Bone crushing hits, amazing saves, breakaway goals; this is what hockey is all about. One mistake can cost you one or more goals. To be able to unify and become part of a team never felt better in EA’s newest addition to the NHL series. Although there are flaws, NHL 08 still packs a punch and deserves all the praise it gets. The 2k series certainly has a lot of catching up to do with its version of the skill stick while EA just keeps moving right along.

NHL 94 Anyone? 

I have never had this much fun with a hockey console game since the days of NHL 94, probably one of the greatest sports game of all time. In retrospect, NHL 08 is much like NHL 94 in several ways. You could argue that in NHL 94, the addition of the one-timer is similar to that of the addition of the refined skill stick in NHL 07. With brighter graphics and refined gameplay elements, NHL 08 is quite possible the greatest sports game of this next-generation. So, can anyone agree that EA has finally given us our dream hockey game of the year? Does this deserve sports title of the year? I certainly think so! 

Defining the ‘Skill Stick’ 

Last year in NHL 07, EA introduced the skill stick in which players were able to control a hockey stick like never before. Your skill stick was your hockey stick. You can even pull off a fake, called a deke, by using the skill stick. All the dekes and moves players have ever wanted to do in a hockey game are now yours to control. If mastered, you could become a monster on the ice and score goals like there’s no tomorrow. That is, of course, if you don’t run into a defender or get robbed by the opposing goalie first. 

While you may be able to deke players out on the offensive, opposing players can now deke you out as well. Defending the play is just as crucial as going on the offensive. As the defending player, you can deliver a bone crushing hip check as they cross the blue line or poke-check the puck right out from under their nose. EA has certainly made sure to cover both sides of the field. 

A Deeper Dynasty 

What’s made this title even more entertaining is the ability to create your own ‘everything’. Players can now create plays, add them to their playbook and practice them in practice mode. If you want to be even more creative, you can create your own player and organization. 

The A.I is certainly more challenging this time around. EA’s motto this year is “No game is the same” and that is certainly true. Don’t expect to just run over teams and expect to have a 9 game win streak. Goalies and opposing players step it up and can create scoring chances, just like you, if you’re careless. You must be able to react on the fly and make sure you don’t give the opposing team a second to go against you. While fighting is still there, it is not as much fun as it sounds. You have to time your punches and players go by a meter to determine who will get the knockout. Fights don’t happen as often as I would like, but it’s not an overwhelming flaw. The AI certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s a first step into a larger world. 

With the new skating engine you really feel like you are reaching out with the player and are getting the feel of what’s it like to be in the action of a real hockey game. Your analog control is your skates. However, it feels like all players are stone walls and they seem to be only brought down by a hip-check or just a plain old body check. It would be a nice touch if players fell on the ice more often, since nobody’s perfect. In all my years of following hockey, I have seen players lose their edge and fall. 

That Special Touch

While I will certainly miss the fact that the NHL lost its contract with ESPN, you can still hear two great commentators giving you the play-by-play game in and game out. Gary Thorne and Bill Clement lend you their voices in a more realistic broadcast of every game. With realistic arena models and crowd noises, you will certainly feel like you’re on the ice with your fellow teammates. 

Goalie mode is something that was unexpected and it was something that had gone un-noticed in previous games. What I like about goalie mode is that you are able to control your goalie with the skill stick and make amazing saves on your own. The goalie mode is a bit more freeform and thus difficult to keep up with. You will give up a lot of goals when you first give it a run. It is rewarding, though, when you make that one save to help your team. 

Another great addition to this year’s title is the AHL roster. You can now call up and send down players to the minors. While you can play as your favorite team in the NHL league, you can also play through the season as your favorite AHL team. You can switch back and forth between the two dynasties and still move players or make trades as well. 

Online is certainly Fun 

EA has finally given die-hard fans online leagues to compete with. Players can create their own leagues and invite players to games based on the specific settings you set. NHL 08 allows you to invite as many players as you want to the league and gather a specific ruling on number of games played. All of this is tied into a standings system as well. 

With the newest update you can now play 6 vs. 6 players online, although the one thing that brings this title down is the connectivity issues. With the roster updates after the beginning of the season and the trade deadline, it is almost impossible to get a decent match started. You have to make sure you have a solid connection and it is highly recommended that you use a broadband connection. However, the online matches are certainly fun and it is fun to challenge other players. 

The title suffers from extreme lag in some cases. Whenever you do get into a game, you might want to watch out for frozen or lag filled matches. If one person has a bad connection, you’re all going down.

Look at those Graphics! 

The player models and animations are kicked into high gear in NHL 08. Get your 480p HDTV’s and have a blast! Player models, while not photo realistic, are realistic enough to get by. Jersey’s and logos are sharp and clean as if you were really watching the players on the ice. The same can be said of the animations, although a little repetitive at times, it’s not something you would consider a major flaw. 

Are you really there? 

The sound is pure gold when given the blasted through your Dolby surround sound system. You can hear the roars of the crowd, the players’ skates on the ice as they rush  and the puck hitting your stick before an icing. You can also hear your coach screaming the playbook, which gives you hints as to where you should take your set up and shots. The commentators give you the ultimate authentic feel as if you were watching a real broadcast on TV. It’s even more chilling when you’re in the playoffs playing as your favorite team and all you hear from the crowd is “WE WANT THE CUP!” repeatedly. The fan chants are even more exciting as they chant your teams name and even your goalie’s name whenever they make an amazing save. 

Plasma Factor

NHL 08 is one title that every hockey fan should give a shot. 2k’s series is certainly taking its sweet time to catch up with their version of the skill stick and in my mind is a bit more complicated than that of EA’s. EA released a formula that if given another year or two to develop, will give us something even greater then this years outing. General gamers might want to give this a rental if you are new to the series and have an interest in the game. EA’s NHL 08 is fun and rewarding, although with some of its drawbacks, it still packs a punch in the hockey console world.

Conclusion

NHL 08 will provide gamers with a very fun gaming experience. The addition and further tweaking of the skill stick further creates a more realistic experience. Also, the online mode allows gamers to play against friends or strangers on Xbox Live and further extends the life of this game. If you are going to purchase one hockey game this year, it should definitely be NHL 08.