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NHL 06 gets you in the game
By Robert Picarello | Special to NHL.com
Electronic Arts did a great job this year with their newest hockey title, NHL 06, by not only signing on Tampa Bay Lightning All-Star Vincent Lecavalier to be their spokesperson, but by also giving gamers a chance to get out of their seats and onto the ice by adding the GameFace and Create-A-Player technologies to the game.
Gamers who have played Tiger Woods PGA TOUR will be ahead of the curve when it comes to these options, but for those of you who aren't familiar with them, the GameFace and Create-A-Player technologies allows users to actually put themselves into the game.
You'll start off by sculpting your facial features with the Facial Features option, where you'll manipulate every aspect of your mug from your cheeks and jaw to your eyebrows and lips. Next, you'll jump to Player Appearance option, where you'll modify such features as your hair color, eye color and eyebrow color. You'll also have a chance to look like you really belong on the ice, as the Player Appearance option also allows you to give yourself black eyes, scars and even a broken nose.
Another cool thing the Create-A-Player technology allows you to do is choose the equipment you're going to go into battle with. Take to the ice just like your favorite NHL star by choosing from top brands like CCM, Jofa, Nike, Bauer, Itech, Mission, Easton, Louisville, Koho and Sher-Wood. Once you're done picking the look you want, it's time to decide who you want to play for. Are you going to skate on a line with Lecavalier and try to help the Lightning and him defend their Stanley Cup title or are you going to place yourself on your favorite NHL team? If none of those options float your boat, you can elect to build your own dream team from scratch, where the franchise will be built around you.
NHL 06 also is equipped with features such as Skill Stick, R.P.M. Physics, Classic Deking Control, Targets and the all-new Momentum Skating. The Skill Stick feature enables you to create highlight reel goals by giving you the option of using spinorama and toe drag moves on the opposing goalies. New R.P.M. (Realistic Puck Momentum) Physics add to this title because hard shots can now injure defensemen and shake up goalies after they make saves. But the goaltenders and the backliners are not the only ones who can be thrown for a loop in this game, as powerful blasts can also knock water bottles off the net in NHL 06.
Classic Deking Control is more instinctive than ever, as gamers can skate and deke using the left analog stick to move past opponents and make goalies look helpless. The new Target feature makes scoring a lot easier by allowing you to aim and shoot at in-net icons during scoring opportunities. The Momentum Skating feature makes you feel like you're actually wearing skates during gameplay. For the first time ever, a player's speed and size now affects his momentum and turning radius. Deking and skating is now one simple mechanic, so larger and slower players have a wider turning radius than the smaller and quicker players. Gamers will also have to use the speed burst option sparingly during a game, as players will skate faster during speed bursts, but they will also have less maneuverability and control of the puck. Each player only has a set amount of user-initiated speed bursts per period, so make sure to save that energy for what you think are your best chances to score.
NHL 06 also allows you to test your hockey skills against gamers around the globe, as you can go online and play with the XBOX and PS2 versions of the game. The PS2 version of NHL 06 allows you to play old-time hockey with the return of EA SPORTS classic title, NHL 94. This is a nice addition to the game, but the only problem here that is that you'll have to relive the glory days by playing with generic players. Another NHL 06 treat is the Dynasty Mode, where you can control every aspect of an NHL franchise for up to 10 seasons.
Features like this are what attract NHL super stars like Lecavalier to not only get involved in the making of these EA titles, but to also play them in their spare time.
"I am very excited about being a member of the EA Sports team," Lecavalier said. "I grew up playing EA Sports games and to be a part of NHL 06 now is a great honor."
EA was also honored to have the Stanley Cup champion as the face of NHL 06. Lecavalier has played all six of his seasons in the NHL in Tampa Bay after being drafted first overall by the franchise in 1998. The 25-year old has recorded 146 goals and 327 points in 467 games. In the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Quebec native tallied nine goals and 16 points in 23 games, helping the Lightning capture their first Stanley Cup championship. The talented center followed that performance up by helping Canada capture the 2004 World Cup of Hockey title, where he was named the tournament's MVP.
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