Another new innovation EA is touting is the 'adaptive AI' the CPU will employ on the user. So you like to score a lot of goals with the old 'cross-crease one-timer' play, eh? Too bad. You might get away with it once, but not twice. The CPU learns the players nuances and adapts to them on the fly. Having an easy time carrying the puck into the offensive zone? Take advantage while you can because it won't be long before you're getting stood up, like a pimple-faced prom date, at the blue line. Better learn to dump and chase.

In the offensive zone the AI is also incredibly smart as the CPU will cycle the puck around looking for any openings you give it. If the pass into the slot is there, they'll take it. They'll also pass the puck back to it's dmen for point shots hoping for a screen or deflection. If you find yourself chasing the puck carrier, prepare to get taken to school, because the CPU will take full advantage of your players being out of position. Especially if the puck ends up on the stick of one of their snipers. Teemu Selanne absolutely destroyed me in a recent game where I gave him far too much time and space in the slot. A true sniper like him won't miss too often on quality chances in the real NHL and he certainly won't in NHL08 either.

Not only is the CPU a lot smarter in the offensive zone but it's also far more competent in both the neutral and defensive zones. In NHL07 a great majority of my offense came from breakaways and odd-man rushes. This isn't the case in NHL08 as I can count on one hand how many breakaway opportunities I've had over a dozen games. Odd-man rushes are almost as rare. When you finally do find yourself alone with the goalie make the best of it because these chances are few and far between.

Special teams also play a far greater role in this years game. In NHL07 it wasn't uncommon to score a shorthanded goal and in fact, I found myself going on the offensive every time I was a man short. Again, this isn't the case in NHL08. The CPU knows how to work it's PP using the points and flooding the crease hoping to generate offense anyway it can. For the first time that I can remember, you'll actually want to (and need to) clear the zone if you do manage to get the puck on your stick while killing a penalty. And there's a reward for that too as the clock switches from real-time to quick-time when you ice the puck.

On the flip-side, when you find yourself with the man-advantage, the CPU will clear the puck with authority whenever it gets the chance. In NHL07 the computer had a tendency to try and carry the puck out on too many occasions making it easy to cause a turnover resulting in more offensive chances. Not anymore, so make sure to work the points, fight for rebounds and keep the puck moving.

Feel overwhelmed with the adaptive and incredibly smart AI? Don't fret because the good boys from Vancouver have included the all new "Create A Play" feature. Essentially, the user has the ability to create an abundance of plays to help outwit and outsmart the AI. Don't like how your number one power play unit doesn't cause enough screens? No problem. Design a play planting one of your wingers at the top of the crease. Each play can be started by skating a player to a 'hotspot' that triggers the set play. The user also has the option to see the arrows and diagrams, during play, so you won't forget who's supposed to go where.
Believe me when I say that you're going to need these features to secure victory as you move up in difficulty.

NHL08 also features an all new online features that allow 6 players to play via the web at once. The only downside is that there must be one human-controlled player on the other team. No 6 against the CPU play, but you can play any combination of 5-1, 4-2, 3-3, 2-1, etc. So far, there hasn't been any reports of lag (like most EA games), so lets keep our Sherwood's crossed that this is true when more people jump online. For those that are disappointed that a full 6-on-6 match isn't possible don't be too upset. EA wanted to have this option but the frame rate dropped to 30FPS with so many online users in one game. I believe this is the better trade-off.

Other great features that people will be able to dive into are the Dynasty Mode, European teams, Create a Player, Create A Team and the use of the American Hockey League.

In Dynasty mode, you can run your team for 15 years, scouting players across the globe, negotiate contracts and set ticket prices.
With the AHL license users now have the option to send players up and down from the farm as well as playing every game that your AHL affiliate has scheduled. Your farm club will also play a large role in how certain players develop. Giving a rookie 5 minutes of ice time on the 4th line with the big club won't be nearly as beneficial as playing him on the top line of your AHL affiliate. Let the kids skate and learn on the farm, and in time you might have the next Eric Staal on your hands.

Negotiating has gotten a lot better as well, as you can no longer speak with a player offering multiple amounts until the player either takes it or leaves it. The computer now takes in account the free agents age and situation he's looking for. If you're a basement dweller and offer a player such as Peter Forsberg $6M per year but a contender offers him $5.5 chances are he'll run to the contender looking for one last kick at the Cup.

Create a Player and Create a Team are also very deep to the point where you can select equipment that can affect your players abilities on the ice. Want your player to have a bit more quickness? Give him new skates. Not sure if those new blades are going to help? Then take your player on the ice to test them out in practice mode.

And speaking of practice mode, you can run your squad through a wide array of practices to hone your skills. If you're struggling with odd-man rushes, set up some 3-on-2's or 2-on-1's. If your power play hasn't been effective start practicing with the man advantage.

The Create a Team features a wide pallet of colors and logos for you to choose from. For those that remember the beautiful Los Angeles Kings uniforms of the early 80's, you can recreate those using a deep array of purples and yellows.

As far as presentation and atmosphere, it really does feel like you're watching a real NHL game. Gary Thorne and Bill Clement have a wide array of dialogue to the point where they will actually make fun of you if you haven't adapted to the CPU's strategy. I can't tell you how funny (or sad) it is to be told by a computerized Bill Clement that I have failed to get the memo that my cross-crease one-timer attempts are not working. The crowd is very intuitive and will cheer, boo and chant according to what's happening on the ice. If the CPU is cycling the puck all over you, expect to hear the Boo-Birds come out. Clear the puck while on the PK and they'll give you a hearty cheer.

Goal scoring celebrations also look fluid and real. After you score a goal, the celebration that follows is seamless and appears to be real-time. And the bigger the goal, the bigger the celebration. Win a playoff game in OT and expect to see the goal scorer mobbed by teammates.

However, there are some things that I hope make their way into NHL09. The user is still robbed of seeing real-time stats after scoring a goal. Stat overlays are present in the game, but only when a player is spoken about between whistles.

Lastly, I think it should be noted that NHL08 is one of a very select sports games that don't use cheating as a means to make the game harder. As you move up in difficulty, don't expect to see Wade Bleak turn into Rob Blake or George Laraque become the second coming of Steve Yzerman. Every player will continue to play according to their attributes but the CPU will get smarter. It doesn't make as many mistakes and it will fully punish you for yours. David Littman and his team should be commended for this and I hope all other sports games follow suit in the future.

I'll be honest when I say that I'm not especially fond of giving out scores or ratings for games as they're highly subjective. But if I was forced to give this game a grade I'd give it an A.

It's a highly addicting game that will have you smiling just as much for your losses as your wins. You will find that each "W" or "L" is earned. I have yet to feel 'cheated' out of a win. Quite frankly, this is the best hockey game I've played to date and I can see NHL08 hogging a great amount of time in my 360.

But don't take my word for it, stop reading and pick this game up. You won't be disappointed.

Score - 9 out of 10 

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: