NHL 08 review (Xbox 360)

Something strange seems to be happening over at EA Sports. The new instalments of its sports games appear to be getting better, rather than being exactly the same as last years, or in some cases in the past, worse.

Just look at FIFA 08. Possibly one of the best FIFA games they have ever made, with the introduction of new features that fans have been crying out for. Granted there are still things that could be done to improve FIFA 08, but overall a great game that got a 9 from us. Madden 08 has also introduced new features that the fans have been calling for and in most parts, these new features have improved the game.

Getting Attention

Then we come to NHL 08. Now I haven’t played an EA version of an NHL game for quite some time now, the 2K games have got my attention over the past few years. I enjoy the big hits you manage to get from that series of games and to be honest; it’s the hits that draw me to the sport. But I honestly couldn’t tell you whether this is the best NHL game EA have ever released. What I can tell you is… I quite like it!

I like the season based Dynasty Mode. It’s a mode that you won’t just be playing hockey games in. You will also have to make decisions on the business side of things, such as the price of tickets, amount of fan giveaways during a season and of course, all of these will affect your overall takings and supporter happiness. Any signings you make will have to be considered even more than normal. No longer can you just take into account how they will fit into the team, but also the salary cap limitations that are imposed on you – if of course you decide to turn that option on.

Moving Forward

But, EA seem to be trying to take their sports games forward and NHL 08 sees the introduction of another series. No longer do you just have to play as one of the NHL teams, now you can play as an AHL team – the feeder league to the NHL.

Now this probably won’t be a big deal to us Brits. I’ll be honest; I didn’t even know the AHL existed. So I believe this feature is more for the Americans and Canadians – the people that let’s be honest, this game is aimed at. But the introduction of the affiliated teams is a nice one. Should you find your NHL team suddenly has an injury crisis, or your form is poor and you need a solution pretty quickly, you can bring up a player from the AHL team you are connected with and it even works the other way. As long as a player has a two way contract, if he is playing bad, or not getting a game, pack him off to the AHL for a bit of game time.

Appealing to the wider audience

While we are on the subject of new introductions to the game, I think now is a perfect time for me to talk about the new feature that I think us Brits will enjoy more than the gamers over the pond. Say hello to the Creation Zone and the introduction of Team Creator.

Here you can create your very own team and use them in Dynasty Mode. Choose your teams name, colours, world location and then pick your players, again with the salary cap hanging over your head. There isn’t much more I can really say about the create a club feature. After all that’s all you can do. But it is a nice little feature that EA have introduced, is new and deserves a little mention.

There is one other major mode to the NHL 08 game and that’s EA Sports World Tournament. You choose the National teams that you want to compete and also the rules. Then play the games to decide which Nation is the best in the world.

Game on!

Whichever game mode you do decide to play, you’re going to take to the ice and more than likely will receive a little shock. This game is hard when you first start. No arguments. I think even the best players of this game would slightly struggle. If you are a new comer to the game there is a lot for you to try and take in and remember. Shooting is fairly simply. Using what EA call Skill Stick, the analogue stick acts the same way as a hockey stick. Move the analogue stick back and your stick moves back. Combine this with a forward movement and your player will take a shot.

Penalties, penalties and more penalties.

The shooting is simple, directing it and scoring a little harder. But still, on rookie even a newbie could score one or two in their first few games. But defending; now that’s a different story. Even using the classic controls rather than the analogue stick will see you struggle. Body checking takes a lot of practice, as well as timing and a certain amount of technique. A lot of the time you’ll either miss, give your opposing player a little nudge who will then carry on his merry way, or you’ll end up giving away a penalty for either interference or elbowing.

The stick check also is at times less than useless. You’ll sometimes manage to get to the puck and push it away for a small breather, or again you’ll give away a penalty for tripping. The defending aspect of the game is very difficult and reading some comments from fans of the series, it appears that this year it seems a lot more difficult and at times non-existent. But eventually the defence side of the game will come to you and you should begin to limit your opposition to the one goal a game.

It’s all about the looks...

Other than the difficulty in defending, the controls and actual Gameplay is slick, quick and responsive. The game looks good, with the stadium lights reflecting off the ice, skate marks show up on the ice and the amount of graphical detail that has gone into NHL 08 makes this one of the best looking sports games on the Xbox 360.

…and sounds!

EA has also gone out of its way to make it sound good. Keep the puck between your players with a succession of passes while playing away will start to grate on the opposition fans, who will start to boo. More than likely because you’re embarrassing their team and making them look daft. Score a goal or perform a good move and hear the crowd sound their appreciation. Again, one of the best sounding sports games I have heard.

The opinion.

I have to say all in all, NHL 08 is a great game for Ice Hockey fans. If you are looking for an Ice Hockey game with lots of big hits and injuries then NHL 08 isn’t for you. However, if you’re looking for a good looking, great playing game that makes you think and actually challenges you, then look no further than NHL 08. With the promise of Roster updates over Live, the ability to create your own plays, teams and players, I can’t see what else hockey fans could want in a game, or another game that could beat NHL 08 for fun and playability.