EA Canada follows up last year’s solid effort with another great hockey game in NHL 08. The skill stick has been refined and is better than ever, and the improved AI and wealth of modes make this one of the best hockey titles yet. EA has fully committed to the simulation side of hockey rather than arcade-style like they used to do, but NHL 08 is very polished and has a great feel that will make you forget all about scoring ten goals a game and laying on a big hit every time down the ice.
Quick Hits
- Title: NHL 08
- Platform:Xbox 360
- Publisher: EA
- Developer: EA
- ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone
- Genre: NHL ice hockey
- Pros: Best control system of any hockey game ever; solid AI; lots of stuff to do
- Cons: Not as fast paced or hard hitting as previous EA hockey games
Features
The feature list in NHL 08 is much fuller than it was in 07. The dynasty mode has been improved significantly and offers extensive management, coaching, and even contract negotiation options. Dynasty mode also helped by the fact that all of the AHL teams have their full, real life rosters included as well, which means when you call someone up from the minors you are calling up a real player, which is very cool. There is also a nice practice mode in NHL 08 that lets you practice in a lot of different situations and scenarios. Another big addition is the play creator which allows you to set up paths for your players to follow.
Online play has also been improved. Up to six players can take to the ice at a time, three per team, and it is pretty cool when everything comes together and you can actually find a game with enough people. Another new feature is that you can create leagues with up to 32 teams. All in all, online play is very solid and a big attraction this year because there are a ton of options and modes to choose from.
Gameplay
EA
The gameplay is the real star here, however, and it is easily the most realistic we have seen in a hockey game yet. The skill stick has been tweaked and feels a bit tighter this year. Faking out the goalie and then putting the puck into the back of the net has never been more satisfying. One big change is that there isn’t a turbo boost button anymore, and the speed of your player is controlled entirely by the analog stick. To go slower or faster you move the stick a little less or a little more. It works fine, but makes the game feel like it is plodding along. The AI is smarter than ever in NHL 08, and scoring is quite a bit more difficult than in years past. It is all about making good passes and really executing well at the offensive end of the ice rather than just being a one man show, which makes the game far more realistic and ultimately more enjoyable. I have to admit, I rather liked the fast paced style of EA hockey games of the past, but the new controls and more satisfying gameplay overall do make you forget about the older games after a while.
Graphics and Sound
Graphically, NHL 08 is a very nice looking game. The arenas and crowd are fairly detailed and look great, and the players are very realistic and nice looking. The biggest improvement here comes in the improved animation. Particularly impressive are the new skating animations that really make it look like the players are connected to the ice rather than sort of floating on it.
The sound is also very good. Solid sounding action out on the ice and great commentary from Gary Thorne and Bill Clement make the game sound very authentic.
Bottom Line
EA
Overall, NHL 08 is easily the best hockey game EA has made yet, and is arguably one of the best hockey games ever. While some gamers might be turned off by the fact that this isn’t the fast paced and high scoring arcade-style hockey of years past, the new style is pretty easy to get used to because it gives you so much more control than we ever had before. It makes for a far more realistic and satisfying game that hardcore fans and casual hockey fans will both enjoy. I highly recommend giving NHL 08 at the very least a rental, but hockey fans will be happy with a purchase.
