NHL 08 Impressions

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:26 pm

FifaInspected wrote:Did I read somewhere that there may be a framerate issue?

I hope not...

PS3 = Yes
360 = No

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:52 pm

One game, 10 min defaults - AS difficulty.

FWIW

WOW... gameplay is so great so far. MUCH, MUCH different than 07. You have to work the puck, play defense, etc...

I don't have much time to post, but I'm so excited about this game that I don't want to leave the house.

The game is so much different gameplay wise than last year, I can't believe I liked 07 so much. It just plays like a real hockey game.

I'll be back home later tonight then it's all NHL 08.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:56 pm

Considering the frame rate ultimately killed 07 on the 360 for me, I grudgingly went with the 360 version instead of the PS3 as I would have preferred. Given this I was pretty much looking for any excuse to not like the game.

I must say I am mightily impressed. The 360 framerate is butter, there aren't the annoying cut scene lags like in NCAA. Graphics are amazing - I love the little touches like guys unis getting half pulled out. The goalie animations are even more stunning than last year.

And I dare say the gameplay is revolutionary. This is the first hockey console game that seems to play like IRL. Even better it's still actually fun. It's no longer a mad dash to look for a cheap one-timer on offense. In fact, about half of one-timer attempts don't even result in a shot. I love that you can slow it up and work the puck around. Defense is no longer body check and scramble - try that and the CPU will make you pay.

I still can't get entirely comfortable with the stick shooting and had to revert back to classic. So far the default settings seem to be pretty much dead on for my skills, and I don't feel the need to immediately start tweaking sliders.

Only very minor gripes are the relatively few alternate/throwback uniforms, no single-season mode (without CPU trading) and the fact that it seems only Reebok uniforms are licensed. Do they have a league-wide deal this season?

I wanted to hate this game and I just can't, at least yet. Highly recommended.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:15 pm

i'm very impressed...played two games on all star and got my ass handed to me...shutout both games. This ain't your daddy's hockey game...you have to work for your chances...this ain't just skating up and down the ice with scoring chance after scoring chance...at least not yet and not on all star difficulty. This game has a winning eleven "you have to earn it" feel when it comes to scoring.
I changed the skill level to pro and played an AHL game. My first goal scored in NHL 08 goes to Peoria's Trent Whitfield with assists to Mike Glumac and Roman Polak!!!! The AHL is going to rock on this game!!
Best hockey to date and possibly the best sports game ever.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:19 pm

Blublub wrote: Only very minor gripes are the relatively few alternate/throwback uniforms, no single-season mode (without CPU trading) and the fact that it seems only Reebok uniforms are licensed. Do they have a league-wide deal this season?

Yes.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:22 pm

The only gripe I am readfing about is the total lack of pinning along the boards. Supposidly, you can pin if in the correct position with the "A" button.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:30 pm

I also really like the game but the 2 games I started both ended with dirty disc messages...going to try again and see if the third times a charm.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:58 pm

I'm loving the physical play so far...it seems to be pefect. The CPU gets some great hits in here and there..

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:59 pm

My quick thoughts after only one game on the PS3.

A great improvement from NHL 07, which was already arguably the 2nd best console sports game ever produced (MLB 07 is #1)

The framerate issue on the PS3 is slightly overblown according to my early experience. I would say it looks better than 07 did on the 360, and i haven't seen 08 on the 360. It's certainly not as bad as Madden.

More later.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:13 pm

tjung0831 wrote:I'm loving the physical play so far...it seems to be pefect. The CPU gets some great hits in here and there..

On top of that, its harder for the HUM to hit the CPU. You really have to line those hits up. It's not like last year where you could hit everything that moves. Maybe a little too hard. Still early on that front.

One slight negative, is the sitck side shot blocking for the goalies. Anything over the shoulder in less then perfect position is a goal. In the few games I've played there seems to be a lot of high stick side goals that are rocket shots that the goalie just misses. It's early on but it seems to be a familar goal for the CPU.

The stick moves are really sweet. I scored a great garbage goal after a stick move that lead to a shot and a rebound as the Leafs. Too bad we can't save replays for this game. Considering the emphasis on the dynamic goal scoring engine, we can't up load this to easportsgamerworld or whatever the "Flash Site of the Year" is called.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:15 pm

So has anyone tried any 3 on 3 online games yet?

With that many human players, AI should become more moot.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:45 pm

Not being able to save replays is a real shame.

Are all of you playing it on an HDTV? I wondered how it looked on a regular TV.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:18 pm

I just played one online game of 2 on 2 with Acid, Diablo and Scoop and HOLY CRAP I AM LOSING MY s***! We're back in business!

Not to say there aren't issues. In the lobby, there is a 5-minute timer counting down, which may be OK in a non-private game, but really should be something you can disable in a private game. Not only is it lame on the surface, but it seems to start counting when the lobby is created, meaning any late-comers to the room have a very short lobby time.

Further, once the game starts, you can only talk to your teammates. This could be a good thing in a 3 on 3 game, maybe, but with 2 on 2, it's not very cool at all. At least it should let you chat overall once the game is over, or between periods, but no. And then once the game is over, you don't go back into the lobby or anything, you just quit back to the main menu. Lame.

But the gameplay with 2 on 2 is freaking fun as all hell. Really, really good. It will only get better once we start to get the hang of the controls. I'm not sure I'm sold on 3 on 3, but it's SO nice to have 2 on 2 online sports gaming back!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:20 pm

Zeppo wrote:I just played one online game of 2 on 2 with Acid, Diablo and Scoop and HOLY CRAP I AM LOSING MY s***! We're back in business!

Not to say there aren't issues. In the lobby, there is a 5-minute timer counting down, which may be OK in a non-private game, but really should be something you can disable in a private game. Not only is it lame on the surface, but it seems to start counting when the lobby is created, meaning any late-comers to the room have a very short lobby time.

Further, once the game starts, you can only talk to your teammates. This could be a good thing in a 3 on 3 game, maybe, but with 2 on 2, it's not very cool at all. At least it should let you chat overall once the game is over, or between periods, but no. And then once the game is over, you don't go back into the lobby or anything, you just quit back to the main menu. Lame.

But the gameplay with 2 on 2 is freaking fun as all hell. Really, really good. It will only get better once we start to get the hang of the controls. I'm not sure I'm sold on 3 on 3, but it's SO nice to have 2 on 2 online sports gaming back!

Yep, it was good fun

Got a win in my first coop game too. Looking forward to some more coop. Thanks for the invite guys.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:27 pm

This is the most blown away I've ever been with the first impressions of a sports video game.

That 2-on-2 was awesome. I can't wait to try 3-on-3. Too bad we had those problems trying that. I think it was a router issue between vader and Zeppo.

Where do we get the code for the RBK Edge jerseys?

Only negative for me so far is the weak ass soundtrack. There's some good songs on there but it doesn't seem like a hockey soundtrack to me. Though having the Black Keys in there is a pleasant surprise.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:34 pm

I think that soundtrack is pretty good. I love a couple of those songs where the chicks are singing....

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:35 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Where do we get the code for the RBK Edge jerseys?

NHL08.com, potentially Sept. 15.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:42 pm

Have you guys seen shots going wide of the net on the 360 version, or is everything on goal?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:43 pm

Dave wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:Where do we get the code for the RBK Edge jerseys?
NHL08.com, potentially Sept. 15.

I hope we don't have to enter a code for every team. I hope it's just one code for the NHL and one code for the AHL.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:59 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Have you guys seen shots going wide of the net on the 360 version, or is everything on goal?

I have been flailing wide and high. I play with the sh*tty Coyotes though.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:08 pm

Zeppo wrote:I just played one online game of 2 on 2 with Acid, Diablo and Scoop and HOLY CRAP I AM LOSING MY s***! We're back in business!

Was waiting for tomorrow with my $10 giftcard at Circuit City. But that line has me going to gamestop right now to get some multi multi-player action going. I hope to see the old rivals gang back in effect. Jack, pass the freakin' puck!!!!!!!!!!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:20 pm

BTW...playing with the international league teams is f'n awesome. I have no clue about any of the players but it's just a cool twist on the same old same old NHL. It's like having all of the leagues in FIFA...it keeps it fresh.

I did see one troubling thing...check out the video I made of it. Yikes.

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LFz0icgleas" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed>

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:28 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Have you guys seen shots going wide of the net on the 360 version, or is everything on goal?

I was playing Calgary and they were killing me with all the shots on goal. Next game I played Philly and their shots were all over the place.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:29 pm

Anyone else seeing a high number of one-timers by the CPU? I know my defense sucks but in one period out off 20 shots by the CPU 12 were one-timers.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:33 pm

DB, indeed what the hell was that? Didn't seem to hit any skates at all. Strange.