NHL 07 (Xbox 360, 2006)

Hockey feels like it's been stuck in a rut for years now. Every year same old game, new rosters. All that changed this year with NHL 07. EA has taken the traditional video game hockey handbook and thrown it right out the window.

Gameplay:First there's the new skillstick. This adds a new dimension to the world of video game hockey. Using the right analog stick you can now deke left or right and fire your passes off. You simply press forward for a wrist shot or back and forward for a slap shot. You use the left stick for player movement and shot direction. You can pass by pulling the right trigger and the left stick for aiming your pass. Now these controls may seem simple but it may take you a couple games to get used to it. After all, your not using the face buttons any more. Even though you can still switch back to "classic" controls. But why would you?

On defense, you can check by using the right analog stick. Now there's no speed boost button, so to deliver a big hit you pretty much have line them up and hit them just right. It's a little tough but rewarding when done. You use the left bumper for poke checking defenders as they go by.

Let's hope next year we get a little more defensive ingenuity from EA and they'll own the rink for years to come. This was a great first step.....9/10.

Graphics:The graphics in this game are quite good. Outside of the players faces, the models look spectacular. Also seeing reflections off the ice and glass are a marvel to look at. There are some quirky glitches and skipped frames in a few of the animations and cut screens, but they are hardly noticeable without actually pointing them out......8.5/10.

Audio:This is another one of the games high points. The crowd is absolutely phenomenal in this game. The groans after the opposing teams score and the wild cheers of admiration after coming from three down to tie the game. There's nothing like it. Also the commentary is great. It always keeps up with the game and never usually spouts out an awkward phrase at weird moments. Overall I give this a 9.5/10.

Play Modes:This is one area that they should have made a little better. NHL probably has the best franchise mode of the two games. It also has a create a player mode, which is fun but could've used some more options. In addition to the usual play now, they have also added a tournament mode incorporating the world teams into an elimination type playoff system. You wanna Play as the US and take on Canada. Great, well good luck, you're gonna need it.I thought this was very well done.

Now the bad. The online portion of the game are as skimpy as the rest of EA's next-gen efforts so far. For online, you get the traditional ranked and unranked matches. That's it. No online tournaments or stat keeping. Just the same old online options. Oh well, guess we'll keep hoping until next year. Overall Modes....7.5/10.

Overall: With the incorporation of the skill stick alone, this games ensures hours and hours of fantastic single player action. The visuals are getting better and better and the audio can't be beat. Unfortunately the lack of online options keep 07 from realizing it's full potential.