NHL 06 Review

Another notable change to the game play is player movement with the puck. The puck is no longer glued to the player when they are moving. Now, when a player is skating up the ice, the puck will move loosely in front of the player. Speed bursts lessen control and the puck will be harder to keep near you. It makes puck handling slightly more difficult but more importantly, makes it easier for defenders to steal a puck without leveling the player or using big body checks that were all to common in prior versions. Last years version was almost comical and more NHL Hitz like with it’s constant hitting.

Shooting is performed with two buttons. The Y button is a wrist shot, a quickly released fast shot, effective in close while B is the tradition shot which you’ll be using for slap shots. The longer you hold down the button, the harder the shot. The best new feature in the game is the new targeting system. When you’re taking a slap shot a small target will appear in the opposing players net which can be moved while the shot is being performed. Shots are no longer a matter of chance. This is a great feature that should have been implemented years ago.

Overall EA’s attempts to make game more fun through its control have been successful. Unlike EA’s past few hockey games, ‘06 is easy to play and just complicated enough to keep veterans happy but simple enough for those new to the game to pick up and play.

Graphically, NHL2006 looks good.. There are only slight improvements over last years installment but that was a solid looking game to begin with. I don’t think the NHL games are the best looking EA games but they aren’t the worst either. In fact, it seems like EA has left most of the visuals alone, instead spending time on the control and game play. The models look good and we’re finally at a point where players, at close-up, look somewhat normal. Like every year EA has added a bunch of new animations. Spread throughout the game, they add a little realism and amusement for fans who recognize the nuances of the game.

Commentary is now a standard and it’s here in NHL ‘06. There’s nothing new here, just some mild conversation, game calling and the occasional anecdote, all of which become repetitious after about 20 games. This feels like an aspect of NHL that just hasn’t changed much over the last few year so don’t expect anything new.

While NHL ‘06 may not be the addictive, just plain fun game that NHL ‘04 was, it may be the best EA hockey game since. Don’t look for any new features or groundbreaking additions to the genre but fans will appreciate the refinements EA has made to the series. Those interested may also like to know the game is available for $30.00 which one can only assume is in direct response to the NHL2k series. Game on!