NHL 2k7 or NHL '07? (360)

[Joe Canadian]

So I'd like to get an NHL game for my new Xbox 360, but I'm having trouble trying to decide which one to get. Over the past few years I've gone with the 2K series exclusively for my NHL gaming. However, playing the demo's and reading the reviews it looks as though the 2K series isn't as far ahead as they have been in recent years

This new play stick in the EA series is great, and seems like it would be great to play with all the time. With 2K they have the new cinemotion thing, which doesn't really interest me from the few games I've used with it. Then there's the dynasty mode, which is beyond actual gameplay is the main concern I have when picking a hockey title. Is EA still far behind in this area as the used to be?

If anyone has an experience playing either of them first hand or, even better, playing both of them... suggestions would be appreciated.

[Maple Leafs]

General consensus I've heard on the EA version is that the sticks are a cool idea that's not quite "there" yet.

Haven't heard much about 2K7.

[MizzouRah]

Do a search, I think you'll find some good information on both of these games.

I'm not going to go over all of it again, but NHL 07 is last year's sports game of the year, imo.

The shot stick is THE best innovation ever to come along in a game. The game is just flat out fun to play, period.

[Fidatelo]

I disagree, I've played both a decent amount, and 2K7 is way better than NHL 07. The stick thing is a neat idea, but it just doesn't seem to work right (imo), and the skating and AI in 2k7 just seems better.

One thing my brother and I have noticed in 2k7 that is cool is that it seems as though the old school goalies (like from teams in the 80's or earlier) actually play a different style than the guys from the 90's on up. The old guys don't seem to stay in position as well, and will play a more stand-up style. Or so it seems anyways.

[MizzouRah]

The only thing 2k7 has going for it is the framerate, it's a smooth as silk.

You are DEFINITLY in the minority on the skill stick, never has scoring a goal top shelf on a breakaway give me more satisfaction. NHL 07 captures today's NHL game while NHL 2k7 still has that stone wall goalies feel to it.

To each their own...

[TurnerONU22]

I'm still playing NHL 07 and I still find things I love about that game. While there are a couple of flaws (too many goals that go off the back of the goalie, forwards forechecking ability is not so great), slider tweakings definately make this game great. I agree that the shot stick is amazing and is simply the reason I never picked up 2k7 (and I loved 2k6). I couldn't imagine playing another hockey game that didn't have it.

I think its a fun game if you play it like real hockey, instead of just trying to deke out everyone and going for homerun passes and play 2 on 1 hockey. I always try to cycle the puck and look for good shots from the point, and I ALWAYS make sure to play as a forward on defense, as it really prevents the AI from making the homerun pass and it actually helps their offense as well (instead of making that stupid pass, they tend to dump it in more, and seem to fare better)

While the game isn't perfect, its just FUN to play, and that's all that matters. One game, I can be playing very well, but their goalie stands on his head and I lose 2-1. Other games, I can play very well, but my goalie lets in a couple softies and I lose 5-4. I feel like anything can happen in this game, due to the fact that almost any kind of goal can be scored (garbage goals, shots from the point, shots from the slot, breakaways, ect...). If you go with 07, I would just suggest messing with the settings a little bit, and I can post mine if you would like (i.e., slows the game down, weakens slap shots, decreases accuracy of shots).

[MizzouRah]

I'm still playing NHL 07 and I still find things I love about that game. While there are a couple of flaws (too many goals that go off the back of the goalie, forwards forechecking ability is not so great), slider tweakings definately make this game great. I agree that the shot stick is amazing and is simply the reason I never picked up 2k7 (and I loved 2k6). I couldn't imagine playing another hockey game that didn't have it.

I think its a fun game if you play it like real hockey, instead of just trying to deke out everyone and going for homerun passes and play 2 on 1 hockey. I always try to cycle the puck and look for good shots from the point, and I ALWAYS make sure to play as a forward on defense, as it really prevents the AI from making the homerun pass and it actually helps their offense as well (instead of making that stupid pass, they tend to dump it in more, and seem to fare better)

While the game isn't perfect, its just FUN to play, and that's all that matters. One game, I can be playing very well, but their goalie stands on his head and I lose 2-1. Other games, I can play very well, but my goalie lets in a couple softies and I lose 5-4. I feel like anything can happen in this game, due to the fact that almost any kind of goal can be scored (garbage goals, shots from the point, shots from the slot, breakaways, ect...). If you go with 07, I would just suggest messing with the settings a little bit, and I can post mine if you would like (i.e., slows the game down, weakens slap shots, decreases accuracy of shots).

Key word here is "FUN".

[fenrrris]

Haha. Hockey is not meant to be fun. It is a scraping, vicious battle for glory a la last year's melodramatic 'new hockey' ad campaign.
But on the games, I thought 2k7 was much better. I bought both and ended up returning EA's game after a few days.
My complaint is this: While the deke stick may be really cool, it's an overused mechanic that became the game's central focus almost to exclusion. The skating in EA's game feels awkward and unrealistic, the defensive play is virtually nonexistent, and passing feels about as accurate as a blind man with an uzi. All this for a feature that should really only be available to a few of the better skill players anyway? No thanks. The idea is funny, but I just don't want to see Zdeno Chara deking someone out of his skates.

2k7 on the other hand had a terrific system that featured an incredibly real sense of skating, an incredible online interface, about a million extras, and the ability to modify almost every facet of the game. 2k7 hands down for me.

[MizzouRah]

Haha. Hockey is not meant to be fun. It is a scraping, vicious battle for glory a la last year's melodramatic 'new hockey' ad campaign.
But on the games, I thought 2k7 was much better. I bought both and ended up returning EA's game after a few days.
My complaint is this: While the deke stick may be really cool, it's an overused mechanic that became the game's central focus almost to exclusion. The skating in EA's game feels awkward and unrealistic, the defensive play is virtually nonexistent, and passing feels about as accurate as a blind man with an uzi. All this for a feature that should really only be available to a few of the better skill players anyway? No thanks. The idea is funny, but I just don't want to see Zdeno Chara deking someone out of his skates.

2k7 on the other hand had a terrific system that featured an incredibly real sense of skating, an incredible online interface, about a million extras, and the ability to modify almost every facet of the game. 2k7 hands down for me.

Gaming is supposed to be fun, period. You're totally off base with your diagnosis of the skill (shot) stick. It's NOT over used, passing is just fine, and you can really tell who's on the ice. I don't deke many defensemen out with Jamal Mayers nor do I score a ton of goals with Ryan Johnson, even though he's fast.

.. and while I'm on the subject of speed, you do NOT have to mash a speed burst button down in NHL 07 like you do in NHL 2k7.. I'm glad those days are gone!

Edit: For a console sports game, I'm extremely satisfied with the stats as well. I'm at the all star break in 7th place and fighting for my life. Tkachuck leads the team in goals, Weight in points, and my goalies.. meh.....

[TroyF]

I played both and found 2K7 to be the superior game in terms of hockey strategy and feel. I found NHL 07 to be incredibly fun with the shot stick, but the AI had me scratching my head most of the time.

If you could combine 2K7's AI, frame rate and feel of skating with EA's control system and presentation, I think you'd have the perfect game. As it is, I found both to be flawed and didn't spend a lot of time with either this year.

[Scholes]

This is neck and neck at the moment... we need a poll. FWIW, I haven't played 2K7, but usually got that for PS2 and liked it better than the NHL series, but I've played a lot of NHL 07 and think it's quite fun, especially against other people.

[watravaler]

My friends hated hockey. They now love it due to 2k7. The game is amazing, and it's the most fun I've had with a hockey game since EA Sports NHL '94. With that being said, the EA game isn't bad, and is worth a rental.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I've only played 2K7 and loved it.

[SunDevil]

If you could combine 2K7's AI, frame rate and feel of skating with EA's control system and presentation, I think you'd have the perfect game.

Maybe this is me, but hasn't this been said for a couple of years now? At least from last year I thought I was sure someone mentioned the same thing, and yet each year both games do some things right, but none of them have the full package.

[BigDPW]

I have only played NHL2K7 as it was on sale pretty cheap awhile back... I love it... I am accustomed to the 2K series and I think it is the best effort from that team in a long time maybe back to the Dreamcast days...

That said are their things I would change about it and improve sure... The first being that most goals are still scored on one-timers... If I try not to barrage the AI goalie with all one-timers though I am ususally pretty happy with the results...

Franchise mode is pretty solid on NHL2k7 as well...

I have not played NHL07 so I cannot comment on that game...

[fenrrris]

Gaming is supposed to be fun, period. You're totally off base with your diagnosis of the skill (shot) stick. It's NOT over used, passing is just fine, and you can really tell who's on the ice. I don't deke many defensemen out with Jamal Mayers nor do I score a ton of goals with Ryan Johnson, even though he's fast. You're right about hockey gaming, I was just making fun of last year's ad campaign.
I also agree the skill stick was a great idea that, in many cases, worked like a charm. I just thought that the deficiences in checking/skating feel/passing were painful enough to seriously detract from the successful instances of skill-stick implementation. I'm looking forward to next year's EA release. The skill stick could easily become the best feature in hockey gaming.

[TroyF]

Maybe this is me, but hasn't this been said for a couple of years now? At least from last year I thought I was sure someone mentioned the same thing, and yet each year both games do some things right, but none of them have the full package.

I think two years ago 2K pretty handily destroyed EA.

If you take out the shot stick, I think they did it again this year. If you had never heard of the shot stick and played 2K, I think you'd be thrilled. But when you play with the shot stick, the innovation is so good that it's tough to go back to the old control schemes for some people.

The shot stick was an incredible innovation from EA and closed the gap.

[MizzouRah]

Started a new franchise with the October roster update and I haven't stopped playing. This might be my favorite console sports game of all time (NHL 07).

If they can achive 60 fps next year, I might never take the game out of my 360.

Playing it on my Dell 24" monitor set to 1080p looks like a live broadcast.

[TurnerONU22]

Started a new franchise with the October roster update and I haven't stopped playing. This might be my favorite console sports game of all time (NHL 07).

If they can achive 60 fps next year, I might never take the game out of my 360.

Playing it on my Dell 24" monitor set to 1080p looks like a live broadcast.

I started over about a couple months ago with Florida, getting rid of all the players and having a manual expansion draft, where I selected mediocre guys from different teams. Then, my other restriction was that I had to keep my salary at no more than 1 million above the cap. Also, I used the auto-line because I feel that the computer doesn't do a great job with lines, and I didn't want to have a advantage. This was really difficult, as I have gotten through 3 seasons and haven't came close to the playoffs.

I think I'm going to give it another go with Nashville after the 07 season and making up a story where they had to fold and release everyone, but was saved at the last second. I think I might do a little dynasty about it, who knows. With the right settings, its just an addicting game to play.

[MizzouRah]

I started over about a couple months ago with Florida, getting rid of all the players and having a manual expansion draft, where I selected mediocre guys from different teams. Then, my other restriction was that I had to keep my salary at no more than 1 million above the cap. Also, I used the auto-line because I feel that the computer doesn't do a great job with lines, and I didn't want to have a advantage. This was really difficult, as I have gotten through 3 seasons and haven't came close to the playoffs.

I think I'm going to give it another go with Nashville after the 07 season and making up a story where they had to fold and release everyone, but was saved at the last second. I think I might do a little dynasty about it, who knows. With the right settings, its just an addicting game to play.

I let the CPU manage my lines as well, I'm more of GM so speak.

It definitly has that "one more game" feel to it.