NHL 08

 PlayStation 2
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
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  1. HockeyNutter
    Oct 5, 2007
    9
    It may seem like just an upgrade to last year's offering but there are some neat touches in 08. The goalies are way better with more detailed saves and realistic contact with other players plus the improved control system adds a great deal to the action. The menus are pretty cool but it is a pain to have to unlock the new season's kits. Why couldn't they just use them normally?
  2. AaronM.
    Sep 12, 2007
    6
    Meh! Clearly more and more developers are sending the message that only the next gen platforms will be the focus. NHL 08 is simply the same 2007 animal with a different colour scheme and the AHL tacked on as a tail. The Player creation area is still a farse in that any serious attempt to create new prospects or fantasy players is ruined by the forced need to apply a stupid nickname for Meh! Clearly more and more developers are sending the message that only the next gen platforms will be the focus. NHL 08 is simply the same 2007 animal with a different colour scheme and the AHL tacked on as a tail. The Player creation area is still a farse in that any serious attempt to create new prospects or fantasy players is ruined by the forced need to apply a stupid nickname for the announcers to belt out like drunken fools. Again, like last year, if you have any knowledge on how to play hockey, the only level that comes close to reality is on difficult, and even in that, scores will almost always be sadly inflated with a tight exciting 2-1 game simply impossible. The goalie AI is minutely better but their mechanics are noticably worse with around 40% shots stopped as if they are table-top hockey tenders with a metal rod stuck up their backside. And please, tell me why in all the years of development, goalies still cannot actually catch a shot with their trappers? Thirdly, regardless of slider adjustment, there clearly are way too many penalties called to both teams with 5 on 3's occuring three and four times a game. It's almost at glitch level frankly. And while on the subject of penalties, AGAIN EA failed to notice, let alone fix the fact that the penalty clock runs at real time rate regardless of the period length adjusted rate. This means you'll have to again kill off penalties that last almost 4 minutes against the period for a 2 minute penalty. Clearly another sign that they lazily just repainted 2007 with all the same problems. Certain aspects of the AI are worse in that you will often see unselected players on your teams skate to pointless areas AWAY from lose pucks even though they are the closest to the play. The rosters also seem thinned out but with AHL callup ability, this one aspect is nicely addressed. I haven't had time to look much into the dynasty mode so I will not address that but without the foundations of a repeatly enjoyable and balanced gameplay, those features seem a moot point. Thankfully the price has been dropped, so that inevitable sting of EA dissappontment is soothed somewhat, yet it looks like another year of endlessly adjusting sliders to eak out even a mildly enjoyable experience with little resemblance to reality.… Expand
  3. neojotic
    Aug 31, 2020
    7
    A solid NHL game, nothing more and nothing less.

    Steps behind the next gen versions but the best it's gonna get for PS2
  4. janwe04
    Jan 19, 2022
    0
    The game isn’t even working on my console. It broke so fast even tho I didn’t do anything. The music is okay and as I remember the game wasn’t even that good too! Not worht

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. GameZone
    70
    While the Skill Stick is the best addition to a PS2 hockey game in recent memory, it doesn't move mountains. NHL 08 is a slightly revamped version of NHL 07.
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  2. GameSpot
    65
    NHL 08 offers up a few control tweaks and minimal updates to the dynasty mode, but that's about it.
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  3. GamesRadar+
    70
    Kudos to EA for avoiding the path of least resistance and offering up perhaps one last big bang for puckheads across the landscape.
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