Cozmicoz
November 25th, 2005, 02:53 PM
Here is a gameplay review from 'one of us'... not some "out-of-touch" reviewer who spends time slaying dragons or saving princesses.
This is what to expect when you play the game.
(Graphics, Sound, and other aspects are not covered since the other threads already have a lot to say about them)
Gameplay is MUCH better... it has a much 'looser feel', with the body and puck physics.
The puck is actually smaller and more representative of its real size. This means that it will slide between defender's skates, find its way into open ice in the neutral zone, and hit the net at more varied angles.
This is all possible thanks in large part, to refinements made with the collision system. The whole game feels so much smoother, and you can score all types of goals now, as the puck really deflects, changes directions, bounces of body parts, and ultimately more goals result, and gratifying goals they are!
Hitting by defenders has been toned down a lot. 2K sports has really implelmented the new rules for this version, whereas the previous-gen games seemed to be the 2K5 game without 2 line passing, etc. Forwards can now go to the net without getting toppled in the slot repeatedly. More stick checks occur, and players now dart to receive 2-line passes at the oppposing blue line - cool!
Animations are a lot more fluid - and the game appears to run at more frames, or since I'm playing in HD, I can now appreciate all the subtle movements more. Players now 'lean' on their backhand shot, and several other minor animations make the game smoother. Goalies also have more upredictability in their play. Shots glance of defenders, and catch them out of position more... pucks slide between pads much more, and shots find the net after goalie miscues and poor rebound direction - all of this results in a more varied scroing experience. Nets now bulge when pucks enter, and the water bottle goes flying too.
Controls have also been refined. Pressing the 'Y' button for dumping the puck down the ice is now easier. The longer you hold on to the 'Y' button, the higher and further your clearance will travel. Crease Control works very well, and really doesn't disrupt the game all that much, thanks to smooth transitions. Most noticeably, you can now deke with increased speed and precision. The xbox 360 controller's left thumbstick really makes deking fun and easy, and because of the HD quality, you can see the ice, anticipate defender moves, and make crucial changes in direction much more effectively -especially on breakaways, odd-man rushes, and penalty shots. What's more is that players now receive passes with increased momentum - meaning that your winger won't slow down (as much) when he retrieves a pass in full flight!
I won't go into the graphics, but I'll mention that they are much sharper and any avid fan of this series will appreciate the ice and all the other graphical upgrades... that is, EXCEPT THE PLAYER FACES... they suck - big time! All the players have fat heads, and rarely resemble their real-life counterparts. Clearly, 2K sports ran out of time to map all the faces correctly... and don't think you'll be able to edit the faces... they've removed many of the customizing options !?!
Bottom line - The NHL 2K6 version for the xbox 360 is the best. Yes, there still are issues, but the gameplay is rock solid, and improved over the previous-gen titles.
Forget the reviews you've read about this game on the internet... they weren't written by real hockey fans, or fans of the 2K series. I am a fan of both, so this is probably the most honest indication of what to expect. Please add your own!
Hope this helps,
Cozmicoz
This is what to expect when you play the game.
(Graphics, Sound, and other aspects are not covered since the other threads already have a lot to say about them)
Gameplay is MUCH better... it has a much 'looser feel', with the body and puck physics.
The puck is actually smaller and more representative of its real size. This means that it will slide between defender's skates, find its way into open ice in the neutral zone, and hit the net at more varied angles.
This is all possible thanks in large part, to refinements made with the collision system. The whole game feels so much smoother, and you can score all types of goals now, as the puck really deflects, changes directions, bounces of body parts, and ultimately more goals result, and gratifying goals they are!
Hitting by defenders has been toned down a lot. 2K sports has really implelmented the new rules for this version, whereas the previous-gen games seemed to be the 2K5 game without 2 line passing, etc. Forwards can now go to the net without getting toppled in the slot repeatedly. More stick checks occur, and players now dart to receive 2-line passes at the oppposing blue line - cool!
Animations are a lot more fluid - and the game appears to run at more frames, or since I'm playing in HD, I can now appreciate all the subtle movements more. Players now 'lean' on their backhand shot, and several other minor animations make the game smoother. Goalies also have more upredictability in their play. Shots glance of defenders, and catch them out of position more... pucks slide between pads much more, and shots find the net after goalie miscues and poor rebound direction - all of this results in a more varied scroing experience. Nets now bulge when pucks enter, and the water bottle goes flying too.
Controls have also been refined. Pressing the 'Y' button for dumping the puck down the ice is now easier. The longer you hold on to the 'Y' button, the higher and further your clearance will travel. Crease Control works very well, and really doesn't disrupt the game all that much, thanks to smooth transitions. Most noticeably, you can now deke with increased speed and precision. The xbox 360 controller's left thumbstick really makes deking fun and easy, and because of the HD quality, you can see the ice, anticipate defender moves, and make crucial changes in direction much more effectively -especially on breakaways, odd-man rushes, and penalty shots. What's more is that players now receive passes with increased momentum - meaning that your winger won't slow down (as much) when he retrieves a pass in full flight!
I won't go into the graphics, but I'll mention that they are much sharper and any avid fan of this series will appreciate the ice and all the other graphical upgrades... that is, EXCEPT THE PLAYER FACES... they suck - big time! All the players have fat heads, and rarely resemble their real-life counterparts. Clearly, 2K sports ran out of time to map all the faces correctly... and don't think you'll be able to edit the faces... they've removed many of the customizing options !?!
Bottom line - The NHL 2K6 version for the xbox 360 is the best. Yes, there still are issues, but the gameplay is rock solid, and improved over the previous-gen titles.
Forget the reviews you've read about this game on the internet... they weren't written by real hockey fans, or fans of the 2K series. I am a fan of both, so this is probably the most honest indication of what to expect. Please add your own!
Hope this helps,
Cozmicoz