Customer Reviews

NHL 08

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

EA Sports NHL 08 is far better than the past two seasons efforts. One of the first things you will notice is that it does present itself a lot like 06 and 07 in terms of graphics and audio. However, the players move much more realistic and true to how certain players act and play the game. Goalies are MUCH improved as is the overall gameplay. Playing on the difficuly level is actually challenging and fun. Those wanting a more hockey sim from EA Sports will be rather pleased with this game (I have played 10 minute periods on difficult and average scores like 4-1, 3-2; with under 40 shots on goal for and under 20 against. Amazing saves and body checks that are totally realistic--not a hitting frenzy as in the past).

There are a few problems which shouldn't really hurt the game overall. Rosters on the NHL teams are a little old (i.e.Ranger fans will still see Cullen and Ortmeyer on the team). However, major signings and deals over the summer are in this game. Missing a rookie or two from your lineup? That may not be a problem. NHL 08 packs a full AHL league and rosters as you can call up anyone (and I mean anyone) and place them on your active roster (if your rookie played at least one game in the AHL last season, then you will find him on the AHL team). The only other issue with this years hockey release is that the game tends to lag and bog down when there is too much action in front of the net at one time--it's a noticable, but a minor flaw.

The rest of the game will feel familiar as most of the new programming went to the next generation systems. Menu options have been simplified greatly and the music is more enjoyable to listen to.

Overall, you will notice that even though the look and sounds of this game haven't changed much, just wait until the opening face-off and you will see a new game with the EA Sports NHL 08. From the way players act, skate and control, and the vastly improved goalies (90% save percentage actually will happen in this years game) all make this game a much improved product over NHL 06 and 07.

NHL 08

It was the most excited I had been for a game in a really long time. They were finally adding the AHL and you could develop a minor league system. I had read a lot of reviews and they all said basically the same thing: This game is the best hockey game they had ever played. The perfect amalgamation between a hockey sim and an arcade game. The movement was ultra realistic and the puck physics were incredible. It was the ultimate hockey game.
I got the game delivered at work and had to wait until I got home to play. I felt like I was 15 years old, counting the train stops until I got to my stop. The first thing I was going to do was play a game, as the Flyers, and annihilate the Rangers. Then I was going to start a dynasty and just play around with the minor leagues, call people up, reassign others. Then I got home and opened the game. When I got to the main menu I was a little surprised. I thought I had read that you could start a user profile, but couldn't find the option anywhere. Well, no big deal. A little weird though. So I played a game. It seemed a lot like I was playing 07 (or even 06). Shooting with the stick was kind of cool, I guess, but other than that, the game didn't seem that different. Certainly not the greatest hockey game ever. But I figured it would be ok, since the thing I was most excited about was the minor league system and the ability to develop players within a dynasty. So I started my dynasty. As soon as I got to the player management, I found I only had three people on my minor league team. That can't be right. So I got out of the dynasty and went to the roster manager in the main menu. After what seemed like an hour of searching I found the minor league teams. However, there is no link between the NHL and the AHL in the PS2 version of the game. The one aspect of the game that I was actually excited for was not accessible in my game. Massively disappointed. And to top it off, as of January 2, the PS2 version of the game has not had a single roster update.
The point I'm trying to make is that this is the most disappointing game I have ever purchased. It's not a bad game. I enjoyed the last two versions of it very much. I just don't know why I had to buy a stripped down version of what I hear is a fantastic game.
If you are thinking of buying this game, save your money. This is apparently just the beginning of what EA is planning on doing with all the non-next gen versions of the game.

This game is very good. This game has newer rosters and new controls, which can make playing easier or harder depending on your skill.
Pros... gammeplay and graphics are very good. good multiplayer game. Great dynsasty mode.
Cons... sometimes when you are in the middle of a game it will slow down or skip. The people who announce are horrible, they announce things ten seconds afer it happens, and when they are in the middle of saying things and someone gets a penalty, they forget what they were going to say. This last one isn't really a con, but whats bad for me is that Eric Stall is on the cover. I live in Colorado, COME BACK JOE!!

I must confess, the last NHL game I picked up before this one was 2004, so there may be some features I bring up that were also in previous years which I am unaware of. For the most part, NHL 2008 is fun and addictive, and there are no other NHL games that compare. I was only going to write a three star review, but most of the gameplay issues go away in multiplayer mode.

I find this game to be very similar to past years, with some different things here and there, but I was able to pick up the controller and start playing it with no problems. Some reviewers complained of slow-down's in front of the net, and while this does occur it is quite rare. There are also some slow-down's when you dump the puck down ice, but this has only happened a couple times to me. Something new to me is the ability to initiate a fight yourself at just about anytime you would like. I have also seen fights change the momentum of games. While I knew 2008 wouldn't be much different than past years, I knew I wanted to play with guys like Crosby and Ovechkin, which is a major reason for purchasing this game.

There are a handful of issues I have with the gameplay and hopefully they will be changed in future years or improve on PS3. First and foremost, is the issue with the shooting. Shooting and scoring are extremely difficult. I use manual shooting, which the game defaults to. Involved in the shooting is a bullseye that moves around the net before you release the button to aim your shot. The only problem is that even when aiming in this way, the puck misses the net at least 50% of the time. This occurs from all distances and angles, and even in situations where it really should not, such as Sidney Crosby in the crease taking a wrist shot that misses the net. It is even difficult to score on an open net. Furthermore, shots that don't miss the net are almost always stopped by the goalie - this inculdes one-timers from all angles and distances, wrap-around-the-net shots, slap shots from the points, and close distance wrist shots. There doesn't appear to be any method to scoring other than to get as many shots as possible. On the other hand, when the cpu is playing against you, no matter who your goalie is, almost 1 in every 5 shots goes in. I end up winning around 2 out of every 3 games, with realistic final scores, but unrealistic shot numbers. For example, I might win 4-3, but I'll have 60 shots on goal and the cpu will have only 15. Most games end this way, and I'm constantly reminded of it, because the opposing goalies, even in losses, usually end up being one of the three stars of the game for having a ridiculous number of saves. This also hurts the overall gameplay due to the fact that you can no longer play a defensive game of puck control, because you're constantly trying to score. I feel this makes the gaming very unrealistic, despite the close final scores. Also, keeping in mind the shot-to-score ratio I mentioned earlier, do whatever you can do to not end up in a shootout, because you will lose it 9 out of 10 times.

Apart from the shooting issues, I also notice there is no longer a pass where you can lift it off the ice. In previous years, you could make a normal pass, but also press another button for a lifted wrist-shot-type pass so that you could make passes through traffic. This pass is no longer in the game, forcing the player to deke more.

One last issue is that the cpu has a regular tendency to always score goals within the last minute of the 3rd period, no matter what the score is. I honestly believe there is some type of computer assistance that is turned on in the last minute of the game, so you must try extra hard to protect the net at the end of the game.

I know it sounds like I've mentioned more negatives than positives with this game, but it is actually a lot of fun to play. Just don't expect to play the cpu and have the games be anything close to realistic.

They finnaly did something I have wanted for years, and that was to add in the AHL teams. EA Sports however didn't however do it right. Unlike their baseball games you CAN'T call up player from your minor league system. If you want certain players to be part of your dynasty you have to edit the rosters before you start your season.

The graphics are a step above from years past. The rosters are close to up to date. I've only found a few players who were on that were wrong team.

Overall, this game is worth the thirty bucks and hopefully they fix the Dynasty mode to include AHL teams next year.

I haven't played nhl 07, but I have 06 and there doesn't seem to be much improvement in this one otehr than adding a simple be a pro mode. Pretty solid game however.

The price was right, and delivery was quick. The game disc itself has trouble starting up. I have to make several attempts to get it to play. It's not my console, because my other games start up without any problems. When this disc does finally start, it usually plays ok. But a few times it has locked up and frozen during gameplay, so I had to restart it. This is a manufacturing issue, not the seller's fault. I give the seller 5 stars, product gets 3.

I love this game I have tried many diferent NHL games in the past but this is awsome. It has a very indebth dynasty with trading signing upgrades and just about evaey thing else.


The Good
excellent graphics and sound
easy to learn
when ever a player scores a board comes up with the scorers season stats and the assists
more realistic trading with the salary cap

The bad
You can't adjust ticket prices
can be a little to easy
Draft still stinks but is better than any others

All in all 9/10

I had recently purchased a 989 hockey game and was dissapointed while it was good it was not quite what I was looking for. I ordered this one and upon its arrival began playing. I found it excellent, it has all the usuall options for creation and teams, but you can also play as all the AHL minor leauge teams, which I almost enjoy more than playing as the NHL teams. For the controling you have the new hybrid controls that involve using the right stick for deaking and shooting. If you dont like this though they have an option for classic controls which I was suprised by and very glad about, and if you want to just change a few things in the controls there is a custom option. The graphics could be a little better they look alot like older versions but there isnt the same boxy quality to the game play.
Overall a great game.

I am not a huge hockey fan but while browsing through the video games at a local store, I decided to pick up 2k8. The glitches made the game impossible to play. The commentators were constantly repeating what they had just said, after there was a frozen puck, man, it took forever for the game to come back to a face off screen. The gameplay was way to complex, with three pages explaining basic controls. I could have gotten used to the gameplay but the glitches were the reason I took it back to the store and got NHL 08. I could not believe the difference, the controls are so much simpiler, the cut away scenes are better, the game has minor league teams, and it doesn't have glitches--it runs very smoothly. Now, I am actually starting to learn a bit about hockey and how fun it can really be.