Digital Sportspage Blog

Some impressions from members of the DSP forums. I wasn’t planning on picking this up, but all of the positive impressions has me seriously considering getting a copy.

First, from sportdan30:

Well, I opened it. And I played it.

I’ve only played a quick two periods thus far. The framerate is noticeable, but it’s certainly not as bad as Madden was, but perhaps a little worse than NCAA. It’s hard to describe. Once your eyes get accustomed to it, I wasn’t focusing on it during the gameplay. I’ll have to play it a few more times to really get a sense of whether or not it hinders my enjoyment. I do think the classic camera might not be as bad framerate wise. That is not the default camera.

The A.I. is a S.O.B. on All-Star. They definitely attack you when you have the puck and are trying to set up a shot. I could tell a huge difference from playing on Pro and playing on All-Star. It’ll definitely be a challenge for sure. I don’t think I’m ready for AS actually. They were schooling me big time.

One negative I did notice fairly quickly, and this has happened twice so far in less than 15 minutes of play. I was playing against the Coyotes. Two of their players would attack and while one would make a dash for the net with the puck, the other would set up for a one-timer. My goalie would solely focus on the player with the puck, however did not react at all once the pass was sent over for the one-timer. Even after it was put in the net, the goalie just stood there motionless. Perhaps there is a slider for goalie awareness as I haven’t bothered to check yet. But it creates for a cheap easy goal for the computer.

I turned down game speed one notch along with with pass speed a couple notches as well.

By the way, the atmosphere is outstanding with surround sound. Love the chant of “Lets go Blues” and “shoot the puck” when I’m on the powerplay. Great crowd reaction. They do however tend to clap a little too much when the opponent scores, but they quiet fairly quickly.

More impressions after the jump.

Blublub:

I must say I am mightily impressed. The 360 framerate is butter, there aren’t the annoying cut scene lags like in NCAA. Graphics are amazing - I love the little touches like guys unis getting half pulled out. The goalie animations are even more stunning than last year.

And I dare say the gameplay is revolutionary. This is the first hockey console game that seems to play like IRL. Even better it’s still actually fun. It’s no longer a mad dash to look for a cheap one-timer on offense. In fact, about half of one-timer attempts don’t even result in a shot. I love that you can slow it up and work the puck around. Defense is no longer body check and scramble - try that and the CPU will make you pay.

I still can’t get entirely comfortable with the stick shooting and had to revert back to classic. So far the default settings seem to be pretty much dead on for my skills, and I don’t feel the need to immediately start tweaking sliders.

Only very minor gripes are the relatively few alternate/throwback uniforms, no single-season mode (without CPU trading) and the fact that it seems only Reebok uniforms are licensed. Do they have a league-wide deal this season?

I wanted to hate this game and I just can’t, at least yet. Highly recommended.

Mizzourah:

Just got my ass handed to me courtsey of the Rangers, 9-1. I was out shot 70-19. Unlike 07, I’m REALLY going to have to learn to play smart instead of hitting everything and having breakaways. You really have to make quick, smart, decisions.

- I’m getting out hit
- I’m getting out shot
- I’m getting beat on many faceoffs
- I love how the PP slows when the CPU team is in your zone and resumes accelerations when the puck is cleared
- Stat overlays are there, I’ve seen them.. not as much as I would like, but I’ve seen them
- Goalie play is so much better, no more goofy bounce off the top of his pads into the goal
- Top players HAVE to be watched, Jagr had 4 goals.. if he’s left open, he’s going to burn you
- Better in between stoppages as you don’t always see shots on goal

I will always remember my first goal. Jay McKee a slapper!

I would suggest if you are new to the series to start on Pro and go from there. I feel like a chump on AS and I played 07 to death. Smile Each game on AS is going to be mentally challenging for me. I have to find the other teams stars, hit smart, poke check, pass accurately, etc.. I had many penalties that would not have been penalties in 07.

In all, initial impressions are I love this game. It does so many things right in terms of real hockey.

10spro:

After playing a couple of 2K8 games, I received EA’s product late this afternoon and played a couple of games on PRO and a couple on AS. The game on default seem to be quite quick and the passes very crisp, tape to tape. I adjusted the sliders a bit during the game and there were more interceptions. If you want to avoid those tic tac toe passes from the CPU, you have to play the passing lanes carefully and keep your stick out.

The graphics are better than 2K8 although but I prefer the face models in 2K8 as they are a bit more accurate. Both games have great animations. I was killing a penalty on one game and a puck hit one of my D-men, the poor guy was hopping for about 10 seconds until I cleared the puck. The ice looks better in 08 but overall I prefer the options in 2K8, including a whole season of play which EA doesn’t have.

+The AI has improved a lot even on PRO, although there are some instances when I am cycling the puck with the Sedin twins and the opposition seems to be a bit on the observing side. Mind you, in real life the twins’ cycling game drives any opponent nuts. Smile

+Your better players make a difference in play, so make sure that you save them in crucial moments during the game especially when the game is close. Puck physics like 2K8 are very realistic and some bounces are hard to predict.

-I witnessed a couple of garbage calls by the CPU where the ref should have whistled the play dead and the opponent just jams it in for a cheese goal. On AS mode the goals seem to be coming from the one timer source, strange wasn’t this supposed to be a 2K8 problem. Playing D is not as deep as in 2K8, why can’t your player skate backwards while backchecking?

+Faceoffs have also improved in 08 as the % of winning them are 50/50 unlike 07, but most impressive is the 60FPS making the game a delight to play with the fun factor right up there.

-Wished there was more board battles.

Overall, 2K8 is still more of a sim game for me; with its control you have a variety of what you want to do with the puck, while killing a penalty for example you don’t always just want to slapshot the puck away, but rather feather shoot it away depending on the opponents position.

One thing for sure is that every puck head this year will be very happy with either product. There’s a deeper learning curve in 2K8, while EA makes any player that just wants to pick up a quick game, a blast to play.