Nhl 07

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ninot
The "depth of field" effect is certainly in the game. Check again.

Errr? Do you need your eyes checked?

When I'm playing the NHL 07 everything is perfectly in focused during the gameplay, there is certainly no depth of field effect...

Is this a language barrier thing? Depth of field means the thing in the foreground is in focus but the things in the back are not -- photography, TV, and movies utilize this.

Depth of field does not exist during NHL 07 gameplay, it's enabled during replays for cinematic effect.

[Asher]

Reading the IGN review, they single out the "chunky animations" of NHL 07 as well. But still seem to like it.

By the way, look: no depth of field in-game.



It's not even in the replays as I thought before -- it just looks like that in cut scenes.

[Ninot]

That's 1 angle, and not one that really proves anything except that NHL 07 looks great.

The IGN review describes NHL 07 as "gorgeous" and the first true next-gen leap in sports gaming. AND the review is full of mistakes and seemingly rushed, because it declares certain features to be missing, when they are in fact in the game.

Let's see what 2k7 gets for its review.

edit: Bleh, i started up the demo again. I concede that the depth of field effect is only for cinematics. But the game still looks gorgeous, and much better than 2k7, despite which effects are on.

[Asher]

2K7 looks like it was delayed til the 30th. It looks like I'll have to buy both games and judge that way.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Ninot
edit: Bleh, i started up the demo again. I concede that the depth of field effect is only for cinematics. But the game still looks gorgeous, and much better than 2k7, despite which effects are on.

Must. Eat. More. Brainssssssss.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Asher
Having played both the NHL 07 and NHL 2K7 demos, I can safely say NHL 2K7 >>> NHL 07. I can't seem to get used to the new controls on 07.

IGN:

NHL 07: 8.7/10
NHL 2K7: 8.9/10

We love throwing that "next-gen" modifier around, don't we? After forking out a lot of dough for our 360s, peripherals and games, we deserve nothing less, especially sports fans that are still waddling in our stacks of -- let me get the thesaurus -- "run-of-the-mill" sports titles. But NHL 2K7 gives us so much hockey -- party games, pond hockey, online fantasy leagues and even air hockey -- that 2K sports latest title is like a Disneyland for Canadians.

On the ice, 2K7 represents the latest evolution of the critically acclaimed franchise. Anyone that's played past titles will have no problem picking up the 360 controller and feeling right at home. While the mechanics are all the same from last year, including shooting, checking and passing, you can't help but notice that the engine was clearly built for the 360. The power of the new console has allowed VC to rewrite the skating engine, and the result is highly polished as well as intuitive. Players realistically accelerate, digging into the ice, utilizing realistic momentum system, unlike the arcade-like warp speed in the NHL 07.

NHL 2K7 is the total package. The gameplay is solid and smooth even if it is still very similar to older titles in the franchise. Visually, 2K Sports harnesses the power of the 360, resulting in excellent animations, frame-rate and great-looking cutscenes. The new Cinemotion presentation, while not a giant leap forward, is a great touch that gives you the choice between TV broadcast and inspirational hockey movie. The dynamic score works well enough, although it could be a bit louder. The crowd noise is a bit of a disappointment and hurts the overall atmosphere. Online, 2K Sports continues to lead the pack with online leagues and franchises and stat tracking. While NHL 07 features an excellent gameplay innovation with the skill stick, NHL 2K7 is the most complete, all-around hockey title on the 360.

[Ninot]

I picked up NHL 07 yesterday. While I find it fun, the gameplay isn't everything I had wished for. But maybe I need more practice with the new controls to make it work like it should.

If I had been reviewing it though, I wouldn't have been as generous as IGN was. But again, their review was incomplete, as they made blatant false statements in it.

Still, I prefer it over NHL 2k7. Minigames hold no attraction to me, and I still prefer NHL 07 gameplay much more.

But overall, not as great a game as I had hoped for.

[Ninot]

I would note, however, that other sites have ranked NHL 07 above 2k7.

[Asher]

Well, the big ones aren't.

Gamespot just ranked NHL 2K7 > NHL 07 also.

[Asher]

That said, no local stores have NHL 2K7 yet and I'm anxious. I'll end up buying both just to experiment with both in a real game setting...

Probably picking up NHL 07 later today.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Asher
Well, the big ones aren't.

Gamespot just ranked NHL 2K7 > NHL 07 also.

Not sure biggest = best when it comes to game reviews.

[Asher]

The last EA NHL game I played was NHL 2001 for Xbox. It constantly locked up after winning a game in the celebration, making it useless. EA blamed my disc but refused to replace it as I'd had it for more than 30 days (got it as a gift).

Today I'm playing NHL 07 for the first time. I score my first goal (Iginla vs Edmonton of course), and right after the next faceoff....it locks up.

Serves me right for trying EA again...

[Asher]

Jesus Christ.

Literally, after every time I score it locks up. That is just class.

[Asher]

And to top it off, their official forums are painfully slow/nonresponsive, their technical support website is useless, and their technical support phone number is an international number (to the US)...

[Asher]

So I call the tech support number, and it's one of those AWESOME voice-activated systems.

I tell it my platform fine, then it asks for the game. I say, slowly and clearly, "NHL 07".
"I'm sorry, I didn't get that."
I say it again, and it says "Okay, NCAA 06."
I tell it "NO" but it doesn't care.
"Please tell me your issue: Can't save, Can't load..."

There's NOTHING to talk to somebody. I hit "0" which usually works, but he says "I'm sorry, I didn't get that".

****ing EA Sports.