NHL 08 EA Sports

[Thrice]

Available 9/11/07

This promises to be the best NextGen hockey video game ever. From everything I've read and the trailers I've seen this could be the hockey game that all NHL fans have been waiting for. Check out some screenshots and videoclips for yourselves:

http://www.easports.com/nhl08/

http://blogs.ign.com/EANHL08/


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Here are the upcoming player ratings for each team.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/815/815300p1.html

[spoon]

looks pretty decent but they have theodore ranked better than Budaj. How long does one good season last in some people's eyes? And did anyone see what Budaj did once he was given the full nod at the end of last year?? Come on!

[DolaMight]

Those aren't gameplay shots. We'll see if it's much different from last years. It had potential, I hope they refine the skill stick even more and mostly I just hope it's not as choppy. It was unplayable.

[Team_Ramrod]

I could click on a link and see for myself but I won't...

What formats will it be out in?

If they are still putting this junk out for the PS2 I might just look into the purchase of such a fine game.

However, I'd sooner kick back and watch a game on TV and not risk crampoing my hands before I get to god's real intentions for the fuckers.

[Thrice]

Those aren't gameplay shots. We'll see if it's much different from last years. It had potential, I hope they refine the skill stick even more and mostly I just hope it's not as choppy. It was unplayable.

Unplayable? I wouldn't say that at all. I put a good 40-50 hours into it and while it was very raw the introduction of the skill stick was the biggest leap forward in video game hockey in years. Watch the videos

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/900/900567/vids_1.html

I think this year's model looks a lot better.

[Thrice]

I could click on a link and see for myself but I won't...

What formats will it be out in?

If they are still putting this junk out for the PS2 I might just look into the purchase of such a fine game.

However, I'd sooner kick back and watch a game on TV and not risk crampoing my hands before I get to god's real intentions for the fuckers.

PC, PS2, PS3

[DolaMight]

Unplayable? I wouldn't say that at all. I put a good 40-50 hours into it and while it was very raw the introduction of the skill stick was the biggest leap forward in video game hockey in years. Watch the videos

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/900/900567/vids_1.html

I think this year's model looks a lot better.

I was used to the 07 PC version, it was smooth as silk but didn't have the skill stick. I got the 360 version later and didn't get into it because it was too choppy, other than that it was great., it seemed like it was thier first time around with it and needed refinement.

I read up on it and it will be 60 frames/sec vs last years 30/s. Here's gameplay. Looks like it's finally nice and smooth.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23405.html

2K ripped off the skill stick and have a "pro-stick" in 2K8, it looks pretty good too.

[Thrice]

I was used to the 07 PC version, it was smooth as silk but didn't have the skill stick. I got the 360 version later and didn't get into it because it was too choppy, other than that it was great., it seemed like it was thier first time around with it and needed refinement.

I read up on it and it will be 60 frames/sec vs last years 30/s. Here's gameplay. Looks like it's finally nice and smooth.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/23405.html

2K ripped off the skill stick and have a "pro-stick" in 2K8, it looks pretty good too.

I was a big fan of the 2K series until the last couple of games. There was no innovation at all. It was a roster update and very minimal graphical upgrades.

I'd say my number one gripe with the NHL07 was the goaltenders. They looked amazing. They made fantastic saves but inevitably they would allow at least one soft goal a game. Sometimes they would kick it in themselves, sometimes the puck would flutter over their back or sometimes a slap shot would trickle down their glove into the goal. Apparently these soft goals have been fixed in 08.

I seriously can't wait for the demo to come out.

[Fallon]

Hockey games piss me off. Every year I buy the wrong one. If I buy EA first, it sucks, if I buy 2K first it sucks. Maybe I'll rent both at the same time this year.

[El Mudo]

I'm still going with 2K....deeper gameplay, less cartoony

[Fallon]

I'm still going with 2K....deeper gameplay, less cartoony

I'll whoop your Capital ass on XBL!

[Thrice]

Here's info on the upcoming demo from EA:

"No exact date for the 360 demo. We can't give an exact date, but it is coming very soon."

- Plans are for a PS3 demo also.

Demo Logistics

- 5 on 5

- Ottawa vs. Anaheim

- 3rd period (If tied, will go to a shootout)

- Pro Difficulty (Default difficulty in NHL 08)

We decided to make it Pro so the most amount of people can play and have fun with it
Don't worry though...the pro mode A.I. is 10x better than 07's Superstar mode A.I.

Differences between Pro and All-Star / Superstar are:
1.) Easier to score goals
2.) CPU won't attack as much / you'll be able to skate into the slot more than in All-Star or Superstar
3.) Stick on stick collisions are turned off meaning that you can stick handle in traffic better
4.) The A.I. will still play good position and still have a pretty good offense, but I do expect you guys to be winning this period, so by the time we ship you're ready for All-Star

- You can start practicing setting up in the offensive zone, slap passes, screen shots, 1 on 1 dekes, and playing positional defense.

- No online, no create plays, or goalie mode

[Thrice]

I'm still going with 2K....deeper gameplay, less cartoony

I didn't see NHL 07 as too cartoony. It was a little too fast paced for my liking but NHL 08 is supposed to be a slowed down, tighter checking game than 07. What do you mean by deeper gameplay?

[El Mudo]

I haven't played an EA hockey game in a long long time, but 2K does/has a more authentic hockey type feel to it just in terms of game play

[Thrice]

I haven't played an EA hockey game in a long long time, but 2K does/has a more authentic hockey type feel to it just in terms of game play

The NHL series has come a LONG way. I remember the days of NHL 94's every man rush up the ice and score gameplay. Check out what EA has done with team AI specifically in NHL 08.

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/900/900567/vid_2077968.html

[Thrice]

Also I forgot to mention that EVERY AHL team is not only featured in the game but they have fully playable schedules.

This game is shaping up to be my personal Game of the Year nominee.

[DolaMight]

I haven't played an EA hockey game in a long long time, but 2K does/has a more authentic hockey type feel to it just in terms of game play

I looked at the gameplay trailers for both and that looks to be especialy true this year. The EA one had more arcade style hitting and goal scoring. Back in 2k7 & 6's the controls were too jerky compared to ea's though.

Very competitive, with lots of pro's and cons each, this is what NFL fans are missing out on by EA's exclusive contract. NHL games are have more innovation because of that alone.

[DolaMight]

The NHL series has come a LONG way. I remember the days of NHL 94's every man rush up the ice and score gameplay. Check out what EA has done with team AI specifically in NHL 08.

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/900/900567/vid_2077968.html

I'm not sold on the AI, from the clips I saw of 08 there was plenty of that same old goaltending where you easily beat the goalie going across in front of the net. Goalies don't drop so easy and get beat like that in real life.

[DolaMight]

Also I forgot to mention that EVERY AHL team is not only featured in the game but they have fully playable schedules.

This game is shaping up to be my personal Game of the Year nominee.

And you can play both seasons at the same time, choosing what games you want to play. Plus you can bring your stars from the AHL up to the big leagues mid season.

[Thrice]

Found this review from OXM. They gave it an 8.5

NHL 08
"This Victory is Earned"

Main Article:
"He shoots, he scores" is easily hockeys most overused catchphrase, but hockey games have always stuck too closey to it, never capturing the endless variety of ways that a player has to shoot if he wants to score regularly. Building on its excellent 360 debut last season, NHL 08 cranks up the realism and hones its game to deliver the series finest effot yet.
Last years NHL wowed us with its Skill Stick razzle-dazzle (which put almost all the controls on the two thumbsticks), but it had a lot of rookie cracks in its game. The biggest and most exciting development is the brainy A.I., which forces you to carry the puck across the blue line, get set up, and cycle it along the board, mixing up your shots and tactics from play to play as the defense plays position and cuts off passing lanes.
The retooled Skill Stick also delivers authentic hockey, adding the ability to detach yourself from the puck to slip past defenders, along with other needed moves like deflections, shot passes, and pass blocking. If it all feels too tricky, you can switch to classic, button-based controls and still use the right thumbstick to dangle, but inexplicably, the setup doesn't offer pass blocking...even though not all the buttons are used
NHL 08 has a heap of other great new toys- six player online action and creating/ recording players are innovative, while online leagues and a be-the-goalie option simply play catch up with 2K Sports. (Unfortunately, NHL 2K8 missed this issues deadline). If this game has a downside, it's that NHL 08 is too realistic for gamers who arent devoted enough to buy Underoos with their favorite team's logo. For instance, there's still no season mode; you're forced to face ticket prices and AHL contracts in Dynasty Mode wheter you want to or not. Yes, NHL 08 can feel challenging and hard, but it rewards you with the sport's best representaion in videogame form that we've ever seen.

The Verdict:
+ Hyper realistic A.I. and smart control tweaks capture the sport's essence.
+ Six Players online (5 on 1, 3 on 3- you decide). Awesome!
- No mercy for casual fans? How will 2k8 compete? Find out next issue

Captions (3 pics)
The animations, crowds, and textures look fantastic, but weirdly, the faces have only a vague resemblance to the real-life players
The revamped skating engine feels great, but we still miss the good'ol turbo button
Struggling? Check out the genuinely helpful coaching tips between periods.

[Thrice]

Xbox 360 demo is available now.

[Fallon]

Xbox 360 demo is available now.

Nice. I forgot about 360 demos. That should help pick my game.

[Thrice]

IGN review is in.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/819/819016p1.html

8.9

Closing Comments
For years, 2K's brand of hockey was a step above EA as a true simulation of the sport. But give credit where it is due, EA finally chucked its desire to marry arcade fun with its simulation and got hockey right. NHL 08 has a few nagging flaws -- occasionally suspect team AI, clipping issues, and a lack of ESPN flavor -- but it has nailed the gameplay. And really, isn't it gameplay that matters most?

[Fallon]

EGM also gave it gold and said its better than 2K.

[newport king]

don't know if any of you fools are playing but my 360 gamertag is newportking360. i've stayed up to 5 in the morning playing this game.