NHL 2K7 is a decent addition to the 2K sports range, with core gameplay so pure that they easily overcome any issues.
The decidedly old-school menu system hides away the usual menagerie of game modes. From instant-action multi-player fun through to online and franchise modes, it's all here and accounted for; with the usual depth of tweakability that we've come to expect from Visual Concepts. Fans of the franchise mode will be particularly pleased, as this has all the depth and simulation aspects of some of the more serious management games out there, all wrapped up in the fantastic new 'Cinemotion' engine created specifically for this title.
In fact, Cinemotion is one of the best inventions yet seen in the series short history. Whilst NHL '07 took a different approach this year with the total stick control, NHL 2K7 takes a completely separate direction; opting to keep the basic controls the same, but wrap up every game with a level of cinematic presentation that borders on the extremely cheesy. You'll be treated to cutscenes with stirring music, a dynamic camera angle that sweeps across the ice, and an in-game orchestral soundtrack that alters with the pace and score of the game. Play badly and the music takes on a sombre, dark tone; play your way back into a comeback situation and the pace of the orchestra quickens, with tunes designed to lift the spirit and encourage a fightback. It's a unique set of features that soon blend into the background, but the fact that they all fit in so well with the experience is an excellent indication that the design team succeeded. Going back to a normal game without the musical accompaniment soon makes you realise just how much it adds to the proceedings, and I certainly hope this is expanded upon in future versions.
Of course the ultimate trick to producing a decent hockey game has always been locked into the motion of the players. It's something that EA's NHL series got right on a primitive level very early on, and whilst that particular series may have slightly lost its way (although '07 is a half-step back to form), 2K7 nails this particular sensation with aplomb. The players all feel as if they have a genuine level of inertia and weight whilst sliding around the ice, and the excellent adaptive animation system ties into that feeling. Arms are held out for balance, bodies sway when making a gradual turn, and pretty much all types of motion just feels correct. With the usual repertoire of responsive controls on offer and the generally decent AI, NHL 2K7 plays an excellent game of hockey, and certainly one that anybody can get into with a little practice. Although quite how much of that is down to the simplicity of the sport itself is a matter for debate.
The PS3 version is largely the same as its Xbox 360 cousin, with a barely perceptible level of graphical improvement thrown into the mix. The inclusion of the SixAxis motion-controlled checking and goaltending modes boosts the title, with both features well implemented and a natural addition to the control scheme. The fact that these additions don't feel forced in any way is a compliment to the development team, and we can only hope that more games follow the same path.
Whilst the core of the game is undoubtedly well-polished, there are a few glitches along the way. The AI tends to over-rely on specific one-time goals, and shooting in general could do with an overhaul. Winding up for slapshots can take an inordinate amount of time, and there are some animation oddities that crop up occasionally, taking you out of the experience for a moment or two. Oh, and did I mention the menu system already? For a company so focussed on ramping up the in-game presentation to new levels, it's beyond baffling that they don't see fit to extend the same courtesy to the menu system. It might sound a trivial point, but the 2K series just lacks the polish and shine of its EA rivals, and that can only damage its reputation as a result.
NHL 2K7 is a decent addition to the 2K sports range, and a title with core gameplay so pure that it easily overcomes any hint of a problem. The focus on cinematic in-game presentation is undoubtedly a success, and with features like this being added every year, it seems that Visual Concepts are on the way to becoming one of the best sports game developers in the business. Indeed many people would argue that titles like NHL and NBA simply consolidate their position at the very top, and I'm not going to argue with that.
Note: This text was originally written by myself and published over at strategyinformer.com