When it comes to
hitting the virtual ice in a face-off between your favorite NHL hockey teams,
the NHL 2K games has long been the example of what a great hockey game
looks and feels like on your favorite console. With each yearly release, the
franchise adjusted many of the things that didn’t work and added a slew of
features that helped make the game more realistic. Well, NHL 2K8 looks as
realistic as it gets but, on the PS3, the game just doesn’t feel as spectacular
as previous installments.
For my money,
the NHL 2K8 delivers in many of the aspects that made the NHL 2K
series such a treat in the past but when it comes to the controls this is where
the game really dropped the ball, um, or puck in this case. That’s right, this
year there’s a clear winner and it’s EA Sports’ NHL 08 for the PS3. Sure,
there are improvements to the gameplay, visuals and the Franchise mode, but when
it comes to what counts – namely the control scheme – this year’s game
disappoints just slightly.
Let’s get to
some of the things the game does get right. All the returning favorite game
modes are back so you can come to expect Season mode, Tournament mode and
Challenge. There are even some of the familiar extra mini-games such as Battle
Mode, Mini-Rink and Pond Hockey. You can create your very own team with players
you create or recruit into your roster. This year, though, Franchise Mode is one
of the best improvements to the series and will have you playing it for quite a
long time. It’s a deep, involving experience that puts you behind the desk in
charge of your favorite team’s schedule and just about every other aspect of
your team’s every movements. You will be keeping an eye on your players and
their mood, enter into a realistic simulation of off-season negotiations while
dealing with agents for signing those free agents. It’s really one of the most
interesting and worthwhile game modes new and returning fans will delight in
playing.
There are some
interesting new moves as well such as the Superstar Moves feature that allows
you to pull off various moves that really should have been a part of the series
for a long time now. Better late than never, right? These moves include through
the legs shots, a spin pick up, double deke, drag ‘n’ drop and even a fake
whiff. The face-off system has changed, allowing you to use the right analog
stick to move the hockey stick the spot where you think the puck will drop. It’s
an interesting concept that adds a surprisingly challenging element to face-offs
and it works nicely. ProStick allows you to control specific and commands with
just a flick of the analog stick while leaving the face buttons alone. This
makes puck handling pretty challenging even when taking control of power players
such as cover athlete Joe Thornton.
Unfortunately,
on the PlayStation 3, the controls actually feel awkward at times and require
gamers new and old to pay more attention to the tutorial to relearn the new
control scheme. There are some questionable control decisions – like assigning
the neat Crease Control feature to the Select button and penalty shots are taken
with the R1 button. The opponent AI is actually smarter this year but it also
manages to turn the tables on you in mid-game in the most unrealistic manner.
There’s also online multiplayer but it suffers from framerate stutter.
Graphically
speaking, NHL 2K8 is quite a beauty when it comes to the player models
that look quite stunning on the ice. Really, this year’s game has outdone itself
with meticulous facial details and more realistic animations that look like a
true televised experience. Adding the NHL style signature moves just adds more
to the player movements. The overall presentation has also improved slightly but
sadly, the crowd animation still looks like it did in past PS2 games. Still,
it’s a small complaint seeing as the arenas look true to the real thing.
When it comes to
the game’s sound, on the other hand, the arena sounds aren’t as detailed as the
visuals and the two-man commentary team of Harry Neale and Bob Cole adds some
more player facts and some personal touches but as far as adding any substance
to their commentary you won’t find it this year. In fact, much of what you’ll
hear is recycled often. Thankfully, the soundtrack is pretty good and the indie
rock tunes (Tokyo Police Club to name a few) are actually really good.
A few control
gripes aside, NHL 2K8 for the PlayStation 3 is an energetic hockey game
that might not deliver the best hockey game this year but it’s one fans of the
franchise will certainly enjoy. Forget the fact that there’s no SIXAXIS motion
sensor action, it’s the weak control scheme that just doesn’t work the way it
should considering the fact that the series has done it right on the PS2. As a
dedicated fan of the NHL 2K games, I found enough to like about this
year’s edition but from a technical standpoint it’s clear that EA Sports’ NHL
08 is this year’s winner of the Stanley Cup.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Somehow,
NHL 2K8 doesn’t feel quite right control-wise despite the fact that there
are some interesting new additions to the gameplay such as the Superstar Moves
and the new face-offs. This year’s Franchise mode really delivers and is the
highlight of the game.
Graphics: 9.0
The realistic
player models will not fail to drop jaws and the animations are as real as they
get but somehow 2K Sports just can’t get the crowd right even on a
next-generation console. Still, the stadiums look great and the overall
presentation is just as good as a televised match.
Sound: 8.0
Last year’s
commentary exactly great and this year it’s pretty much more of the same. There
are some hard-hitting tunes from the likes of Korn as well as some decent indie
rock and Cinemotion is back so the music inserts itself nicely within a match.
The sound effects are just Ok.
Difficulty:
Medium
The opponent
AI offers up quite a challenge in the best possible way and then again, the AI
works in favor of the opposing team in the most unfair way. Many of the teams
play the way you expect them to play but this is a game where even the weakest
team can score like crazy.
Concept: 8.5
Whether you
like creating your own team filled with created and real players or you like
your Franchise modes pretty deep then there’s a lot to like about this game. All
the usual game modes make a return and there are some interesting new elements
to the gameplay. Online the game runs like a dream.
Multiplayer:
8.0
Online you can
even customize your own match the way you see fit but on the PS3, the game’s
framerate is not as smooth as the offline mode. It’s a bit annoying when the
framerate stutter occurs during key moments in the match such as when you’re
challenging the goalkeeper.
Overall: 8.5
NHL 2K8
for the PS3 is
a step back for the series but it’s still a hockey game with enough good moves
to make this a solid sports game. Unfortunately, the controls cramp the game’s
style and the opponent AI is about the only unrealistic thing about the game but
then again the franchise mode is wonderfully deep. Sorry, 2K Sports but EA
Sports’ game is by far the better hockey game this year.
