Here comes the next part of everyone’s favorite hockey, all from the same publisher. Good old NHL, but with a different number at the end. I hope these are not all the changes made to the game… Last year the game from E.A had some missteps, although overall, NHL ’05 turned out to be very interesting… And, as it should have been, NHL this year is simply obliged to surpass his father in everything. But is it so? For other multi-part projects E.A, we know that they don’t like to radically change their games, and in general they are reluctant to bring something new..
Let’s look from the outside: the gameplay is very good. As before, the emphasis is on speed, beauty, famous brands and, of course, on the hockey players themselves. You can control the game using a keyboard, mouse or gamepad; the latter, in turn, will be the most convenient option. There are no changes in the control process, so if you are familiar with previous games in the series, then this one will be easy to master. Yes, here is the first innovation: artificial intelligence of defenders. I must say, it was done quite powerfully, it won’t be so easy to just skate around the opponent’s half of the field and score any goals now. Now, as soon as you step over the blue line, you will immediately be attacked. But the goalie, as before, rushes after the puck very whimsically (he can even stand on his head), but now, although not so often, his falls usually still look realistic. At first it’s a little difficult to play with this innovation, but then you get used to it and everything falls into place, victories come in succession again… By the way, changes in the formation and style of play still do not carry any meaning, it practically does not affect the game, so NHL still not a simulator, but just a well-made arcade game, although progressing towards smarter AI. Maybe we’ll see strategic hockey soon?
But my gamer heart https://rockbetcasino.co.uk/login/ still lacks innovations. And is constantly haunted by the feeling of “déjà vu”. For example, dynasty mode is just a complete copy of last year’s game. Yes, and I can’t help but complain about the postal system, it’s just stupid! This same system will never tell you that you have a very important letter in your mailbox and need to read it. Suppose you are offered to sell your player at a very favorable price, and you miss it. It’s very disappointing, so I immediately advise you to get used to checking your email on your own and, most importantly, regularly. Yes, by the way, once again about the dynasty regime: by and large, little depends on us. The team simply does not have a budget as such, if you want to buy a player, buy it, and where does the money come from?? We also don’t get paid, but it would be so nice to receive 30.$000, at least in the game. Scouts work very stupidly: no matter how much money we spend on them and no matter where we send them, they still find the players we don’t need the most. You can really buy a good player only at the end of the season, when many people are out of contract.
But all the good innovations have been preserved in the game. So, as before, we are modernizing our team, improving our office, carefully putting awards on the shelf. Players are still divided into “scorers”, “playmakers”, “bonebreakers”. And there is one funny incident: when you buy a new player, the computer can put him in every five, so that he works without rest, or leave him alone, for example, on the defensive line. This, of course, is not terrible and can be easily fixed, but it looks strange. Continuing the conversation about quirks, it is worth noting this: if you start your career by playing the first game against the Sharks, then you will always start the season with a game against the Sharks. This is quite sad, because in decisive meetings you also encounter the same opponents. For example, I played with Calgary in the cup final three years in a row.
Regarding other modes, there is nothing special to say, everything is as before, but, however, not everything is in its place. Now we won’t see interesting modes like "player editor" or "team editor". It’s a pity, because it was nice to create yourself and your friends, then placing everyone in the “Pittsburgh Piguins”.
Games of the series NHL always kept the bar high regarding graphics, NHL ’06 no exception. Player models have become even more detailed, and, finally, the difference between a huge defender and a small, crafty, nimble striker has become clearly visible. Everything is very beautiful: the ice distorts and refracts light, the players look photorealistic, especially with the camera “on the ice”.
Sound Experience NHL ’06 definitely took it from last year’s game. All sounds related directly to the game: very realistic and rich. The commentators are annoying and boring as usual, but now they have more phrases than before. And, of course, rock music tracks during breaks between games have not gone away, they are still interesting. This year the following bands will please our ears: Fall Out Boy, American Head Charge, OK Go and Pennywise.
Hockey fans will, of course, be happy with the new brainchild of electronics, but even they will find unpleasant moments in the game. From year to year E.A does only cosmetic repairs to its games, but on the other hand, is a major intervention necessary?? After all, everyone likes the game, and I criticized it today, but now I’ll finish this article and play another match for my favorite ducks, which I advise you to do, play in the sense..
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