Nhl 08

Love the game, the new controls, not so much.

To be honest, I just reverted back to "Classic" which worked just fine. I may give it another shot tomorrow.

You'll get used to it. I was lucky enough to play it at a couple of focus groups EA held over the summer, and really got into it. Some of the new stuff has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get going it's a lot of fun. The online portion was pretty good too!

I can't even remember what 07 played like now. Since this demo came out it's the only hockey I've played. Me and my buddies have a perfect season going in 07 with 1 game left and haven't touched it since the demo released.

The Create a Play feature is long overdue for a hockey game. The customization you can do to a player is insane. The 1 on 1 dekes against defenders is great and really satisfying when pulled off.

All I ever asked was for them to fix the skating and the AI from last year and I'd be happy.

I'm happy.

As Malliabu already knows, I'm not thrilled with the AI in this demo. But overall, the game is heaps better than 07. I can't wait for some 3-on-3 online!

How so? There's a setting in the controller options, something about shooting being "Camera Relative." Would that fix the issue you are having?

Slee...you're just to 1337 for this game on Pro.

Domingo...ya they change and there's nothing you can do about it...unless you go back to the classic controls and don't worry about using the right stick. Which you won't do.

The problem, Rabi, is that when you're playing left to right (rather than up and down) you have to push left or right on the stick to shoot rather than up or down. Same goes for pulling off dekes. It makes sense but it's really weird having to do that.

Actually, I'm so terrible at this game I'm thinking about not running a league this year.

I havent played an ea hockey game in a little while so I was just wondering if it still had that slightly arcade feel to it? Even with maxed out goalie stats it wasnt unusual to score ten goals in a game in NHL 04(I think that was it, I dont have it any longer), which made games obviously unrealistic looking.

Since then Ive been playing the 2k versions but this years looking a little stagnant for them so I was thinking of giving EA another try.

As a hockey junky who's preached the gospel of 2K Sports hockey series...let me just say 2K hockey is dead.

yeah, there's some hyperbole for you. This little rant will be more forgiving than the bullshit 1Up review of 2k8 that got posted recently.

NHL 08 is the hockey game you need to own this year. It used to be that EA's game was all slick presentation and no decent gameplay to go with it. That purists would need to pick 2K's game, live with 3 year old menu's, but enjoy a deep featured game to keep you entertained for a year. No more. This year 2K actually slightly improved their menu's...but attached a painfully annoying control scheme to keep up with EA's Skill Stick.

2K is guilty as hell of pulling a Madden this year: New rosters, same graphics, nearly same achievements, but no real innovation at all.

EA built upon their purty graphics engine and menus. Tightened up the frame rate (from my play through), finally implemented online leagues, enhanced the skill stick with a complimentary skating system, went all out for some smart AI, and basically won this dumb canucks heart.

Checking and defense were a weak spot for EA's game. Defense do alright in most situations, excluding not going for a free puck 3-5% of the time. Checking is something that comes incredibly easy with 2K's hockey game where every other second you can just barrel over a dude with one of the Sedin twins if you wanted. In 08 if you want to nail some guy drifting into your zone you have to earn it, read the skating line and line up the hit.

Online play has been smooth. And this is where they've stolen me away from 2K Sports. Every game is unique depending on how smart or stupid your opponent is. No bullshit, same cheesy play over and over again, top corner shot that always - ALWAYS - beats the goalie that you'd see in 2K's series. You have to pass the puck around, find some holes in the D, and break down your foe.

So yeah, totally sold on NHL 08. Only hockey game I'm buying this year.

I've been really impressed with the NHL 08 demo, but still waiting to try a 2K8 demo. Didn't see one on Live last time I looked. I'll try to be a little patient and get hands-on time with each game, but will definitley be buying a hockey game this year. Last one I bought was NHL 2K5.

The 1Up review is a joke, there's no way a site should put up a review like that and expect me to ever again take them seriously. Read the reviews for both games at IGN, and seems they are both solid. Sure, EA's game scored a little higher, but since there were different reviewers for each game, I will still play both and make my own decision.

I have heard complaints about the 2K8 control scheme. It doesn't sound like it would be that bad to me, but I'll have to evaluate first hand. I think if you've been able to grasp the most advanced control scheme in past NHL 2K games, you'll be able to adjust to what 2K8 adds. Sounds like the big difference is moving pass and shoot controls from face buttons to the right and left bumpres? I assume this was done because they intend you to always have the right thumb on the right analog, and not move it to the face button to shoot or pass. Certainly that would be awkward at first, but manageable.

Looks like a good year to be a fan of hockey games.

Reebok screwed up and released the code to unlock all the new jerseys (even the unveiled ones)

The code is:

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