NHL 08
Preview
Crash, hit, bang, crash some more and... score!
by Chris Scott
previewed on X360
Creating plays
Plays you say? There are no plays in hockey; it’s all about speed and shooting the puck 80 times a game, isn’t it? Actually, no it isn’t. Having played hockey for many years I can tell you teams run a variety of plays, much like a basketball team does, but the speed of the game might make you believe that set plays are non-existent in the sport. For their part EA is attempting to bring this aspect to the players with the all new create a play mode. Players will be able to design plays for use on the rush or in the offensive zone, recording their player’s movements and setting up an on-ice trigger point for activation of the play. Dabblers in this mode may only make one or two plays for use but hardcore strategic hockey players will be filling up the 50 plus play slots that will be open to them.
Won’t these custom plays make the game too easy against a computer though? EA has already thought of that by creating an all-new dynamic AI. While the computer will play a standard defensive strategy to start with, it will also be scouting your tendencies in an attempt to alter its strategy and shut down your plays, forcing you to adjust your playing style.
In another attempt to adjust your playing style, EA has created goalie mode. In this third person mode you will control the goalie from in front of the pipes. You will be able to stack the pads, drop into the butterfly and make highlight reel glove saves all with an intuitive button press system. You will have complete control over your goaltender but with that control will also come the responsibilities of being the goaltender. Not only will you have to be alert when the puck is in your zone but you will have to be paying attention to the play on all parts of the ice. If the referee puts his arm up for a delayed penalty call, you will need to skate off before your team can utilize the extra attacker.
Sticking in new features
NHL 08 is packed with new features as mentioned above but some of the games’ old standby’s -including franchise and online- are also getting facelifts. The franchise mode is seemingly only getting a minor touch up, most notably with the addition of 29 American Hockey League teams, the top minor league affiliate of the NHL. You will be able to develop your future stars for their big league debut, as well as managing your team and keeping under the salary cap.
Care to venture out online with your favorite NHL, AHL or international team? If you do, you might be surprised at the changes EA has in store for you this fall. A new team mode and a shootout mode are all in place but the one most people will be excited for is the new online league mode. That’s right, you asked for it and EA finally listened. Leagues can be formed with two to 32 teams and the option to play each team up to eleven times. The virtual NHL you always wanted is just around the corner.
The NHL series has always been one of the most popular EA Sports games around and this year EA really seems to be improving on a lot of the overall gameplay aspects of the game as well as adding new modes for players to sink their teeth into. Will it be enough for EA to reign supreme as the video game hockey kings? We will have to wait until September to find out but as of right now it is looking very, very promising.
