NHL 08 Impressions

[pk500]

Looks like this game isn't like Madden, where the most realistic version of the game arguably is on the PC. The PC version of NHL 08 leaves me pretty blase, even with the limited skill stick.

Still too fast, too arcadish, too much EA hockey.

Take care,
PK

[wabash97]

ugh. I was hoping the PC version might be good enough, because I don't really want to shell out for the 360 yet.

AI is like the old days?

[pk500]

Wab:

It's a bit tighter than NHL 04, my last frame of reference for EA PC hockey. But it's still too easy to walk into the offensive zone and play tic-tac-toe passing with the skill stick.

And I'm not very keen on the skill stick for shooting or passing. You need to press a shoulder button when using it for a pass, which makes setting up for one-timers a bit awkward at times. The use of the right stick in Rivals was much more intuitive than in NHL 08 for the PC.

Plus I'm not very impressed by the moves that the skill stick provides for the PC game. You'll see nothing like the dipsy-doodles, ins-and-outs and through the legs like you'll see with the 360 game. The dekes with the skill stick in the PC version really aren't much more than the dekes you'd see by pushing a button in a previous control scheme.

I don't think NHL 08 is a horrible game on the PC, and I think there's a decent game of hockey underneath the arcadish veneer with some slider tweaking. I'm just not sure I want to go to the trouble, especially with Rugby 08, Madden 08 and PES 6 already on my hard drive, and the FIFA 08 demo playing surprisingly well.

Take care,
PK

[wabash97]

thanks Pk. I may give it some time to see what the modders can cook up, but I may end putting some of that Christmas dough toward the 360 if the PC (which probably isn't due for any further attention from EA in the future) doesn't get a user overhaul.

[pk500]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious that EA has given up on the PC as a viable gaming platform.

Madden 08 and Rugby 08 are superb, but Rugby 08 doesn't have a next-gen counterpart. Madden 08 is excellent only because it's based on the stable, steady code of the last gen with a few new quirks.

I guess that's one of the reasons why I was so impressed with the FIFA 08 PC demo. It's a BIG improvement over FIFA 07 for the PC, and I didn't expect EA to make that kind of realism jump with any of its PC titles.

As much as I love hockey, I'm not going to play a hockey game just for the sake of playing. It better be damn realistic, and it better be good. I don't think NHL 08 for the PC is either.

Hey, as long as I have Rugby 08, I'm fine.

Take care,
PK

[JRod]

Online the one-timers are not an issue.

But to those that are saying you aren't seeing it you guys must have blinders on. Go check the stat line. Over 50% of the CPU shots are one-timers. In 2k, this was the only way to score. In NHL 08, the is the CPU's dominant way of scoring.

In the games I've played, in everyone the CPU had more one-timers than regular shots.

[dbdynsty25]

But to those that are saying you aren't seeing it you guys must have blinders on. Go check the stat line. Over 50% of the CPU shots are one-timers. In 2k, this was the only way to score. In NHL 08, the is the CPU's dominant way of scoring.

In the games I've played, in everyone the CPU had more one-timers than regular shots.

Played two games late last night...29 shots by the CPU, 10 one timers. 34 shots, 9 one timers.

I guess the blinders are in my system.

[GTHobbes]

I'd bet its been a good 10 years since I've liked an EA sports game this much...why can't these guys take over development of Madden? This game does more things right about hockey than NHL95-06 combined, IMO.

[JackB1]

PK, you are missing out bigtime with NHL08-360. The new 3on3 or 2on2
is mega-fun and isn't the same without you screaming in my ear... "JACK...PASS THE F*CKING PUCK!!!!! If this game doesn't make
you break down and pick up a 360, nothing will. NHL08 is giving me that "WE" feeling of accomplishment when I score a goal or break up a play. It's hockey heaven.

Looks like this game isn't like Madden, where the most realistic version of the game arguably is on the PC. The PC version of NHL 08 leaves me pretty blase, even with the limited skill stick.

Still too fast, too arcadish, too much EA hockey.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Jack:

I guess nothing will, then. No plans for a 360 purchase. None.

But I'm glad you cats are enjoying NHL 08 on the 360!

Take care,
PK

[webdanzer]

In the games I've played, in everyone the CPU had more one-timers than regular shots.

Played two games late last night...29 shots by the CPU, 10 one timers. 34 shots, 9 one timers.

Similar to DB's experience, about 1/3rd of the CPU's total shots are one timers in my games. All-star difficulty.

[Jimmydeicide]

Just getting into the game realy but one thing im noticing today as opposed to last night is the cameras wtf they are lagging behind the action all of a sudden.
Anyone else notice this?

[tjung0831]

Just getting into the game realy but one thing im noticing today as opposed to last night is the cameras wtf they are lagging behind the action all of a sudden.
Anyone else notice this?

Make sure you don't have player lock turned on.

[TCrouch]

I played my first game as a minor leaguer for Portland in Goalie mode...holy crap.

The pucker factor you get when the other team is rushing you is second to none. It took me a full period and a half to figure how that I could hug the post after giving up a short side goal because I was standing a good foot out into the crease. I ended up giving up 4 goals, but almost every one of them was simply because I over-committed to something and had bad position.

That mode is going to be really, really fun.

[Slumberland]

PK, you are missing out bigtime with NHL08-360.

Stop poking the beast. The response is always the same.

[JRod]

There's a huge descrepancy how your teammates play defense and how the CPU plays defense.

It seems the CPU plays better and will "mark" their man while your guys really don't play that well. Maybe it's the same for both but often times they won't play the guy just outside the slot that's wide open. What I want is for that guy to get in a passing line so the one-time and quick pass to him is take away. This is while I'm controlling the guy at th point or somrthing. Time after time though no matter what setting I have it on whethers its protect net, conservative, etc. That skater is always open.

The defense plays a lot like the guys in FIFA. They play a position on the regardless of where the other plays are on the ice. They don't have to the awareness for secondary passing lanes or unmarked guys sitting in prime real estate.

If you SIT in your area you can force them to pass the puck around. The game allows the skater with the puck a little too much advantage whether its the CPU or HUM. They hit better but the jet-packing hits are in and that's how the CPU addresses the advantage by the human offensive skater.

If you play puck-side attack on defense you really have to be good. The CPU just doesn't miss passes and has the distinct advantage with the puck so it's really tough to get the puck from them. The puck-side attack tactic is really to force them into bad passes or taking an ill-advised shot. Since there are no bad passes unless you drop down the passing speed slider, that tactic still favors the offense.

In the protect the net slider, I still see the defense chasing stupid pucks exposing the net. For example you'll have one guy in the slot, one guy just outside the slot and another guy coming into the play with the puck. The defender will chase the guy with the puck exposing the guy just outside the slot. He'll get the puck and now you have a complete breakdown of the play. That's even with the wingers or center coming down to help the play so the defenders protect the net. It's not like they shouldn't chase the puck but they just don't see the whole ice and will leave guys wide open really close to the net.

[pk500]

I played the PC version a bit more over a late lunch today, and it's growing on me. There are still no board play or 50-50 battles for the puck, but the offensive and defensive AI is much better than the last EA hockey game I played, NHL 2004.

I need to get a better handle on using the shot stick, too. But I'm not seeing a ton of big hits or one puck-handler carrying the puck end to end, an unsightly hallmark of past EA hockey games. I'm seeing a lot of intercepted passes by both teams due to solid positional play, which is an unexpected plus for an EA hockey game.

More to come on the PC version. I'm going to try some slider changes, slowing the game speed and the pass and shot speed a bit.

Take care,
PK

[Zeppo]

I played my first game as a minor leaguer for Portland in Goalie mode...holy crap.

The pucker factor you get when the other team is rushing you is second to none. It took me a full period and a half to figure how that I could hug the post after giving up a short side goal because I was standing a good foot out into the crease. I ended up giving up 4 goals, but almost every one of them was simply because I over-committed to something and had bad position.

That mode is going to be really, really fun.

I've tried some goalie in practice mode, and I think they pretty much nailed it. The camera angle and the bit of bungie chord-like mechanic holding you in the crease work fantastically. The only real drawback I have noticed so far is that when the puck is loose in front of you, you can't see it at all since your body is in the way, but holding the Y-button seems to work well to get your man to cover the puck. I love how you don't have to hit the R-stick to make a save, the goalie will react to the puck, but I can only assume you will do a better job if you anticipate the shot and get the right direction on the R-stick. Positioning is really the key, though, and then you have the desperation moves and dives if the action gets crazy.

If i ever get a three on three game to work online, I think I will have to play the goalie. They really seem to have got goalie play right, and it's been nothing but fun for me, and that's just in the various practice modes. So far, three on three online hasn't worked for me at all (either the game freezes up when the 5th or 6th man enters the room, or the game boots me once it loads up the rink, or something bad happens), but the idea of being able to play goalie is making me hope they can get that fixed soon.

[ScoopBrady]

But to those that are saying you aren't seeing it you guys must have blinders on. Go check the stat line. Over 50% of the CPU shots are one-timers. In 2k, this was the only way to score. In NHL 08, the is the CPU's dominant way of scoring.

Then you are not playing defense. I stand by the fact that I'm not seeing it. I don't have blinders on but I think you might have tunnel-vision. Here's my proof:

[TCrouch]

Curious if anybody wants to try a Goalie vs. Goalie game with me? Don't know if that's possible, is it? That would be crazy.

[Zeppo]

Curious if anybody wants to try a Goalie vs. Goalie game with me? Don't know if that's possible, is it? That would be crazy.

I think if you did 'team play' you could both just player lock as goalies. I'd think that would be pretty boring, though, with all CPU skaters on the ice, especially since in 'team play' you can't hear the other team on the voice chat. Well, I suppose we could start a voice chat in the guide, actually, but anyway. . . .

Now, if we were two on two, I would definitely be more than willing to try it. For me, though, goalie control is tailor-made for three on three. Two guys playing the skaters, enough guys for nice chatter on the team, and you and me commanding our creases - bring it ON!

One thing that bummed me in a two on two game last night was when there was a penalty shot. I pulled down GameSeven on a breakaway, and he was awarded the penalty shot. Unfortunately, I couldn't become the goalie, and even if I had, I'm not sure if it would have put the camera in the normal goalie place, since the penalties use that crazy, super-close camera deal. If I were already player locked onto goalie, I'd hope it would keep the camera the same for the penalty shot, but I'm not sure, because I seem to remember in penalty shoot-outs in last year's game, you could become the goalie, but it was really tough because the camera was behind the skater.

[TCrouch]

It was anything but boring with the CPU on attack when I was doing it offline, but to each his own. The CPU is much more efficient than humans dealing with lag, imo.

[JRod]

But to those that are saying you aren't seeing it you guys must have blinders on. Go check the stat line. Over 50% of the CPU shots are one-timers. In 2k, this was the only way to score. In NHL 08, the is the CPU's dominant way of scoring.

Then you are not playing defense. I stand by the fact that I'm not seeing it. I don't have blinders on but I think you might have tunnel-vision. Here's my proof:

I meant to say dominate way of shooting. Anyway, I've gotten it down too but its still too high IMO.

A one-timer isn't easy in the real game.

[Jimmydeicide]

Curious if anybody wants to try a Goalie vs. Goalie game with me? Don't know if that's possible, is it? That would be crazy.

I think if you did 'team play' you could both just player lock as goalies. I'd think that would be pretty boring, though, with all CPU skaters on the ice, especially since in 'team play' you can't hear the other team on the voice chat. Well, I suppose we could start a voice chat in the guide, actually, but anyway. . . .

Now, if we were two on two, I would definitely be more than willing to try it. For me, though, goalie control is tailor-made for three on three. Two guys playing the skaters, enough guys for nice chatter on the team, and you and me commanding our creases - bring it ON!

One thing that bummed me in a two on two game last night was when there was a penalty shot. I pulled down GameSeven on a breakaway, and he was awarded the penalty shot. Unfortunately, I couldn't become the goalie, and even if I had, I'm not sure if it would have put the camera in the normal goalie place, since the penalties use that crazy, super-close camera deal. If I were already player locked onto goalie, I'd hope it would keep the camera the same for the penalty shot, but I'm not sure, because I seem to remember in penalty shoot-outs in last year's game, you could become the goalie, but it was really tough because the camera was behind the skater.

Actualy last night during team play when rob and you quit it left me and g7 to play against each other and we could here each other during the game although not a lot was said i believe you may be able to talk to each other.

[vader29]

I played a game as the goalie last night and they really did a great job with this mode. The game started out with my Penguins in the offensive zone for probably the first 5 minutes or so but when the play finally came down to my end it was a very tense feeling in a good way, I ended up giving up 4 goals on 17 shots to the Ducks, game was tied 3-3 with less than a minute to go when I let the winning goal go through the 5 hole.