Big time debut on the little rink
NHL 07 | Sony PSP
Another year, another NHL from Electronic Arts. Up until now, PSP owners with a soft spot for the sport of hockey only had Sony’s Gretzky series to turn to. This year though, EA decided to bring their near 16-year old series to the portable hockey arena.
Right off the bat [or stick], NHL 07 is easily the best handheld hockey game ever. With incredible graphics and fluid gameplay, it’s easy to forget that it’s all in the palm of your hand. You get the full NHL experience from the national anthems to coach’s voicing their disapproval at the ref’s last call.
EA really hit a high note with their NHL debut on Sony’s handheld, as graphics are well done and the sounds of the game really capture that authentic feeling of being at an NHL matchup.
The games options allow for every little detail of the game to be tweaked, but with that being said, no amount of tinkering will stop you from blowing out the computer 15-0 once you get the hang of the game. The difficulty level can be increased but the computer will still put up a pathetic fight.
It’s because of this that NHL’s online mode is such a welcome feature. Hopping online is fairly effortless and usually wields a good experience. Gameplay doesn’t suffer online and the game easily keeps up the pace.
The shootout mini-game is a bland experience that offers little. It would be nice of EA introduced FIFA’s historic challenges, as there is a ton of hockey history to draw from to come up with some interesting scenarios.
Although the game has a large selection of teams and leagues to chose from, aside from the NHL and international squads most of the available clubs are obscure European teams. It might make more sense to include more North American leagues such as the AHL, OHL or WHL in place of these hardly-used squads. There has to be a larger number of gamers clamoring to play as their hometown squad than fans who can’t wait to load up NHL and play as Jokerit.
Overall, NHL 07 is definitely worth picking up for fans of Canada’s greatest game. Granted, it does have it’s setbacks, but solid online play and a wealth of modes is more than enough to squash those troubles.
With the hockey season already under full swing, it’s a great time to pick up some portable hockey.
RATED 3.5 out of 5
