IGN has the new video `Special Moves'

[suspectedkiller]

OMG, did you guys see that new video where he lifts the puck and bats it into the goal!!!!! oooh and 2k brings out the big guns finally with less than a month left. Surely going to be a hit!!!! that skill stick looks truely amazing. I knew they would do it!!! its going to be one amazing game.

check ign out for the movies... prepare to salvate

[gohabs93]

AMAZING , I also like the way the goalies move!

[baandje]

Very nice. Big improvement from last year.

And Bob and Harry are AWFUL. Literally painful to listen to.

[Savoie06]

Yes thank 2K,thank you very much!!!The vids look nice,I will definately be buying this years edition now.

[The Tree]

I agree, it looks great. The game looks as smooth as ever but with what seems to be much better goalies, graphics, and more exciting offensive options. We just have to worry about the learning curve for the new control setup, or you could just go classic.

[FSOTG]

Very nice. Big improvement from last year.

And Bob and Harry are AWFUL. Literally painful to listen to.


You're so right on that, where the hell have they record those voices? It sounds very bad indeed.

[Savoie06]

You're so right on that, where the hell have they record those voices? It sounds very bad indeed.
I dont think the way they sound in the video is going to be how they sound in the game,but the commentary itself hasnt changed since 2K6 and is way old.

[baandje]

Article to go along with the vids:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812225p2.html

As I commented elsewhere: A big, big addition with 2K's version of the pro/skill stick is that all players are not equal as far as stick skills go. That was an issue for me with NHL 07 last year: all players in EA's game stick handle with equal ability = entirely unrealistic.

[baandje]

I dont think the way they sound in the video is going to be how they sound in the game,but the commentary itself hasnt changed since 2K6 and is way old.
It wasn't the echo, which isn't going to be in the game I would think. It's that the commentary was SO stale, ugh. Guess I'll end up shutting the announcers off like I did with MVP 05's equally awful commentary.

[suspectedkiller]

Article to go along with the vids:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812225p2.html

As I commented elsewhere: A big, big addition with 2K's version of the pro/skill stick is that all players are not equal as far as stick skills go. That was an issue for me with NHL 07 last year: all players in EA's game stick handle with equal ability = entirely unrealistic.


Absolutely. 2k8 will be incredibly amusing online now. I wonder if players with low attributes bobble and turn over the puck alot or if they are just limited to non-superstar moves.

Also the camera looks much better, its tilted so you can see up ice. Better for improved breakouts and such.

[baandje]

Also the camera looks much better, its tilted so you can see up ice. Better for improved breakouts and such.
That's right - great camera. Another issue I had withboth games last year actually: lack of a decent camera, although 2K7 had the better selection.

[vanhalendlrband]

This game is the sweetest thing i've ever seen. I didn't expect anything like this at all, i was kinda worried but now even tho Ea's got AHL i don't even care. This game looks a lot better so far. I'm still renting both first tho. Its really hard when you live where EA's made the game for years and you want to buy it cuz its homegrown but this **** is the ****, and plus EA ****ed me off with NHL 2002-2006.

[ohjtbehaaave]

The 2K Announcers are total sleeping pills and sound like they have one foot in the grave.

The NHL 2K8 game itself looked pretty decent in the gamplay portions though. But if I'm being totally honest... NHL 08 is shaping up to be a killer game that 2K8 won't match up with. I think we can thank 2K for a year wasted on some CINEMOTION bull crap... instead of working on GAMEPLAY... which now leaves NHL 2K behind in the hockey wars.

[bwiggy33]

HAHAHAHAHA this game looks absolutely horrid. EA blows 2k out of the planet in graphics and gameplay for that matter. I'll give 2k credit for two cool things. One the intro with the lights off and the teams skating out. That was awesome when the fans booed the Jackets. I do tip my hat off for that. I also like how 2k has really nice looking stat overlays. Those are cool looking and they add good presentation to the game where EA doesn't have too many of the stat overlays which is kind of a bummer. Now as for franchise I'm not sure how that is so I can't say much on that part.

Otherwise this game looks pathetic. It's next gen not current gen. The players look like they are all skinny and have no size to them whatsoever. The goalies move like ****. They dive all over the place. They are also really ****ty. The goal Hasek gives up. He doesn't even wrap his body around the post. They don't even look like real goalies.

Then the closeup of Crosby's face when he scores. Compare that to the pic of Crosby in 08 and tell me what one looks better. There is no comparison graphically and the way the players and goalies move.

Now online 2k still has the edge on Leagues considering 2k has trades. Thats about it. Otherwise 2k has no online modes compared to the co op modes and shootout mode that EA is bringing.

It seems to me that 2k has hardly done crap since the first year they made a next gen game. They better start doing a little more improvement or sooner or later nobody will be playing this game. I can't believe some of you think this game looks awesome. Sorry that is just my opinon. 2k hockey games have just never been one I like. I bought 2k3 i think with Roenick on the cover and that game was horrible IMO. Then I decided to buy 2k6 because it was only 20$ and wanted to see how it compared to 06 which I bought first. It was terrible compared to 06 and that was when 06 had all of those dumb *** fake dekes.

Sorry for the rant and don't think I'm an EA fanboy because I'm not. I love 2k's Basketball games even though that is my least favorite sport. I also buy the Baseball game which kinda sux right now but it will get better year after year.

[gohabs93]

HAHAHAHAHA this game looks absolutely horrid. EA blows 2k out of the planet in graphics and gameplay for that matter. I'll give 2k credit for two cool things. One the intro with the lights off and the teams skating out. That was awesome when the fans booed the Jackets. I do tip my hat off for that. I also like how 2k has really nice looking stat overlays. Those are cool looking and they add good presentation to the game where EA doesn't have too many of the stat overlays which is kind of a bummer. Now as for franchise I'm not sure how that is so I can't say much on that part.

Otherwise this game looks pathetic. It's next gen not current gen. The players look like they are all skinny and have no size to them whatsoever. The goalies move like ****. They dive all over the place. They are also really ****ty. The goal Hasek gives up. He doesn't even wrap his body around the post. They don't even look like real goalies.

Then the closeup of Crosby's face when he scores. Compare that to the pic of Crosby in 08 and tell me what one looks better. There is no comparison graphically and the way the players and goalies move.

Now online 2k still has the edge on Leagues considering 2k has trades. Thats about it. Otherwise 2k has no online modes compared to the co op modes and shootout mode that EA is bringing.

It seems to me that 2k has hardly done crap since the first year they made a next gen game. They better start doing a little more improvement or sooner or later nobody will be playing this game. I can't believe some of you think this game looks awesome. Sorry that is just my opinon. 2k hockey games have just never been one I like. I bought 2k3 i think with Roenick on the cover and that game was horrible IMO. Then I decided to buy 2k6 because it was only 20$ and wanted to see how it compared to 06 which I bought first. It was terrible compared to 06 and that was when 06 had all of those dumb *** fake dekes.

Sorry for the rant and don't think I'm an EA fanboy because I'm not. I love 2k's Basketball games even though that is my least favorite sport. I also buy the Baseball game which kinda sux right now but it will get better year after year.

Nhl 2k blows Ea's gameplay. NHL 2k3 was horrible?? Its one of the best in the 2k serie, it owned nhl 03 which sucked and had alot of glitches. Go back to playing your baseball games because 2k mlb games are the worst , even ea makes better baseball games. You probably aren't a simulation hockey game fan, so ea's scorefest gameplay amuses you.

[Savoie06]

HAHAHAHAHA this game looks absolutely horrid. EA blows 2k out of the planet in graphics and gameplay for that matter. I'll give 2k credit for two cool things. One the intro with the lights off and the teams skating out. That was awesome when the fans booed the Jackets. I do tip my hat off for that. I also like how 2k has really nice looking stat overlays. Those are cool looking and they add good presentation to the game where EA doesn't have too many of the stat overlays which is kind of a bummer. Now as for franchise I'm not sure how that is so I can't say much on that part.

Otherwise this game looks pathetic. It's next gen not current gen. The players look like they are all skinny and have no size to them whatsoever. The goalies move like ****. They dive all over the place. They are also really ****ty. The goal Hasek gives up. He doesn't even wrap his body around the post. They don't even look like real goalies.

Then the closeup of Crosby's face when he scores. Compare that to the pic of Crosby in 08 and tell me what one looks better. There is no comparison graphically and the way the players and goalies move.

Now online 2k still has the edge on Leagues considering 2k has trades. Thats about it. Otherwise 2k has no online modes compared to the co op modes and shootout mode that EA is bringing.

It seems to me that 2k has hardly done crap since the first year they made a next gen game. They better start doing a little more improvement or sooner or later nobody will be playing this game. I can't believe some of you think this game looks awesome. Sorry that is just my opinon. 2k hockey games have just never been one I like. I bought 2k3 i think with Roenick on the cover and that game was horrible IMO. Then I decided to buy 2k6 because it was only 20$ and wanted to see how it compared to 06 which I bought first. It was terrible compared to 06 and that was when 06 had all of those dumb *** fake dekes.

Sorry for the rant and don't think I'm an EA fanboy because I'm not. I love 2k's Basketball games even though that is my least favorite sport. I also buy the Baseball game which kinda sux right now but it will get better year after year.
I will agree with you for the most part,however this is still a big improvement from the last two years in the graphics department.This hopefully isnt "exactly" what we are gonna see in the game,but if it is they will do.They arent as polished as EA's,but they arent awful IMO.As far as the goalies I do agree they dont play as well positionally as the goalies in EA,however this was probably on the rookie level and the sliders will probably help some of the flaws.The one area I will definately give EA the automatic edge to is atmosphere and that is NO CONTEST.My biggest wish right away for next year is that 2K puts some serious work on the sounds in their game and kill those play by play guys!!

[gohabs93]

I will agree with you for the most part,however this is still a big improvement from the last two years in the graphics department.This hopefully isnt "exactly" what we are gonna see in the game,but if it is they will do.They arent as polished as EA's,but they arent awful IMO.As far as the goalies I do agree they dont play as well positionally as the goalies in EA,however this was probably on the rookie level and the sliders will probably help some of the flaws.The one area I will definately give EA the automatic edge to is atmosphere and that is NO CONTEST.My biggest wish right away for next year is that 2K puts some serious work on the sounds in their game and kill those play by play guys!!

The atmosphere in nhl 07 was dead, the fans were non existant and the goal horns were bad, At least in 2k you can put your own music and the fans interact.
As for graphics , Ea works on 3 players per teams (except for th stanley cup champs) and put their faces, but the other players on the team all look alike. For exemple, Bouillon looks like Souray and Ryder.

[baandje]

The atmosphere in nhl 07 was dead
Of all your NHL 07 hater comments, this one is maybe the most laughable. The commentary/presentation in NHL 07 is outstanding, especially when compared to 2K's sorry effort.

[ohjtbehaaave]

90% of the time I come out crushing EA for being "slackers" (especially with Madden) and just doing updates etc... on the sports games..... but it's totally not the case with the guys from EA Canada that do the 'NHL' game. These guys are really putting in some major effort and trying to innovate... and paving the way as far as Next Gen sports games go. To be honest... The NHL 2K game has now gotten STALE... and 2K is actually pulling one out of the EA playbook by doing minor BS and not really taking any major steps forward with NHL 2K... outside of some better Graphics and gameplay tweaks. Instead of that jerky CINEMOTION nonsesense garbage... they should have been pushing forward with GAMEPLAY!!! Not WASTING time on some jerked off, GIMMICK music mode!

EA's NHL game went from a barren online world.... to in one year with NHL 08 implementing a PHENOMENAL Online setup... where you now have LEAGUES... amazing multi player stuff where you can now actually have 3 players on each team... playing from SEPERATE 360's or PS3's across the country/world. That's HOTNESS people! and as a bonus... you can play the Shootout mode online... where you'll also have to play the goaltender as well as the shooters. and all of this stuff is recorded, ranked and stat tracked. And Besides the Online world for NHL 08.... the game on the Ice is taking things up another level. Create your own plays... where you can cycle the puck etc... it will just make the game feel so authentic.... and it will force any online CLOWNS to start playing REAL hockey.

I think EA has turned the corner... and has realized SIM is the better way to take there Sports games... and they are starting to lean towards realism. NCAA FB and Madden 08 no longer have the exploits and money plays out the A-S-S... and playing on the Harder difficulties will humble you.

I think 2K was asleep at the wheel with the NHL 2K game. They wasted time on Cinemotion when they should have been Innovating gameplay... and striving for what EA has done with Online Multi-player stuff. Instead NHL 2K8 is a better looking and animating version of NHL 2K7... with better goalie AI and the Right Stick puck handling stuff that was in NHL 07. Ya gotta do better than that 2K!

I've seen movies of BOTH games in action. NHL 08 looks like a possible sports game of the year candidate on the Ice.... before even adding in the Modes, Creation stuff and Online. NHL 2K8 looks better for sure in the Graphics Dept... but looks like the SAME game I played 2 years ago on the Ice. How about a little puck physics added to the game instead of it sticking to the blade like a Magnet 2K? I was expecting more from NHL 2K8 to be honest. On Next Gen I'm looking for sports games to RAISE the bar and blow us away. to me NHL 08 is heading that direction.... while NHL 2K8 is taking baby steps and is stuck in the mud.
The next time some idiot gets a brain fart like adding some GIMMICK BS like "Cinemotion" over improving GAMEPLAY 2K.... FIRE the DUMB F' on the spot. It's about making a game play real... not some Classical music mode A-holes! And one more thing... EA has finally realized that Online is IMPORTANT and the Leagues and everything else is going to be in the sports games for now on. Which means 2K doesn't have that to fall back on anymore... and needs to STEP IT UP! Get to work 2K!

[suspectedkiller]

Instead of that jerky CINEMOTION nonsesense garbage... they should have been pushing forward with GAMEPLAY!!! Not WASTING time on some jerked off, GIMMICK music mode!
on anymore... and needs to STEP IT UP! Get to work 2K!

I'm not fighting your post; just have two points.

Honestly, how much code and time do you think Cinemotion really consumed? It's just orchestrated music to game play. Come on, man!

Second, I'm not so sure I have seen NHL 08's game play yet.



Did NHL 93-96 (forget the exact years) on SNES have EA develop them?

[gohabs93]

Lets wait till they all both come out. I will buy both and see which one is better. Usually it takes a week to hate the Ea game since it only takes a week to figure out all the scoring ticks. Also the defense always sucks eventhough they say they improve it every year.

[Snow Soldier]

2k HAD great gameplay, great features, great ai great EVERYTHING but graphics.

So yes it was a hell of alot easier for EA to come off as the only ones 'improving' cuase frankly they had a major need for it. Despite that the stick thing from last year was broken the AI was TRASH and the whole game was half empty. THis year they inroduce a new deke system which is actually prerecorded animations...isn't taht what we were doing like 5 years ago? and passing it off as revolutionary?

EA has and always will focus on a bunch of fancy looking things that are never as good as the claim and the rest of the game will be simpley horrid. The player with the puck isn't the only perosn on the ice. They really should get the idea that hockey is more then a shootout.

2k has players that actually play like they SHOULD. Not crosby and Domi both being able to stick handle the same. The AI is GREAT. the defense pinches in if the players like Phanuef are the big bombers. A winger will fall back to replace him until he gets back into position. Oh heres a good one... the defense knows how to cut off a passing lane or clear the front of the net. Hell you even feel like the player is on skates with real fatigue not just a randomly sliding seizure on skates like EA has managed to accomplish.

PLus i've seen 2k gameplay. EA is still showing trailers that try and mask the crappy AI and bad stuttering movements and magnet puck.

EA is arcade as far as I am concerned. Flash and no substance. Great for people that want a videogame and couldn't care less about the HOCKEY part of it.

2k is stat heavy, feature rich and if you put on sim mode you can play games that play out like real life. DO i care if ti's not alot of new stuff? no becuase it's GOOD stuff. I don't want them to scrap a solid game and start fresh knowing it'll be half a game for the next 4 years like EA has done on all it's next gen efforts. WHich is on purpose so that you NEED to by the game every year knwoing that they puled out so much of the game just to hold off on it a year.

[Rei]

2k HAD great gameplay, great features, great ai great EVERYTHING but graphics.

So yes it was a hell of alot easier for EA to come off as the only ones 'improving' cuase frankly they had a major need for it. Despite that the stick thing from last year was broken the AI was TRASH and the whole game was half empty. THis year they inroduce a new deke system which is actually prerecorded animations...isn't taht what we were doing like 5 years ago? and passing it off as revolutionary?

EA has and always will focus on a bunch of fancy looking things that are never as good as the claim and the rest of the game will be simpley horrid. The player with the puck isn't the only perosn on the ice. They really should get the idea that hockey is more then a shootout.

2k has players that actually play like they SHOULD. Not crosby and Domi both being able to stick handle the same. The AI is GREAT. the defense pinches in if the players like Phanuef are the big bombers. A winger will fall back to replace him until he gets back into position. Oh heres a good one... the defense knows how to cut off a passing lane or clear the front of the net. Hell you even feel like the player is on skates with real fatigue not just a randomly sliding seizure on skates like EA has managed to accomplish.

PLus i've seen 2k gameplay. EA is still showing trailers that try and mask the crappy AI and bad stuttering movements and magnet puck.

EA is arcade as far as I am concerned. Flash and no substance. Great for people that want a videogame and couldn't care less about the HOCKEY part of it.

2k is stat heavy, feature rich and if you put on sim mode you can play games that play out like real life. DO i care if ti's not alot of new stuff? no becuase it's GOOD stuff. I don't want them to scrap a solid game and start fresh knowing it'll be half a game for the next 4 years like EA has done on all it's next gen efforts. WHich is on purpose so that you NEED to by the game every year knwoing that they puled out so much of the game just to hold off on it a year.

Great job.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Thumbs_up.jpg/420px-Thumbs_up.jpg

[slammerxt]

I Said it before

"After watching On the Spot last night with EAs 08 I wasnt shocked to see the usual choppy animation that is in every EA game. But watching the 2k8 vids on IGN i was in ahh of the smooth animation of the game. Add to the fact that the presentation is looking as good as NFL 2k5 so far. Im not much of the Hockey game player so after 2 years playing on the xbox for the low price I skipped last years version. As of right, I might have to find alittle extra money to jump into the new age of NHL from 2k."

[bwiggy33]

Nhl 2k blows Ea's gameplay. NHL 2k3 was horrible?? Its one of the best in the 2k serie, it owned nhl 03 which sucked and had alot of glitches. Go back to playing your baseball games because 2k mlb games are the worst , even ea makes better baseball games. You probably aren't a simulation hockey game fan, so ea's scorefest gameplay amuses you.

Ok NHL 2k3 blew in my mind because of all of the scoring. The game played way too fast and you always blew by defenders. I played that game when I was younger so I didn't even know about sliders. That is why I hated the game.

As for NHL's games how was last years not sim? They are every bit as sim as 2k's now. Yeah they weren't sim from 2000 to 2006 because they had all of those dekes and cheats. Where did you see dekes that would never happen in real life in 2007? You never saw that. Now take a look at the new dekes in 2k8. Those are unrealistic. Flip the puck in the air and bat it in. When have you ever seen that on a breakaway? Now batting the puck in out of midair off of a rebound is realistic but not on a breakaway.

Now the MLB game I said I hated MLB 2k7. It's a horrible game. MVP was way better and I'm very mad that 2k got the license. I think it will improve every year though being they got Ben Brinkman last year.

I said the Basketball games 2k makes are awesome and very sim.

As for me not being a sim fan that is complete crap. That is all I want and that is why I tried 2k3 that year. Then I said EA is way better. Also I like EA's graphics much better. As I said before EA is every bit as sim as 2k is now. Yeah 2k used to be way more sim but now it is dead even and eventually EA is going to take over the hockey world once they get new announcers and get better presentation which will probabally happen next year being they got most of the game modes in this year that they wanted to add.

NHL 2k needs to take a look at how hard EA NHL is working and figure out how good their game could be if they worked that hard. The same goes for Madden and NCAA. They need to look at how good NFL 2k5 was on current gen and figure out they can do the halftime shows and sportscenter clips they had to make the game more fun. Both EA and 2k can learn from each other and that would create better sports games.

[ohjtbehaaave]

[QUOTE=suspectedkiller]I'm not fighting your post; just have two points.

Honestly, how much code and time do you think Cinemotion really consumed? It's just orchestrated music to game play. Come on, man!

Second, I'm not so sure I have seen NHL 08's game play yet.



First I'll say I'll be getting BOTH games... and flipping the one I play the least on ebaY.

As far as Cinemotion goes... that's all 2K was talking about... and there wasn't really much added besides it. So either way... 2K was lazy or flat out STUMPED on any game innovations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27hD33w-5cY
This is NHL 2K8 and the new stick handling stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsEpwPm6DUM
This is a clip from Gamespot that shows some NHL 08 in action. Is it me or does the Rink look bigger in NHL 08?

[bwiggy33]

Yep the rink does look bigger. Also another thing about 2k's game is how dark the rink is. In NHL 08 its so much brighter and sharper looking.

The players in 2k are just too dang small to me. They are all skinny and just weird looking. EA's look so much better IMO.

[Snow Soldier]

As for NHL's games how was last years not sim? They are every bit as sim as 2k's now. Yeah they weren't sim from 2000 to 2006 because they had all of those dekes and cheats. Where did you see dekes that would never happen in real life in 2007? You never saw that. Now take a look at the new dekes in 2k8. Those are unrealistic. Flip the puck in the air and bat it in. When have you ever seen that on a breakaway? Now batting the puck in out of midair off of a rebound is realistic but not on a breakaway.

NHL 2k needs to take a look at how hard EA NHL is working and figure out how good their game could be if they worked that hard. The same goes for Madden and NCAA. They need to look at how good NFL 2k5 was on current gen and figure out they can do the halftime shows and sportscenter clips they had to make the game more fun. Both EA and 2k can learn from each other and that would create better sports games.

Ok.. all those dekes... are real dekes done IN the nhl at some point... the point is only a few people can do them as per the insanse high stats required to ATTEMPT them. The spin... crosby did it. The shot out of the air, messier did that for gretzky in an allstar game. The called shot... owen nolan. All real.

As for how hard EA is working? You mean thier advertising team right? Ya they work hard to make choppy animations and half baked features look like game sellers. Per example... the stick control system that they claimed would revolutionize hockey... is already done better by 2k8 while EA had managed to actually abandon the control stick for dekes again... Fact is if you have a good product like 2k does. YOu don't need to make giant leaps becuase poeple enjoy your game. Tell me when you were playing nhl 07 you weren't thinking about how good the game will be NEXT year. Right now I just finished a game of 2k7 and thought that it was a good game ALREADY. I had AI, defense, offense, coaching, online... seeing my point here? 2k6 had more all around features then 07 did.

[Snow Soldier]

ok... whatever one of you schalors looked at the youtube video and didn't clue into the fact that it's a WIDESCREEN picture squeezed into 4:3 Ratio needs a spanking. Goto IGN and look at the REAL videos where the picture isn't sandwiched so the players look skinny and the rink is proper...

Seriosuly guys thats a pretty bad call to use some bad youtube video that some tool uploaded wrong instead of the original source. PS... you know THIS sight has videos in the proper format....

[bwiggy33]

Ok.. all those dekes... are real dekes done IN the nhl at some point... the point is only a few people can do them as per the insanse high stats required to ATTEMPT them. The spin... crosby did it. The shot out of the air, messier did that for gretzky in an allstar game. The called shot... owen nolan. All real.

As for how hard EA is working? You mean thier advertising team right? Ya they work hard to make choppy animations and half baked features look like game sellers. Per example... the stick control system that they claimed would revolutionize hockey... is already done better by 2k8 while EA had managed to actually abandon the control stick for dekes again... Fact is if you have a good product like 2k does. YOu don't need to make giant leaps becuase poeple enjoy your game. Tell me when you were playing nhl 07 you weren't thinking about how good the game will be NEXT year. Right now I just finished a game of 2k7 and thought that it was a good game ALREADY. I had AI, defense, offense, coaching, online... seeing my point here? 2k6 had more all around features then 07 did.

Thing is the flip up bat out of the air thing was in a dang all star game. Not in a real game. Thats the thing. When are you going to see that in a season game. NEVER!

As for the game being choppy I very highly doubt its going to be as choppy as last year due to them going to 60 FPS. When I was playing 07 I definantly thought about how good 08 was because 07 was such an awesome game besides some of the minor bugs which all games have. Plus you have to remember it was their first year with Next Gen. How many things did EA add this year. Oh 5 online modes including head to head. They added the AHL, 30 or so mini drills, and have totally revamped CAP and CAT. All that with improved AI, and all the other **** they did with the gameplay. What did 2k add? Oh they added dekes and their own version of what EA did with the skill stick. Way to copy EA's ideas. See 2k knows they're in trouble. I can't even imagine what NHL 09 has in store. Probabally new presentation and a revamped dynasty mode. Gee at least EA has a plan on what they are doing with their game. 2k's plan is to be as lazy as possible so they can make money by producing a crap game that people buy.

[Snow Soldier]

Those moves can be set to shoot out only.... so they don't happen during the 'dang game'.

ANd choppy... running a bad animation updated at 60 fps doens't make it smoot. It amkes it look just as choppy.

There is NO reason to remove franchise mode for the next gen to insert it the next year. It's not graphicly intense to have stat pages. They left it out ON PURPOSE. so you had to buy the NEXT game. They stripped EVERY sports game for the next gen while 2k managed to be completly feautre intact... why is that?

as for ai... wathc the ign dveloper diary for 08... a defense man skates UP ICE when he gets deked... brilliant... they have said the AI is getting redone every year since 2002... it never has.

Your deke system was in 2k6 and 2k7 actually, you just had to hold the left trigger infront of the net. They just didn't advertise it well cause frankly it needed work. mind you it still worked better then the opps i just shot the puck from my own blueline approach of EA.

you just proved my point though. EA is going to release half done games until the last game of the generation system and then you'll be talking about how great it is... and then they'll strip it for the next gen so they can get paid again for 'improving' a game buy slowely re installing the features 2k had all along. Franchise online, create a team, create a player. All gets slowely re instituted so you see how much tehy are IMPROVING instead of how good the game actually is.

Still i feel dirty from trying to argue with a person who can't figure out when a video ratio is off or critisizes a insanly low res youtube video for being dark or having bad graphics. becuase thats a REAL good representation of the final game.

in conclusion... please buy EA08. That way I know thier is no chance of running into you on 2k8's servers and have to explain to you what defense is since you've never seen it in EA's hockey.

[Savoie06]

Thing is the flip up bat out of the air thing was in a dang all star game. Not in a real game. Thats the thing. When are you going to see that in a season game. NEVER!

As for the game being choppy I very highly doubt its going to be as choppy as last year due to them going to 60 FPS. When I was playing 07 I definantly thought about how good 08 was because 07 was such an awesome game besides some of the minor bugs which all games have. Plus you have to remember it was their first year with Next Gen. How many things did EA add this year. Oh 5 online modes including head to head. They added the AHL, 30 or so mini drills, and have totally revamped CAP and CAT. All that with improved AI, and all the other **** they did with the gameplay. What did 2k add? Oh they added dekes and their own version of what EA did with the skill stick. Way to copy EA's ideas. See 2k knows they're in trouble. I can't even imagine what NHL 09 has in store. Probabally new presentation and a revamped dynasty mode. Gee at least EA has a plan on what they are doing with their game. 2k's plan is to be as lazy as possible so they can make money by producing a crap game that people buy.How come everyone makes such a big deal out of 2K putting the Pro Stick in their game this year.Yes it was inspired by the competition,thats the great thing about competition.Its not the same thing or even really that close.First of all,it allows WAY more control than the skill stick ever has.Secondly,you shoot with the shoulder button which will lead to few OOPS plays.EA took 2K's idea of the Goalie control,but thats never brought up.Again,yes they added their own touch to it and again the beauty of competition comes out.EA has waited how long to add leagues and online features?Now that they do,years later that makes them better,NO.Granted EA has some cool ideas as has 2K in the past and Im sure they will in the future and Im sure each will borrow from the other and add their own touch.In the end though it benefits everyone no matter who came up with the idea first.Thank you EA for recognizing 2K was killing you in EVERY SPORTS game and starting to get creative.Thank you also for waking 2K out its slumber and forcing it to also start making improvements,because it only makes life better for all Hockey gamers!!

[bwiggy33]

ok... whatever one of you schalors looked at the youtube video and didn't clue into the fact that it's a WIDESCREEN picture squeezed into 4:3 Ratio needs a spanking. Goto IGN and look at the REAL videos where the picture isn't sandwiched so the players look skinny and the rink is proper...

Seriosuly guys thats a pretty bad call to use some bad youtube video that some tool uploaded wrong instead of the original source. PS... you know THIS sight has videos in the proper format....

I didn't even watch the youtube video. I watched the IGN ones yesterday and that is all I need to watch to say that this is not the game for me.

[Savoie06]

I didn't even watch the youtube video. I watched the IGN ones yesterday and that is all I need to watch to say that this is not the game for me.
Ok then I gues there is no reason to be on a 2K site then huh?

[Snow Soldier]

How come everyone makes such a big deal out of 2K putting the Pro Stick in their game this year.Yes it was inspired by the competition,thats the great thing about competition.Its not the same thing or even really that close.First of all,it allows WAY more control than the skill stick ever has.Secondly,you shoot with the shoulder button which will lead to few OOPS plays.EA took 2K's idea of the Goalie control,but thats never brought up.Again,yes they added their own touch to it and again the beauty of competition comes out.EA has waited how long to add leagues and online features?Now that they do,years later that makes them better,NO.Granted EA has some cool ideas as has 2K in the past and Im sure they will in the future and Im sure each will borrow from the other and add their own touch.In the end though it benefits everyone no matter who came up with the idea first.Thank you EA for recognizing 2K was killing you in EVERY SPORTS game and starting to get creative.Thank you also for waking 2K out its slumber and forcing it to also start making improvements,because it only makes life better for all Hockey gamers!!

well said, competition makes everything better. Hence Madden being so poor the last few years. No need to improve. Yes I'm glad EA is striving for new things becuase 2k had no reason to improve if EA didn't make things that attracted attention. I'll admit i'm baised against EA no matter what kinda game they make since they always microtransaction and under develop as much as they can afford to and still sell games. So when I see the same choppy stuff in 08 videos I pretty much stop giving them the benefiet of the doubt on any of the things they promise, where as 2k kept most of it's promises and as such i tend to trust that fact.

So yes i'm baised, but not so much that I don't see what EA does to improve the industry.

[bwiggy33]

I was just posting my impressions. It brings a different viewpoint to the site. It's not like I'm trying to bash the game. I'm just saying what I think about the game. With that said I will get out of you're guys hair and stop saying what I think about the game. It's not like I said everything about 2k8 is bad. I just said that they don't add to the good stuff they already have. They had a way better online mode than EA until now. I'm saying they should add some online modes in to make it more fun. Same goes for franchise. They have a better franchise mode right now than NHL 08 so next year they should add to it because it will stay better than NHL 08. That's all I'm saying.

Hope you guys have a good time with 2k8! All that matters is if you're happy with the game. I like 08 but you guys might like 2k8. Both games offer a different type of gameplay and game modes. Imagine if 2k and EA combined to make one game. That would be sick! With that said I'm out! Peace!

[gohabs93]

2k series started the pro stick control since I think 2k5 but no one used it well. NHL 07 WAS NOT A SIM GAME. I SCORE 20 GOALS PER GAME WITH SLIDERS THAT DONT EVEN WORK. THE DEFENSE IS NON EXISTENT.

People who hate 2k series because they played it alot and got fustrated, they should play it as much as they played 2k before saying "Ea is a better game". NHL 07 was horrible, gameplay sucked, stats were lacking. It takes 2 mins to cycle through teams in stats.

[AKA AO]

get whatever hockey game you want, does it really matter what any of us thinks? if you think it might be bad rent 1 or rent both then buy 1 or just buy both. simple as that. some pick it for how it looks some get 1 or the other on gameplay and some on modes. for me it the order is, modes: online leagues, Gameplayed: hope there not a go to goal and then how it looks.

everyone has there reason and to me online leagues are the main reason cause playing the cpu is borring. This year EA has online leagues but there no trades, but ea did say this year online is just part 2 of there 3 part plan and will have alot more stuff to do in online leagues. the next step to me is online franchise and i hope it deep with salary cap and UFA and RFA where you can make offers. will just have to wait and see.

[SDonahue]

"because 07 was such an awesome game besides some of the minor bugs which all games have."

Your posts are so bloody stupid they make my brain hurt.

[FSOTG]

"because 07 was such an awesome game besides some of the minor bugs which all games have."

Your posts are so bloody stupid they make my brain hurt.


Not that desagree with you but you maybe should go see a doctor your brain seems to hurt often these days.

[navarz]

I use to believe that EA was way better than 2k and nobody could tell me diffrent until EA eliminated multiplayer franchise mode 3 years ago If I remember correctly.
I then decided to try 2k to see if they had multiplayer franchise and lucky for me it was there first ywear with it. It was then I realized how great of a game 2k had. I have not gone back to EA because for the 2 most important features to me are gameplay and franchise mode and for that alone makes 2K a better game for me everything else is irrelevant.
It does not matter if graphics are better on Ea for me so I guess what I am saying is everybody has diffrent reasons for liking either franchise and there is nothing wrong with that.If ther things in a game you like then you will play that game that meets your needs.
For me it is 2k I do not enjoy playing against the computer and I like the fact that me and my friend can control our own team in franchise and compete against each other EA has gone from controling 30 teams to one and lost my buisness and my only complaint with 2k has been the game freezes.

[baandje]

For me it is 2k I do not enjoy playing against the computer and I like the fact that me and my friend can control our own team in franchise and compete against each other EA has gone from controling 30 teams to one and lost my buisness
Just be aware that Kush removed that feature from the MLB 2K series. So who is to say they won't remove it from NHL 2K? They went from controlling all teams in MLB to only four, is that's an issue for you.

[navarz]

The Hockey has only been 2 controlled teams so and hopefully it increases or stays the same because if it becomes like EA or 2k8 Football I will not buy.
I just don't enjoy playing against the computer or having a exhibition game against someone online or offline I enjoy the whole franchise experience with friends.
That would be a deal breaker for me so I hope that 2k did not decide to follw the football

[SDonahue]

Not that desagree with you but you maybe should go see a doctor your brain seems to hurt often these days.


It really only seems to hurt when people come in and say insanely stupid comments like the one I quoted before. To say that NHL 07 had MINOR FLAWS that ALL GAMES HAVE.......ooooooohhhh here comes those pains again. I really enjoyed NHL 07 but my head isn't completely stuffed up my ***. I see things for how they are. NHL 07 and NHL 2K7 were both really fun to play. NHL 08 and NHL 2K8 are both going to be great games. NHL 08 has finally put some work into their online system so I am excited for the.....and NHL 2K8 just looks ****ing awesome so far. The controls look really smooth so I can't wait.

[bwiggy33]

It really only seems to hurt when people come in and say insanely stupid comments like the one I quoted before. To say that NHL 07 had MINOR FLAWS that ALL GAMES HAVE.......ooooooohhhh here comes those pains again. I really enjoyed NHL 07 but my head isn't completely stuffed up my ***. I see things for how they are. NHL 07 and NHL 2K7 were both really fun to play. NHL 08 and NHL 2K8 are both going to be great games. NHL 08 has finally put some work into their online system so I am excited for the.....and NHL 2K8 just looks ****ing awesome so far. The controls look really smooth so I can't wait.

Alright I don't want to get started in another fight but come on how was that a dumb comment on my part. You can't tell me that NHL 2k7 had no flaws, bugs, or glitches. One of them was just mentioned that the game froze. I'm sure there were also gameplay bugs. We all know NHL 07 had them. Trickles, goalies and players going through the post or net, trickle goals, goalies knocking pucks in their own net. Those things happen in all games no matter what. Every game you find something that is glitchy and takes away a little of the fun. I'm sure NHL 2k7 was less buggy then NHL 07 by far. That's because they have had more time to work things out with this being their third year in next gen. All I know is both games are very different from each other but are fun. Now I do wish that I rented 2k7 last year just to see how they compared. All I did was play the demo and say that the game sucked which is my own fault.

[suspectedkiller]

Now I do wish that I rented 2k7 last year just to see how they compared. All I did was play the demo and say that the game sucked which is my own fault.

Thats your conviction. This year you can make up for those sins.
Not playing both games would be a loss to anyone who likes hockey.

[ohjtbehaaave]

I can't wait to play BOTH games... but from what I've seen so far... NHL 08 seems to have a rebuilt engine with pretty cool and smart AI... where you can also create plays and really be hands on. NHL 2K8 is looking like more of the same.... with better graphics, goalies and Stick handling added over last years game engine. 2K needs to get better Puck physics and get away from the puck "Magnet" on the stick. I'd also like to see some Innovative checking system out of 2K.... where hits along the board look real and you can feel the impact. 2K needs to stress REALISM like they did a few years ago!!!
Somehwere along the way NHL 2K lost it's vision... and started pulling an EA.

But it's really impossible to judge things until we PLAY these games. So I'll hold off until then.

[suspectedkiller]

I wont quote you but you defenitly gave some judgment before its release :eek:

Anyways, the checking system would be incredible to master. They need their own physics engine like havoc or so for weight classes, something like that. That'd be cool. That should be top priority. I'd like to see that happen as well as everyone else. Weight classes should also attribute to shot power, deke speed, and everything else... That'd revolutionize things for 2k.

But we shall see my friend.

ps-- Dont take my ideas without compensating me for them :rolleyes:

[SDonahue]

Alright I don't want to get started in another fight but come on how was that a dumb comment on my part. You can't tell me that NHL 2k7 had no flaws, bugs, or glitches. One of them was just mentioned that the game froze. I'm sure there were also gameplay bugs. We all know NHL 07 had them. Trickles, goalies and players going through the post or net, trickle goals, goalies knocking pucks in their own net. Those things happen in all games no matter what. Every game you find something that is glitchy and takes away a little of the fun. I'm sure NHL 2k7 was less buggy then NHL 07 by far. That's because they have had more time to work things out with this being their third year in next gen. All I know is both games are very different from each other but are fun. Now I do wish that I rented 2k7 last year just to see how they compared. All I did was play the demo and say that the game sucked which is my own fault.


In no way shape or form did I say that NHL 2K7 didn't have bugs. You are right when you say that every game has bugs....that wasn't what I was pointing out. It was when you said that NHL 07 had MINOR bugs that EVERY game has. Some of NHL 07's bugs are not minor and they aren't in every game. Skating through boards, pucks going through nets, and an AI that makes me want to VOMIT is not minor. That being said I still enjoy the game but on a different level from NHL 2K7.

NHL 2K7 plays like real hockey while NHL 07 is purely fun with the skill stick. I can't believe you've put down NHL 2K7 this much after only playing the demo......that's just stupid. How do you base an entire games review off of that? Simple answer is you can't. Hell I guess I was an idiot for buying NHL 07 since the whole game is just one big shootout.

[navarz]

[QUOTE=baandje]Just be aware that Kush removed that feature from the MLB 2K series. So who is to say they won't remove it from NHL 2K? They went from controlling all teams in MLB to only four, is that's an issue for you.[/QUOTE

Just looking at the screen shots at IGN and they had a shot of franchise set up screen and it showed where you pick the number of users so now I am happy LOL

[bwiggy33]

In no way shape or form did I say that NHL 2K7 didn't have bugs. You are right when you say that every game has bugs....that wasn't what I was pointing out. It was when you said that NHL 07 had MINOR bugs that EVERY game has. Some of NHL 07's bugs are not minor and they aren't in every game. Skating through boards, pucks going through nets, and an AI that makes me want to VOMIT is not minor. That being said I still enjoy the game but on a different level from NHL 2K7.

Well you can expect that all of those MAJOR BUGS will be worked out this year. I can tell the AI is a hell of a lot better in the videos on IGN and that is only Rookie level. The higher levels will be much better. The AI was easily the worst part of 07 last year. All they did was shoot five hole. That is why I played in a league where there was no overuse of glitches. That was a hell of a time. This year 08 will actually be playable against the AI and it will be a hell of a time online. 2K7 has always had a better AI but hopefully this year 08's will be just as good as 2k8's.

[SDonahue]

I was just watching the new NHL 08 videos on IGN and it looks really REALLY good. It looks like everything I wanted NHL 07 to be. The game play look smooth as glass. I am equally excited for it as well now. After reading about the new online featured for 08 I am really questioning which one i am going to play more because I am all about the online co-op. Me and my roomates will take on the world.

[suspectedkiller]

Yes, both look good. NHL 08 doesnt have a turbo button and I cant understand it. I'm sure you all love a turbo button in your sports titles, albeit baseball, basketball, soccer or football... each game (EA or 2K) you can sprint. It's just so weird to have a static rate of speed.

But, it does look cool as hell having created set plays that you can execute even on the rush; as demonstrated in some NHL 08 movies. Very cool. I just wish they had a sprint/turbo!!!!

Both are looking quite compelling. IGN just released 2k8's franchise details. Just keeps getting better with the RPG element. 2k7 had some rpg last year to it, they just didnt show you. Because after 1 season, your most played players went up in overall, now there is more descriptive leveling, way cool!!

[bwiggy33]

Yes, both look good. NHL 08 doesnt have a turbo button and I cant understand it. I'm sure you all love a turbo button in your sports titles, albeit baseball, basketball, soccer or football... each game (EA or 2K) you can sprint. It's just so weird to have a static rate of speed.

But, it does look cool as hell having created set plays that you can execute even on the rush; as demonstrated in some NHL 08 movies. Very cool. I just wish they had a sprint/turbo!!!!

Both are looking quite compelling. IGN just released 2k8's franchise details. Just keeps getting better with the RPG element. 2k7 had some rpg last year to it, they just didnt show you. Because after 1 season, your most played players went up in overall, now there is more descriptive leveling, way cool!!

Instead of a turbo button(which is kind of cool but different)you can control your players speed. Push the right stick all of the way up for full speed and if you press it half the way up you'll go half speed. It's cool if you're waiting for your other players to get in the zone and then you can set up. I like it plus it gives us one less button to press. It's also realistic because a player can only go as fast as their skate rating. Where as if you have a turbo button you may use it on a guy like Derek Boogaard which he has no speed whatsoever even when he's skating his hardest.

I just read and looked at the new screens for Franchise in NHL 2k8 and there is no doubt 2K has the better Franchise. The menus look awesome and I just love how sharp the menus look. They are clean where the EA menus have a dark colored background which I am not a fan of at all. It's not team specific colors like 2k's. I have a question though. Does 2k have a playable minors system in franchise mode? I know they have the minor leagues in the game. I am really thinking about at least renting this game. It may not be when it's released but I will probabally rent it when I'm getting a little bored of 08 which I doubt I will considering I am still playing 07 which is the most I have ever played one game.

[suspectedkiller]

I hear you about the turbo, but when I play hockey I have a skating pace. And if I damn well have to I will turn on the burners and skate so fast that it's time for a change when I slow down. I figure that would be similar to 2k's "Sprint" feature... yet I am unsure if there is a turbo and a sprint button. 2k said something like "once you sprint towards the puck you cant do much puck handling you will be exhausted"

I cant wait, and yet we have to wait an extra week, weak!

[ohjtbehaaave]

I HATE 'Turbo' in sports games. It's Retarded. NHL 08 with the new skating will allow you to decide how fast or slow you want to skate. I've always thought a Football game should play more realistic where the running back can't kick it into HIGH GEAR until he's in the open. If you watch real games the RB's don't get going until they break a few tackles and get into the open. In Madden... all you do is hit Turbo and your at FULL SPEED the second after you take the handoff. Not realistic. Bogus actually. It's also pretty Bogus in hockey games because the Turbo is endless. So why not just do what EA is doing by removing the turbo and let when skating at full power be the Turbo speed. If there's going to be Turbo... it needs to be limited and make the players use it strategically.

[FSOTG]

First the "turbo" in NHL 2k7 (XBOX) is not endless and depending on how you set the sliders your player could get tired more or less quickly and stay tired for more or less time.

I'm all for the 'turbo" and the sprint button as long as you can set them to be realistic, hopfully in 2K8 you will be.

I played NHL 07 (XBOX 360) and it was one big part of why I didn't like it as much as the 2K hockey.

[bwiggy33]

I HATE 'Turbo' in sports games. It's Retarded. NHL 08 with the new skating will allow you to decide how fast or slow you want to skate. I've always thought a Football game should play more realistic where the running back can't kick it into HIGH GEAR until he's in the open. If you watch real games the RB's don't get going until they break a few tackles and get into the open. In Madden... all you do is hit Turbo and your at FULL SPEED the second after you take the handoff. Not realistic. Bogus actually. It's also pretty Bogus in hockey games because the Turbo is endless. So why not just do what EA is doing by removing the turbo and let when skating at full power be the Turbo speed. If there's going to be Turbo... it needs to be limited and make the players use it strategically.

Good point. I never thought about that in a Football game before and it makes very good sense.

First the "turbo" in NHL 2k7 (XBOX) is not endless and depending on how you set the sliders your player could get tired more or less quickly and stay tired for more or less time.

I'm all for the 'turbo" and the sprint button as long as you can set them to be realistic, hopfully in 2K8 you will be.

I played NHL 07 (XBOX 360) and it was one big part of why I didn't like it as much as the 2K hockey.

That is true as long as you can set it to be realistic it's fine because take a player like Marian Gaborik. I watched every single Ducks vs. Wild game in the playoffs and Gaborik always skated slow and lazily around the ice. Then once he'd get the puck he'd fake out the Defenders(which didn't work obviously) and turn on the jets but once he lost the puck he was tired and went to the bench for a change. So yes it is realistic in 2k although I like EA's no speed burst. Thats just my opinion.

[Snow Soldier]

Turbo can be good or bad. In arcade setting in 2k ya it's pretty much unlimited and not realistic.

however in sim mode.... a players endurance really factors in. For example. I play as the flames, a young rough team. So I will actually play very conservative for the first period and watch the otehr play use his turbo none stop trying to get around my heavy defense. Now this makes him need constant line changes, BUT it also means his players never really get ALL their stamina back even going into the dressing room between periods.

So come the middle of the second and the third period. I can literally skate circles around the guy and he can't even lay down a decent hit. I love watching Iginla just push through some lame *** body check a fatigued defensemen put on him.

It happens in real hockey and it happens in 2k. While the arcade settings for the games make them very similear sim mode in 2k is vastly different from EA. 'turbo' or speed burst and sprint are things I do in real life so they make PERFECT sense to me to have in a game.

Also as for the iginla getting bouncing off defense. another thing you can't do in EA. if you try and check it's always a success if he's close enough. I know it's annoying in 2k when you are trying to hit a guy and it looks likes he's ignoring you. But it's becuase you are using a feather wait russian to attack Chris Pronger. you watch that happen in real hockey and unless there is nice runway for the little guy he's not even gonna phase a big player UNLESS he knows how to check. A few little guys in the league know how to throw the hits around. But you need to know who can and can't before you complain about it.

[Snow Soldier]

sorry... another thing that hurts ALL sportsgames... is heart...

it may seem unrealistic at times that you get a player who stinks up the ice when you watch him yet you can make him do great moves.

I'll use kristien huslius for this example... you watch 8 out of ten game and this guy coasts around the ice with his thumb up his butt. He should stink in the game.

now on those other two games he decides he actualy WANTS to play and he is a marvel on skates. just leaves goalies and defensemen miles behind his dekes.

SImple fact is he's not a high intensity player. BUT he has mad skills. So when you play as him you can't really inject the player with the desire to be lazy so he's always switched on high and he's a million times more effective then in real hockey. 2k had stats liek composure etc to try and simulate that but those don't effect things when the player is in control really. So realistic stats sliders and everything else under the sun still doens't apply the 'x' factor of how much heart the player has.

[suspectedkiller]

Look closely to NHL 08's gameplay video. Both D are sniffing each others behinds. Absolutely no brain to the D.
Watch 2k's gameplay video and you will see entire team interaction... hmmm which developer lied again about AI.
2k will have the absolute edge this year...

I'll play both but 2k will win the battle this year.

2k:dance:
EA :thumbsdow