Man. My 2k hockey fanboy days are over..

[offishall]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/717/717231p1.html

if it plays half as good as it sounds....its ovvveeerrr

[joe13linsco]

OMG its EA do you really expect them to make a good game when they say they will

[offishall]

Well considering that story was written by the IGN staff who have played it already..I kind of have to...

[CellFish]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/717/717231p1.html

if it plays half as good as it sounds....its ovvveeerrr

I pre-ordered the game two days ago out of sheer disappointment with 2k. Now, I do not regret my decision at all. The look and the features mentioned in the article are beyond amazing. Back to EA I go. The only way 2k can win me back is with a mandatory crease control system and the puck getting away from the stick as in NHL 06. That's a bare minimum for me.

[Raimu]

Goalie limbs move independantly? WOW. Just WOW. thats such a simple, yet HUGE step to a more immersive game. Now if the goalies arent retarded, this may be an AWESOME feature.

[JJT21]

aight if it's like it sounds, EA all the way

[sleepytercel]

The game never played well and I don't expect it to play well this year. IGN has hyped their games for years.

[hesk]

yep, but they really look like theyre tired of getting reviews not as good as 2k in some areas. so it seems they took some of that extra dough they have left over from buying the nfl license and went and got some sick as .s graphic ppl to work on their stuff.
if nba looks like this and plays as good as its expected to look then we got a good if not great sports rivalry on our hands and both companies will have no choice but to really step it up, thus forcing ppl to go get next gen systems. ( i aint gettin one till they fix all them problems ive been readin bout...including price.)
its good though cant front on the graphics though pretty sick and realistic.
blurring the lines.

[jackets47]

I've always liked the 2K games for having more realism than the EA titles.

That said, I had to get rid of my copy of NHL 2K6 and buy NHL 06... because the glitches were driving me NUTS. If they fix all the glitches I'd definitely take 2K over EA... but then again, NHL 07 might the 2K-killer.

I'm definitely more impressed with the visuals of 07 over 2K7. If only they made 07 less arcade-y than it's predecessors(I.E., players like Trevor Letowski being able to those insane tricks with the right analog stick), I'd pick it up in a freakin' heartbeat.

In summary, I really hope 2K really pays attention and fixes all of those horrid glitches. I'd really rather not see a graphic on-screen saying Chris Pronger's +/- is +1 and hear the announcer say it's even again.

[ohjtbehaaave]

I can't get caught up in EA's or IGN's HYPE on NHL 07. That's all EA does anymore. Hype the same BS they've been putting out for the last 5 years. It's the SAME game most likely with nicer looking graphics.

Don't ever judge a game by those 'Still Shots' from replays. You don't play the game from that on ice camera view. While the pics look nice.... I've seen 2 NHL trailers... and one thing that I saw was alarming... as it's been in the last few NHL games by EA... and that's the CHECKING physics. They just look REDICULOUS and unrealistic. Every check that's thrown doesn't show proper impact... and the guy hit ALWAYS falls to the ice. Exactly what NHL games is EA watching and modeling the checks off of?

I like all the stuff about the goalies etc... but what EA really needs to focus on is Puck physics and checking physics. Because those 2 things have bit the big one the last few years. They have like 3 chekcing animations when there should be 200!!! Guys getting nailed into the boards... the boards bend etc... That's a hockey check. NOT... hit opponent... lame animation... and he falls to Ice every hit. If EA wants to take hockey to the Next Level... they need get a better physics engine for the puck first of all. It's to much like a MAGNET on players sticks and doesn't bounce around realistically. They need to scrap the checks they have and start fresh. Do 200 new motiona capture checks and get them into NHL 07.

After seeing the disaster Madden 360 was... I can't help but be pessimistic for NHL 07... and can't believe the hype. Then again.... they've had a really long time to develop this game... so maybe EA has been able to do some new stuff that needs fixing. Another thing that needs fixing are the controls. Not the buttons themsleves.... but the reaction time of passes and shots etc... One thing I love about the 2K hockey games is the "Bang Bang" crisp response on passes and shots. It's right on the money and feels how it should. THe EA game controls sluggish and stuck in the mud waiting for animations and stuff to finish. Passing MUST be lighting fast and in real time for a hockey game to rock.

EA's got their work cut out. I hope NHL 07 is awesome. I'm no fanboy... I just buy the best game. Right now 2K is EASILY the best even if it's not perfect. And 2K at least seems to try to innovate... while EA just reheats the same stuff every year.

[junkyardjeff]

No speed burst seems like a great idea though , I never thought I might get an EA hockey game after 2k3 but I might. 2K just doesn't seem like the great company they once were.

[JJT21]

They've gave up on us, the fans, the ones that matter. This has been proven with the glitches and all the freezing ******** with the latest games (mlb 2k6, etc). Ima go with EA, till they **** up like 2k is right now

[sleepytercel]

While 2K6 has pretty bad glitches I heard on the 360, I completely enjoyed the Xbox version. I set my sliders up and changed the mode to "Sim" gametype, and I wholefully enjoyed the representation of the sport that 2K6 accomplished. However, Kush has been troubled by game glitches, and while I don't think they make bad games, they just don't refine them before release. However, EA's NHL games lack any real representation, and the graphics look poor from the gameplay perspectives. The game feels like luck when you score, and the checking in the game is indeed, quite silly. The game feels like Sega Genesis to me, and it always has. Much like how Live feels to me. I just don't know, but screenshots tell me nothing.

[JJT21]

We'll just have to see when it's near the release dates or after

[MightyCanuckFan]

If I had an Xbox 360 I would buy EA's NHL no doubt. I really hope 2k gets rid of the bugs and ups the anti like EA did. As much as I am looking forward to the Shadow feature, I dont think it will be enough. I dont see a whole lot of new stuff in 2k7, I really hope there is some stuff that 2k has not told us. As of now, I am undecided in what I want next season, leaning toward NHL 07 though, I just don't think 2k7 will be much better then 2k6.

[mharlem]

This is EA come back year these dudes aint playing around with games that have to compete with 2k games.

[ToyDingo]

You people tend to forget that every year EA has some amazing graphics in their preview videos only to have slightly above average graphics during gameplay. That and EA still has no earthly idea of how to accurately represent a professional sport.

I'd say rent before you buy...really...

[offishall]

You people tend to forget that every year EA has some amazing graphics in their preview videos only to have slightly above average graphics during gameplay. That and EA still has no earthly idea of how to accurately represent a professional sport.

I'd say rent before you buy...really...

While I agree to some point, everything im reading from IGN, and other publications, all things are leading towards EA really stepping up their game with this as they did with Fight Night for 360. I will take the chance and buy it on day 1, as I did with fight night.

And trust me man, I loath EA and what they stand for, well stood for, since the lawsuit and all they seem to be a little more friendly towards thier employees.

So far, 2k7 looks like 2k6 with roster moves, cinematic music........

[wrAthchild]

that's the CHECKING physics. They just look REDICULOUS and unrealistic. Every check that's thrown doesn't show proper impact... and the guy hit ALWAYS falls to the ice. Exactly what NHL games is EA watching and modeling the checks off of?


Yes, yes and yes again. Totally agree.


"...the puck, like in the real NHL, is now unpredictable. I saw a goal where the puck hit off of the goalie's arm, bounced up and off of a defender's helmet and ricocheted into the net. The puck is now loose as you deke defenders, enabling you to leave the puck as you go around your man, only to catch up to it again after you finish your move, watching as the puck bounces off of skates and sticks."

Wow. 2K have had this for years.....try again EA.

[darktuba]

I have been a 2k fan since the first xbox 2k NHL game. That being said, 2k has fallen into the EA rut of making few changes from year to year. The game's engine is still based on the dreamcast version! The physics have always been 2k's biggest draw. This ign article makes the game sounds very interesting: the new puck physics, lack of outrageous hits and the control scheme are making me seriously think about buying EA of 2k. I hope 2k comes out with a good game, but it better not be last year's buggy game with updated rosters!

[ctrad45]

yeah,but at least EA games play without freezing.

[chicagochill95]

You people act like you can only buy 1 game. What are you? Broke? Just buy both...

[JJT21]

what's the point of buying 2 hockey games of the same year? once you like one better you think that you'll play the other one???

[JJT21]

I think this says it all... the reply's!

http://boards.ign.com/nhl_ea_sports/b6062/121453927/p1/?22

[chicagochill95]

Yeah, but EA screenshots look better every year and then when you buy the game they aren't as good in gameplay.

I was very scared when I saw the 2k Goalie save though, goalies never save like that. Makes me wonder.... Have the 2k people ever even watched hockey game?

[mharlem]

Yeah, but EA screenshots look better every year and then when you buy the game they aren't as good in gameplay.

I was very scared when I saw the 2k Goalie save though, goalies never save like that. Makes me wonder.... Have the 2k people ever even watched hockey game?

EA is back after their employees won the lawsuit, EA is really working hard to win the crown back maybe that been their problem for the last 3 years.

[wildhockey19]

I honestly dont even see a legit comparison between the two....I have owned multi copies of each title over the years and have always found myself being drawn back the EA title. This year I purchase MLB 2k6 (I regret it every day!) and ever since that day I have vowed never to turn back over the dark side of 2k sports games again. In my opinion these games are like resurants......you could go for something cheap and fast like McDonald's but have to deal with all the **** that goes with having your meal microwaved(NHL 2K7)....or you could make a reservation at an Olive Garden knowing what you are paying for is quality and excellent food(NHL 07).

I am sorry if some of you dont agree, but looking at both videos and reading previews from many sites, it seems to me that all 2k did this year was throw together updated rosters and slap a "7" on the back of "2K". Plus, with the NHL 07 being produced in Canada, I can sleep with ease that "If its in the game, It will DEFINILTY be in the game!"

[JJT21]

nice post wild... for the whole food thing ... mmmm hahah