Nhl 08

hcky21rskor · 02-29-2008

I didn't see a thread about this game yet so I figured I would make one. I have quit a bit of complaints about this game, but i do also like a few features this game offers.

Usually, I am very impressed with the EA hockey games, with the exception of a few minor bugs they usually make a good game. Unfortunately I found 08 to have too many bad qualities that outweigh the good ones. I will list a few of the thing's I have found in this game that make me not want to play it anymore.

1.) It looks like NHL 08 tried to offer us a "comeback feature" if you will. Realistically this is great, everyone knows that there are a fare share on comebacks in the real NHL, unfortunately NHL 08 went a little overboard with it. On the superstar dynasty I will have a 3-4 goal lead with only about a minute remaining. I tell my D to protect the net and i tell my offense to play conservatively, trying to hold that lead, but it never happens. All of the sudden my goalie losses all his hockey senses and can't stop ANYTHING, and i mean anything. All the sudden my 4 goal lead is gone and were heading to OT, really pisses me off.

2.) With this "comeback feature" I would think that it would maybe work the same for me, but of course not. This time there will be the same amount of time remaining, about a minute, and I will be down a goal. All the sudden all my players lose all their sense of hockey ability. They cannot complete the simplest passes, and any kind of contact sends them, and their sticks flying. When i do get into their zone, my players can't seem to hit the net with any shots, everything is high and WAY wide.

3.) NHL 08 offers it's players a new "goalie mode." This, imo, is very cool. The only complaint I have with it, and it is a pretty big one, is that when you play as the goalie, 5-hole shot's are damn near impossible to stop. When i play in goalie mode i lose 95% of my games due to the fact the 5-hole is impossible to block. With most of the player's shots going to the 5-hole they really need to make a feature where the butterfly stance is somewhat effective.

4.) When first logging in to play NHL 08 on Xbox LIVE you must wait 5-10 mins. while EA looks for roster updates. I liked this, because like madden I figured I would have the most current NHL rosters, but that is not the fact. While Sakic, Smyth and Stastny were injured i was bummed because I didn't think they were going to be on the "updated" roster, but that wasn't the case, they were all there. Now after picking up Forsberg, Foote, and Salei, I figured I would try again and maybe this time I would have them, but of course not. So I ask, what exactly is he "roster update" doing?

5.) They really need to go more into detail with the dynasty mode, or make a superstar mode. In the dynasty mode they need a more detailed off-season instead of just simming until the start of the next season. Also, I would like to be able to sign my players to a larger contract or cut there contract in the middle of the season. With a superstar mode it would add so much more to the game. Kind of like madden, you could create a guy go through scouting, play through the AHL and make your way up to the NHL. While your superstar is not on the ice it would be cool to watch the game from the bench through your superstar's eyes.

6.) When trying to tie up players on the boards most of the time they will slip away from you and your player will completely stop moving, totally unrealistic. NHL is a non-stop game, never will you see anyone on the ice not doing anything, at any point in a game.

Really, the only thing I can think of that I really like is the realistic feel, compared to 07, which isn't saying much, 08 has more of the NHL feel to it. I know i can think of a few more things I like about the game but i'm in the process of getting carpal tunnel's just in writing what I dislike about the game.

Please, feel free to share your ideas on the game and what you think should be added to 09, or what you like/dislike about the game.

Pvt.Dirt · 03-03-2008

I found that 08 was a huge improvement from any other recent NHL games. The play is so much more realistic and the I'm loving how smooth the gameplay is. I hope EA doesn't drift off from what they have done with this game, I'd like to see it again this year.

I've never had the problem of comebacks from the computer.. maybe I'm just too good to have it happen.

hcky21rskor · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pvt.Dirt

I've never had the problem of comebacks from the computer.. maybe I'm just too good to have it happen.

Are you playing on superstar? I don't have a problem holding onto a lead in any other mode. Maybe i do suck

, but i happens every single game no matter what I do.

Judge-Jimmie · 03-03-2008

2k sports are always way better. I find it's much more realistic. With NHL 08 you almost never get rebounds. Your goals are either shots from the slot or dekes. Granted the shooting with the right stick is awsome, but I prefer hockey sims to arcade style games. I think if the two games came together it would be perfect.

One thing I wish hockey games worked on more is board play. Pinning and the small things that happen near the boards. They should have spin off checks and the defense can push and shove you back into the boards. This is a huge part of the game and it largely goes untouched in hockey games. It's just hit the check button and the other guy falls down. I have found that it's almost easier to let the other team get the puck and then cream them then to get it myself.

hcky21rskor · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge-Jimmie

2k sports are always way better. I find it's much more realistic. With NHL 08 you almost never get rebounds. Your goals are either shots from the slot or dekes. Granted the shooting with the right stick is awsome, but I prefer hockey sims to arcade style games. I think if the two games came together it would be perfect.

Really? I don't really like the 2k games. I think every year they always have more potential to be better than EA but they come up just short. Now that I've been playing the EA hockey games for a while i don't think i could go back to shooting with anything else. I don't think the two need to come together to make a GREAT hockey game. EA has the funds, the staff, and the technology to make a great hockey game but every year they pass over all the finer details.

Quote:

One thing I wish hockey games worked on more is board play. Pinning and the small things that happen near the boards. They should have spin off checks and the defense can push and shove you back into the boards. This is a huge part of the game and it largely goes untouched in hockey games. It's just hit the check button and the other guy falls down. I have found that it's almost easier to let the other team get the puck and then cream them then to get it myself.

If I remember correctly 07 had the feature where you could pin players into the boards, but for some odd reason EA didn't put it into 08. Also, the hits in 08 are junk, IMO. Sometimes the littlest of hits will send a player and his stick flying, or a little check meant to bump someone off the puck will completely destroy them and they'll be injured.

By far my biggest complaint is there dynasty mode, or lack of. It is very straight forward with nothing really to do other than play games and sign the usual free agent. A detailed off-season would be great, or a superstar mode like i mentioned before.

Brandon1025 · 03-14-2008

I think EA makes a better hockey game, but that is where their greatness stops. 2K, in my opinion, makes much much better basketball and football games, while Sony obviously makes the best baseball game.

The only thing in my opinion that 2K does better in the hockey games is some of the really small details and some finer points about the game. I'll just put up some points of what I think 2K has that EA needs.

- in-season contract extensions
- rebounds(EA has small rebounds, but the CPU never gives up a big one)
- Realistic boards and glass(EA's glass doesn't really shake when a player runs into it and there's no send when that happens either. The puck also never has a big impact in 08 compared to 2K

- no crazy trade demands (If I play you 50/82 games and you win 35 of them, you shouldn't be demanding a trade)
- loose puck(For me the puck in EA's game seems glued to my stick, in 2K it feels more real to me, it feels like I can lose it at any time)

Pvt.Dirt · 03-30-2008

I'm looking for some people to face off against on this game. Hit me up, gamertag: PvtDirt

hcky21rskor · 03-30-2008

I just sent a friend request, I'm down for a game anytime.

The mOBSCENE · 04-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge-Jimmie

2k sports are always way better. I find it's much more realistic. With NHL 08 you almost never get rebounds. Your goals are either shots from the slot or dekes. Granted the shooting with the right stick is awsome, but I prefer hockey sims to arcade style games. I think if the two games came together it would be perfect.

One thing I wish hockey games worked on more is board play. Pinning and the small things that happen near the boards. They should have spin off checks and the defense can push and shove you back into the boards. This is a huge part of the game and it largely goes untouched in hockey games. It's just hit the check button and the other guy falls down. I have found that it's almost easier to let the other team get the puck and then cream them then to get it myself.

The 2K games have ALWAYS been a step behind EA with sports... ALWAYS. When the first 2K games came out the graphics and actual gameplay were EXTREMELY UGLY. The only good thing about them was that they were cheap and in my opinion, they were worth the low amount you had to pay for them and I wouldn't pay 1% sales tax more.