NHL 2K8 (360) Impressions.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:27 pm

It's to accomodate all of the right stick puck movement/manual passing/skill stick stuff that you can do independent of direction in which you are moving, but I admit it sure does feel odd, for me especially when shooting off of the puck movement with the right stick. It feels really odd for me to aim your shot and then press the shoot button with the same hand.

I've only played three games and I suppose you can get used to it, but it ain't easy!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:48 pm

I downloaded Abner's gamestyle and tweaked it a bit (mainly to slow the game down some). I also switched the shot aim back to the left stick which helped tremendously.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:52 pm

Abner's gamestyle is a great base.. the one I still don't like in this game is all the hitting by both sides.

2 things they need to "borrow" from NHL 08 - hitting a player should not knock him to the ground - THE CONTROL SCHEME!

I would also like the rinks to be a tad bigger - not as bit as NHL 08's, but a little bigger would be nice and allow more room to skate around.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:21 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I also switched the shot aim back to the left stick which helped tremendously.

I'll have to do this. You can tweak just this one control?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:40 pm

Yes. There is an option somewhere for "aiming source." BTW, on some screens there is an option to toggle basic/advance options with a press of Y. I don't think this is an example, but stuff like "pass aiming assist" is.

I totally agree with Mizzou on all counts. NHL 2K8 with less hitting power, slightly bigger rinks, and a blatant copy of the NHL 08 control scheme would be just about perfect IMO.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:18 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I downloaded Abner's gamestyle

How do I do that?

warnerwlf98 · Post by **warnerwlf98** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:14 pm

JackB1 wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:I downloaded Abner's gamestyle
How do I do that?

Go to the online menu and there should be a category called "Download Styles" or something like that. If it's not there, check the "Downloads" section. I'm away from my 360 for 2 weeks now

, and I can't remember.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:52 pm

Online Desk, Share Game Styles. I rated Abner's a 9 to "bump" it. I'm 15 games into my season and finally comfortable with the controls.

I'd like to amend my earlier post. They should copy the EA offensive controls, but I like 2K's defensive controls better.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:54 pm

I really like the demo of this game. Now I can't make up my mind to buy this or nhl08. I initially liked NHL08, but NHL2K8 is like non stop action. Also, 08 seems to lack the defensive play that 2k has. Also, I like the faster pace of 2k.

Still not sure which game to pickup. Same goes with the NBA versions.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:05 pm

Inuyasha wrote:I really like the demo of this game. Now I can't make up my mind to buy this or nhl08. I initially liked NHL08, but NHL2K8 is like non stop action. Also, 08 seems to lack the defensive play that 2k has. Also, I like the faster pace of 2k.

Still not sure which game to pickup. Same goes with the NBA versions.

I like both games too. I just love the feeling of accomplishment with NHL 08 though.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:27 pm

The main thing that I like about 2k8 over 08 is that when playing against the AI, the game feels more organic. From trips up and down the ice, to goalie play, to passing, I see more mistakes, more struggles, no super-speed pass combos etc. It feels less like I am playing againt a robot than it does when I play EA's game.

The game has got serious issues when it comes to the controls, which I still can't stand even after a period of acclimation, and the lack of penalites is a big negative. The hitting is a little annoying, but no more than EA's defensive standing around, so that one washes. 08's multiplayer is suberb.

I actually kind of wish I didn't rent this, as it makes the artificial nature of EA's game stand out all the more when I play 08, but I don't think I like 2k8 enough overall to use it to replace EA's game.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:12 pm

webdanzer wrote:The main thing that I like about 2k8 over 08 is that when playing against the AI, the game feels more organic. From trips up and down the ice, to goalie play, to passing, I see more mistakes, more struggles, no super-speed pass combos etc. It feels less like I am playing againt a robot than it does when I play EA's game.

The game has got serious issues when it comes to the controls, which I still can't stand even after a period of acclimation, and the lack of penalites is a big negative. The hitting is a little annoying, but no more than EA's defensive standing around, so that one washes. 08's multiplayer is suberb.

I actually kind of wish I didn't rent this, as it makes the artificial nature of EA's game stand out all the more when I play 08, but I don't think I like 2k8 enough overall to use it to replace EA's game.

Great points and I'm still undecided on which one to keep.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:25 pm

I'm curious how effective the CPU is at scoring in the retail version. I played the demo this evening, and enjoyed it more than I remember playing it on the PS3. I loved the non stop action, the overall gameplay, the ability to actually play defense, and the sound effects, etc. I quickly adjusted to the controls after one game of the demo. However, it didn't seem like the CPU really mounted any kind of attack nor was overly intelligent in attacking the net.

I have a gamepass through Blockbuster, so I'll probably rent this game in the next day or two.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:38 pm

Let's put this way. The CPU doesn't solely rely on a one timer any longer to score. I've seen garbage goals, tip ins, one on ones, it's more varied.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:52 am

sportdan30 wrote:I'm curious how effective the CPU is at scoring in the retail version. I played the demo this evening, and enjoyed it more than I remember playing it on the PS3. I loved the non stop action, the overall gameplay, the ability to actually play defense, and the sound effects, etc. I quickly adjusted to the controls after one game of the demo. However, it didn't seem like the CPU really mounted any kind of attack nor was overly intelligent in attacking the net.

I have a gamepass through Blockbuster, so I'll probably rent this game in the next day or two.

I haven't played the demo, can you play on AS level?

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:48 am

I'm using Venom's v3 game style and I'd have to say he's pretty much nailed it for my style of play.

Hitting is toned down big time and I'm seeing penalties from both sides.

One thing I love about this game is the goalie animations. Legace was getting bombarded by shots on a Sharks powerplay and made his last save sitting down, it was great watching all those animations play out.

Once the rosters hit XBL, I'm ready to give my Blues franchise a go.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:06 am

Interesting you mention Venom Mizzou, I just finished a game where I beat DET 5-2 with his latest update. He must have tweaked the goalie settings a bit, but overall I found the pace of the gameplay more to my style of play as well. I think he also upped the speed of the game which was too slow to my liking but overall, the game had a lot of flow.

And for thsoe that are still struggling with the new control scheme, again, classic controls are available, as well as control customization based on user preference, you just have to know what suits to your control style, and make the proper changes.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:20 am

10spro wrote:Interesting you mention Venom Mizzou, I just finished a game where I beat DET 5-2 with his latest update. He must have tweaked the goalie settings a bit, but overall I found the pace of the gameplay more to my style of play as well. I think he also upped the speed of the game which was too slow to my liking but overall, the game had a lot of flow.

And for thsoe that are still struggling with the new control scheme, again, classic controls are available, as well as control customization based on user preference, you just have to know what suits to your control style, and make the proper changes.

I've been using ABNER's style, but the hitting was all over the place, so I started messing around with some other styles and found Venom's really good.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:10 am

Just lost 4-2 to Columbus, but out shot them 33-18. I just couldn't finish on my shots.

Using 8 min periods, AS level.. I'm getting perfect stats and maybe having more fun than I did with NHL 07 last year.

Each team had 4 power plays, so that issue seems solved, hits were about equal and I'm seeing things I've never seen before. Had a perfect hip check that send a Bluejacket over the boards and into my bench, the commentators even talked about it.

The amount of action when your big line is out there holding their position and pounding the puck at the net is really fun and nerveracking at the same time. I'm loving this game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:03 pm

Can't wait to give it a go later today! Good luck against Nebraska tonight Todd.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:31 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Can't wait to give it a go later today! Good luck against Nebraska tonight Todd.

I think you'll really like that style.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!!

Illinois just knocked off #5 Wisconsin... wow!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:02 am

Finally got to put in some extended time with this game and this is definitely the best 2K hockey game yet. Biggest downer though is the default control scheme. I know you can change to "classic", but then you lose some funtionality of the shot stick. It really plays a different style of game than NHL08. Not better or worse......just different. I would say that 2K8 plays more like real hockey, with the srums and board play....but NHL08 might have a higher fun factor. The rinks do seem a tad too small....there seems to be very little spacing between the 3 forwards.

The isometric camera is great. The play by play is OK, but the crowd sounds make me a little crazy. The crowd was chanting "Lets Go Thrashers" for what seemed like eternity. Wish there was a button to shut up the crowd

The skating model is nice and you really have to set up plays thoughtfully or the AI will punish you.

If they could make the rinks larger and fix the horrible control scheme, this game would be neck and neck with NHL08. Still, it's a great hockey game, but it's very difficult switching between this and NHL08, due to the very different controls for each. I would recommend playing one for a while and then switching to the other......but not on a day by day basis.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:40 pm

I thought the rinks were too small at first, but after watching some hockey this weekend, I think they are just about perfect. In NHL 08, the rinks are WAY too big and players can skate all over the place.

Definitely the best 2k sports game to date.

I'm telling you, download Venom's v3 style and play on AS with 8 min periods. I'm loving this game quite a bit.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:37 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I thought the rinks were too small at first, but after watching some hockey this weekend, I think they are just about perfect. In NHL 08, the rinks are WAY too big and players can skate all over the place.

Definitely the best 2k sports game to date.

I'm telling you, download Venom's v3 style and play on AS with 8 min periods. I'm loving this game quite a bit.

I tried Venom's style and it felt too slow. Also, the speed burst was almost invisible. Do the "styles" incorporate all the gameplay sliders?
I am finding "sim style" pretty good.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:14 pm

JackB1 wrote:
MizzouRah wrote:I thought the rinks were too small at first, but after watching some hockey this weekend, I think they are just about perfect. In NHL 08, the rinks are WAY too big and players can skate all over the place.

Definitely the best 2k sports game to date.

I'm telling you, download Venom's v3 style and play on AS with 8 min periods. I'm loving this game quite a bit.
I tried Venom's style and it felt too slow. Also, the speed burst was almost invisible. Do the "styles" incorporate all the gameplay sliders?
I am finding "sim style" pretty good.

Isn't sim style set to REALLY low speed?

With v3 of Venom's it's at 20 I believe and the speed bursts work like they should. I thought Sim style was set to 10 or something.