Metareview - NHL 07 vs. NHL 2K7 (360)
by Blake Snow 
{ Sep 16th 2006 at 10:00PM }
NHL starts next month, and with it comes the sport's video game counterparts on all major platforms that aren't made by Nintendo. So how does EA's NHL 07 stack up against 2K's NHL 2K7 on the 360? Here's what the critics are saying about each via MetaCritic:
NHL 07 - Average review score of 82
- IGN 87% - "A great hockey game, pure and simple...NHL 07 represents the first truly next-generation gameplay innovation."
- 1UP 80 % - "It'll feel like you're learning videogames all over again, and the reward is scoring off a wicked slapshot after a series of quick, sharp passes. Ahh, the joy. Ultimately, the biggest praise that can be heaped on this game is this: It feels like hockey."
- Gamespot 82% - "NHL 07's thrilling new skill stick makes up for its bare-bones package."
- IGN 89% - "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."
- 1UP 65% - "EA's NHL effort is masterful, ballsy, and innovative. NHL 2K7 is stale, boring, and predictable."
- Gamespot 83% - "The outstanding gameplay mechanics will be familiar to fans of the series, but NHL 2K7 makes important strides in the realm of presentation with this year's 360 offering."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris @ Sep 16th 2006 10:13PM
2/3 reviewers think 2K7 is better, but its average is lower because one reviewer feels like significantly downvoting? You can tell in 1up's review by the fact that another game is influencing the review that there's bias. Bias! :P
Geoff @ Sep 16th 2006 10:15PM
NHL 07 has a prettier cover, so clearly it is a better game. I really don't see why Joystiq insists on needlessly complicating the issue by having quotes from reviews about silly things like how the games play.
alex @ Sep 16th 2006 10:19PM
i was debating which one to get. i looked on some forums and loooked at the reviews and got nhl 2k7. i love the game so far, and the online is solid. i really just needed to think that EA is making one, and 2k is making the other. EA is crap.
Intellectualdiot @ Sep 16th 2006 10:20PM
What is this, bizarro world? EA focusing on substance? 2K Sports focusing on style? The world I live in now feels strange and frightening to me...
But I suppose the tides were inevitably going to turn - you can only go so far in one extreme without having to capitulate towards the other.
Dan @ Sep 16th 2006 10:32PM
I've played both games and NHL 07 is far better. It takes awhile to ge use to but when you do, there's no going back. besides is feels more REAL. real goals, real defence and real plays.
But i can see non hockey players/fans liking NHL 2K7 better because it's simplier and features unreal plays that they would expect.
Thomas @ Sep 16th 2006 10:34PM
I liked EA NHL 07 Demo.. 2K Demo didnt look or really feel like a Next-Gen.. EAs did..
I might pick up NHL 07..
Intellectualdiot @ Sep 16th 2006 10:42PM
"But i can see non hockey players/fans liking NHL 2K7 better because it's simplier and features unreal plays that they would expect."
Now, I KNOW I'm in bizarro world. My how times have changed.
BklynKid @ Sep 16th 2006 10:46PM
Does anyone here have the power to take the MLB license away from 2k Sports?
Jon @ Sep 16th 2006 10:49PM
Based on the demo alone I liked the 2k hockey better..but then we didn't "really" get any gameplay of the EA title.
Thryon @ Sep 16th 2006 11:04PM
Ah hockey...now this is my turf.
I hated the EA demo, and like the 2K7 demo so much, I purchased both versions.
EA NHL 07 visually is amazing. Sid the kid, looks like Sidney Crosbey (he is currently in my home town by the way). The controls are great, and allows for creative gameplay. I can perform moves in this game, I could never do in any other hockey game. Overall, this game is top notch.
2K Sports NHL 2K7 in comparision is not as pretty. I love the new camera angle, but that is the only superb part of the game. You cannot easily recognize players. The controls are the same old controls that I have been using since NHL 95. While there are enhancements over last year's version, there is no leap in gameplay that will blow you away.
Having said that, it is very interesting that I, and all my friends prefer to play NHL 2K7. The way I see it, NHL 2K7 is like your best friend.....predictable yes, but there is a comfort in that predictability. While the NHL 07 can get frustrating as a simple flick of your right analog stick will send your puck flying in all sorts of directions and not deke as you intended, you never have that problem with NHL 2K7, which controls I have mastery over.
If you are still undecided, I suggest to rent them and give em a try.
Thryon @ Sep 16th 2006 11:07PM
PS/
Sorry about the typos...I wrote the previous comment on my kitchen computer....no spell checking software there. Doh!
Moogle @ Sep 16th 2006 11:57PM
Funny, the most recent EGM did an actual side-by-side review of the two. They said pretty much the same thing as Thryon except for his last pararaph about liking 2K7 because of the familiarity. Also pointed out that both had a few really basic flaws that hurt each a little. They ranked 07 at an average of 7.8, and 2k7 at 6.3.
Tony @ Sep 17th 2006 1:04AM
No one mentions how the NHL 07 online is like...very very basic.
2k7 has all the online leagues and all that. The better franchise..better presentation..
07 is kind of bare in comparison..everyone i just hyped up because it looks a tad better and uses new controls.
tooler @ Sep 17th 2006 1:42AM
I have discovered that if you want to play a game of hockey, you should play NHL 2k7. Real hockey things happen in that game.
If you want to play a cheesy arcade game, play NHL 2007. It's a joke.
That's about it.
geves @ Sep 17th 2006 2:03AM
i thought the definition of a review. was to review the game, as a stand alone title. without comparisions.
1up needs to fuck off & so should the rest of reviewers. because they (EGM) don't even pretend like they're not bias.
remember back a few months ago. when they would defend themselves from a bad review by saying they didn't compare games? now they just make fun of people who write in. i'm attacking EGM especially, because they were the fuckrags who claimed at every given moment. they didn't compare games. look at them now.
they're the same pieces of crap as IGN. whatever happened to reviews based on the game itself. i know that in the industry action games are now dominated by the influence of games such as DMC3 & ninja gaiden. once upon a time you could read an honest review. without catching another games name.
now all of a sudden NHL games are reviewed together?
that's not being biased at all huh? i can understand the whole excuse "we wanted gamers to be able to compare the two sports titles" but don't claim to review games without comparisons.
the whole entire reviewing world is like that. whatever happened to reviewing a game by itself? afraid to enjoy it too much?
wow, so "saint's row" is everything GTA was except better in everyway, it even included online multiplayer. except it didn't have planes? and we all know how perfect that was for the GTA formula, right. cuz it was perfect in every way. yet rockstar's shitty games get 9.5's and 10's from EGM. and saint's row get's 7.5's & 8.0's.
comparing games = should never happen to a true review mag.
who's pocket's get lined with this horse shit EGM? i just gave an example of your trash. and it's a true example. just read the review of "saint's row" it happens to correct every flaw they EVER said about GTA. yet look at the numbers.
EGM = fuck off, you hypocritical pieces of turd. your even reviewing 2 games at once now? wow work is so hard, you have to review so many games. that hockey games are the same exact thing? yet madden '07 right after the hockey game, get's 3 pages. = EGM...i piss blood on you. thanks for the free mags. but you guys are biased and asshats.
but at least your better than IGN. not by much. same trash in the same hole. if only someone would compact you.
Ouch. @ Sep 17th 2006 3:07AM
Wow, EA must suck whatever they do.
I bet most of the posters haven't even played the game, writing off in a shallow style i.e. "It sux!".
I can't comment yet (Friend's NTSC/J 360 makes it hard for me), but EA can be said to be much ballsier on next-gen attempts. And after the new direction they took last year, it isn't that shocking. (So much for bizzaro land ;D)
And BTW, why #1 on both covers?
Pyronite @ Sep 17th 2006 2:59AM
2k7 is, put simply, unrealistic hockey. They might have more advanced options, but the basics are as inauthentic as they can get.
The flow of the game and the events within it are about as next-gen as NHL '94 (which is great fun in its own right, but not quite what you'd want in a game in 2006). 2k has an over-reliance on the same old gameplay styles that have been around for more than a decade -- skate off to the side, throw the puck in front of the net, and one-time it. It's about finding out the best way to score (read: trick the goalie) and then repeating that action. The games are filled with much too many shots and the gameplay allows one unrealistically huge hit after another.
EA's game is not perfect, either. It has hardly any online options; the single-player options are also lacking, with just a dynasty, shootout, and fast play option. A chunk of the goals are due to goalie error, or unrealistically deflected pucks.
But EA's game, on the ice, is simply better. It flows like actual hockey -- it feels like actual hockey -- the goalies actually save the puck -- and there is a great amount of personal improvement and creativity that you can achieve with the skill stick alone. Even WITH all of the options missing, EA still manages to outdo 2k in overall reviews.
Look at GameSpot, who gave 2k7 .1 higher than 07. What do you think 2k's rating would have been had it only shown the features that EA's game has? It would have been much lower, because (again) the gameplay simply isn't there.
Snap Count @ Sep 17th 2006 3:29AM
EA basically lost my money because of their crappy Demo, not like they needed my money Anyways.
jc @ Sep 17th 2006 3:37AM
Bugs and game freezing aside, I enjoy my NHL 2K6. From what I hear, 2K7 isn't much different (aside from the camera candy). While I am definately not a fan of EA Sports, I am tempted to give NHL07 a try (mostly for bringing somthing new to the table, and I am a sim fan).
I am thinking of picking up NHL07, and keeping NHL2K6 around in case the guys don't enjoy EA's offering when they are over.
Thryon, being that we are almost neighbors... what one would you recommend? ( I don't really have an opportunity to rent first)
Hasney @ Sep 17th 2006 3:46AM
Well, as someone who doesn't follow hockey in real life, but loves hockey games since back on the Mega Drive, I've been loving both games really. NHL 07's right stickery takes a while to get used to, but it beats scoring one-timers all the time.
2k7 plays like an old school hockey game and I personally can never get bored of that. It's online features destroy 07 as well.
I wonder if it will be this even come NBA 2k7 and Live 07? Live really REALLY sucked last year....
John @ Sep 17th 2006 4:05AM
Like others have said, I love hockey, and actually play it.. and yes the EA game does play like real hockey. Now whether or not that is a good thing is up to user preference. Nhl 2k7, despite what has been said, definately feels more arcadey because of the quick passes that connect. However, after buying both I feel the framerate issues have been left out. NHl 07 seems to lag up a lot. I have a 53 inch projection hdtv, has anyone noticed this? I ask because It did seem to play better on my friends smaller hdtv.. as if the transitions were more noticable at the larger size. Also the 2k7 cinematics are horribly cheesy and actually keep me away from the game. So in the end, the gameplay and simplicity of 07 gets my vote.
rockintom99 @ Sep 17th 2006 6:17AM
I considered both, but i still think the NES origion Hockey ownes any other version.
Jeffler @ Sep 17th 2006 7:47AM
To be fair, the person who asked why both say #1....
EA NHL is #1 Seling, 2K NHL is #1 Rated.
I have them both. NHL 07 is so good that after I got it for PC, I broke down and bought it for PS2 and PSP so I could sync dynasty modes.
2K7? Once again, 2K fails me. I don't know why I even bother buying both....the 2k ones have such an odd feel to them, like, NHL 95 (worst game ever), and shit commentary.
Buy NHL 07. Esp if you have a 360. Go still stick revolution!
Rhythmx @ Sep 17th 2006 8:35AM
I have played both NHL 07, and NHL 2k7. While I agree 07 has a better control scheme and graphics, I would say that is all they have over 2k7. If you adjust the sliders, and put the game in sim mode, passes are no longer accurate, and shots often miss the net. I too, have played hockey, and love the fact that you can set line matchups,team strategies, pin players on the boards and actually set up on the powerplay using the pro controls. If you really dig deep into 2k7, you will find that this is definitley a more realistic hockey game. You just have to make sure set it to sim, and adjust all the sliders. Believe me, passes are by no way accurate. That said, I really did love 07's shooting controls, but lack of deep franchise mode, online options etc. led me back to 2k7. Maybe next year, EA can put everything in their NHL game?
M.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Sep 17th 2006 9:18AM
I will be buying neither this year.
2K Sports spent a year working on a game and all they got is Cinemotion, a theatrical score to a hockey game. Should I be impressed? None of the bugs from last year were fixed:
http://www.2ksports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92470
I play my video game hockey for the online experience, so NHL 07 is not cutting it either.
Whoever said 2K7 is unrealistic hockey must really hate EA then, because that thing is not even close to hockey.
dsub @ Sep 17th 2006 10:43AM
if you like fast paced hard hitting no frills arcade style style hockey games...get NHL2K7, you'll love it.
If you want something new with the "skillstick" and your up for a challenge in that way, get NHL 07, you'll love it.
Both games are good in their own right, but I enjoy the arcade style of play myself. I for one don't care for EA's "hey, let's be different and only use the analog sticks to control the game" mentality. I don't use it in Fight Night Round 3, and after about 15 minutes with it in NHL 07, I changed the controls as well and immediately found that without the "skillstick" system, NHL 07 is extremely boring and slow. The goaltenders in NHL2K7 are vastly improved this year, in 2K6 I was able to beat the computer (or my friends) upwards of 20 to 0, which just doesnt happen anymore. Goals are alot more challenging to get making it a bit more realistic.
If I had to review the two, i'd give NHL 07 a 7/10 for trying to be original with the controls but the rest of the game severly sucks, the EA game IS graphically superior if that's your thing, but the game is often played from a distance and the only time you can see the "eye candy" is in the pre-game animations.
2K7 would get a 9/10 because it is actually exciting to play. The big bone crushing hits, and FAST style of play are what a hockey game should be, not a slow motion tech fest like it's EA counterpart.
dsub @ Sep 17th 2006 12:44PM
Jon- you did get the gameplay of the EA game. That shootout mode is it. If you take away the skillstick system that they let you tryout in the demo, NHL07 blows.
Izuna Drop @ Sep 17th 2006 11:44AM
It seems strange that NHL 2k7 got a higher rating on both IGN and Gamespot ad both reviews said the game was better, but was then thrashed by 1UP. The disparity between what Gamespot/IGN saw as good and what 1UP disliked is amazing. I, personally, am not a fan of sports games, however, I have found NHL 2K7 to essentially be a game that is fast, fun, and easy to play. I haven't played the full version of NHL 07, but I wasn't a fan of the demo.
Rhythmx @ Sep 17th 2006 12:42PM
Why does everyone think 2K7 has an arcade feel to it. If you actually play it and adjust the settings to sim mode, and slow down the gameplay etc., it feels and plays like real hockey. You just have to tweak it, thats all. Out of the box, sure it is arcadey, but if you know the 2k7 games, then you should be playing authentic hockey.
jeffx @ Sep 17th 2006 3:30PM
God I can't wait for hockey to start!
I'm seriously disappointed neither of these games have a nintendo DS version!!
TTgowings @ Sep 17th 2006 7:29PM
Without a question I'd say that 2K7 is the better game, graphically though EA's NHL07 has 2K smoked hands down. I just wish they would stop changing button layout schemes every other year or give us the option to do our own button mapping, I'm just so used to having the aim button on the right stick. I for one feel that not just NHL 2K7 but most games in general need to back off on button layouts, just how many button combinations do you really need, but maybe I'm just old school..
Iscariote @ Sep 17th 2006 8:25PM
This is the first time I've bought an EA hockey game since I was deciding on a game to buy for the Genesis. 2K7 is almost identical to 2K6.
JohnDoe @ Sep 18th 2006 6:24AM
Just rent both and then decide which to buy. That simple.
Sanchinos @ Sep 18th 2006 11:23AM
Hockey is something I love to play and also something that I follow very closely (being from Edmonton and all, where it's pretty much a religion). Having said that, I've also played both of these games rather extensively. My quick thoughts: 2K7 is an arcade game. It's the same hockey game since '94 - just prettier. The game pace is fast and frantic (way more so than real life) and it just doesn't feel authentic. That isn't to say it isn't fun in its own right, it just doesn't feel like hockey. NHL 07, on the other hand, got a lot of things right this year. It feels like hockey. It looks like hockey. It's addicted me (what can I say.) But it isn't without some flaws. Like others have said, online can be laggy (which feels like your framerate has dropped). I played several online games with buddies whom I know to have very fast and reliable internet connections and experienced NO LAG whatsoever - which was great. The game played smooth and just like single player. But I've also played strangers in a quick match game and experienced some lag. Who knows what their connection was like, but there IS some lag here and here. (Maybe it helps that I'm in Vancouver which is where EA's severs are located...?) The other thing that could use some work in '07 is the AI. Defensemen won't hold the blue line when you're in the attacking zone, so if you dump the puck back along the boards from behind the net, don't expect your D man to be at the point (which is annoying, to say the least). Teammates will go offside for seemingly no reason sometimes, and they crowd the puck too much (instead of playing their position). These are the things I started to notice after getting the controls down... That being said, EA has done A LOT of things right this year. The skill stick is awesome. I'm hooked. Despite its flaws, this is the best hockey game yet. I'm convinced that with some work on AI and the little nuisance bugs that '08 is going to be a killer game. My $0.02.
JESUSROCKS @ Oct 1st 2006 2:10PM
Skill stick.
Sylvain Beaudry @ Oct 4th 2006 3:11PM
I bought both games because i simply am a hockey buff ( when is the CHL game coming) I found that the ea version simply was way too fast and high scoring. You can't even play with the settings. Which i found sucked because once u change it from say pro to all-star, u go from winning 6 to 1 to losing 6-0. come on EA,give us a chance to like u.As for NHL2k7 it is godly. I am a hockey stat buff,and 2k7 lets me do this. there is so many changes in settings that u never need to up the deiffculty. the game speed is perfect. One thing missing though....create a player
How am i suppose to add guillaume Latendresse to my beloved habs ?????