NHL 08 Reviews

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Chobyhy

I heard no skill stick for PC version...

probably already said, but i saw this twice now...

THERE IS A SKILL STICK

sure its probably not as good as the 360 one, however you can shoot, deke, bodycheck with it..

you can use the "hybrid" controls to get the skill stick, or be lame and use 07 controls called "classic"

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Regorium

This is why I never pay for EA sports games. NHL07 was a re-packaged NHL06. Using the exact same engine 2 years in a row? Gimme a break.

Not to mention PC's have just as much if not far more computing power than either the 360 or the PS3.

not everyone has a system to run next gen games....... so for PC they want EVERYONE to be able to play it, hence why they arent making it next gen....... lets hope next year...

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by evman150

Anybody else notice what appear to be mixed up faces? Like Stephane Yelle looking exactly like Chuck Kobasew? And Shean Donovan and I think Kim Johnsson showing up in the wrong spots? Really weird.

Yeah, the faces are f'd right up. The only Flames faces that resemble their real-life counterpart are Iginla, Phaneuf, Tanguay, Nolan, and Conroy. The rest are way off. Especially Regehr.

[simonsays]

NHL08 PC:

Menus: Identical to 07. Well, they're now grey.

Dynasty Mode: Identical. Except now you also have weekly goals like win all your home games or get a shut out. Also all the hubbub about AHL teams must've been for the 360/PS3 because minor league management is just as craptastic as ever.

Gameplay: Same game engine. So while gameplay isn't identical to previous versions it sure is similar. The AI is better, I've only played a few games so I don't really know how much better, but there has been some improvement there. Goalies seem to be a whole lot better, they seem to read the puck better, no longer flop around and don't seem to make those perfect passes anymore.

When you have the puck in the offensive zone the D-men (and sometimes the center) collapse in front of the net, making the one-timer in the slot play a fair bit trickier. When breaking out the AI is a little better at finding open teammates, and opposing players seem to be more willing to make neutral zone passes when they're challenged. But you can usually still funnel them to the boards for an easy takeaway.

The controls are a bit of a disapointment. I havn't really tried learning the new Hybred control schematics yet, so I don't know about the skill stick. But when I tried using a custom config I couldn't set the right analog for passing, now it's just an additional dekeing stick. Man, I really liked not having a dedicated button for passing.

Lets see..what else? The physics seem to have been improved. Big players aren't necessarily super slow anymore. The puck moves as pucks should.

Audio: First thing I do when I get an EAsports game is turn off the music. The second thing should have done is turn off the play-by-play. I don't think they even got Jim H. into the studio for additional sound bytes.

I understand that hockey is a niche sport, and that playing sports titles on the PC is niche gaming, so I didn't expect great things from this. My biggest disapointment is that after 4+ years franchise mode is still garbage. I don't know, maybe once NHLview is updated and some modders have taken a crack at this game it'll get better. For now it's just the same old.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

not everyone has a system to run next gen games....... so for PC they want EVERYONE to be able to play it, hence why they arent making it next gen....... lets hope next year...

Here's my logic on people that would buy NHL08:

If you have an Xbox 360/PS3, you are more than likely a console gamer, and thus have a crappy computer.

Conversely, if you don't have an xbox 360/PS3, you are likely a PC gamer, thus have a computer that can run at the very least current-gen games.

The only market that wouldn't have been able to play the "next gen" NHL-08 is the people that neither have an xbox360/PS3 and a crappy computer. Why target these people? Instead, you have people like me that would've bought the next gen version (even last year), but just felt completely ripped off when it was NHL06/05/04 with updated rosters. Thus, I will never again pay for a EA NHL game.

[flamesfan6]

first game i played in my dynasty: nittymaki they kept saying was ward..

the skill stick is fun though, its just takes time to get used to. I wish it was you had to press a button to do the shotting with the analog stick instead of having to press a button then using analog stick to pass...

AI i like more than 07, definately the goalies, sure i am outshooting comp 40-20 type thing but games are only like 4-2, 5-3 so its not rediculous like 07 (considering cpu barely got 10 shots in 07)

for those using the "classic controls" yes you are playing 07 with harder goalies ... but thats why i am using the skill stick, its funner, challenging (because im not used to it), and its different than using the controls from last year....

maybe next year we will be happy?

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

not everyone has a system to run next gen games....... so for PC they want EVERYONE to be able to play it, hence why they arent making it next gen....... lets hope next year...

Even if the comps can't run next gen, I'm sure they could've added improvements to dynasty mode (Like the one xbox has, with waivers and AHL mode) without too much stress on the system performance.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Yeah, the faces are f'd right up. The only Flames faces that resemble their real-life counterpart are Iginla, Phaneuf, Tanguay, Nolan, and Conroy. The rest are way off. Especially Regehr.

Really? I thought Owen Nolan looked a lot like Cale Hulse for some reason. I was actually annoyed that a former nhl cover guy didn't have his face scanned in.

As far as I can tell, the ps3 version seems to be less buggy. Granted, there are 10x's less owners of ps3's, so getting an accurate sample is somewhat of an issue.

Game is awesome, but could be frustrating to people who aren't avid hockey gamers as it can be quite difficult.

[FlamesPuck12]

Hey, a question to all those who owns a PC copy. When I go to trade in the dynasty mode, I cannot switch the team I want to trade with. Its stuck at Anaheim and even though I click the switch arrow, it wont switch to another team, anyone know how to solve this or work around this bug? Does anyone else have this bug?

[flamesfan6]

umm i press right arrow to move to the bottom team and then u can modify it... gotta make sure the box of players is in the bottom box then u can switch the teams

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

umm i press right arrow to move to the bottom team and then u can modify it... gotta make sure the box of players is in the bottom box then u can switch the teams

I tried everything but even though I click on the arrows it won't switch the teams. Ugh I can't believe I paid $40 bucks for this crappy game thats worse than NHL 07 repackaged!

[simonsays]

Originally Posted by Chobyhy

I tried everything but even though I click on the arrows it won't switch the teams. Ugh I can't believe I paid $40 bucks for this crappy game thats worse than NHL 07 repackaged!

I found it a little confusing at first, but just press right a whole bunch when you're in the trading screen. Should get you to the other team.

edit: but this crappy game is worse than nhl07 repackaged.

[Ro]

Just played a half dozen games online. My first Xbox Live experience, and first time playing an EA hockey game in a looooooong time. Maybe a couple of NHL 06 sessions, but nothing else in the past three or four years.

I got schooled. I can't get the hang of the skill stick thing. When I attack facing down, I can't seem to get the puck off the ice. And all too often, my player either fakes a shot and doesn't release the slapper/wrister, or he dribbles the puck into the corner. I am getting better by using the "practice" mode and selecting "shooting drills," but it is tough.

The graphics are incredible. I have it set up for HD and it is blowing my mind. And the whole "Live" thing is pretty awesome too. Although it's a bit tricky getting things set up- I don't want to play against guys who will beat me 8-0 all the time. But I am figuring everything out.

What else... For once, the skating is very realistic. I seem to get outhit 2-1 by my opponents every game, but manage to get more shots off and control the play a little more. That's probably not a bad thing. If anyone has any comments about how I can not suck anymore, let me know.

My Xbox Live name is "iginlafire"- if you see me on there log on and kick my ass.

[phaneuf_train]

Ro, make sure that you are always skating up. Go to your visual settings and set it to hometeam always up if your at home. I would get schooled to if I was facing down.

[Jayems]

Ro: Yeah, as above. Change your settings to make sure that "Home Team Facing Up" is always on when at home. (Put it on down when you are away) there is no way I could play going down, or even switching for that matter.

I think now that I have a few games under my belt, Im starting to lose my NHL 07 tendencies and learning new ones for 08. I was getting schooled by one-timers all the time, but my defense were not effective because I was relying on the poke-check (which is practically useless in 08 in stopping cross-ice passes). I use the left-bumper now, and the D puts the stick on the ice... good addition.

I am really starting to love this game. its a love hate thing right now, but the way you can get set up in the zone is amazing. I love being on D too... staying in the box, blocking the shots. Pretty amazing stuff.

I think the one-timers will be this years cheeze move though. It seems there are several players that have it down pat, and can score on pretty much every rush. Think this is just a matter of learning their tendencies, and not quitting after they score 5 goals in 5 minutes on the same style of shot.

Finally had enough and have called Shaw in to service my house. I am constantly losing connection in the middle of games, usually with a win in sight. I have an atrocious DNF % because of this... and leaving a few games too.

gamertag is: trurocal

[REDVAN]

My personal review for PC:

I gave it a chance. But I am honestly very disappointed. I would rather play NHL07 and download/make the correct roster. Things that annoy me in NHL0X continue to annoy me now. Kiprusoff seems to lose a game when I shoot 40 shots on the other team, and score only one goal yet they manage to get 5 goals. I am not that bad at defence, they just score on every two shots. Brutal. Not realistic at all.

The opposition never takes penalties unless they are down by 2+ in the last 5 min of the game. Then they take 6 cross checking penalties. BOOO.

It is impossible to poke the puck away from an opponent, and it is hard to hit them but that is cool, just the poking thing sucks.

And again, the opponents seem to be able to skate faster than my guys. No way Chelios is faster than Lombardi, no way at all.

All I have to say is that NHL08 makes me want to contact EA sports for a refund. I am really disappointed. I could have just updated my roster and at least had some decent playability. I have bought at least 5 hockey games from them, but I think that EA has lost a repeat customer.

[Crispy's Critter]

for all those who are complaining about the PC version, I hate to say I told you so, but.......http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...1&postcount=38


but seriously, it really sucks that I threw almost 4 G's into my two gaming comps, and I still have to go out and spend more money on a console in order to get a decent hockey game. EA peaked on the PC with NHL 02, and every subsequent version got worse, and doesn't seem as if anything has changed.

[604flames]

Anyone else notice that when you score with QC it says "Omaha goal scored by..." ?

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Crispy's Critter

for all those who are complaining about the PC version, I hate to say I told you so, but.......http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...1&postcount=38


but seriously, it really sucks that I threw almost 4 G's into my two gaming comps, and I still have to go out and spend more money on a console in order to get a decent hockey game. EA peaked on the PC with NHL 02, and every subsequent version got worse, and doesn't seem as if anything has changed.

Ugh don't need to rub it in. I can't believe this game... Honestly, I want my money back, I could do so much with all the money I spent on hockey games that was repackaged since 04...

[MissKat]

Anyone know how to get the custom soundtracks set up?

Also if you edit players in the main menu roster and save it...will your new edited players be effective in dynasty?