NHL 08 Reviews

• Much Improved Over 06 and 07

  
  By A36JU0T2IST054 on 2007-09-14
  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.
  
  

• Good, but not great.

  
  By A23V53D6A2M98Z on 2007-09-21
  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.
  
  

• New year, same game

  
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2007-09-18
  If you know anything about EA Sports, it's that year after year, they recycle the same sports game by keeping the old and slapping a new year on it. NHL 08 is no different, and although there have been a few additions, this is basically the same hockey game we've seen on the PS2 for the last few years. What has been added is watered down version of the skill stick that has been on the next-gen console versions of the game, as well as minor league management featuring the AHL teams. While this may be enough new additions for some, they really don't amount to much in the long run. Dynasty Mode is incredibly disjointed when it comes to signing free agents and managing the cap, while the other gameplay modes remain the same. The core gameplay itself hasn't really changed at all either, and still features some incredibly poor team defenses that allow for the typical arcade quality EA hockey we've come to expect over the years. The play by play commentary is also much recycled again as usual, and you're better off turning it off during play. And is it just me, or do the graphics look worse this time around? In any event, NHL 08 for the PS2 is the same game we've played for the last few years with minor features, and once again, you're better off with the 2K series instead.
  
  

• Just a shame...

  
  By A2YBYA1B3ZH87M on 2008-01-02
  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.
  
  

• Great Game except announcing

  
  By on 2008-08-25
  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!!
  
  
• arrived on time
  By A3DJAJJGSFDW2U on 2007-11-01
  The game arrived in a timely fashion. I'm not too big into hockey so I'm probably not the best person to be writing a review on this subject. I just wanted to try something new out.
  
  
• Disappointment
  By A2W4SJ3AW7JRX8 on 2008-01-02
  I waiting what seemed like forever for this game to come in the mail and when if finally got here, all I have to say is what a disappointment! The game looks exactly, i mean exactly like the 07 version. The new controls don't add much. They saved most of the new features and innovation for the PS3 version and threw out the 07 game with a different cover. I can't even recommend buying it for updated rosters as the ones on the game are very old, probably from 07 as well. I've always bought EA Sports games but now I'll think twice before buying another.
  
  
• Valiant Effort With Some Setbacks
  By A3GHQ2D2Q1DGQC on 2008-01-04
  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.
  
  
• Good game
  By A1UBUZQ1G4GS9S on 2008-01-08
  It's a good game for those who love hockey and hockey video games. They could have improved in alot of areas but overall it's a good game to play.
  
  
• Why the NHL doesn't get it
  By A3DEB0HPXVREJ1 on 2008-01-18
  How do you market your sport if you can't get your video game right? This is an opportunity to grow your audience and the NHL can't make sure that all of their players have headshots!!
  
  The play is smooth and no real cheese moves like the older games.
  
  The announcing is totally random and often doesn't even match the play. "What a hit" .... um ... there was no check ... some guy just scored a goal.
  
  Oh well, it is what it is.
  
  

• PlayStation: The Official Magazine (1-year)

• Madden NFL 08
• FIFA 08
• NBA Live 08
• NCAA Football 08
• NHL 2K8