NHL 08 Reviews

[FlamesPuck12]

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.

[Jayems]

love the game but:

Freezes, freezes, and as we speak... freezes.

1/3 of the games freeze before they even begin. HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT in that department. Game is awesome otherwise.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by Jayems

love the game but:

Freezes, freezes, and as we speak... freezes.

1/3 of the games freeze before they even begin. HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT in that department. Game is awesome otherwise.

Are you talking online? I haven't had a freeze yet, but during a dynasty mode game, it suddenly quit saying the disc was dirty.

[Ro]

Originally Posted by Jayems

love the game but:

Freezes, freezes, and as we speak... freezes.

1/3 of the games freeze before they even begin. HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT in that department. Game is awesome otherwise.

I am new to Xbox 360 and Xbox live, but plan on purchasing this game and a subscription so that I can play online.

Is that the kind of thing that EA would put out a fix/patch for that could be downloaded from Xbox live? Or are most of us going to have to suffer through that also?

[Jayems]

Basically, what i've been constantly experiencing is when you start a game, during the anthems, either will happen:

1) The game just stops. Dead. Nothing happens. You have to reset the consol.

2) The game quits to menu and says "lost connection to opponent"

[FlamesPuck12]

Are you guys on the PC version? I need some major help with the online feature. I try to create or join a game but I keep getting timed out. Anyways to fix this? Could this be because of my wireless router firewall blocking a port or something?

Also, I play my game on the laptop because my current comp doesn't have DVD ROM so I can't play it here but whenever I play it on the laptop, game is real smooth first 10 min of gameplay, then all of a sudden CD Rom motor goes abit louder and game slows down significantly, like 1/2 the normal speed and sometime as far as 1/4 of the normal speed, sure its great for scoring goals in slow motion, but I hate playing the game like that. I wait about an hour or two then I can play the first 10 min fine. Is there a fix around this or is this just my laptop?

[Jayems]

Thankfully I've bought the disc guarantee, because my game no longer works, and there is a huge circular gouge in the cd.

gotta love that xbox.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Thankfully I've bought the disc guarantee, because my game no longer works, and there is a huge circular gouge in the cd.

gotta love that xbox.

Well I think you've made 10 posts about the game freezing. That sucks but I have 2 360's, have played on both, and have yet to have one problem today. Of course the 360 has some issues, but why so many posts? I suspect you've got either a defective game or a defective 360. The online play is as smooth as I've ever seen in an online hockey game. I thought NHL 07 left a lot of room for improvement, and NHL 08 is the first true online hockey game.

[Ro]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Thankfully I've bought the disc guarantee, because my game no longer works, and there is a huge circular gouge in the cd.

Do you have your Xbox standing upright, on its side? The guy at BB the other night told me that is a surefire way to gouge your games.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Just played my first game on 360.
Calgary vs Detroit (random), 5 min, all-star.

Got worked
3-1 (not too bad)
shots 43-14 Detroit
17-8 (really hard and I'm usually good at them)
I felt like a barely touched the puck.

Didn't change my lines and used auto changes. For some reason only 5 players had less icetime then Iginla. didn't seem like he was ever out there. Only 9:16, while Frieson had 9:27

First and only goal was Cory Sarich!!!

took a few interfearence penalties. Gonna have to get used to not being able to check guys who don't have the puck.

Overall seems like a great game, but I think I'll get bored/ticked off from playing the computer quickly. Gonna try pro and see if it's better for my current lack of skill.

[Gravitykillr]

only played 2 games (1 with the flames 5-2 win over Philly and 1 with QC Flames 5-0 loss to springfield)
but....
Pro's: game seems much better over all, I was able to dump Mclenan to Vancouver through the waiver wire, signed Aucoin because for some reason it had him as an FA at less than what he is making now (3.2mil a year)

Con's: I lost to Springfield 5-0 and for some reason the autolines put Godard on 1st line in QC....................

[foofighter15]

cant find the code for the jerseys on the sites they give.
anyone know what it is

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

cant find the code for the jerseys on the sites they give.
anyone know what it is

It's not gonna be released until they have all been released in real life. Gotta wait a couple weeks

[Tyler]

Yeah - same freezing problems with me. Oh well. First day bugs. I'm sure it'll be fixed.

Great game. Lots of little nuances that just make you smile as a hockey fan.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by Ro

Do you have your Xbox standing upright, on its side? The guy at BB the other night told me that is a surefire way to gouge your games.

I don't think he is right. Microsoft advertises that as a way to stand the console. You aren't supposed to move the console at all however, when a disc is spinning. That is a known way to cause discs to scratch.

[Winsor_Pilates]

More thoughts..

-My D never seem to want to take the puck from my goalie. They skate away and I have to cover it all the time or give it away
-Computer still scores stupid goals like always that make no sense
-Computer D doesn't hit much, but seems to nudge me off the puck alot. Anyone know how to do this?
-Seems difficult to make plays off the rush since the D collapse infront of their net. Need to cycle around to get them to move at all.

[Kjesse]

Amazing game, still learning the ins and outs, have a long way to go.

Some initial comments are, seems like a lot of people are picking the penguins as their team, to the point I played 5 consecutive games against that team, all selected by different players. What gives?

Second, I'm not sure what makes a "goal". I've seen more crappy shots lead to goals than well executed plays lead to goals, which makes me think I need to adopt a different strategy. The Penguins seem to score in the high slot agaist Kipper at will.

[Tyler]

From the 20 games I played on Live tonight, I have concluded that Kipper can't stop a deke to save his life

[604flames]

I just got home from playin' at my buddy's house in Burnaby (I took my 360 'cause his TV is way nicer than mine), couple comments, couple wishes for next year.

LOVE the skating, especially when you are rounding the net and just getting ready to burn.. looks great!

LOVE goalie mode! It's so fresh what a great idea!

We were playin' a QC vs. Manitoba game, and all of a sudden my buddy notices the Flame that has the puck and goes "Chucko! I played minor hockey w/ him!" Thought that kinda random lol...

Can't wait for the jersey code... Hopefully it will be up by the time I get home from work on Saturday!

The one thing I would love to see (maybe for '09), is more vintage. It seems to be all the rage right now, and I would love to see what EA could do. To take it further.. I'd REALLY like to see classic arenas. The Forum, Boston Gardens, or even more recent barns like the Aud, or even the old Atlanta Omni. Although it would take a TON of space, I think it would be really really cool.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

Anyone have this for PC? Is there or is there not a skill stick?