GameCube

NHL 06

NHL 06 improves on things beyond NHL 2005. The addition of some gameplay moves, the fast-paced gameplay and stellar presentation assure that fans of the series won’t be disappointed.

Hockey fans have had a rough ride over the past year. The lockout persisted despite the complaints of fans and analysts even suggested that it would torpedo the popularity of the sport outside of the devoted Canadian masses. The masses rejoiced this summer when the owners and the players' union finally ended the dispute and guaranteed action on the ice in 2005-2006.

Mission accomplie pour EA Sports, NHL 06 se pose en référence de base dans le genre en attendant la performance de NHL 2K6. Accessible par tous mais essentiellement destiné aux adeptes, ce titre a pour lui de sérieux atouts à commencer par ses nombreux modes de jeu et le plaisir que l'on a à évoluer sur la glace.

If you're jonesing for some Hockey action, EA's NHL 06 is well worth checking into. If you prefer a style of play more akin to the stuff we saw back in the SEGA Genesis days, this is your game. Less complexity - more fun.

Despite the minor control issues, NHL 06 is still the best hockey game EA has produced in quite some time. Diehards will love the reduced emphasis on checking, while more casual fans should enjoy the new skill stick moves and the ability to place your shot wherever you please. Best of all, every rule change has made it into the game, so it's a great way for hockey fans to check out what's in store for the upcoming season. If you can't wait for the return of the fastest game on ice, NHL 06 is the perfect way to whet your appetite.

It's best to think of NHL 06 as a polished version of 05, with better presentation values, improved gameplay and just enough new features to keep things fresh. Those looking for a completely revamped entry into the series might want to look elsewhere, but for everyone else, NHL 06 offers plenty of solid entertainment. Let's only hope we can say the same about the real NHL season.

Fans of EA's brand of hockey will undoubtedly take something positive away from NHL 06, but even they will find it hard to deny that the game isn't everything that it could have been. 06 just doesn't do anything significant for the franchise, as it just adds some ancillary features that are neat to have but don't ultimately change the face of the game, leaving some of the most important (and, in some cases, most flawed) aspects of it practically in stasis. It's good hockey, but it's not great hockey. And there are better choices available.

Hockey may be back, but I guess it's like they say "Its gonna get worse before it gets better."

Somebody at EA needs to stick a post-it note on the producer's door that reads "Dynasty Mode." It's a mess. I recommend the developer focus most of their attention in the coming year to that aspect of the game because I can't recommend this franchise to hardcore hockey fans until they do. With that said, the gameplay in NHL 06 has improved considerably, the new NHL rules have been well implemented and the easy to pick up controls lend perfectly to casual hockey fans seeking some good quick action.

Don't get me wrong though, if I'm pointing out more of the misses than the hits it's only because EA was so close to fully redeeming itself with this year's effort. NHL 06 is definitely a huge step in the right direction. They've dropped a lot of the over-the-top hits and replaced them with more hip checks in the neutral zone. They've made the goalies more realistic and the defense savvier without being cheap. They have also deepened the dynasty mode. If EA can carry these steps in the right direction onto the next generation, then we're going to see some phenomenal games. If not, though, we'll still have a solid hockey game to play with that promises not to get old even after weeks of play.

I better conclude this review before I break something. This is a complete turnaround from last season, and a direction that I hope EA steers clear in the future. The user should always have control over the most basic of gameplay functions.