NHL 2006 Review (no fat)

Game Description

Hockey fans will rejoice with the new play mechanics of NHL 2006, as many prepare for the Gretzky and Sega 2k6 comparisons. But lined up against the competition NHL 2006 stands out on its own, both for uniqueness as well as replay value. Clever marketing perhaps is what brought it to shelves as a sim, but this closet arcade crossbreed will ring familiar with players of Midway games as well as Sega Sports vets. Introducing R.P.M physics™ that makes the puck just as dangerous as the players controlling it. Leave opponents in your all-star wake and dazzle fans with tight and open controls, providing a wide array of trick shots and deke moves. Online play keeps players guessing, as gamers of all skill levels keep each other entertained for hours of gaming. In-game announcing returns, and is fair at best as it tries to keep up with the lightening fast play of the 2006 series.

NHL 2006- Gameplay

As stated before this is more of an arcade game in the Midway style, as you will notice when even on moderate difficulty levels A.I opponents making trick shots more than necessary. As far as how it plays, it is easy to make the mistake of approaching this as the run of the mill EA sim, considering the NBA/NFL franchises. But in the wake of the NHL lockout, this fast paced play suits it well- it moves along nicely, even in grinding out games. The impressive roster is one of the most up to date versions to be shipped, with frequent online updates.

Dynasty mode as usual puts you in the drivers seat of your team, and you can feel free to create your own team. Options are abundant, as they well should be. This is where the sim parts were left intact, leaving the play on ice the only really changed, and improved step forward.

NHL 2006 meets Sega NHL 2k6 meets Gretzky NHL 06

Every game has it’s stand out points, Sega 2k6 with it’s true to sim calling, Gretzky 06 with, well, Gretzky. NHL 2006 seems to borrow from a lot of the games before it, and incorporate them all into its own. Even if it seems to be running off of the same engine as the 05’ version, you will notice big changes in places you never expected and small changes in the places you did. It rounds itself to the point where it stands out just for trying and being something different.

NHL 2006- Graphics

This could easily be considered one of the best efforts not only for an NHL series, but for a PS2 game. The graphics are smooth, solid, and with the sound the physics come together to set a realistic tone. Blocky Polygons aside for all games in 3-D, it is easy to distinguish your favorite player from another. A quick dive into the short but heavily detailed character creation will have you smiling at the selectable ‘pre-injuries’ you can apply to your created player. Realism is the key here, even while pulling off what seems like cartoonish stunts on ice, EA made sure to make it look as authentic as possible.

NHL 2006- Sound

As mentioned earlier, the sound goes hand and hand with the overall realism of the game. Whether it is from kicking up the ice to catch up to a loose puck, pounding on a smaller player or even hitting the goalie between the eyes with said puck, it is easy to get immersed into what seems like a live NHL hockey game.

Closing your eyes during a game will dazzle your ears, …as well as allow the A.I an easy score, but even the tightest of imaginations can be played havoc with if the speakers are turned up enough.

NHL 2006 Extras

Not the biggest thing to report, but somewhat of a cool surprise is the addition of NHL 94’. A fun way to pass the time, it is a reminder of how far games have come since the 16-bit era. May the nostalgia have surprise showings into later titles.

NHL 2006 – Summing Up

This is by far the best hockey game to ever be released for non-hockey fans. Fans of the genre may not be acceptable to the arcade-ish ‘mixture’ and lack of depth in character creation, but the combination of both simulation and arcade style play mesh together to make this a memorable title, and one of a kind. Better offerings for simulation players await in the form of Sega’s NHL 2k6, but for gamers wanting a game that won’t collect dust on their shelves, NHL 2006 is a safe bet.

NHL 2006- Cost

NHL 2006 currently retails for $19.99US, with the next edition of 2007 like to be released for the next generation console PS3.