NHL 2K7 also features Crease Control, allowing you to play the goalie position. Time slows slightly when you enter Crease Control. You must try to keep the puck in your field of view when anticipating the shot, and then block the shot before it enters the goal. This can be difficult when skaters are obstructing your view of the puck, and it certainly makes you appreciate what an NHL goalie experiences. It’s a nice feature to have, but it is difficult to master and mistakes result in a goal for the other team.
2K7 also features on-the-fly play calling, allowing you to set your offenses and defenses with the D pad. Also included is icon passing, which lets you pass to a specific player (something all hockey and basketball games should have). As mentioned, you can also customize the control scheme from a basic to an advanced one. The advanced one provides you with more options, but can be difficult to use for the uninitiated. Offensively, the gamer can pass, drop pass or clear the puck down the ice, to name a few controls. Defensively, you can poke check, body check or lie on the ice to block a shot along with other actions. You have a wide variety of controls at your fingertips with NHL 2K7, making for a great gaming experience.
There is a large assortment of game modes to choose from in NHL 2K7. Gamers interested in the replay value of 2K7 will be glad to know that the Franchise mode is deep and rich. Team chemistry and NHL rivalries are factored into your franchise decisions, and affect team morale. You’ll also have to manage your depth charts and playing lines. The rookie scouting system is good, as is the free agent signings system. The management interface works well.
The Xbox Live options available to you are beyond compare. 2K7 definitely raised the bar. Aside from playing a single one-on-one quick game, you can participate in tournaments. You can also play season mode on Xbox Live! You have the choice of an 8-team quick season, or you can play a full 30-team season online. Finally a developer has realized that 360 gamers would like to be able to play in the same season as their friends. These options certainly leave other online hockey games in the dust, and hopefully are an indication of the direction Xbox Live sports games will take from this point forward.
There is a plethora of hockey based mini games and party modes when you’re in the mood for something different or if you have several people that want to get in on some quick action. You can play pond hockey, which is similar to normal hockey mode, except the venue. If you don’t want to devote the time to a full franchise, you can set up tournaments or play single seasons. The Skybox mode takes you to your trophy room where all of your unlockables (and there are many) are displayed. From pond hockey to air hockey, the assortment of play options and games will keep you entertained for hours upon hours.
