IGN: NHL 08 Preview

if it weren't for the skill stick in 07, I would have thrown the ing thing at a wall so long ago.

Skating is awful, goalies are bums, and the penalties called were garbage. Even the skill stick had its flaws, but it was the first game where it was utilized. So you could overlook that and have so much fun with it.

But really, without the skill stick, it was a crap game. They have to fix the goalies so much. The harder the difficulty you put it on, the more of a bum your goalie becomes. They need a crapload more sliders ala the 2k games. See, there's a game where you can notch the difficulty up and the goalie won't be a intellectually- disabled person. The actual players are more difficult and it's a more challenging and fun game all around. It's not fun when the opposition takes a shot, your goalie saves it, but then drops it and kicks it in his own net.

This year, instead of blind-buying the EA game, I'll rent both the EA game and the 2k game and make my choice then. I still have yet to try 2k7 on the 360. I've heard both good and bad. At this point, it would be so awkward getting used to shooting/passing/etc. with the buttons, but it might be worth getting used to if it means being able to play a better game.

I can't choose a favourite between EA and 2k. It depends on the year. Seems that neither are really consistant. I've been back and forth for the last few years.

2k5 is easily the greatest hockey game I've ever played, though.