NHL 2K6

As a hockey fan I felt the sting of the NHL lockdown and later the empty feeling you get when you’re in need of a necessary fix. In this case I filled the void with hockey video games and while this year it comes down to two major franchises, EA Sports’ NHL 06 and 2K Sports’ NHL 2K6, it is NHL 2K6 that satisfies my hunger for a deep and downright fun hockey game. Yes, this year its NHL 2K6 that should be spinning in your Xbox and the main reason is this: it’s a superior improvement that’s a step forward for the series and the bargain price isn’t bad either.

One thing I should mention is that the series has gone through several changes and most recently the series has lost its ESPN brand that gave the franchise its stylish ESPN feel. Still, even with the lack of the sports network’s brand the 2K series has not lost any of its charming features. You’ll still be able to go into the SkyBox and play Air Hockey, Darts, Shuffleboard and answer trivia questions. You’ll still unlock extra treats like vintage jerseys from the past, fun arenas (the circus and a space station being among the best) and historic teams like the 1995 Devils team. All the modes we’ve come to love are still here and with improvements and new additions make it safe to say that things have changed for the better.

The biggest changes are centered on the gameplay and the game’s overall style. We’re now looking at a more realistic game of hockey with AI mistakes that seem to humanize your computer-controlled opponents. While the opponent AI is still able to produce some smart play, push the aggression to the max when needed and put up a great defense, they are still prone to mistakes just like everyone else. Instead of a seemingly unstoppable goalkeeper (yeah, I’m looking at you cover boy Marty Turco), even the best goalies can be overwhelmed by a good offense or miss a slap shot here and there. This doesn’t mean the game is easy, it’s far from it, but it means it’s challenging enough to be realistic and even fun.

New to the gameplay elements is the ability to take control of players like a good coach and direct them to actions like crashing the net, screen the goalie or even release the breakaway. As a player you can call for help (by clicking the right analog stick and pressing a direction in the D-pad) or put your enforcers (who are slower than the average player but tough enough to intimidate your opponents) to work. With the Pro Control you can perform a one timer or lob a high pass in front of the net to a teammate. You can even skate backwards with the puck, which gives a teammate time to position himself to receive a pass or clear a path to the goal for you. All these things just serve to make this a complete game of hockey and it works amazing.

NHL 2K6 is also big on game modes and there is enough here to keep fans more than busy. Aside from the usual assortment of modes like Season, Tournament, Playoffs, Exhibition and Franchise there is also Dream Team, Skills and Extra mode. Dream Team, for example, allows you to create your fantasy team with top players from different teams and then guide your fantasy team through a series of matches. Extra Mode has six different game types including a mini-rink match or play a brutal game sans protective helmets. Yet it's the game’s Party Mode that wins big here mostly because it tosses loads of hockey mini-games that feel like a separate game altogether and one that you’ll definitely want to share with a group of friends seeing as up to four players can compete on screen at the same time. The mini-games aren’t just plentiful but way too much fun. If that wasn’t enough there’s online multiplayer and trust me when I say that you’ll log countless hours with this one. Not only does the game run perfectly but also there are league tournaments and a lobby filled with players ready to hit the ice.

The game’s Franchise mode is back and its better than ever with returning features introduced last year and new ones that just help make this one the most realistic Franchise mode ever. For starters you can sign some international players into your favorite team but this time you have to watch what this change means to your established team. Team chemistry plays a role now and if the new center doesn’t get along with, say, one of your enforcers then you’ll have an unsatisfied player on your hands. There are also injuries and trade offers and players that will complain of fatigue if pushed to their limits. Welcome to real hockey, folks.

Visually the game is even far more gorgeous than last year’s offering and that’s saying a lot right there. For one thing the character models are sharper and their movements more fluid and realistic. The cutscenes after scoring is the real treat with shots of good-looking fans going wild and you’ll even catch an arena security guard pumping his fist in triumph. In short, while the game lost its ESPN broadcast appeal the game still does a great job of making each game feel like a televised game. While the menus do lack the charm it once had when ESPN was still part of the franchise the new screens aren’t bad at all.

Even the game’s sound makes something of an impact mainly because this year sees a nice number of tunes, more than decent commentary and great arena sounds. While the music comes from a lengthy list of unknown artists like Dixie Witch, The M’s or Jet By Day, most of what we hear in this game isn’t actually that bad at all. Yet it’s the broadcast commentary from known Canadian duo Bob Cole and Harry Neale that stands out. They call the game perfectly without missing a beat and while some of the color commentary is often repeated it doesn’t get on your nerves. The arena sound is made up of fans cheering and calling out their team’s name while a PA announcer reminds the fans that throwing things in the rink is not permitted. You’ll also hear the usual on-ice sounds likes skates shaving ice, hockey pucks slamming against goalposts and the sound of lumber smacking lumber.

Beyond its gorgeous visuals, great sound and plethora of addictive game modes, NHL 2K6 delivers a near perfect and utterly satisfying game of hockey that’s well worth its bargain price. With so much going for it and gameplay improvements that overshadow this year’s EA Sports game, not picking this one up would be a real shame. If you love hockey and you love a game that offers more bang for your buck then NHL 2K6 should be on your Must Buy list. 

Gameplay: 9.2
With improvements in the gameplay plus some much welcome additions (on-the-fly coaching!) this game just plays like a dream. Aside from the great controls there are a large number of game modes that will keep any hockey fan more than busy and this girl is in love with the deep-yet-realistic Franchise mode.

Graphics: 8.5
The loss of the ESPN brand is obvious from the start but that doesn’t mean the presentation isn’t good and the televised feel is spot-on. The rest of the game is just so gorgeous that the player models practically look like the real deal but the replays of your best plays and footage of fans going wild will put tears of joy in your eyes. I’m getting misty right now just thinking how good this game looks.

Sound: 8.5
The two-man commentary team is excellent and they call the plays without being too repetitious. On the ice you’ll hear the puck ping against the goalpost or an opposing player slamming against the boards after a vicious body check. The soundtrack is a lot better than last year and there is bound to be a song or two you won’t mind hearing again.

Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI is able to put up quite a defense but is also prone to making realistic mistakes. Instead of finding a goalkeeper that makes impossible catches every time you’ll find that even the best goalkeepers can miss a catch or get overwhelmed by the offense. In short, the game is nicely challenging.

Concept: 9.5
NHL 2K6 continues to bring all the usual assortment of goodies we love about the series and aside from the great unlockable goodies (vintage jerseys and legendary teams) there’s Party Mode that is just way too much fun to want to put down. The Xbox Live multiplayer is also a dream come true.

Multiplayer: 9.0
I must write a review for this game, I tell myself as I try (hard) to tear myself away from my Xbox but the player speaking to me via the Xbox Communicator is challenging me and darn if the smooth framerate online and league tournaments don’t call to me. One more game, I lie to myself.

Overall: 9.0
The good news is that NHL 2K6 is the best hockey game you’ll find this year but the bad news is that you won’t see the light of day for days to come. Really, this is the most addictive and realistic hockey game this year. Sorry EA, but this one is clearly the winner this year.