November 20, 2006 - Hockey is more then a past time up here in Canada; it's a way of life. When the hockey season rolls around every year, gamers eagerly wait and see what each of the major hockey gaming franchises has to offer up, and this year is no exception. Both 2K's NHL 2K7 and EA's NHL 07 have been competing for a few years with a similar set of features, this year however they've branched down different paths, which is good for hockey fans everywhere.

I grew up with almost every version of EA's NHL series, and only a few years ago started playing 2K's franchise (then owned by Sega), it was a very refreshing change from the standard rinse and repeat constantly being put out every year. This time around, the two franchises have drastically gone in different directions, EA taking the more 'simulation' route with the stick control, while 2K going more of the traditional arcade style. While both offer up something new, I'm not sure which one will win out long term. I wouldn't underestimate 2K's series, as the new Cinemotion effects truly bring the experience to life, while sticking with the formula that's been so successful over the years.

So what is Cinemotion? The concept of Cinemotion is an engaging in-game experience, with a dynamic close-range camera that moves depending on the situation. On face-offs, the camera moves in close (while still panning above the players), and when the puck drops it moves back to a low parametric angle, panning up and down the ice and rotating left and right slightly depending on the situation. I find that this not only adds to the overall experience, it allows for much more beautiful setups on some plays, with the illusion that you're almost at ice level. The broadcast score in Cinemotion is also different from that of previous outings, more action-based dialogue, something of which you'd expect to find in a movie rather then in a traditional game. My only issue with Cinemotion is the lack of replays, when I setup a beautiful drop-pass and one-timer on net, I'd like to be able to relive that moment for a few seconds, and this one doesn't seem to offer that ability without explicitly going to the replay mode. All in all, the Cinemotion seems to work, and aside from a few much needed tweaks, it's a welcome addition to the series.

If you're not a fan of Cinemotion, you can always go back to the traditional broadcast perspective. With commentary from Bob Cole and Harry Neale, the sound effects for the most part are well presented. During the game, you'll hear the coach ordering out line changes from the bench, or teammates calling for the puck on breakaway attempts. After the whistle, you'll hear your players quietly comment on the game, about a recent penalty or goal. This on-ice chatter adds to the cinematic effect, while bringing a touch of realism to the series that you wouldn't traditionally find in a television broadcast. Other sound effects, such as the skating and shooting are pretty standard, and the musical score, while it works, is nothing to write home about.

The game offers the traditional modes found in the series, enough to satisfy any rabid hockey fan. Season, exhibition, party mode, mini-rink, pond hockey, and the skybox where you can play trivia, mini-games, and unlock extras such as vintage jerseys have all returned. The variety of game options and especially the party games haven't changed a lot, but still one of the highlights of the multiplayer modes. Franchise mode is back, and new additions such as rivalries and the more 'emotional' part of the game are present; it's one of the deepest franchise modes I've ever seen. The online play is where NHL 2K7 really scores a beauty goal. This is without a doubt the most online-complete hockey release to date, the simplicity of finding an opponent, filtering opponents based on skill, and the in-game rankings offer up a wealth of information and many hours of great play.