NHL 08 PlayStation 2
NHL 08 Image
Metascore
70 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Skill Stick gave you the power to deke the goalie in NHL 07 – now you can own the 1-on-1 matchup and undress opposing defenseman with complete control Use your stick to push the puck into space and walk around your defender. Once you're all alone in front, improved stick handling and shohooting accuracy will give you the toolset to beat your goaltender for that decisive goal. Dynamic AI adjusts to your every move both on offense and defense, promising to challenge even the most skilled hockey players. The intelligent CPU scouts your tendencies like a coach and makes the necessary adjustments to shut down your money plays, forcing you to adjust your style of play. New analog speed control of the left stick gives you the variance you need to glide into the zone with control or get a burst of speed to step up on a defender. With new skating animations and responsiveness, you have the control to perform crossovers to maintain speed or carve tight turns for an immediate change in direction. 29 AHL teams – the top developmental league for the NHL – are exclusively featured and fully playable. Develop your talent with their minor affiliate until you are ready to call them up for the show. Be the GM and manage your team from the ground up while staying under the salary cap. [Electronic Arts]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. PGNx Media
    92
    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.
  2. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    It still rules the rink, but if you're already familiar with the series, NHL 08 doesn't do enough to prevent "NHL 07" deja vu. [Nov 2007, p.88]
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  3. AceGamez
    70
    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.
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  4. GamesRadar
    70
    Kudos to EA for avoiding the path of least resistance and offering up perhaps one last big bang for puckheads across the landscape.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. HockeyNutter
    9
    It may seem like just an upgrade to last year's offering but there are some neat touches in 08. The goalies are way better with more detailed saves and realistic contact with other players plus the improved control system adds a great deal to the action. The menus are pretty cool but it is a pain to have to unlock the new season's kits. Why couldn't they just use them normally?… Expand
  2. AaronM.
    6
    Meh! Clearly more and more developers are sending the message that only the next gen platforms will be the focus. NHL 08 is simply the same 2007 animal with a different colour scheme and the AHL tacked on as a tail. The Player creation area is still a farse in that any serious attempt to create new prospects or fantasy players is ruined by the forced need to apply a stupid nickname for the announcers to belt out like drunken fools. Again, like last year, if you have any knowledge on how to play hockey, the only level that comes close to reality is on difficult, and even in that, scores will almost always be sadly inflated with a tight exciting 2-1 game simply impossible. The goalie AI is minutely better but their mechanics are noticably worse with around 40% shots stopped as if they are table-top hockey tenders with a metal rod stuck up their backside. And please, tell me why in all the years of development, goalies still cannot actually catch a shot with their trappers? Thirdly, regardless of slider adjustment, there clearly are way too many penalties called to both teams with 5 on 3's occuring three and four times a game. It's almost at glitch level frankly. And while on the subject of penalties, AGAIN EA failed to notice, let alone fix the fact that the penalty clock runs at real time rate regardless of the period length adjusted rate. This means you'll have to again kill off penalties that last almost 4 minutes against the period for a 2 minute penalty. Clearly another sign that they lazily just repainted 2007 with all the same problems. Certain aspects of the AI are worse in that you will often see unselected players on your teams skate to pointless areas AWAY from lose pucks even though they are the closest to the play. The rosters also seem thinned out but with AHL callup ability, this one aspect is nicely addressed. I haven't had time to look much into the dynasty mode so I will not address that but without the foundations of a repeatly enjoyable and balanced gameplay, those features seem a moot point. Thankfully the price has been dropped, so that inevitable sting of EA dissappontment is soothed somewhat, yet it looks like another year of endlessly adjusting sliders to eak out even a mildly enjoyable experience with little resemblance to reality.… Expand