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FlamesPuck12 · 09-12-2007, 09:53 PM

Hmm, I thought I would post a seperate topic from the other NHL 08 topics for gameplay reviews.

If you've got the game, please contribute so others can decide if they should get the game or not.

So I've got the PC version of NHL 08 from EBGames for $42 with GST.
I haven't got alot of time to play the game but its got both pros and cons.

Pros:
I've noticed alot of improvements in gameplay such as graphics (Even though I normally play on the lowest setting to maximize performance) and AI as well as the flow. AI is abit smarter than 07 but the first dynasty game I played on difficult settings, I owned the Flyers 6-1. The powerplay actually feels like an advantage because PKers are not as aggressive and they stay back abit which allows you to set up and take shots. Players will also try to keep the puck in the blue line when they attempt to dump it out, Regehr actually reached out with his stick to stop the puck from leaving the zone. The game itself is extremely smooth and everything seems to flow well. No more hooking like they did in 07, if they attempt, they will get a penalty so defence AI improved alot. They will check you hard to the board when you're entering the zone. Also, puck feels more alive than 07, in the previous games, it felt like puck is an object that just gets passed around between players. But now, puck can be deflected off the skates and off the nets and it feels like a real puck in a game. Also, when the CPU is breaking into your zone and you attempt to check him and miss, they will make you pay. In the 07, checking was so easy and it automatically locked to the target that you would always try to check them when entering the zone, but now, checking is alot harder and if you will miss alot. In 07, when I missed a check, I was confident that the goalie would stop the puck most of the time but now if you let the player pass you by, they will most likely score so its much easier to try to play defensively with poke checks. Pass interception is so common and it allows the game to go from one end to another and back and forth for awhile which actually feels like a real game of hockey.

So in summary, the improvements made from 07-08 are the flow of the game and the AI. (They're not perfect but definitely an improvement)

Cons:
I can't think of many negative things about the game compared to 07 but there were few that I was real pissed about. PC version does not have the create-a-play feature (Which was the only reason I bought this game). That feature is only for 360 and ps3 so if you buy the PC version, its basically the same game in a new package with updated AI. I heard other features such as the skill sticks not included in the PC version as well which was very dissapointing, seems like EA keeps dissapointing me year after year.

Forgot to mention, there is an option called Fantasy Draft for the Dynasty mode which is basically drafting every players in your team, so 40 rounds. They're actual players from the NHL so all the existing players are gathered in the draft and you get to draft each of them. When I first started, Jarome Iginla was picked 1st overall and Kipper was like 7th overall so I couldn't get them with my 26th pick.

So is it worth getting? Well I strongly recommend that you purchase a PS3 or xBox 360 copy because all these missing features in the PC version sucks. If you don't care about the features and you just want better flow and better gameplay, you should definitely get it but if you were planning to buy the game just for the new features (Which I did), be prepared to be dissapointed.

If anyone bought the PS3 or Xbox 360 copy, please post to let us know how they are.

09-12-2007, 09:53 PM	#1
FlamesPuck12 First Line Centre Join Date: Apr 2007 Exp:	NHL 08 Reviews Hmm, I thought I would post a seperate topic from the other NHL 08 topics for gameplay reviews. If you've got the game, please contribute so others can decide if they should get the game or not. So I've got the PC version of NHL 08 from EBGames for $42 with GST. I haven't got alot of time to play the game but its got both pros and cons. Pros: I've noticed alot of improvements in gameplay such as graphics (Even though I normally play on the lowest setting to maximize performance) and AI as well as the flow. AI is abit smarter than 07 but the first dynasty game I played on difficult settings, I owned the Flyers 6-1. The powerplay actually feels like an advantage because PKers are not as aggressive and they stay back abit which allows you to set up and take shots. Players will also try to keep the puck in the blue line when they attempt to dump it out, Regehr actually reached out with his stick to stop the puck from leaving the zone. The game itself is extremely smooth and everything seems to flow well. No more hooking like they did in 07, if they attempt, they will get a penalty so defence AI improved alot. They will check you hard to the board when you're entering the zone. Also, puck feels more alive than 07, in the previous games, it felt like puck is an object that just gets passed around between players. But now, puck can be deflected off the skates and off the nets and it feels like a real puck in a game. Also, when the CPU is breaking into your zone and you attempt to check him and miss, they will make you pay. In the 07, checking was so easy and it automatically locked to the target that you would always try to check them when entering the zone, but now, checking is alot harder and if you will miss alot. In 07, when I missed a check, I was confident that the goalie would stop the puck most of the time but now if you let the player pass you by, they will most likely score so its much easier to try to play defensively with poke checks. Pass interception is so common and it allows the game to go from one end to another and back and forth for awhile which actually feels like a real game of hockey. So in summary, the improvements made from 07-08 are the flow of the game and the AI. (They're not perfect but definitely an improvement) Cons: I can't think of many negative things about the game compared to 07 but there were few that I was real pissed about. PC version does not have the create-a-play feature (Which was the only reason I bought this game). That feature is only for 360 and ps3 so if you buy the PC version, its basically the same game in a new package with updated AI. I heard other features such as the skill sticks not included in the PC version as well which was very dissapointing, seems like EA keeps dissapointing me year after year. Forgot to mention, there is an option called Fantasy Draft for the Dynasty mode which is basically drafting every players in your team, so 40 rounds. They're actual players from the NHL so all the existing players are gathered in the draft and you get to draft each of them. When I first started, Jarome Iginla was picked 1st overall and Kipper was like 7th overall so I couldn't get them with my 26th pick. So is it worth getting? Well I strongly recommend that you purchase a PS3 or xBox 360 copy because all these missing features in the PC version sucks. If you don't care about the features and you just want better flow and better gameplay, you should definitely get it but if you were planning to buy the game just for the new features (Which I did), be prepared to be dissapointed. If anyone bought the PS3 or Xbox 360 copy, please post to let us know how they are.