NHL 08

I can easily say without a doubt that this is not only the best EA hockey game since NHL 05, but quite possibly the best hockey game ever. Fans can be happy to know that the series they grew up loving has finally delivered in all department to create the most realistic and authentic hockey game on the market. Second place is the first loser, and that means you 2K Hockey.

Part of what makes this game so fantastic is that it has the same joyful resonance as those mid-'90s NHL classics. The good times are back.

NHL 08 manages to improve on last year’s already great hockey game. If you were a fan of last year’s effort, NHL 08 won’t disappoint.

NHL 08 manages to improve on last year’s already great hockey game. If you were a fan of last year’s effort, NHL 08 won’t disappoint.

NHL 08 manages to improve on last year's already great hockey game. If you were a fan of last year's effort, NHL 08 won't disappoint.

While I am starting to enjoy the current NHL games, they just don’t match the excitement I felt watching Gretzky, Lemieux, and all the other greats. I’m going to miss my classic teams this year. EA has converted me. The amazing graphics and overall experience earn EA the GCM editor’s choice award this year, but they still have room for improvement. If they keep up this level of improvement, NHL 09 is going to be amazing!

With all said, it's no surprise that NHL 08 is this years best hockey game offering. Adding vastly improved gameplay to last years impressive control scheme ensures EA's hold on the title of Best Hockey Game Yet Devised. 2K Sports is relegated to a distant second-place, plagued by overly complicated controls, a badly designed interface, and subpar gameplay. Another year will have to pass before we can see if 2K can turn the tide once again in their favor.

Electronic Arts has produced some pretty good hockey games to date, but none of them can match the gameplay quality and the depth of NHL 08. EACA fixed what it had to in order to clean up the gameplay, while at the same time loading NHL 08 with the kind of offline and online features fans have been asking for since forever. Bottom line: Pick NHL 08 up if you’re looking for the best console hockey game ever produced.

In the end, EA has excelled in creating its smartest, deepest hockey game to date. Almost every complaint -- with the exception of no classic teams -- has been addressed from NHL 07. The result is an evolution into a full-blown hockey simulation rather than arcade shoot-em-up/checking fest. If you know hockey and appreciate the subtle nuances of the sport, then NHL 08 is the greatest thing since the Outdoor Life Network.

Even so, hockey fans and casual sports gamers alike will love NHL 08, as its simple yet deep controls invite all comers to the ice. This season, everyone should take a sip from NHL 08's Stanley Cup.

NHL 08 is a great entry to the NHL series, presenting some great new gameplay modes, vastly improved on-ice play, and some excellent graphics. A must-have for serious hockey fans.

Despite the poor online modes, the rest of the game is nothing short of stellar. With all of the new tweaks and gameplay options, NHL 08 is worth the time of any hockey fan. Not only has EA managed to prove that this is indeed the coolest game on Earth, it's also one of the best sports titles of the year.

NHL 08 has brought hockey back to the forefront of sports video gaming. With intuitive controls, exciting gameplay and a one-two punch of audio and visual goodness, this game has just about everything that any hockey gamer could want. There is still some tuning that can be done to the game and some features that could be added in future iterations, but for now, NHL 08 can be considered an instant classic.

Online play has been improved with the addition of support for both league and co-op play. Online leagues can consist of 2 to 32 teams made up of NHL, AHL, or international teams. Each league has a lobby that lets you see who else is online and who's available for a game. The co-op team play supports up to six players, three on a side, and you can specify whether to use player switching or to lock each gamer to an individual player. You'll occasionally run into some lag while playing online, but overall the online experience is a good one and it's nice to see the additional modes added in NHL 08.

Despite the poor online modes, the rest of the game is nothing short of stellar. With all of the new tweaks and gameplay options, NHL 08 is worth the time of any hockey fan. Not only has EA managed to prove that this is indeed the coolest game on Earth, it's also one of the best sports titles of the year.

Still room to improve, but with NHL ’08 EA Sports is heralding a new step forward for the franchise. This is not so much about competing with other NHL titles, but rather finding the right groove and delivering an experience in line with the sport itself. NHL ’08 does just that. This is not only a challenging game, but a whole lot of fun to play.

With reservations about some of the stick-based defense mechanics and the essentially all-or-nothing dynasty effort, I can't call NHL 08 the perfect hockey video game. However, if EA cautiously continues in the same vein with next year's title, I indeed may be labeling NHL 09 perfect, or as near as we're ever going to get in sports gaming. There's no competition for the cup in hockey games this year: NHL 08 sweeps the final series. No game is ever the same. Some are far better than others.

I called Skill Stick one of the greatest innovations in sports videogames last year and now that EA has had another year to fine-tune the system, and add a new skating engine, NHL 08 is the best game on ice. The speed, the flow, the control, it’s perfect. The Dynasty Mode has seen improvements as well. There’s even online league support, though it’s a little bare-bones at the moment. Still, how can you complain about a game that has gotten better in every respect since last season? You can’t. If you’re a hockey fan, you have to check NHL 08 out.

NHL 08 is the kind of makeover that this series has been waiting for for years. Some of the annual updates have been little more than trying to gloss over the flaws. NHL 08 has stripped away the gloss, fixed the issues and then added an even shiner coat over the top. The focus on improving the gameplay experience pays off so well and makes the matches ten times more fun than they've been before, especially in the multiplayer mode where the game is more realistic and immersive than ever. This is now as good a multiplayer experience as FIFA or Pro Evo on their best days. What better recommendation could you have? NHL is now back with the big boys of the sports sims.

I called Skill Stick one of the greatest innovations in sports videogames last year and now that EA has had another year to fine-tune the system, and add a new skating engine, NHL 08 is the best game on ice. The speed, the flow, the control, it’s perfect. The Dynasty Mode has seen improvements as well. There’s even online league support, though it’s a little bare-bones at the moment. Still, how can you complain about a game that has gotten better in every respect since last season? You can’t. If you’re a hockey fan, you have to check NHL 08 out.

For years, 2K's brand of hockey was a step above EA as a true simulation of the sport. But give credit where it is due, EA finally chucked its desire to marry arcade fun with its simulation and finally got hockey right. NHL 08 has a few nagging flaws -- occasionally suspect team AI, clipping issues, and a lack of ESPN flavor -- but it has nailed the gameplay. And really, isn't it gameplay that matters most?

I was a bit worried that moving toward a slower, sim-based game would hurt the experience, but I found that it’s just as intense.

Well, neither for the moment. And can you blame me? Halo 3 and Orange Box have pretty much obliterated any possibility of me going back to play either for at least another month or until the Christmas party season kicks in. But from my experience so far, it’ll likely be NHL 08 that gets dropped into the 360.

In pretty much every single regard, NHL 08 is a significant step up from the series' current-gen debut last year. It's got more content, exciting gameplay, and legitimate smarts to its game. Some issues certainly knock 08 back from being a truly superb effort, such as the online issues and the few remaining control irritations. But by and large, this is a terrific game of hockey that's both realistic and thrilling to play, a combo that's often difficult to achieve in sports games. If you love hockey, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

I was a bit worried that moving toward a slower, sim-based game would hurt the experience, but I found that it’s just as intense.

In pretty much every single regard, NHL 08 is a significant step up from the series' current-gen debut last year. It's got more content, exciting gameplay, and legitimate smarts to its game. Some issues certainly knock 08 back from being a truly superb effort, such as the online issues and the few remaining control irritations. But by and large, this is a terrific game of hockey that's both realistic and thrilling to play, a combo that's often difficult to achieve in sports games. If you love hockey, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

All in all, along with NHL 2K8, NHL 08 is also a fantastic hockey game. Each game has its ups and downs and trade-offs. Ultimately, I encourage you to play both. I'm not saying to buy them, it'd be crazy to spend $120 on two baseball games. But I highly suggest you spend a few bucks to rent both to decide and see which one suits your tastes more. Gameplay is just about equal between both, but if you're the type where visuals make or break a game for you, then you may want to sway towards NHL 08. Otherwise, run, don't walk, and check out both. You'll be happy that you did.

If you are a hockey fan then you need this game. It’s as simple as that. Whilst it won’t last you forever, it is an extremely enjoyable game with a lot of replay value due to the online play and other multiplayer modes. EA has done a great job on the whole and it’s good to see a large improvement from the previous games. In short—this is the best hockey game yet by a long shot.

The commentators are very much in tune with the action, and even admonished me on one occasion for "going back to the well" and using the same ineffective shot over and over. NHL 08's pop music soundtrack is far more appealing than 2K8's head-banging bull-[expletive]. Between periods the game provides a "scouting report" and even offers advice to each player. Unfortunately, the game lacks that televised presentation that sports fans find appealing, and there are few bells and whistles. Even so, with its user-friendly controls and realistic gameplay, NHL 08 is an easy choice for hockey fans this season.

In the end what matters most is that this is, bar none, the finest NHL game EA Sports has ever produced. Fans of the original Sega Genesis versions who eventually turned away from this series because the magic was gone absolutely need to give NHL 08 a fresh look. And fans of more recent editions will find plenty of value here to justify the recurring $60 investment. There are flaws in this game, make no mistake, but the fun factor of playing the game more than overcomes its shortcomings. This is not only one of the best hockey games out there, but also one of EA Sports' finest efforts overall, regardless of the sport.

Die analoge Steuerung wurde verfeinert, endlich gibt es umfangreiches Training und endlich sind Dekes effektiver. EA hat an den richtigen Stellen Feintuning angesetzt, so dass dieses Eishockey gegenüber dem Vorjahr an Qualität gewonnen hat. Es ist auf einem guten Weg Richtung anspruchsvolle Simulation - dazu trägt auch der gelungene Laufwege-Editor bei. Aber sieht es wesentlich besser aus? Nein. Fühlt es sich wesentlich anders an? Nein, aber etwas besser. Unterm Strich bietet die Spielmechanik noch zu wenig, um für ausgezeichnete Unterhaltung zu sorgen und der Konkurrenz von NHL 2K8 wirklich Paroli zu bieten.

If you skipped out on the 2007 update to this game and are itching for new rosters, a better control scheme and some nasty looking new jerseys, EA’s title does satisfy all those requirements. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to play 2k8 to make a judgment on which NHL title takes the cup this year, but I can safely rank this title as recommended thanks to its improvements.

Très bon cru que ce NHL 08. S'il n'apporte pas de grosses nouveautés, il offre une expérience de jeu fort convaincante, un réalisme technique assez impressionnant et demeure accessible tout en gardant un côté très technique. Les fans craqueront, c'est sûr.

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.

Between getting all the aesthetics right and offering stellar gameplay, NHL 08 has an awful lot going for it, and I'm sure it will please longtime fans of the series. I was legitimately shocked, however, by the callous, alienating disregard it shows to anyone who isn't a longtime fan of the series. Once I got the hang of the controls, I had a great time playing it. I just wished the game's developers had been willing to meet all the newcomers to the franchise halfway. Every videogame is somebody's first, and if NHL 08 was someone's first hockey game, there's a good chance they'd be so frustrated they wouldn't stick around for 09.

Despite our reservations about picking up another sports license, we came away pleasantly surprised. NHL 08 is one of the finest depictions of the sport so far and we're actually looking forward to what next year's iteration will offer. And it's not very often we say something like that.

No matter which version you play, you'll dig the control improvements, the challenging AI and the attractive graphics. Whether or not NHL 08 checks 2K Sports' NHL 2K8 into the boards remains to be seen, but regardless, EA did a superb job, and you need to play this game, whether you appreciate the sport or despise it.

For hockey fans, NHL 08 is the best hockey offering this year. For non-hockey fans, it's a fun game, but not a must-buy sports title.

Much like the way FIFA has changed its game to emulate Pro Evo and thus left little choice in the football market, so EA's choice to rival its nearest competitor head-on in the hockey genre leaves the more casual gamer without an option B. At the end of the day though, EA have simply gone out to make an as enthrallingly entertaining and accurate hockey simulation as they could - and they have succeeded spectacularly.

NHL 08 is one of the most refined sports updates we've seen for quite some time.

No matter which version you play, you'll dig the control improvements, the challenging AI and the attractive graphics. Whether or not NHL 08 checks 2K Sports' NHL 2K8 into the boards remains to be seen, but regardless, EA did a superb job, and you need to play this game, whether you appreciate the sport or despise it.

NHL 08 is by far one of the more impressive NHL titles in the past few years. EA really hasn’t added a major feature this year, but it’s the way the hockey looks and feels that really separates this game from the rest of the pack. NHL 08 is one of those games that manages to put everything together in one complete package, and NHL 08 is really a complete hockey package.

If you are a hockey fan then you need this game. It’s as simple as that. Whilst it won’t last you forever, it is an extremely enjoyable game with a lot of replay value due to the online play and other multiplayer modes. EA has done a great job on the whole and it’s good to see a large improvement from the previous games. In short—this is the best hockey game yet by a long shot.

Yleissilmäyksellä lätkä on lätkää tänäkin vuonna, eikä se siitä muuksi muutu. En edelleenkään jaksa ymmärtää niitä, jotka juoksevat tukka putkella pelikauppaan joka jumalan vuosi ostamaan sarjan uusimman osan, jossa uutta ovat lähinnä tuoreemmat pelaajalistat. Itse suosin edelleen alelaarista hyvinkin edukkaasti löytyviä edellisvuoden osia.

For hockey fans, NHL 08 is the best hockey offering this year. For non-hockey fans, it's a fun game, but not a must-buy sports title.

Time to pull the goalie and take the last shot. The overbalanced difficulty and convoluted control issues just made this game unfun for me to play. There is plenty for a rabid fan to do here with the many game modes, but when it comes right down to it, there is a huge barrier for anyone else to enjoy the game. This would almost warrant it two separate scores, one high for content and one low for actual gameplay. But, since that isn't how we roll here, we are going to have say it just came out average.

NHL 08 blijft een dijk van een simulatie, dit keer echter zonder veel vernieuwing en met een AI die soms steken laat vallen.

Time in the cooler has allowed our favorite frozen sport (sorry, curling) some time to roll out genuine improvements. The enhanced AI isn't quite a cure-all for 07's passive defences, but it does bring a satisfying, sim-like feel to the franchise for the first time in years. Play creation, minor league play and deflection physics are a few of the non-gimmicks we get, but a handful of on-ice issues frustrate now and then. The online offering is likewise brilliant-but-bugged. All in all, an excellent ice hockey game, but one that would've benefited from one last run-over from the zamboni.

NHL 08 is the finest hockey game on the PS2 to date, although the versions on the next-gen consoles are preferable if you have the choice. While only simply an update of a very good game with a few extra intriguing features that work well, the presentation is as polished as the ice you skate upon and if you haven't bought an NHL game for a while or indeed you've never played a hockey game before then it's well worth a look - owners of NHL 07 meanwhile will have to decide whether the new tweaks and features are worth the expense. Wow, I managed to go a whole review without mentioning ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Oh, wait, I just did... dammit!

The game is, in many ways, a typical EA product: the robust engine, entertaining matches, slick presentation and attractive graphics mean that it's a good enough game, but it's punished by the lack of innovation borne out of a corporate culture that demands yearly updates to please shareholders. It'll still sell in huge numbers, especially in North America, and will entertain anyone who picks it up - it's just a shame that EA aren't willing to invest more time in an already well-produced game to make it even better.

Beyond these meager distinctions, NHL 08 really just is another coat of paint over the same basic game EA has been releasing for years. Graphics have seen next to no improvement beyond a few improved goalie animations and slightly better player faces, and the audio hasn't changed a lick, right down to the same repetitive commentary from Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson that's been recycled to death at this point. While it's certainly no shock that the PS2 version would get this treatment, since it is an aging platform, the PC version's neglect is both surprising and irritating. There's no reason why EA couldn't port the 360 or PS3 version of the game to the PC at this point, and that it hasn't yet is just kind of disgusting. Either way, neither the PS2 nor PC versions of NHL 08 should be your first, or even second, choice for a hockey game this year.

Fjolårets lir har fått en välbehövlig patch och är nu bättre på alla punkter. EA Sports cyniska inställning till oss spelare börjar dock gå oss på nerverna.

Either way, neither the PS2 nor PC versions of NHL 08 should be your first, or even second, choice for a hockey game this year.

If you skipped out on the 2007 update to this game and are itching for new rosters, a better control scheme and some nasty looking new jerseys, EA's title does satisfy all those requirements. Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to play 2k8 to make a judgment on which NHL title takes the cup this year, but I can safely rank this title as recommended thanks to its improvements.

Last year, when NHL 07 and competitor NHL 2K7 first started to distinguish their control schemes from each other, I felt they played similarly but 2K Sports won with a longer feature list. This year, as 2K8 lags with its overcomplicated controls, EA has managed to slip by. NHL 08 is imperfect, but with its simple gameplay and its clean presentation, it’s somehow on track to lead the league and push it forward.

Last year, when NHL 07 and competitor NHL 2K7 first started to distinguish their control schemes from each other, I felt they played similarly but 2K Sports won with a longer feature list. This year, as 2K8 lags with its overcomplicated controls, EA has managed to slip by. NHL 08 is imperfect, but with its simple gameplay and its clean presentation, it’s somehow on track to lead the league and push it forward.