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This year, EA Sports has created a game that looks so much like a real NHL game your going to think your watching the real thing. The main reason for this is the new skating engine and dynamic AI system.
In NHL 08, your players skates are controlled with the left joystick. If you want to go forward you move it forward, if you want turbo you move it all the way up, and to stop you move it down. If you leave the stick in its normal position your player will simply glide down the ice.
On the fly AI is something completely new to NHL 08, and will make the game a lot more challenging compared to the previous versions. If you stick to just one strategy on offense (such as trying to pop in one timers), the defense will recognize this and shut you down. You will need to be a lot smarter on offense this year. Vice versa, if you are one of those players who, on defense, likes to charge the offensive player with the puck and rock him with a big hit, you will get destroyed. You’re going to have to play more like defensemen in the NHL, by playing the passing lanes and using the poke check for instance.
Along with these two new game improvements comes the Dynasty mode, Create a player/team mode, Create a Play mode, and awesome Online play to name a few. I’m not going to go into detail about these areas because that would take a while; if you want a full fledged review of the game check out IGN.
In closing, I am going to provide you guys with a couple pointers that you can use when you get your copy of NHL 08. Firstly, when you are in create a play mode, try creating a play that moves all of your players to one side of the offensive zone. This will shift the defense’s attention to that side of the ice. Next, move the puck to the point (where your defense has possession) and skate towards the boards. At this time you sneak a forward behind the net, about five feet from the far post. To use this in a game, get your players in their positions and hit the created play button to trigger the play. Use a slap pass to send the puck to the net, and your forward will automatically deflect it and score.
Another tip for you fellow NHLers is to consider a players size and weight when choosing the stick flex setting in create a player mode. This is often something that not much thought is given to. Bigger, stronger players can shoot harder with a stiffer flex, whereas smaller players lack the strength to use a stiffer flex stick. Be sure to choose the right flex when creating your player.
EA has done a great job this year with its NHL franchise. If you do not own a copy already, you should seriously consider buying one. Until then, ill be playing online on my PS3 (PSN ID: Jackal09), see you on the ice.
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