, I was trying to respond E5150_ca so I quickly read over your post and typed out the responds; and I already mentioned I was mislead by the "cool" thing. If your not satisfied, sorry again.

[Shadd666]

Will you fight a long time just for a video game?...

Please stop bringing so much aggressivion in your posts! It becomes more and more stupid, ridiculous, and absolutely useless!

The ones who love the game gave their opinion; same thing for the one who don't like it. So now,let the ones who love it play it cooly,and the ones who dislike it may play to something else (what about EHM?... )

I think you won't be on the same point of view in this topic,so just stop answering one to the other... Or,if you do so, STAY POLITE!!!

Thanks

[flea]

Calm down folks, we are talking only about a videogame!!!!

......and regarding the original matter of the post: well, I didnt see the screenshots yet, but I really, really hope that EA Sports improve their DINASTY MODE in the NHL series......the last three years the dinasty mode was just rubbish!!! At least in my opinion.

I usually play EA Sports games, such as MLB or NFL and there I like the Dinasty modes very much, but regarding NHL its really poor. I prefer 100 times the 2k series referring NHL....the Dinasty is much more refined.

Hopefully NHL 07 will be better in all aspects!!!

Greets

[Calv]

I am also looking at patches for the game now-some ace ones are available for the PS2 that include better looking official shirts, new balls, proper billboards around the grounds (such as the official sponsors for the WC) and new menu backgrounds. However these inevitably require more techinical fiddling to get them to work.

PC ftw
I'm looking forward to the going back to uni, we had some awesome games there last semester, even if i did end up losing most of them...

[inSTAALed]

NHL 07 on the 360 is brilliant.

Right stick controls the stick, left stick controls movement.

You PC, PS2, and Xbox NHL07 fans are getting jipppppppped.

[mark_htfc]

Can you use EHIL teams?? as was reading today and saw you could. Just checking for conformation.