NHL 08 Impressions

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:31 am

someone is posting on EA forums that the jersey unlock code is

h3oyxpwksf8ibcgt

CONFIRMED

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:34 am

GameSeven wrote: I was fortunate last night in that I played about half dozen 2v2 or 3v3 last night without any problems or slowdown. Hopefully no significant problems rear their ugly heads as I'm definitely enjoying this one online.

I checked that EA link and that is the same exact glitch me and Dtrane had. Very weird. Hope they can fix that with a patch. It's strange how stuff like that makes it through testing???

In the 2v2 or 3v3 games...did u lock onto a position or do you switch? I would imagine it might get confusing with eveyone trying to switch to the player with the puck at the same time? I guess if it's 2 on 2, one guy can take the D and one the forwards? Or if it's 3 on 3, all 3 can play forward and leave the AI to handle the D?

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:37 am

JackB1 wrote:
GameSeven wrote: I was fortunate last night in that I played about half dozen 2v2 or 3v3 last night without any problems or slowdown. Hopefully no significant problems rear their ugly heads as I'm definitely enjoying this one online.
In the 2v2 or 3v3 games...did u lock onto a position or do you switch? I would imagine it might get confusing with eveyone trying to switch to the player with the puck at the same time? I guess if it's 2 on 2, one guy can take the D and one the forwards? Or if it's 3 on 3, all 3 can play forward and leave the AI to handle the D?

2v2 is fine for switching... first game 3v3 I locked the center. Unfortunately for sets that don't include a C (like short-handed sets and overtime), I was off the ice. That appeared to include penalties to caused by others. The next time 3v3, we all played w/o a lock and while it *can* be confusing, we had considerable stretches where people played their positions correctly. I'm sure with more experience it will only get better.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:43 am

JackB1 wrote: In the 2v2 or 3v3 games...did u lock onto a position or do you switch? I would imagine it might get confusing with eveyone trying to switch to the player with the puck at the same time? I guess if it's 2 on 2, one guy can take the D and one the forwards? Or if it's 3 on 3, all 3 can play forward and leave the AI to handle the D?

My preference is that in 2 on 2, both players are free. We will get the hang of how switching works the more we play. With 3 players on one side, it is mandatory that at least one player be locked, and at least one player be free to switch. If all players on a 3 player team are free, it is pure chaos. How do I know? Because we've had the chance to play this way in the past in Rivals back in the day. Personally, I'm not sure I will enjoy 3 on 3 very much, but I absolutely can't get enough of 2 on 2. In fact, If the goalie control is functional and fun, I would consider locking myself to goalie in a 3 on 3 game from time to time.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:49 am

I was hoping to get into some 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 games last night, but I always seemed to be the odd man out, checking my friends list and seeing people playing OTP but never actually being in one.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:59 am

Anybody else seeing a lot of CPU posts? I've played two games offline on AS difficulty, and though I get outshot badly I've won both 3-1 and 3-0. My victories are mainly due to my goalie standing on his head and the CPU hitting the post 4-6 times a game.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:21 am

GameSeven wrote:someone is posting on EA forums that the jersey unlock code is

h3oyxpwksf8ibcgt

CONFIRMED

Yup, works great - thanks much. It also unlocks a Reebok video about the new uniforms (hit X at the uniform select screen), for anyone who actually cares.

Turns out there are NO throwback unis, which is a major disappointment. 2K still owns in this department.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:24 am

Edit - double post. Man, forums are slow today.

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:42 am

Blublub wrote:
GameSeven wrote:someone is posting on EA forums that the jersey unlock code is

h3oyxpwksf8ibcgt

CONFIRMED
Yup, works great - thanks much. It also unlocks a Reebok video about the new uniforms (hit X at the uniform select screen), for anyone who actually cares.

Turns out there are NO throwback unis, which is a major disappointment. 2K still owns in this department.

Cool, now we can see the new Leafs jersey... basically a practice jersey with a leafs logo on it.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:45 am

Thanks for the code G7. If anybody can easily take a pic of the Hawks new jerseys I would appreciate it. I'm stuck at work until 7:00 and I'm dying to see if they left them alone or f'ed them up.

ZXLT · Post by **ZXLT** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:54 am

Damn, I can't wait to get back from work with this game. Keep the impressions coming.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:59 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:One thing I'm noticing while playing on my 24" Dell is that when in 1080P mode, I get some major vertical sync issues when I use the Ice Camera. It is remedied by switching to Classic, so it's not a big deal, but it's just a curious graphical issue. It's really distracting to see a line go through the entire width of the screen all the time...especially when the EA NHL Replay logo comes up...for some reason it doesn't happen with the Classic camera. Weird.

I'm not seeing this db on my Dell 24" monitor in 1080p.

Weird.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:59 am

GameSeven wrote:someone is posting on EA forums that the jersey unlock code is

h3oyxpwksf8ibcgt

CONFIRMED

Thanks!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:01 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Thanks for the code G7. If anybody can easily take a pic of the Hawks new jerseys I would appreciate it. I'm stuck at work until 7:00 and I'm dying to see if they left them alone or f'ed them up.

Not much has changed. Thank goodness Scoop. This is one of the classics they shouldn't be messing around with. Just changed the owner.

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f33/t ... gohome.jpg

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:18 pm

PLayed 4 games on all star last night. Got my ass handed to me in every one. Even the yotes were destroying me. Lots of AI one timers on AS and it's almost impossible to guard against them. Maybe i'll go back to pro but i felt i had too much time in offensive zone in the demo. Still an enjoyable game.

Sorry G7, I could barely keep my eyes open when you sent me the invite.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:26 pm

10spro wrote:Not much has changed. Thank goodness Scoop. This is one of the classics they shouldn't be messing around with. Just changed the owner.

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f33/t ... gohome.jpg

Thanks 10spro! Woohoo! Looks like the only thing they changed was adding the NHL patch on the neck and that's actually pretty sharp looking. The Indian head might be a little bigger too. Also not a bad thing. I was so worried they'd add some sort of trim lines or something.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:41 pm

TCrouch wrote:I was hoping to get into some 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 games last night, but I always seemed to be the odd man out, checking my friends list and seeing people playing OTP but never actually being in one.

I would have invited you as we were always looking for one more, but you removed me as a friend

Smart move probably.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:05 pm

http://www.fartfignewton.com/rbk_edge/

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:52 pm

LAking wrote:PLayed 4 games on all star last night. Got my ass handed to me in every one. Even the yotes were destroying me. Lots of AI one timers on AS and it's almost impossible to guard against them. Maybe i'll go back to pro but i felt i had too much time in offensive zone in the demo. Still an enjoyable game.

I've only played a few games v. CPU, but I've found it to be very different and much more challenging than the demo. I don't think the demo is a fair indication of the full game at Pro.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:59 pm

Danimal wrote:
TCrouch wrote:I was hoping to get into some 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 games last night, but I always seemed to be the odd man out, checking my friends list and seeing people playing OTP but never actually being in one.
I would have invited you as we were always looking for one more, but you removed me as a friend

Smart move probably.

I did? The only people I remove are the ones I haven't played a game with in months (or more).

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:18 pm

TCrouch wrote:I did? The only people I remove are the ones I haven't played a game with in months (or more).

Maybe Dan missed your gamertag change?

Dan, check to see if you've got RageHawk on your friends list.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:38 pm

I really like what they did with defense this year. They gave us more options of what we can do but that doesn't make defense easy by any means.

Also, there is a definite difference between playing a team like the Coyotes and a team like the Redwings. Where the Coyotes are slower and more deliberate on the attack the Redwings are sharp and precise with theirs. The Redwings will overwhelm you with puck cycling and find an open shot.

This game forces you to read the passing lanes and interrupt the flow of passes. The Redwings offensive sytle has the tendency of making you constrict the defensive box so you're not skating all over the place following the puck but this gives them too much room. I love being forced to play in their face and block the passing lanes to shut them down. It makes playing a team like the Redwings a completely different experience than playing the Coyotes.

I lost a tightly contested match between the Hawks and Coyotes 2-1 and was completely obliterated by the Red Wings 8-2.

I also love how the vacuum check is gone. What I mean is you need to be in good position to check rather than be in the area and press the check button to have an animation get you in position. This makes playing skilled guys like Crosby or Jagr one-on-one terrifying. You know one mistake will result in a breakaway or at least a very good scoring opportunity. The skill players seem to stand out as well but aren't unstoppable (are you listening WE2007 Adriano?

).

You also have to be in position to hook or else they will blow right by you.

Whereas last year made offense fun to play this year's game adds defense that is fun to play. I love the challenge and can't wait to tighten up my d.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:38 pm

I don't know scoop. I still think playing defense is next to impossible.

First off the CPU is still programmed to shot too many times. That really bugs me.

I wish there was a wrap-up feature where two players would get tangled up as they go down the ice. You see this all the time in hockey. Here you could be side-by-side and the offensive player has the complete advantage because you either have to make a hard hit or he's free.

I guess, I expect on defense that if I am sitting as a defender in front of the goalie that I should be able to block a puck if the shot comes in. There needs to be an automatic block feature for defenders not just the button press. There's two ways to block a shot and that's the pass block or the shot block. Just standing there, you're body doesn't do enough to stop and it. The only wway you block a shot there is if the puck squarley hits you.

Yes the vacuum hit is gone. The CPU is just a little too good and quickly changing direction to get out of a hit or poke check.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:01 pm

JRod wrote:I don't know scoop. I still think playing defense is next to impossible.

First off the CPU is still programmed to shot too many times. That really bugs me.

I wish there was a wrap-up feature where two players would get tangled up as they go down the ice. You see this all the time in hockey. Here you could be side-by-side and the offensive player has the complete advantage because you either have to make a hard hit or he's free.

I guess, I expect on defense that if I am sitting as a defender in front of the goalie that I should be able to block a puck if the shot comes in. There needs to be an automatic block feature for defenders not just the button press. There's two ways to block a shot and that's the pass block or the shot block. Just standing there, you're body doesn't do enough to stop and it. The only wway you block a shot there is if the puck squarley hits you.

Yes the vacuum hit is gone. The CPU is just a little too good and quickly changing direction to get out of a hit or poke check.

I think your impressions are spot on. There definitely needs to be a way to put the body on player without hooking them or "hitting" them. Just check them. There are times when i feel like i have no control over the outcome of a play in my own zone. The computer can just pass around at will until they find a nice open shot.

It seems realistically hard to get a shot on goal when i'm on offense because the puck often gets blocked on the way through, yet I find it too hard to do the same when i'm on D.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:01 pm

I am just sticking on Pro for now, with a few slider adjustments, the CPU gives me a fair challenge. I had problems pulling out the goalie though a couple of times, in one instance the keeper hesitated resulting in an open net goal which irritated me since I was down only by a goal, and in another instance, the goalie just would not come out. It's supposed to be the LT and <- button I believe.

Playing defense is better in 2K8.