NHL 08 Review (XB360)

Last year's NHL 07 was a revelation and proof that Electronic Arts hadn't lost its grip on the hockey franchise. By keeping the controls simple while at the same time adding plenty of depth, it created a game that appealed to everyone. This year's edition, aptly titled NHL 08 builds off the successful formula, thanks to two important features that'll leave the game in your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 for months.

First, EA revamped the skating engine. You still control your skater with the left analog stick, but now it's pressure sensitive, meaning the further you tilt it forward, the faster he'll go. You also have the option of making defenders look stupid with a deke maneuver, which causes your player to pass the puck between their legs and blow past them. It's tricky to master, but once you do, it adds another layer of strategy to the game, letting you continue on your way to the goal instead of running face first into a human Mack truck.

Most times, however, you won't avoid the defense, thanks to NHL 08's second biggest feature, its artificial intelligence. You'll still celebrate a few blowout wins, but never mistake the computer for last year's. Not only does it know how to play hockey, but it can also adjust its strategy on the fly to expose your weak points. Dashing up the middle en route to the goal almost always gets you killed, meaning you need to actually think like a hockey player and, dare we say it, learn some plays.

Fortunately, EA gives some help starting with the announcers. As you play, they'll comment on the situation, informing you that (for example), what the New York Rangers did three straight times isn't going to work. Thus, you should change your battle plan. In addition, the game has this sweet create-a-play feature, which basically lets you practice all sorts of plays and then apply what you learned in a game.

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