NHL 08

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:23 pm

I can't stop playing the demo, which says a lot since I have Bioshock, Madden, and Tiger Woods to play. I'm just playing as OTT and trying to see how many goals I can score. So far my record is 3 but one of those was an empty netter. I usually get 0 or 1 and the occassional 2 in regulation. EVERY time I score I get that sense of accomplishment and either physically say "yeah!" or at least think it. That, my friends, is the reason I play these games and feel so disappointed when a game like Madden gives away those moments without earning it.

This was my most anticipated game of the year coming in to 2007 along with The Show and the demo does nothing but increase my desire to play the full version. I wish my neighborhood had one of those clueless Targets that sell the games early!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:53 am

One thing I also noticed in the demo, is when the keeper looks back to see if he has the puck or is behind him, almost 80% of the time the puck would trickle past him in 07, but in this version EA Canada seemed to have tighten the squeeze on the goalie. A great animation still.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:52 am

I hadn't missed my 360 at all until right now. I'm dying not being able to play the demo. 10 more days......10 more days.

Thanks for the impressions.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:20 am

RallyMonkey wrote:I hadn't missed my 360 at all until right now. I'm dying not being able to play the demo. 10 more days......10 more days.

Thanks for the impressions.

Rally......you are going to cry little monkey tears of joy when you play this one

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:59 am

After playing the demo 4 times now I'm really trying to figure out why JRod said it was too arcade. When I think of arcade hockey games I think of a blistering back-and-forth pace, big hits, and tons of one-timers and big shots. I'm not seeing any of that.

In fact, I think the pace is spot-on. The new skating system is simply sublime. It just feels natural and it's awesome to finally see crossovers in a hockey game. The puck physics have been refined and the biggest improvement has been the weight of the puck. It now feels as if you're sending or receiving a puck. The AI is improved tenfold and this is only on Pro difficulty.

The demo seems to have addressed every complaint I had about last 07. I don't think I've ever been this blown away by a demo before. September 12th can't get here soon enough.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:44 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I can't stop playing the demo, which says a lot since I have Bioshock, Madden, and Tiger Woods to play. I'm just playing as OTT and trying to see how many goals I can score. So far my record is 3 but one of those was an empty netter. I usually get 0 or 1 and the occassional 2 in regulation. EVERY time I score I get that sense of accomplishment and either physically say "yeah!" or at least think it. That, my friends, is the reason I play these games and feel so disappointed when a game like Madden gives away those moments without earning it.

This was my most anticipated game of the year coming in to 2007 along with The Show and the demo does nothing but increase my desire to play the full version. I wish my neighborhood had one of those clueless Targets that sell the games early!

Me either Leebo. It's nice to see an EA game that really looks, feels, and plays like a game that has been programmed well.

Sept 11th can't come soon enough!!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:57 pm

One thing I wish was changeable in the demo is the auto aim for shooting.
it's set on auto and you can manually aim your shots. This makes goals feel a bit random sometimes. Not a biggie, but just thought I'd mention it.

You certainly have plenty to do on defense now, between the poke check with the right stick, the hitting with the right stick, the shot block, the pass block and the hook. And nothing is overdone. When u line up someone for a hit and nail them u really get a sense of accomplishment.

"Counting The Days"

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:36 pm

Played the demo last night, and I am officially on the bandwagon! I even put money down for the game (which I rarely do these days).

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:39 pm

JackB1 wrote:One thing I wish was changeable in the demo is the auto aim for shooting.
it's set on auto and you can manually aim your shots. This makes goals feel a bit random sometimes. Not a biggie, but just thought I'd mention it.

I'm not sure what you mean. Mine is set to manual and it works perfectly. In fact, if you look at the settings the CPU is always set to Auto but the human to manual. If you change sides during the game the shot aim setting will change to manual as well.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:31 pm

finally scored!!!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:05 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
JackB1 wrote:One thing I wish was changeable in the demo is the auto aim for shooting.
it's set on auto and you can manually aim your shots. This makes goals feel a bit random sometimes. Not a biggie, but just thought I'd mention it.
I'm not sure what you mean. Mine is set to manual and it works perfectly. In fact, if you look at the settings the CPU is always set to Auto but the human to manual. If you change sides during the game the shot aim setting will change to manual as well.

I'll check it again. Maybe I was looking at the CPU setting?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:55 am

A nice gameplay video for those that havent' tried the demo yet.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/24390.html

Just a few nit-pick issues while I've been playing the demo. Players seem to stop at the blue line to avoid going offsides instead of straffing the line. And hitting seems to be a bit off, especially around the boards, your opponent may fall, but little contact is made. Poke checking makes you lose a lot of speed, especially vs better players, but you can use the right stick to sweep.

Nothing to spoil the improved puck physics and collision system overall, and like many of you, next week couldn't come sooner.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:02 am

60fps makes a huge difference, the skating is like buttahh (or smooth as...ice). I'm definitely picking this one up...I'm also Canadian so if I don't get a hockey game once a year I think they revoke my citizenship or something.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:09 am

Macca00 wrote:60fps makes a huge difference, the skating is like buttahh (or smooth as...ice). I'm definitely picking this one up...I'm also Canadian so if I don't get a hockey game once a year I think they revoke my citizenship or something.

LOL, NHL2K8 is looking good as well. I'm looking forward to the demo so I can compare them. I just may end up with 2 hockey games this year.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:20 pm

Rodster wrote:
Macca00 wrote:60fps makes a huge difference, the skating is like buttahh (or smooth as...ice). I'm definitely picking this one up...I'm also Canadian so if I don't get a hockey game once a year I think they revoke my citizenship or something.
LOL, NHL2K8 is looking good as well. I'm looking forward to the demo so I can compare them. I just may end up with 2 hockey games this year.

Isnt 2K8 being released this Tues, with NHL08 next Tues?

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:21 pm

Both sept 11th.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:42 pm

Has anyone else seen any breakaways or two on ones in the demo yet?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:08 pm

fanatic wrote:Has anyone else seen any breakaways or two on ones in the demo yet?

I dont think I have seen any by the AI, but I have had some. Not very often though.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:05 pm

teh cpu has had a number of 2v1s and a few 3v1s on me...at least 2 breakaways.

this is the 1st game that forces you to play positions.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:03 am

just a few things that are bugging me after extended time with the demo....
-puck is a bit too lively, IMO. It carooms around the boards like a pinbal and some rebounds are crazy lively.
-the gamespeed in the demo is definitely too fast.
-too many post hits. It seems like half the goals go in off the posts

anyone else seeing these things?

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:43 am

One big issue in the demo is you can get by the defensemen easily in one on one situations using the deke. Both defensemen will often freeze allowing you to get by them easily to face the goalie. Could be a game killer but maybe it will not be a problem on superstar level.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:28 am

I thought the demo was 'good'. Played nice but was missing the 'fun' factor (early impression).

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:28 am

JackB1 wrote:just a few things that are bugging me after extended time with the demo....
-puck is a bit too lively, IMO. It carooms around the boards like a pinbal and some rebounds are crazy lively.
-the gamespeed in the demo is definitely too fast.
-too many post hits. It seems like half the goals go in off the posts

anyone else seeing these things?

1. Agreed, although I don't think it's really that bad.

2. I love the speed of the game, but it is a tad too fast.

3. Seems less than last year, but it's a short period. I've seen almost all of them NOT be goals though.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:04 am

Ditto what Mizzou said, especially #3.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:42 am

I enjoyed the demo but will wait a little for some impressions when the full game gets out on the market. I can see little issues. I scored a goal tonight by going behind the net and came right out in front and took a wrist shot. It was a similar goal to what you could do on the old Sega system.