2K Better Shape Up!!

[Savoie06]

No joke here,EA Sports is pulling out ALL the stops to knock 2k off its hockey throne.http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/900/900567/vids_1.html.
This is going to be an insanely great game and it will be hard for 2K to top even though they have made improvements this year.I cant imagine what they are going to add to EA's 09.GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER 2K!!

[gohabs93]

People said the same thing last yeer....

[Savoie06]

True but Ive seen alot more improvements from EA on last years game than I have 2K and they both needed plenty.Since 2K8 comes out first,shouldnt we be getting more from 2K than EA?

[95couver]

True but Ive seen alot more improvements from EA on last years game than I have 2K and they both needed plenty.Since 2K8 comes out first,shouldnt we be getting more from 2K than EA?

Logically yes! Realistically no! This is normal for 2K. This is just 1 of the few areas where they can't compete with EA, Marketing. EA started talkin about NHL 08 and Madden back in April. But u are right, though. They need to step it up for real. Even my eyebrows rose when reading and looking at the new features and gameplay.

[AJ2K7]

Does anyone notice EA tends to take features that are in the game and claim they are new. Just two examples I can think of are last year they said the same thing about the D you wont be able to do the same plays over and over because they will adapt but they talk this year like its new. Also the open ice button that you can put the puck ahead and skate to get it that was in 07 it was the RB but I think the only reason that you couldnt use it because no speed burst so you could never blow by the defender. Anyways I notice this in all the sports tittles they put out that they just repackage things or give them different names but on a whole the game does not change all that much. Anyone agree??

[AJ2K7]

Well after watching the video the only thing out of the gameplay I liked was the tips that should have been in the game last year and the slap passes. The open ice button was the same move you can pull off already using the skill stick I have been playing 07 a bit and I do that move put it by the D's legs and and skate and get it its just a dek you can do so nothing new. I was thinking it would be for like doing a little pass off the boards to yourself but it doesnt look like it couold be used for that. All the Deks look the same as last year the stick up over the defenders head so I dont think EA will compete in the deking department this year the 2k deking system is going to be sick. I donno it looks kinda cool but it looks like the same game with tips and slap passes.

[maball]

with EA's skating system can you skate backwards like you can in 2K7? i loved how smooth the skating engine in 2K's game was last year...

[gohabs93]

Every year EA says the goalies will adapt, that you will not be able to score similar goals against the same goalie during the same game. But, they never did it.

[Savoie06]

Every year EA says the goalies will adapt, that you will not be able to score similar goals against the same goalie during the same game. But, they never did it.
While EA is stating the goalies to be improved this year,it's the rest of the team that is also supposed to have the adaptive AI.We will find out for sure when the game is released.

[gohabs93]

Savoie, are you from quebec?

[Rei]

You know, EA does this every year. They hype their games and brainwash you into thinking their games are the best, then you go buy your EA NHL06 and it's basically an arcade game with a bunch of good ideas and features rolled into it.

This happens every year for me. I buy into EA hype regret my purchase and trade it in for 2k. Anyone who has been an NHL 2k fan and has played the franchise for a few years and then goes and plays EA NHL all say the same thing. It has an arcade style feel to it comparde to 2k's NHL sim.

I think the playmaking system is neat and the new checking/skating physics are awesome. But i cant play a hockey game for just those reasons. It has to feel like hockey, and sadly EA cant quite get that right in my opinion.

[Snow Soldier]

rei is pretty much on the ball. EA makes stuff that looks good, and plays like meat.

Like the new dekes, look AMAZING... watch a few videos and you notice weird glitching and the puck is a magnet and the whol animation is canned... EA knows this, but they make you beleive it's not by showign the perfect videos at the right angles...

2k8 has a video of spezza just playing with the puck and i know thats what it's going to look like in the final game.

Plus for the checking system in EA... it's canned again too. the momentum is a nice touch but you still magnet into a player and go through the animation. Not like 2k8 where you make the same check even if you glance or miss the guy, and then HIS reaction is based on speed size etc.

I want it to play and feel right, not look pretty in a trailer. EA can make it look liek they are improving but even the improvements are done badly, never polished and still leave a MILLION areas that 2k has refined, (like AI) that make any gimmick EA pushes my way pale in comparison

[Savoie06]

You know, EA does this every year. They hype their games and brainwash you into thinking their games are the best, then you go buy your EA NHL06 and it's basically an arcade game with a bunch of good ideas and features rolled into it.

This happens every year for me. I buy into EA hype regret my purchase and trade it in for 2k. Anyone who has been an NHL 2k fan and has played the franchise for a few years and then goes and plays EA NHL all say the same thing. It has an arcade style feel to it comparde to 2k's NHL sim.

I think the playmaking system is neat and the new checking/skating physics are awesome. But i cant play a hockey game for just those reasons. It has to feel like hockey, and sadly EA cant quite get that right in my opinion.
I understand your doubts and honestly Im cautiously optimistic about both games.Both companies have yet to make a truely fantastic hockey game.I've liked 2K and EA for several years now.Each has their own strengths and definate weaknesses.2K has seriously gotten more and more arcadish since 2K4 which I feel was the best hockey game to date.EA,while still quite a poor showing last year showed signs of finally heading towards "sim" style hockey.The goalies in 07 actually moved like real goalies,though their saves weren't on par.The skill stick was great for what it was and the atmosphere and sounds in the game are great as well.Everything else though was poor.
2K7 looked better than 2K6,but that wasnt saying much.The skating was great,as were the controls,and depth.The rest of the game was largely forgettable and the game was getting stale.This year Im really liking what Im hearing and seeing from EA.I like what little I have seen,however its not quite enough yet to really convince me I should buy the game.So I wouldnt say EA has brainwashed me,but they are giving me alot more to go on.

[suspectedkiller]

Man, advertising does pay off. I played 2K since Dreamcast and the old "with the howitzer!" everytime you take a slap shot. EA buys everything, you support EA and you will forever be stuck with EA. Their games are not fun... it makes me sick to hear people actually think they are better at making games. Like any overpaid yutz, they sit back and collect because they know they will just advertise you to death and you disinformed public buy buy buy. Honestly, anyone with half a brain knows what EA does, and if continuously being lying to you dosent teach you then go join a real hockey league and go get a life.

[Savoie06]

Man, advertising does pay off. I played 2K since Dreamcast and the old "with the howitzer!" everytime you take a slap shot. EA buys everything, you support EA and you will forever be stuck with EA. Their games are not fun... it makes me sick to hear people actually think they are better at making games. Like any overpaid yutz, they sit back and collect because they know they will just advertise you to death and you disinformed public buy buy buy. Honestly, anyone with half a brain knows what EA does, and if continuously being lying to you dosent teach you then go join a real hockey league and go get a life.
Ok,so because EA has the bucks to advertise their games and yes buy out the WEAK NFL[B] they are the devil.For the latter,I will agree,but I put as much blame on the NFL for letting it happen.EA tried the same thing last year with hockey and the NHL rejected the idea.It's apparent to me that 2K fans are as bad as any EA and will stick by the biggest piece of crap games.Oh,thats right,most 2K fans use to be EA fans.That is until 2K convinced them they made better sports games,which they did until 2K6.Now 2K fans just dont want to believe that their beloved 2K series just might be falling behind the competition.Despite the fact that EA is showing more improvements in their 08 hockey game than either company has bothered to show ever in a one year span.From the roboust create a player and create a team to the create a play.On top on those major additions,the obviously improved skating and online features.2K has shown what?Improved graphics([B]FINALLY) and the pro stick.Yes these are nice,but does it really make you think this game is going to that much better than 2K7?If you dont gather 08 being lightyears better than 07 then I would say you are in complete denial.If you aren't the least bit tempted by EA's hockey game over 2K8 then I would really ask yourself who is being brainwashed.Granted the real truth will come out when the games are released,but I know 2K fans will never admit it even if its true that EA's 08 ends up the better game.Seriously folks,2K5 plays better than anything 2K has released in next gen hockey.That should not be!!

[slammerxt]

When I was watching On the spot this week they played 08 and the game still looks as choppy as it always has.

[baandje]

When I was watching On the spot this week they played 08 and the game still looks as choppy as it always has.
I agree that it looks somewhat choppy in the transition animations. And I was surprised by that. The rest looked much smoother than last year though - combination of more animations plus the increased framerate. But yeah, that was very noticable. 2K has the advantage in that department for sure.

[FSOTG]

Just want to tell something about the best game thing.

You all have to remember that it's all about the players taste so even if NHL 08 (or 2K8) end up having far better ratings in magazines, the point is that maybe some people will still prefer the other game in all honesty, not because they're brainwash or dumb or fanboys...

[ohjtbehaaave]

Yeah 2K lost me with the CINEMOTION bull crap. I was all about NHL 2K... but then they WASTED a full f'ing year on some cinemotion BS and it's costing them big time. Being a hockey nut... NHL 08 is my most anticipated game this year. 2K should have been working on GAMEPLAY and INNOVATING instead of some jerky Cinemotion music mode. LAME! Not only did NHL 08 add online Leagues... but you can now play online with 3 players per team all from DIFFERENT 360 systems around the country! = AWESOMENESS!!! Let's go 2K... get on the stick already!