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NHL 08

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

8.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 44 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 37 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Canada

Genre(s): Sports, Hockey

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: September 11, 2007

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 shooting 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]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: NHL 07

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Finally, an answer to the early-'90s hockey heyday, NHL 08 is a blazingly swift, smart, well-crafted sports title that brings out hockey's best bits.

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100

GameTap

For the first time I can remember in a hockey game, it's not about how fast you set up your one-timer--it's about positioning, spacing, and setting up the perfect play.

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100

Gaming Age

I can easily say without a doubt that this is not only the best EA hockey game since "NHL 05," but quite possibly the best hockey game ever. Fans can be happy to know that the series they grew up loving has finally delivered in all department to create the most realistic and authentic hockey game on the market. Second place is the first loser, and that means you 2K Hockey.

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1UP

Part of what makes this game so fantastic is that it has the same joyful resonance as those mid-'90s NHL classics. The good times are back.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

08 is the best hockey game in years. [Oct 2007, p.87]

PGNx Media

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.

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Operation Sports

Bottom line—if you play online and like hockey, then NHL 08 has you covered. If you play offline and like hockey, then NHL 08 has you covered.

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GamePro

This years best hockey game offering. Adding vastly improved gameplay to last years impressive control scheme ensures EA's hold on the title of Best Hockey Game Yet Devised.

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DarkStation

NHL 08 is by far one of the more impressive NHL titles in the past few years.

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TeamXbox

More precise skate speed control and a revised skill stick make NHL 08 an icy-hot dream.

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Yahoo! Games

EA has excelled in creating its smartest, deepest hockey game to date.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Hockey fans and casual sports gamers alike will love NHL 08, as its simple yet deep controls invite all comers to the ice.

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GameZone

NHL 08’s control scheme gives you more control over the puck than any prior entry to the series, as well as completely analog skating with reactive physics. The AI is also extremely realistic and will adapt and strategically defend against your offensive choices, and vice versa.

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GameSpy

Despite the poor online modes, the rest of the game is nothing short of stellar. With all of the new tweaks and gameplay options, NHL 08 is worth the time of any hockey fan. Not only has EA managed to prove that this is indeed the coolest game on Earth, it's also one of the best sports titles of the year.

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Worth Playing

With intuitive controls, exciting gameplay and a one-two punch of audio and visual goodness, this game has just about everything that any hockey gamer could want.

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Gamervision

There hasn’t been a hockey game this impressive since the days of the Sega Genesis.

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IGN

EA finally chucked its desire to marry arcade fun with its simulation and got hockey right. NHL 08 has a few nagging flaws -- occasionally suspect team AI, clipping issues, and a lack of ESPN flavor -- but it has nailed the gameplay.

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Pelit (Finland)

The most fun NHL game to come out in a long time. The smooth skating and the nicely flowing action make it an enjoyable hockey experience. The AI could still use some fine-tuning, though. [Sept 2007]

Game Over Online

I called Skill Stick one of the greatest innovations in sports videogames last year and now that EA has had another year to fine-tune the system, and add a new skating engine, NHL 08 is the best game on ice.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

NHL 08 is the kind of makeover that this series has been waiting for for years.

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Games Master UK

The best recreation of ice hockey to date: an excellent sports game! [Dec 2007, p.84]

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

NHL is easily the best ice hockey game available - a must for fans. [Dec 2007, p.85]

Planet Xbox 360

A great NHL experience that all but the most strategy-deficient gamer will enjoy. This ain’t your daddy’s NHL game.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Yes, NHL 08 can feel challenging and hard, but it rewards you with the sport's best representation in videogame form that we've seen yet. [Oct 2007, p.73]

Game Informer

I was a bit worried that moving toward a slower, sim-based game would hurt the experience, but I found that it’s just as intense.

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Armchair Empire

Last year the clear winner was NHL 2K7 when it came to online play. This year the playing field is definitely more even – it didn’t matter what game I put in I always had fun while playing over Live. However, having some friends over to play, the choice was always NHL 08.

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GameSpot

EA's latest NHL title creates one of the most legitimately exciting interpretations of the sport you've ever played.

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Console Monster

If you are a hockey fan then you need this game. It’s as simple as that.

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DailyGame

The improved accessibility is welcome, the deepened career mode is great and the overall presentation quality can't be overlooked.

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GameShark

The finest NHL game EA Sports has ever produced.

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Console Gameworld

A much improved game that harkens back to the old days, where hockey was a great console sport.

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Xbox360Achievements

Nobody does presentation like EA and the menus, rosters and feel of ice hockey are superb. The various leagues and teams are all well catered for and offer anything that a fan could desire.

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Boomtown

If you are looking for an Ice Hockey game with lots of big hits and injuries then NHL 08 isn’t for you. However, if you’re looking for a good looking, great playing game that makes you think and actually challenges you, then look no further than NHL 08.

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GameCritics

Between getting all the aesthetics right and offering stellar gameplay, NHL 08 has an awful lot going for it, and I'm sure it will please longtime fans of the series.

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games(TM)

Electronic Arts has once again proved it is the king of American sport, and its constant drive to innovate is something to be commended and rewarded. Roll on next year, we say. [Nov 2007, p.120]

Gamestyle

NHL 08 is one of the finest depictions of the sport so far and we're actually looking forward to what next year's iteration will offer. And it's not very often we say something like that.

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GameDaily

EA did a superb job, and you need to play this game, whether you appreciate the sport or despise it.

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GamerNode

For hockey fans, NHL 08 is the best hockey offering this year. For non-hockey fans, it's a fun game, but not a must-buy sports title.

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AceGamez

NHL 08 is without question the finest hockey game that EA have released for many years and the first real contender to NHL 2K's crown as the premiere hockey simulation.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

Fast, realistic, and cool as ice. [Nov 2007, p.98]

PALGN

One of the most refined sports updates we've seen for quite some time.

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X360 Magazine UK

Another highly competent sports sim from EA. We've obviously gone back in time without noticing. [Issue#25, p.102]

Eurogamer

Time in the cooler has allowed our favorite frozen sport (sorry, curling) some time to roll out genuine improvements. The enhanced AI isn't quite a cure-all for 07's passive defences, but it does bring a satisfying, sim-like feel to the franchise for the first time in years.

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Game Revolution

This year, as 2K8 lags with its overcomplicated controls, EA has managed to slip by. NHL 08 is imperfect, but with its simple gameplay and its clean presentation, it’s somehow on track to lead the league and push it forward.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 37 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Fred K gave it a9:
The NHL 08 gameplay has really improved and it looks more like Hockey games than the older versions. Better puck control and more structured Powerplays. Hits are more tough to make (especially when you control Martin St-louis and try hitting Zdeno Chara). It's a really good game and I love it , but it can be even Better . - The goalies are way too hard to beat (but sometimes they give up some weird goals) -The Dynasty mode could be better: - The Prospects Drafted (first Overall) sucks (53 potential) - The GM cannot make "investments" - The GM cannot sign players of his own team during the season , only during the off-season.

Tom L. gave it a10:
Amazing game! Amazing graphics, superb gameplay, absolute authenticity, what more could you want from a game? An essential for any hockey fan. Its the only game i use on my 360, its that good!!!

ratp0is0n ratp gave it a10:
Excellent. So real its almost creepy.

Fred D. gave it an8:
Great hockey game , finally EA you made it , after 5 years of poor hockey titles.

Kevin D. gave it a9:
Best representation of a sport in the history of video games! Fluid skating, great AI... I was a 2K fan, but EA's got me this year with 08.

Red gave it a9:
The game is pretty nice so far, I'm liking it alot. The game has a much more simulation feel than the last few years which is a good thing - no more devastating hits from 180lbs wingers. Maybe they have taken a cue from the Winning Eleven Soccer series. I've seen some strange goals, but other than that, its fine and fun so far.

Blue Falcon gave it a7:
Finally this series is making some moves in the correct direction. The gameplay does definately resemble hockey much more than in previous versions. There's new skating animations and movements that are way improved. But I still feel like it's got MAJOR room for improvement. Little details are missing all over the place. I could list about 100 things that this series should have by now in it's 15th sequel. The play by play is particularly weak this year. Gameplay tweaks are frustratingly limited. Goaltending animations are limited too, and they are too skilled in net (even Dan Cloutier dominates shooters. UNREALISTIC!!!) . The interface is clunky again this year, but more so. I don't know why they feel the need to experiment with it every year. But this is the without question, the best ea nhl game released in a long time. I will concede that. It's as though they finally added a few hockey fans to their staff this year.

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NHL 08

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What The Critics Said

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