NHL 2K7: A Perfect 10 Then, But What About Now?

[RaychelSnr]

NHL 2K7 was officially the second hockey game released by 2K Sports on Xbox 360, but truthfully, NHL 2K6 was just a quick and dirty port of the OG Xbox game of the same name. NHL 2K7 was also the first year that the big two hockey franchises would go head-to-head, as EA's NHL 07 arrived that same year, bringing along with it some impressive “next-gen” visuals and the innovative skill stick. The 2K hockey games had been quietly doing their thing for several years, serving up a 50-50 split of simulation and arcade gameplay. The one-timer was a staple of the 2K hockey brand, and it was most certainly present and accounted for in NHL 2K7.

Read More - NHL 2K7: A Perfect 10 Then, But What About Now?

[BCDX97]

These games felt like a continuation of the old NHL Faceoff games from Sony. I just couldn't get into the herky-jerky gameplay.

[bigdoc85]

I have never played 2k7 but I have NHL2k10 on Xbox (got it new for $5) and still play it to this day. As a casual hockey fan and gamer, it works for me -- I have never had an interest in upgrading to one of the NHL versions.

[kazjason]

This is why 2K10 holds up for me <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GqSde7i5YE4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Dazraz]

This is why 2K10 holds up for me <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GqSde7i5YE4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nice video. I would love to see 2K bring out another Hockey game. I enjoy EA's game now but not as much as I enjoyed 2K's game then.

[drewst18]

What I'll say is if 2k games are arcady to you youre playing them wrong.

Now I am not telling you how to play your game but 2k series (until the last few releases but 2k6 - 2k8) were amazing simulation hockey games. The slider settings had such a major impact on the game that with the correct sliders (slower speed, little to no speed burst, more fatigue and less hits) you have the most realistic hockey game to date.

[jyoung]

2K8 and 2K10 are definitely still worth playing.

2K7, not so much.

[Vechi8]

2K8 and 2K10 are definitely still worth playing.

2K7, not so much.

Agree jyoung 100% I remember 2k7's graphics being nice especially the glare off of the ice. 2k8 was the last real sim hockey game that I have played. It was a shame that a lot of guys gave up on it because 2k had changed the shooting controls in which were ackward but once you practice it was no big deal.

[Wiggy]

What I'll say is if 2k games are arcady to you youre playing them wrong.

Now I am not telling you how to play your game but 2k series (until the last few releases but 2k6 - 2k8) were amazing simulation hockey games. The slider settings had such a major impact on the game that with the correct sliders (slower speed, little to no speed burst, more fatigue and less hits) you have the most realistic hockey game to date.

I get what you're saying, but honestly, I could say the same thing about NHL 14 and its sliders (and I think its default settings are much closer to "sim" than this game, for instance). If a game has to monkeyed with completely to achieve some kind of simulation feel (ie. it's not defaulted that way), then I don't think this argument holds a lot of merit.

I messed around with 2K7 on multiple sliders, and even "default" and "sim" presets feel like an arcade experience. More what I'm getting at is the feel of the hits and the movement. The reliance on one-timers and the lack of creativity in the slot just doesn't resonate today, and I think there was just something about the pace that didn't seem "true" to me.

To each their own, as always, but I did play a lot of the 2K series, and that was just my feeling on it.

[Segagendude]

Re: NHL 2K7: A Perfect 10 Then, But What About Now?

This is why 2K10 holds up for me <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GqSde7i5YE4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

No offence, but any game could look great in super slo mo and extreme zoom.

I tried playing 10 and wasn't all that impressed. Jmo...

[tril]

NHLk10 and 2k6 are my favorite hockey games of all time. Still play NHL2k10 when ever I need a hockey fix. the game has a good balance between sim and arcade, plus it's highly customizable. and has alot o\f great gameplay features

[loso_34]

No offence, but any game could look great in super slo mo and extreme zoom.

I tried playing 10 and wasn't all that impressed. Jmo...

The guys over at nhlgaming.net have played with the sliders to the point it's a great game. Only issue is that the goaltending physics don't touch whT was 2k8. It's a shame when nhl 2k10 can stand up to and surpass ea in terms of sim play today.

Ea still hasn't replicated or matched the realistic goaltending movements they had in nhl 2k8. Never have I seen goaltending so well represented in a game.

I'm hoping 2k can come back next gen.

[Segagendude]

Re: NHL 2K7: A Perfect 10 Then, But What About Now?

Although I do like that they have more than just one ref on the ice, lol

[savoie2006]

Re: NHL 2K7: A Perfect 10 Then, But What About Now?

Although I do like that they have more than just one ref on the ice, lol

For the 360 especially 2K10 plays a solid game with good sliders. Out the box, not so much. Some of the animations were wonky, the goalies were bad, and the Presentation could have used some extra touches. The Ai though was every bit as competent as that of Ea, if not more so. If 2K had started this gen with 2K10 and built off it, they might have been able to keep up with EA. For the record 2K7 was garbage with its brickwall goalies and ice fog. The only reason it got any love was because NHL 07 was such bare bones and for the 360 only.

[GuyinPA75]

2K8 and 2K10 are definitely still worth playing.

2K7, not so much.

I agree 1,000%. 2k8 was by far my fav NHL game online to date for 1 vs 1 gameplay. Why? The camera is much better than EA Sports and the gameplay was less gimmicky. Example being in EA Sports there seems to always be that last minute comeback or game tying goal that happens. Feels so fluky no matter how good you play. About 90% of the games played felt just so scripted.

IF EA Sports would wake up and see just how superior the 2k Sports products were they could begin to make classic sports games again. But until they do, EA Sports will continue to feel gimmicky, arcadish, and overall inferior.

EA Sports simply lost their edge in last 10 years for quality sports games.