NHL 2K7

Most hockey fans were hotly anticipating some next-generation action on the ice with last year's Xbox 360 port of the critically acclaimed Xbox and PlayStation 2 hockey game, NHL 2K6. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out, as 2K6 on the 360 had only a couple of features that the previous console versions didn't, and the game itself looked like only a mild upgrade to the Xbox version, not to mention that it had a few bugs and other unpleasantries. However 2K7 looks sure to set the hockey record straight, once and for all.

One of the biggest new components that set the 360 version of the game apart from the older versions is an all-new skating and animation engine. The developers have ripped out the old skating engine entirely for the new-system versions, replacing it with significantly improved skating moves. Skating has much more momentum behind it in this version, and there are lots of little, subtle details that have improved, like gliding animations, acceleration, turns, and crossovers.

Many of the previous gameplay features introduced last year, like crease control for goalies and the new enforcer system, will be back with general improvements to tighten up the experience. For instance, crease control will no longer require a picture-in-picture view while playing online. On the new feature side of things, one of the aspects the developers wanted to boost was defensive control on the ice, specifically against individual players. In the real NHL, big-time superstar players are often targeted by defensive units and tend to get marked harder. With 2K7's new pressure control system, you'll be able to call out individual opponents that are giving your team trouble and have them watched over extra carefully. You'll also be able to adjust the level of cover you want to give. Light cover will involve close attention and maybe a little pushing here and there. Steadily upping the level of coverage brings more and more physical contact into the fold.

Franchise mode will see some improvements across the board, including a new rivalry system. Rivalries are a big part of the NHL game; divisional teams tend to play each other so often that it's hard not to take those games rather personally. In the franchise, you'll have one major rival team and two minor rivals. Over the course of a full franchise, your rivalries will update depending on the situation. Perhaps if a team knocks you out of the playoffs a couple of years in a row, it will find its way onto your rivalry radar. Besting rival teams gives your team some additional chemistry boosts, so rivals are certain to be a big part of your franchise strategy.

NHL 2K7 is shaping up to be a big improvement over last year's 360 effort and perhaps is finally bringing hockey into the new era of console gaming, and the new features all sound like sensible changes. The game is out now and available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.