NHL 2k6 Impressions

[MizzouRah]

I'm picking this one up today. From what I've read from people I trust, it's better than EA's game.. and for $20 I think I can get it past the wife. :p

I'll post some impressions tonight.. anyone have it yet?

[ice4277]

I don't have it but am considering it, depending on what folks here think of it.

[MizzouRah]

I don't have it but am considering it, depending on what folks here think of it.
http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/978/NHL-2K6/p1/

Nice review by Team Xbox.

A post from another site I visit:


My settings are on the default SIM settings that came with the game, except the CPU speed burst is set down a few notches, one timers are on hard, and some controller settings (shot aim to manual, etc.). I don't use the icon passing and I haven't messed around with the coaching stuff thus yet (coaching on the fly).

I've played two games so far, me being Toronto.

My first game was against Tampa Bay, and I lost it 3-1. My second game was against Montreal, and I won 6-4. The second game felt almost completely different in that it was very open ended offensively. Shots were 38-25 in their favour in the first game and 41-40 for me in the second game. My defence at this point isn't very good. The computer takes a lot of slap shots from up close and I've noticed that they're a little strange on break aways. I attribute the high shot counts so far to me being crappy on defence and taking a lot of random shots to see how the CPU goalies would react.

Checking animations (especially the player that gets checked) are much better. Brian Leetch was absolutely nailed by Andre Roy and the noise and Leetch's tumble was fantastic. Overall I think the checking is much improved - mostly because not all hits turn into huge hits, sometimes you miss completely and sometimes you only move your opponent a bit or set him off track. One thing that I do like is that the players' helmets do not get knocked off all the time. In fact, I've only seen a player's helmet get knocked off once, and that was in a fight (as the result of an upper cut).

Goal scoring seems a lot more random than 2K5. Goalies are definitely beatable in a number of ways. I've seen goals on one timers, slap shots, wrist shots, back hands but none on breakaways so far (like I said, the AI is a little strange on those and I don't think that I've gotten in on one myself yet). Five hole goals are back in a big way - I've already seen three I believe. Screening the goalie and traffic also seems to count a fair amount this year. Mad scrambles are pretty fun on rebounds when the goalie is down and trying to get on the puck.

One timers are much improved this season. When set on hard players do not simply get a stick on every pass that goes across the goal mouth. Passes that do connect however are also not always a given goal. The animation for the goalie jumping across the net has gone a long way in stopping a multitude of one timer goals albeit the save itself being kind of rare in the NHL itself. When one timers cannot be completed the player will just receive the puck a bit awkwardly, which has led to a fun goal by myself already. Tie Domi couldn't one time a shot on his backhand (thank God) so he received it on his backhand and nicely flipped it top shelf (yeah, its' Domi, but it looked freakin' sweet).

Cycling the puck feels fantastic with the defencemen actually anchored along the blue line keeping the puck in and passing it to each other in a way this hockey series hasn't seen since NHL 2K3. There's no way to describe a solid cycling series but it really does make me feel good. Skating backwards as a defenceman with the puck is also very smooth and realistic. Much much much improved over the last few seasons' games.

Skating is also much improved this season, as turning on a dime is practically impossible. Getting a full head of steam up the ice is more difficult this season; acceleration of a player going into a speed burst is also slower, presumably simulating momentum.

Crowd reactions are a lot more loud and obvious as goals at home will be reacted to appropriately (and more loudly than in the past). Big hits and penalties will also illicit the proper response.

The commentary isn't anything amazing but it isn't exactly grating either. It's pretty much average but I expect it to improve a lot for next season - if it doesn't it will be inexcusable. I will give Kush a slight pass on this one because of the switch to the new announcers.

Stat overlays are cool, as are the clips between intermissions. Replay angles during the game are for the most part proper but there are some exceptions. There's one particular replay that gets played if you hit the puck off of the post. where it will rewind and play forward the moment of impact onto the post but often times it will rewind/play at the wrong time. There are two new overlays that I love and those are the shot chart overlay showing the areas of the ice where the puck was shot from and also the puck possession chart. Unfortunately both of these new additions only show up towards the end of the third period. I would've liked to see these shown near the end of each period, or at least halfway through the second and then at the end of the game.

I haven't touched season, franchise, etc. yet - just played two full games of exhibition.

I'm sure my opinion will sway on certain things one way or another but thus far I'm very positive about this game. I am also considering reactivating my XBL account because this game will be absolutely amazing over it.

[General Mike]

It seems pretty good, and at $20 is a damn good deal. I'll probably pick it up Monday or Tuesday.

[Pumpy Tudors]

As much as I've tried to like this series of games (and I bought last year's edition plus the previous year's), I always hated the controls. The game felt stiff to me, and I could never get into it. I had problems in the franchise mode, too. Even though I've already bought EA's game this year, I'm interested in hearing about how this one plays. I'm looking forward to the impressions.

[dervack]

Just got it, haven'y popped it in yet. Will play it hopefully later tonight. I know that the reviews I've read say that it's a little slow, but that's all the NHL games from 2K Sports/SEGA

[MizzouRah]

Just got it, haven'y popped it in yet. Will play it hopefully later tonight. I know that the reviews I've read say that it's a little slow, but that's all the NHL games from 2K Sports/SEGA
I have to run home for some personal issues, but I'm hoping you have some impressions up tonight. :) I'll should be able to pick up a copy tomorrow.

Thanks!

[Hurst2112]

I have to run home for some personal issues

You shit your pants didn't you. It's happened to me before. Mine was more of a shart.

[MizzouRah]

You shit your pants didn't you. It's happened to me before. Mine was more of a shart.
I've done that before.. but this time it was looking like our new house purchase wasn't going to go through because the real estate agent for the seller never called our agent back after we agreed to the terms. Our agent, who is also my wife's cousin was getting pissed and nervous the whole time.. which did not make me feel comfortable, especially since we have to be out of our house in 3 weeks.

BUT, it all worked out and my blood pressure has gone back down. :)

[dervack]

I've only played a few minutes, enough to get through an exhibition game, and so far I like the game. I was right about the speed. Maybe it's because I played the EA games all those years back, but it seems that the game is a tad slow. The ICON passing is a little hard to get used to, and even then, I don't think it works that well. The rosters have been updated some, but some key players are still not everywhere they should be. I hope that helps some, but didn't play much. I wanted to get back to NCAA and work on getting my dynasty ready for print, so to speak.

[MizzouRah]

Good enough! This puppy is mine tomorrow.. considering I can find it somewhere. The EB Games by my work sold out already.. although they should be getting more in tomorrow.

[ice4277]

I've only played a few minutes, enough to get through an exhibition game, and so far I like the game. I was right about the speed. Maybe it's because I played the EA games all those years back, but it seems that the game is a tad slow. The ICON passing is a little hard to get used to, and even then, I don't think it works that well. The rosters have been updated some, but some key players are still not everywhere they should be. I hope that helps some, but didn't play much. I wanted to get back to NCAA and work on getting my dynasty ready for print, so to speak.
Now, is it slow as in "slower than real-life hockey" or slow as in "not quite at the warp speed of EA's NHL games"?

[SackAttack]

We got a dozen copies in at work yesterday. I picked one up on my lunch break but haven't had time to play it yet. Hopefully tonight :)

[MizzouRah]

I did too, just now. Hopefully, I can get a game or two in tonight.

[SackAttack]

I'm eager to find out what the enforcer thing actually does.

[General Mike]

No one has any thoughts on this? That's depressing.

[MizzouRah]

Yes, out of the box with the "sim" option enabled, the game has been quite good. I'm just getting the hang of the controls right now, but overall the game plays similar to 2k5 but with more animations and a much more variety of shots. The CPU AI has played quite well and will setup plays. The goalies are NOT superhuman and I've seen all kinds of goals.

Still early, but so far it's a lot of fun.

[bob]

I'm curious about season mode (or dynasty or whatever its called). That is where a lot of the problems showed up last year (such as dynasty killing freezes). Unfortunately, everyone I know has only been playing exhibitions to get used to the new passing, so I'm holding off until a deep review of dynasty mode.

[Joe Canadian]

I'll be picking this up soon... a few questions for those that have it:

1) How's the dynasty?
2) WTF is Team XBox talking about saying the commentary is avg... it's freakin Bob & Harry!!!

[jbmagic]

I'll be picking this up soon... a few questions for those that have it:

1) How's the dynasty?
2) WTF is Team XBox talking about saying the commentary is avg... it's freakin Bob & Harry!!!


EA NHL 2006 is the better game between the two

the Dynasty is better than nhl 2k6

[RebelMan]

Do both games have the 2006 rookies?

[bob]

Neither game does. NHL rules state that they can't appear in a game until they appear in an NHL game. But they will be in whatever roster update occurs after they play.

[MizzouRah]

EA NHL 2006 is the better game between the two


Says who?

[jbmagic]

Says who?


says me.


one of my buddies from work got the nhl 2k6 and another of my friend got ea nhl 2006


i try both out and i feel like the EA sports 2006 is way better.

the dynasty is much deeper on EA and the gameplay plays more realistic on EA.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

At least one will be out for the pc right?

[jbmagic]

At least one will be out for the pc right?


the ea nhl 2006 is out on pc already.

[MizzouRah]

says me.


one of my buddies from work got the nhl 2k6 and another of my friend got ea nhl 2006


i try both out and i feel like the EA sports 2006 is way better.

the dynasty is much deeper on EA and the gameplay plays more realistic on EA.
I would bet your a novice hockey fan.

[jbmagic]

Todd

trust me on this one. give EA sports nhl 2006 a chance. you will see it better than NHL 2k6.

rent the EA one and you will see.

[MizzouRah]

Todd

trust me on this one. give EA sports nhl 2006 a chance. you will see it better than NHL 2k6.

rent the EA one and you will see.
I've been playing EA Sports Hockey since at least '93 and I'm telling you that NHL 2k series is better in terms of being a sim. I have no desire to play NHL 06 from EA - NHL 2k6 is so much fun and quite realistic to boot. To each his/her own, but with some tweaks, NHL 2k6 is excellent.

[General Mike]

I've been playing EA Sports Hockey since at least '93 and I'm telling you that NHL 2k series is better in terms of being a sim. I have no desire to play NHL 06 from EA - NHL 2k6 is so much fun and quite realistic to boot. To each his/her own, but with some tweaks, NHL 2k6 is excellent.

Todd,

Got any sliders yet? I haven't picked the game up yet, but should sometime this weekend. Probably Friday or during the 3:30 college football block

[General Mike]

Dola, I may pick up NHL 06 as well. $29.99 isn't too awful.

[MizzouRah]

Todd,

Got any sliders yet? I haven't picked the game up yet, but should sometime this weekend. Probably Friday or during the 3:30 college football block
I am playing on All-Star, momentum off, and 8 minutes accelerated periods. I used simulation slider settings as a base, but I have speed at 2 clicks, CPU speeed bursts matching human, and I think I may have the offensive skill matching human as well.

These are what myself and a few others are using for now.

[dervack]

I've been playing EA Sports Hockey since at least '93 and I'm telling you that NHL 2k series is better in terms of being a sim. I have no desire to play NHL 06 from EA - NHL 2k6 is so much fun and quite realistic to boot. To each his/her own, but with some tweaks, NHL 2k6 is excellent.
I concur. I've played both and Ea can't hold a candle to Sega.

[Joe Canadian]

the gameplay plays more realistic on EA.

The EA NHL series hasn't had realistic gameplay in a long time, if ever. It's an arcade game.

[MizzouRah]

The EA NHL series hasn't had realistic gameplay in a long time, if ever. It's an arcade game.
Exactly.. I'm not saying NHL 2006 isn't fun, I've heard it is.. but I want more of a sim feel to the game and the 2k series has always been a favorite of mine.

[RPI-Fan]

So is 2k6 still playing well? Back when I had 2k4, it was fun in multiplayer, but single player was the same scenario of only have a couple ways to score.

In 2k6, can you skate down the wing, beat the man at the blue line, and rip a wrista from the hash marks and have a chance of beating the goalie? Work the puck to the point on the power play and getting a big shot to go in without a deflection? That sort of thing... anyone have examples of goals they've scored?

Thanks!
~rpi-fan

[MizzouRah]

Thanks to Flyermania for these awesome slider settings!!!!!!

As always, these are a work in progress....I started out on Pro with 2k6, and while I was getting good games I was winning too often. I did like the pace and flow of All-Star (thanks to VeNoM's settings), but was struggle to score and the CPU was as well.

What I did was lower human and CPU goalie skill and goalie anticipation to zero clicks....while you may think it's crazy, it doesn't necessarily result in high scoring games. Sometimes there are some, but suprisingly the scores are very realistic.

Some recent results I've had with these:

* Ottawa 6 Philadelphia 5 (shootout) --- I led 3-1 in the second period before the Sens ralled to take a 4-3 lead. I tied the game late on the third period to send it to OT, but Alfredsson won it in the shootout.

* Anaheim 3 at Philadelphia 2 (shootout) --- I scored late in the game to tie it up, but Giguere was a brick wall most of the game.

* Philadelphia 3 at Colorado 2 --- Forsberg scored with under a minute to play to pull out a dramatic win for the Flyers.

* Philadelphia 4 Ottawa 2 --- Knuble scored 2 goals, including a big PP goal off of a rebound past Hasek. The game was very close and I added an empty netter to seal the victory.

I have my pass assist up high, and now I am able to match the CPU is pass %. These settings are probably not for "experts" at the game, but I feel they are good for those who sometimes struggle to score on the All-Star level (CPU included).

Flyermania's 2k6 All-Star Settings as of 10/31/05

<!--QuoteBegin-->
QUOTE
<!--QuoteEBegin-->Controller Settings:

Current Profile: Up to user
Controller: ADVANCED
Goalie Control: Up to user
Pass Aim Assist: 10 click (out of 10 clicks)
Shot Aiming: AUTO
Auto Puck in Air Grab: Up to user
Player Lock Type: Up to user
Preferred Start Position: Up to user
Puck Protection: MANUAL
Icon Switch: Up to user
Vibration Feature: Up to user
One-Timer Passing: OFF

Rules:

Skill Level: All-Star
Period Length: 8 Minutes
Penalties: ON
Offside: Tag-Up
Icing: Auto
Two Line Pass: Off
Overtime Type: Auto
Net Off Moorings: On
Game Clock: Accelerated
Clock Type: Auto
Last Minute Real Time: NO
Freeze Puck Time: 12 clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Goalie Freeze Puck Time: 0 clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Puck Friction: 16 clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Ice Friction: 0 Clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
One-Timer Difficulty: NORMAL

Penalties:

Goalie Outside Crease: ON
Custom Penalty Length: OFF

Roughing: 25 Clicks
Elbowing: 25 Clicks
Cross Checking: 25 Clicks
Boarding: 25 Clicks
Charging: 25 Clicks
Interference: 25 Clicks
Slashing: 25 Clicks
Hooking: 25 Clicks
Tripping: 30 Clicks
Spearing: 25 Clicks
Penalty Shots: 4 Clicks

Features:

Game Speed: 2 Clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Home Line Change: Up to user
Away Line Change: Up to user
Momentum: OFF
On the Fly Coaching: ON
Enforcers: OFF
Pinning: 16 Clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Speed Burst After Fight Win: OFF
Fighting: 16 Clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)
Players who Fight: FIGHTERS ONLY
Referee Collison: ALL
Glass Breaking Frequency: 6 Clicks (out of 16 clicks MAX)

Gameplay – HUMAN/CPU:

**Where there are two values, first is for HUMAN sliders, second is for CPU**

Goalie Skill – 0 clicks (out of 10)
Offense Skill – 5 clicks (out of 10)
Defense Skill – 5 clicks (out of 10)
Speed Burst Effect – 4 clicks (out of 10)
Speed Burst Time – 7 clicks (out of 10)
Speed Burst Recovery – 9 clicks (out of 10)
Fatigue Effect – 10 clicks (out of 10)
Fatigue Recovery – 1 click (out of 10)
Fatigue Time – 9 clicks (out of 10)
Hitting Power – 0 clicks (out of 10)
Shot Accuracy – 5/1 click (out of 10)
Pass Accuracy – 10/0 clicks (out of 10)
Pass Speed – 5 clicks (out of 10)
Pass Interceptions – 7 clicks (out of 10)
Rebound Distance – 5 clicks (out of 10)
Shot Blocking – 7 clicks (out of 10)
Puck Retention – 3/4 clicks (out of 10)
Puck Control – 1 clicks (out of 10)
Goalie Anticipation – 0 clicks (out of 10)
Goalie Cover Depth – 5 clicks (out of 10)
Goalie Saves – 0 clicks (out of 10)
<!--QuoteEnd-->
<!--QuoteEEnd-->


I have been manually increasing my teams aggressiveness to have more penalties called against me....usually two-thirds of the scale. Each team usually sees 5-8 PP's per game.