NHL 08 Impressions

[Gangrel]

What roster did you get? That could be the problem.

I'm leery of rosters with significant attribute edits, especially since I'm pleased as spiked punch with the default play at Difficult. A bit fast, but very playable.
Take care,
PK

The one i grabbed had edits..... When i was looking, it was the only up to date one at the time. I can't remember which set, but they are "edited to fit in with the EA system"... lol.

They seemed ok, but i bet that's a big part of my problem. That, or I just suck.

[pk500]

Ah, you got Jimbo's rosters. I saw too many complaints about those to touch them.

I'm using Sakic2002's rosters until Watis returns with his. That dude supposedly is the master of rosters.

TCE 2008 was released today, so I'm sure we'll see a flurry of edited rosters soon. I have mixed feelings about those, as I'm really happy with default Difficult.

Take care,
PK

[MizzouRah]

I never saw the AI score more than 3 goals in about 8 games. But that's not my main problem with the game...it's the hand-cramping controls, the lack of spacing on the ice and the robotic way the players move. It's not a bad game... I just found that I prefer NHL08. Most reviewers rate it a little higher than 2K8 also, so I am not the only one.

I believe this has to do with sliders, for some reason, all 2k games need some kind of slider tweaks - NHL 08 definitely plays better out of the box, imho.

Sat in the 7th row last night at the Blues home opener and I'm telling you, there's not much room to move out there unless you can really skate well.

Bottom line this year: NHL 08 has better controls and plays an unrealistic wide open game, which is fine - because it's so much fun to play this way for a game.

NHL 2k8 plays like a real hockey game, but the controls are really labor intensive and that takes away from a great game...

You can't go wrong with either game this year, so have fun!

[MizzouRah]

I never saw the AI score more than 3 goals in about 8 games. But that's not my main problem with the game...it's the hand-cramping controls, the lack of spacing on the ice and the robotic way the players move. It's not a bad game... I just found that I prefer NHL08. Most reviewers rate it a little higher than 2K8 also, so I am not the only one.

I believe this has to do with sliders, for some reason, all 2k games need some kind of slider tweaks - NHL 08 definitely plays better out of the box, imho.

Sat in the 7th row last night at the Blues home opener and I'm telling you, there's not much room to move out there unless you can really skate well.

Bottom line this year: NHL 08 has better controls and plays an unrealistic wide open game, which is fine - because it's so much fun to play this way for a game.

NHL 2k8 plays like a real hockey game, but the controls are really labor intensive and that takes away from a great game...

Overall, both games have things I like and things that frustrate me.

[Inuyasha]

I really like this game. I am not a big hockey guy so this game is up my alley. Love all the different non-nhl teams as well. Online is really fun and I like the pickup and play style of the game.

I tried 2k and although it is good, it's just too hardcore for me. I am very happy with nhl08 this year.

[Jimmydeicide]

I never saw the AI score more than 3 goals in about 8 games. But that's not my main problem with the game...it's the hand-cramping controls, the lack of spacing on the ice and the robotic way the players move. It's not a bad game... I just found that I prefer NHL08. Most reviewers rate it a little higher than 2K8 also, so I am not the only one.

I believe this has to do with sliders, for some reason, all 2k games need some kind of slider tweaks - NHL 08 definitely plays better out of the box, imho.

Sat in the 7th row last night at the Blues home opener and I'm telling you, there's not much room to move out there unless you can really skate well.

Bottom line this year: NHL 08 has better controls and plays an unrealistic wide open game, which is fine - because it's so much fun to play this way for a game.

NHL 2k8 plays like a real hockey game, but the controls are really labor intensive and that takes away from a great game...

You can't go wrong with either game this year, so have fun!

I agree Mizz usualy too much room in hockey games which is why they always have high shot totals , iv always thought a smaller ice surface would help out these games a lot and i like 2k8 rinks this year a lot even tho they maybe a weird shape in the corners.
Just give us the tools to beable to play on the more crowded rinks and i think 2k trys to do that even if they are awkward at first but if your into the game i dont see a learning curve being any problem what so ever.
And yes if you watch a game live or on tv you will see especially in 08 how real it gets sometimes and its quite a slow game a lot of the time with lots of speed changes .
2k would do themselves a favor if they got rid of speed burst like 08 does and just keep the sprint.

[MizzouRah]

I agree Mizz usualy too much room in hockey games which is why they always have high shot totals , iv always thought a smaller ice surface would help out these games a lot and i like 2k8 rinks this year a lot even tho they maybe a weird shape in the corners.
Just give us the tools to beable to play on the more crowded rinks and i think 2k trys to do that even if they are awkward at first but if your into the game i dont see a learning curve being any problem what so ever.
And yes if you watch a game live or on tv you will see especially in 08 how real it gets sometimes and its quite a slow game a lot of the time with lots of speed changes .
2k would do themselves a favor if they got rid of speed burst like 08 does and just keep the sprint.

The 2 biggest improvements 2k can make next year:

1. Give us the option to use the NHL 08 controls.. I'm sorry, but it's the best scheme out there.

2. Do away with the speed burst.

There is so much I like about 2k8, but NHL 08 has so much better control I often wonder if I should go back to it.

[sportdan30]

NHL '08 is a game that I have to keep reminding myself that is just FUN. Forget about 100 percent realism. You can immediately tell the difference between '08 and 2K8 within the first minute of play. And while I enjoyed my rental of 2K8, I can't see myself enjoying a full season, especially with the controls the way they are.

What I'm struggling with '08 is this. I'm having a hard time believing the goals the CPU scores on me are legit. It feels a little bit too random. Moreso than 2K8. Also, while I'm comfortable playing on Pro, I'm still having a difficult time scoring, and finding a nice balance for the CPU scoring maybe too much?

I want to really enjoy '08, and I feel as though I'm closer to realizing that but there are a few minor issues I'm still trying to resolve.

[Naples39]

Some of slider tweaking has begun to pay off. This morning I beat the Sabres 5-1, then lost to the Leafs in the next game 7-4. I don't want to see too many 7-4 games, but it's great for them to be thrown in there every now and again.

My 'arcade' style sliders:
Allstar, all default except-
-Puck Control one from minimum
-Shot power maxed
-Shot accuracy one from maximum

I changed puck control down because I thought it was too easy for the cpu to dance around with the puck (still very arcadey even with it turned down though), and I turned up shooting because I think the goalies are too good, and there are no goalie sliders.

[JackB1]

I really tried to like 2K8, as I saw it do so many things well. In the end, I just couldn't get used to the controls and that took away from the fun factor. NHL08 has a high fun factor, but the realism factor may be a little lower than 2K8, but it doesn't detract from the fun factor as much as 2K's controls do. For me, in the end, fun-factor wins out over realism factor by a small margin. Also, NHL08 is just a blast to play online with fellow DSPers and not many DSPers have 2k8.

[MizzouRah]

NHL '08 is a game that I have to keep reminding myself that is just FUN. Forget about 100 percent realism. You can immediately tell the difference between '08 and 2K8 within the first minute of play. And while I enjoyed my rental of 2K8, I can't see myself enjoying a full season, especially with the controls the way they are.

What I'm struggling with '08 is this. I'm having a hard time believing the goals the CPU scores on me are legit. It feels a little bit too random. Moreso than 2K8. Also, while I'm comfortable playing on Pro, I'm still having a difficult time scoring, and finding a nice balance for the CPU scoring maybe too much?

I want to really enjoy '08, and I feel as though I'm closer to realizing that but there are a few minor issues I'm still trying to resolve.

While I love the added framerate this year, there is something about NHL 08 I just don't like - might be the CPU goal scoring, might be the difficulty going from PRO to AS - but I can't quite figure it out.

NHL 2k8, flaws and all, still has that "intense" gaming feeling for me. Each game is a stuggle and feels totally different, imho.

[sportdan30]

I completely agree Todd to a certain extent. I wish '08 was a bit more sloppier of an ice game. Scrums along the board, more interceptions, less tape to tape passes, better implementation of defense, etc.

But beyond that, '08 is a better pick up and play game. A better game to play online when you're just looking for mindless fun.

[MizzouRah]

I completely agree Todd to a certain extent. I wish '08 was a bit more sloppier of an ice game. Scrums along the board, more interceptions, less tape to tape passes, better implementation of defense, etc.

But beyond that, '08 is a better pick up and play game. A better game to play online when you're just looking for mindless fun.

I'm not an online game player, so for solo play it's been fun. Unlike last year, there is no clear cut winner for me.

[sportdan30]

I'm glad I took out the Blockbuster game pass, even if it is $22 a month. I've already rented both hockey games, along with three other non sports titles. I'll probably go back this evening and re-rent '08 again, that is if they don't have a copy of Fifa '08.

I really do have a love/hate relationship with EA sports games.

[MizzouRah]

I really do have a love/hate relationship with EA sports games.

Don't we all?!?

[JRod]

I really do have a love/hate relationship with EA sports games.

Don't we all?!?

Usually its with the same game.

[10spro]

I am still toying the game in Pro as it gives me the most satisfaction and fun factor many of you find in the game, but eventually for a true Hockey experience I keep going back to 2K8 with my re-arranged control scheme.
I just love the face-offs aspect from 2K as it gives me the incentive to control the game more when I win them. I am having about three-four penalties a match which played on five minutes is about right for me.

What EA needs is more of a battle around the boards and less tape to tape passes. But as a puck head I am a happy dude with both games this year.

[MizzouRah]

I am still toying the game in Pro as it gives me the most satisfaction and fun factor many of you find in the game, but eventually for a true Hockey experience I keep going back to 2K8 with my re-arranged control scheme.
I just love the face-offs aspect from 2K as it gives me the incentive to control the game more when I win them. I am having about three-four penalties a match which played on five minutes is about right for me.

What EA needs is more of a battle around the boards and less tape to tape passes. But as a puck head I am a happy dude with both games this year.

I'm with you here. I've been playing both games just about every day.

[pk500]

Modders are really going nuts with NHL 08 for the PC. Check out the detailed, accurate board ads under construction for all 30 NHL rinks:

http://www.nhldepot.net/forums/showthre ... post130195

Can't wait for this mod to be released! Adds to the immersion factor, big time.

Take care,
PK

[JackB1]

I thought that I had "settled" on my hockey game with NHL08 last week, after trying 2K8 for about 7 or 8 games, but now I am back to being confused. I played about 5 games in a row last night of NHL08 on Allstar and was very frustrated with how hard it is to score goals on Allstar. On Pro, I can skate into the high slot at will and score enough goals, but on Allstar it is too damn difficult to score and it's really bugging me! All this game need is a goalie slider!!! Why don't hockey games include this crucial slider? If they only made one slider, it would have to be a goalie slider, as that can make or break the whole game.

So here are my current options for video hockey this year:
1-Keep playing NHL08 on "Pro", even though it's too easy
2-Keep playing NHL08 on "Allstar" and hope that I learn better how to score
3-Try #1 or #2 with slider adjustments
4-Go back to 2K8 and learn to live with those damn default controls
5-Go back to 2k8 and use the "old controls, which take away some functionality.

It's weird how I went from thinking..."Wow, it's great that we have 2 great games to choose from this year"...to thinking.....these 2 games are both frustrating the sh*t out of me

[MizzouRah]

I'm with you Jack.

I started to get back into NHL 08, but on AS the game really pisses me off. I will say though, the game on PRO is not that easy for me right now.

It's weird, if I play an AHL game on PRO, it's way too easy.

I still have both games and will still have time before the roster updates come out to see which game I'll choose for my franchise. I know last year EA had a roster update which seemed to make the game play better, maybe this year will be the same?

[Sudz]

i booted up NHL 08 for the 360 today...75 games into season 1....so I do play ALOT...

and noticed that there is now a SIMPSON'S GAME ad behind the net.

So...they must be feeding ads via xbox live into the game...it is kinda cool...but i am not sure i like that they are doing it...

thoughts?

[JackB1]

I'm with you Jack.

I started to get back into NHL 08, but on AS the game really pisses me off. I will say though, the game on PRO is not that easy for me right now.

It's weird, if I play an AHL game on PRO, it's way too easy.

I still have both games and will still have time before the roster updates come out to see which game I'll choose for my franchise. I know last year EA had a roster update which seemed to make the game play better, maybe this year will be the same?

There are many posts at OS about this Pro vs AStar issue. Some say sliders make a difference, so I am going to try messing with sliders a bit (I will try Qberts first) and also to use the "quick plays" more. The game seems to have a huge learning curve for ALlstar and I don't know if I am willing to invest that much time. I just wanna play dammit!

About 2K....does anyone know what I am missing, by using the classic controls instead of default? Shooting and passing and changing with the left/right bumpers just plain feels weird to me. The game is much, much deeper though than 08...there's no disputing that.

[Sudz]

i booted up NHL 08 for the 360 today...75 games into season 1....so I do play ALOT...

and noticed that there is now a SIMPSON'S GAME ad behind the net.

So...they must be feeding ads via xbox live into the game...it is kinda cool...but i am not sure i like that they are doing it...

thoughts?

i had downloaded the demo last week...

hmmm.

http://adwordseditor.blogspot.com/2007/ ... games.html

[vader29]

i booted up NHL 08 for the 360 today...75 games into season 1....so I do play ALOT...

and noticed that there is now a SIMPSON'S GAME ad behind the net.

So...they must be feeding ads via xbox live into the game...it is kinda cool...but i am not sure i like that they are doing it...

thoughts?

I saw the Simpson's game ad on the load screens between holes of Tiger Woods last night also.