NHL 08 Reviews

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Chobyhy

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...

Looks like my decision to get a 360 when I found out that the PC version wouldnt be Next Gen turned out to be a good one. I was going to wait the year out until the PC version turned Next Gen but I guess it never did. I always had plans to get a console but was going to stick with the hockey games on PC because of graphic mods.

[Ro]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks boys, this has helped immensely. I am getting better at firing the puck on net. Next step is to master that, then I can move on to becoming more evasive as I carry the puck into the attacking zone, because I get creamed on a regular basis by most of my online opponents. Still need to figure out the LB deke thing, and to start using the RS more to deke.

I have a few more questions-

What is with all the disconnects after I score early or get up by a few goals or right after the final whistle blows? Man that pisses me off. I haven't done it yet to an opponent, yet it happens every 3rd game or so to me. What is the penalty for that? I have given "negative rep" to a bunch of guys, but that doesn't seem to discourage people from jumping ship if they're not going to book a win.

How do I view my "skill level?" And how is that calculated exactly?

How do I get better at one-timers?

How do I score in close? More specifically, garbage type goals where the puck is loose and I just need to bang it in. I have a hard time with those. Practice I guess, but I dunno.

How do I hit more effectively? I just played a guy who, although he didn't outhit me by an insane margin, was able to knock me off the puck ALL THE TIME, and as a result, carried the play for the entire game. Is there a trick besides using the RS?

THX boys, again it's "iginlafire." And I suck a little less than before but you should be able to pad some stats against me. LOL

And also, thx to all for the 360-related posts over the past few months. It helped me convince myself to spring for one and a "live" membership, and I love it. Cheers.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Ro

I have a few more questions-

What is with all the disconnects after I score early or get up by a few goals or right after the final whistle blows? Man that pisses me off. I haven't done it yet to an opponent, yet it happens every 3rd game or so to me. What is the penalty for that? I have given "negative rep" to a bunch of guys, but that doesn't seem to discourage people from jumping ship if they're not going to book a win.

I'm not sure whats going on there, but you can quit online before the 10 minute mark in the 1st. You'll still get a DNF, and your opponent will give you a neg. rep, but ive played against people who are just cheap and score 6 one-timer goals in the first 5 minutes... well, that was before i really knew anything.

How do I view my "skill level?" And how is that calculated exactly?

If you go into xbox live, then stats, it gives you your rank in both the shootout and regular games. Is that what you mean?

How do I get better at one-timers?

I think this is more just practicing. The guys have to be pretty open (ie: no defenders close) or it just won't work. I'd recommend going into practice mode and then powerplay practice, and do it 5-on-0. Set up in the zone and just get used to how it all works.

How do I score in close? More specifically, garbage type goals where the puck is loose and I just need to bang it in. I have a hard time with those. Practice I guess, but I dunno.

I think I've scored maybe once like this. Not much opportunity i've found.

How do I hit more effectively? I just played a guy who, although he didn't outhit me by an insane margin, was able to knock me off the puck ALL THE TIME, and as a result, carried the play for the entire game. Is there a trick besides using the RS?

I've been wondering this too. It seems that some people "lock-in" to your guy with the puck, and as soon as you get past the blueline, they nail you. I've tried rolling the RS, with some success but I've found that if you try and hit too early or from too far away, the guy will go right by you and cause an odd man rush.



What I'd really like to know is how to change the team settings. Last year, you could adjust how the team plays: Crash the net, overload etc. You can change this when playing offline, but how do you do it online? Driving me crazy because I have no idea what my lines' settings are and how to best play with them. If they're set for "behind the net" and your trying to play "crash the net" it won't work the same...

Another way to get around people hitting all the time is to just get across the blueline, stop dead, and try passing across the line to another forward. Seems to work sometimes. The passing system is miles better and when you pass blindly, most times it will find a teammates stick.

[Jayems]

I just experienced my first disconnect at the end of the game.... No win? Nothing...

EA really dropped the ball. This will RUIN online play.

[Winsor_Pilates]

The more I play this game the better it gets. I love this game now!!

Any early complaints I had are all but gone, as I've learned how to play properly. Havn't played online yet, but offline and dynasty mode is awesome.

Note to Keanen
Tanguay-Lombardi-Iginla
Best line ever, video games don't lie.

I have had some extremley intense games in my season. I don't think I've ever played a hockey video game that keeps me as intensely on the edge of my seat.
What a great game!

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

The more I play this game the better it gets. I love this game now!!

Any early complaints I had are all but gone, as I've learned how to play properly. Havn't played online yet, but offline and dynasty mode is awesome.

Note to Keanen
Tanguay-Lombardi-Iginla
Best line ever, video games don't lie.

I have had some extremley intense games in my season. I don't think I've ever played a hockey video game that keeps me as intensely on the edge of my seat.
What a great game!

Do you have the Xbox 360 version or the PC one?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Chobyhy

Do you have the Xbox 360 version or the PC one?

360

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

The more I play this game the better it gets. I love this game now!!

Any early complaints I had are all but gone, as I've learned how to play properly. Havn't played online yet, but offline and dynasty mode is awesome.

Note to Keanen
Tanguay-Lombardi-Iginla
Best line ever, video games don't lie.

I have had some extremley intense games in my season. I don't think I've ever played a hockey video game that keeps me as intensely on the edge of my seat.
What a great game!

###.

I scored against the 'Nucks last night with 20 seconds left in the 3rd for the win, and I woke up my son.

Huge improvment this year, and I actually feel like the 60 bucks was money well spent.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Russic

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.

Game is freezing a ton for me (PS3 version). A total of 5 freezes in about 3 days of playing.

I also get raped frequently by the AI, it is seemingly impossible for me to score (on pro mode), even though I pile up 30-40 shots per game - one timers, blasts from the point, doesn't matter - I'm lucky to score more than 2 goals per game.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Game is freezing a ton for me (PS3 version). A total of 5 freezes in about 3 days of playing.

I also get raped frequently by the AI, it is seemingly impossible for me to score (on pro mode), even though I pile up 30-40 shots per game - one timers, blasts from the point, doesn't matter - I'm lucky to score more than 2 goals per game.

I've had one freeze on the 360 version but I think it was more or less my fault. I was rushing through the menus and I think I choked it.

I haven't found scoring on the default setting hard at all. I've averaged over 5 goals a game through the first 10 games. I'm starting to play with the sliders a bit and will investigate going to All-star level (I have a feeling i'm sort of in between difficulty levels so will get my butt handed to me on All-star).

In order to score do the things you would do in hockey. Get traffic in front of the net and get a low shot from the point through the screen or for a deflection. Fake the shot and get the goaltender to bite. Get the goaltender moving from side to side. Cycle the puck and control the zone. It's hard to keep on going back to the same play again and again as they will shut you down so get a variety of plays going. I find it helps to have your lines using different offensive strategies to keep the computer AI guessing a bit more.

[Jayems]

Anyone experiencing this online?

It keeps resetting my RBK jersey code, so I have to enter it again. Very annoying. Also, it checks for new rosters, downloads them, and then saves them EVERY time i try to play someone.

Anyone know the remedy for this?

[Nabber]

Yeah was at the movie store the other night, completely forgot about this game had to pick it up. Rented it for 360 and have had no problems with the freezing, try what that other poster suggested taking off the autosave because I did to begin with.

Game play is great, I find it fairly similar to 07 but a little harder to deak opponents which is good. Jerseys look cool too. As someone mentioned Tanguay-Lombardi-Iggy lines is crazy in this game, but I still think my line of Gagne-Lombardi-Iggy was better from 07, hey I need the free salary space Gagne gave me .

[FlamesPuck12]

I think Conroy is overated in the game. It keeps telling me that he has better stats than Tanguay...

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Nabber

Yeah was at the movie store the other night, completely forgot about this game had to pick it up. Rented it for 360 and have had no problems with the freezing, try what that other poster suggested taking off the autosave because I did to begin with.

Game play is great, I find it fairly similar to 07 but a little harder to deak opponents which is good. Jerseys look cool too. As someone mentioned Tanguay-Lombardi-Iggy lines is crazy in this game, but I still think my line of Gagne-Lombardi-Iggy was better from 07, hey I need the free salary space Gagne gave me .

man if Lombardi was half the player he is in NHL 08 he'd be a superstar. i can score goals with him easier than even Iginla, and try as i might to get Iggy the Hart and Richard trophies, Lombardi manages to figure into every point i get with Iginla

[redmile04]

Is there anyway during a dynasty mode to call up players from the minors? or is it just that you can play AHL teams.

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by redmile04

Is there anyway during a dynasty mode to call up players from the minors? or is it just that you can play AHL teams.

I think you can on NHL 08 PS3 / Xbox360 version, not quite sure but I know you CANT do that on the PC / PS2 version.

[Delthefunky]

Originally Posted by redmile04

Is there anyway during a dynasty mode to call up players from the minors? or is it just that you can play AHL teams.

Well if it's the same, which it should be, you just have to go to "Roster Moves" under the GM section and then go down to your farm team, select the player and you can move him up if you have room . . .

[redmile04]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

Well if it's the same, which it should be, you just have to go to "Roster Moves" under the GM section and then go down to your farm team, select the player and you can move him up if you have room . . .

I am guessing thats for xbox 360 and ps3 since the above post by chobyhy says you cant for ps2..

I am guessing there no way at all for ps2

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by redmile04

I am guessing thats for xbox 360 and ps3 since the above post by chobyhy says you cant for ps2..

I am guessing there no way at all for ps2

I have never played PS3 or Xbox360 version but I read on their main site that you can actually develop your players in AHL associated with your franchise. However in PS2 and PC version, it is the same as 07 where you just use that crap Minor League Management menu and AHL league is a seperate league itself, not associated with the dynasty mode.

[Nabber]

Damn EA, got Moss as a lefty and you can't even change it in the edit player menu.

and yeah you can call up as many player from Quad City, the roster is pretty up to date too, which I've wanted NHL games to do forever.