-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
2008 Hockey Videogame Thread (NHL 08 & NHL 2K8 out Sept. 11)
- Thread starter FightyF
- Start date
squatingyeti
non-sanctioned troll
purgeface said:
Yeah, I'll take the St. Louis Blues. Worst to first baby.
so one thing that is bugging me on NHL08 right now.... How do you dump the puck for a dump and chase strategy? Maybe i'm missing it, but the controls don't explain how (or at least there isn't a button for it). I am getting owned when i play because I basically have to lug the puck into the zone everytime on the half boards. When I go up past center ice, the guy shoots the puck on net, but not in the corners where could sent guys to go dig it out. PLEASE GIVE SOME ADVICE.
Also, is there a decent way to learn how to do faceoffs better against the CPU on all-star? It is really hard to play against them if your faceoff totals are 17-5 in a game, and it takes a good minute to get the puck away from them every time (and they barrage my poor goalie in the process with their cycling).
I recently installed some all-star sliders from operationsports on NHL08 and after one game, they seemed to have made the CPU a little more tolerable to play against (which is good for me-I was getting tired of yelling at my screen everytime I got owned for 3 goals unanswered in a period by them)
At this point now, I am enjoying NHL2k8 a little more then NHL08 right now, and it is because they are giving me more controls to use (even though learning them was complicated at first, now they are a breeze).
Also, is there a decent way to learn how to do faceoffs better against the CPU on all-star? It is really hard to play against them if your faceoff totals are 17-5 in a game, and it takes a good minute to get the puck away from them every time (and they barrage my poor goalie in the process with their cycling).
I recently installed some all-star sliders from operationsports on NHL08 and after one game, they seemed to have made the CPU a little more tolerable to play against (which is good for me-I was getting tired of yelling at my screen everytime I got owned for 3 goals unanswered in a period by them)
At this point now, I am enjoying NHL2k8 a little more then NHL08 right now, and it is because they are giving me more controls to use (even though learning them was complicated at first, now they are a breeze).
The Elite
BOSS
speculawyer said:
I've just been using the right stick at face-offs. I pull back towards the player I want the puck to go to.
EDIT: How the fuck is it that the AI seems to be able to hold on to the puck no matter how much poke-checking, shoving and all round hell I try to give it. If I just play my position they pass it around without giving you an in to get the puck back. Also, they seem to be able to do a 360 turn while standing still on the ice at will with you standing right beside them and poke checking them.
The more I play this game the more I see glaring problems.
speculawyer
Member
speculawyer said:
Well, after receiving a challenge last night, I tried to move my controller to join the other guy's side, but it wouldn't let me. So you can't do co-op from the lobbies. But that really wouldn't be a 'challenge' would it?
Perhaps you can do it from the 'play with friend' start point, but I'm starting to think this feature (online co-op v. AI) doesn't exist.
speculawyer
Member
Well, in NHL 2K8 it is:Kingpen said:
Y=wrist dump
Hold Y=higher/harder wrist dump
Left Trigger+Y=slap dump
But you probably already knew that.
I don't know if dump & chase would work well in NHL 08 anyway since they'll usually beat you to the puck and it is pretty hard to take it away from them.DoctorWho said:
Yeah, that part of the game needs a slider adjustment. I turned down the puck control slider a notch or two, or you can also try increasing poke effectiveness (or both!). I've found it helps to make things much more fair.
Also, Kingpen: dump and chase in NHL 08.
You can either shoot when you're outside the blue line, or if you want to ring the puck around the boards after you've entered the zone, simply pass the puck straight down (if you're standing near the boards). Then of course you'll need to take control of another player annd try and get to the puck.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Just had my first online game experience with NHL 08 and it was fantastic. No lag whatsoever. I was the Red Wings and I was down 1-0 against the Rangers. I scored two goals in the last minute of play (a Chelios slap shot at 55 seconds left and a Cleary one-timer with 6 seconds left) to win. What a game.
revolverjgw
Member
I think I'm overlooking something in NHL 08. I created a custom team and created a bunch of legends. Lemieux-Gretzky-Kurri first line, Gainey-Carbonneau-C.Lemieux fourth line, etc. And now whenever I play in dynasty, the other teams sign these guys up, whether I use current or default rosters or whatever. That is bad news for me. I don't want a division rival signing Bobby Freaking Orr.
What do I need to do to keep these guys out of the free agent pool? I don't even know how to delete them.
What do I need to do to keep these guys out of the free agent pool? I don't even know how to delete them.
For NHL 08 360, I just created a player... or atleast I think I did.. I picked out all the stats and the appearance (8 faces only is bullshit though). Then i guess I press the Exit button and goto Save Session? Is that how you create a player? Now how do I play with this newly formed player or put him on the team of my choice. i want to play dynasty with him on my team.. Anyone know how to do this?
I wanted to make you guys aware of another pretty cool feature in NHL2k8. We have the ability to download another person's set of sliders for use in our game. Any of you that frequent Operation Sports know that usually a few guys come up with really great sliders that make the game play more 'sim-like' vs the settings right out of the box.
Over the past few years, a user named VeNOM has had great sliders to use with the game, and now instead of printing them out and going one by one (sometimes taking half an hour to input all of them), I can just download them, be done with it and use them in any game mode. The setup will even log which sliders are in the 100 visited, and which ones are recommended the most.
Currently VeNOM and WWJC sliders are the highest rated, so you probably can't go wrong either way.
I installed some sliders for NHL08 the other night and am having a lot more fun with the game now. It has gone into a more realistic, but fun playing game vs the 'chase the AI around while they cycle your team to death and barrage your goalie' game that is present out of the box on All-Star. I got blown out by Montreal in one game, and the next game I shut out Toronto... Nice variation there..
Over the past few years, a user named VeNOM has had great sliders to use with the game, and now instead of printing them out and going one by one (sometimes taking half an hour to input all of them), I can just download them, be done with it and use them in any game mode. The setup will even log which sliders are in the 100 visited, and which ones are recommended the most.
Currently VeNOM and WWJC sliders are the highest rated, so you probably can't go wrong either way.
I installed some sliders for NHL08 the other night and am having a lot more fun with the game now. It has gone into a more realistic, but fun playing game vs the 'chase the AI around while they cycle your team to death and barrage your goalie' game that is present out of the box on All-Star. I got blown out by Montreal in one game, and the next game I shut out Toronto... Nice variation there..
speculawyer
Member
Kingpen said:
Not only that but it comes with a whole set of pre-made sliders (sim, arcade, physical, etc.) . . . including slider sets made various pros (Thorton, Spezzo, etc.).
I created a slider set called 'boxing' with fighting, agressiveness, and hitting power turned all the way up.
speculawyer
Member
Oh, if you want NHL 08 and/or NHL 2K8, you can use the Toys 'R Us Buy 2 get one free sale (assuming there are other titles are you interested in.)
Thread about the sale
The actual online sale.
Lots of other good titles (Madden, The Bigs, Bioshock, Dirt, Forza 2, NCAA, etc.)
Thread about the sale
The actual online sale.
Lots of other good titles (Madden, The Bigs, Bioshock, Dirt, Forza 2, NCAA, etc.)
Credit given to Q_bert183 over on Operation Sports. Seems like a lot of people are enjoying his sliders including me.... The only change I have made is that I play with 5 minute periods instead of 10, and I am still getting good results...
I also noticed that in the montreal game I took about 6 penalties... The next game, Toronto took about 5 against me. This makes me happy as the pims out of the box are rather lacking...
I also noticed that in the montreal game I took about 6 penalties... The next game, Toronto took about 5 against me. This makes me happy as the pims out of the box are rather lacking...
speculawyer
Member
zedge said:
I can't believe they have an NBA 2K8 demo out already when that doesn't ship until next month yet they can't get an NHL 2K8 demo up when that game has been on the store shelves for a week now.
The Bookerman
Member
Ok I got this for PS3 and I'm really pissed off cause the defense is so damn nasty and the moment I loose the puck, the AI goes back and scores
SKILL STICK MOMENTS????
WTH, THe moment I'm in one on one: I press r1, deke the defenceman... but my forward just slows down instead of accelerating.
What the hell am I doing wrong?
Gimme some pointers cause I'm getting my ass kicked.
SKILL STICK MOMENTS????
WTH, THe moment I'm in one on one: I press r1, deke the defenceman... but my forward just slows down instead of accelerating.
What the hell am I doing wrong?
Gimme some pointers cause I'm getting my ass kicked.
Use the R button, the longer you hold it the stronger it will be, but it's very effective for banking off boards when someone is pinning you in neutral ice and if you hold it down a bit longer it works great for soft dump ins where you can use your speed to get down and get the puck back in behind the net. you can also use it to saucer the puck across the ice to a winger attacking in on the opposite side. takes some practice but very effectiveKingpen said:
you press r1 and you have to use the right stick to say where the puck should go and the left stick to say where your body should go to get around the defensemen. i think theres a tutorial video somewhere off the main menuThe Bookerman said:
The Elite
BOSS
My thoughts after using the sliders posted above:
I'm starting to think that there is something fundamentally messed up about this game. After trying these sliders I lost a game were the shots were relatively even 29-28 and the score for them was 3-1. The next game I had about 50 shots against me and I only managed around 19 but won 3-0. I also won the majority of the face-offs.
The next two games were ridiculous. I couldn't win a face-off if my life depended on it. I'm doing nothing differently but the face-off amount at the end of the game was about 40-2 and the score was 8-1. I can't poke-check in this game without a penalty being called on me while they can strip the puck off of my guys with ease. I'm playing my positions on defense and using high pressure. The problem in this game is not my ability to score but my ability to successfully defend at all and I was hoping these sliders would help but I don't want a game were I feel I have to consistently be running around to make up for my lackluster defensive AI.
When I had initially heard this game was going to feature some great AI I was thrilled but now it is apparent that along with it they added some other features to make the game difficult like unrealistic tape-to-tape passing and shots that seem to zig-zag around my blockers and at the net while my shots always seem to hit a man out in front.
I'm starting to think that there is something fundamentally messed up about this game. After trying these sliders I lost a game were the shots were relatively even 29-28 and the score for them was 3-1. The next game I had about 50 shots against me and I only managed around 19 but won 3-0. I also won the majority of the face-offs.
The next two games were ridiculous. I couldn't win a face-off if my life depended on it. I'm doing nothing differently but the face-off amount at the end of the game was about 40-2 and the score was 8-1. I can't poke-check in this game without a penalty being called on me while they can strip the puck off of my guys with ease. I'm playing my positions on defense and using high pressure. The problem in this game is not my ability to score but my ability to successfully defend at all and I was hoping these sliders would help but I don't want a game were I feel I have to consistently be running around to make up for my lackluster defensive AI.
When I had initially heard this game was going to feature some great AI I was thrilled but now it is apparent that along with it they added some other features to make the game difficult like unrealistic tape-to-tape passing and shots that seem to zig-zag around my blockers and at the net while my shots always seem to hit a man out in front.
Foreign Jackass
Member
Way too many missed shots and posts in NHL 08. It's really frustrating.
So far, some people on the net seem to lift my stick up, and I don't know how to do that. Does anybody know what I'm talking about?
So far, some people on the net seem to lift my stick up, and I don't know how to do that. Does anybody know what I'm talking about?
DoctorWho said:
I think there is a randomness element inside NHL08 this year. Not all games are going to follow a pattern. I hear you on the faceoffs. The main thing the sliders did for me was try to even the playing field on the shots against, but also it helped me with them taking more penalties (me as well though)...
I'm gonna have to drop out of the league. Haven't had much time for games lately and I can't see that improving with the real season starting soon. So the Stars are free in the 360/08 league. If you see me playing online at any time, feel free to hit me up for a game. gt: valis666
revolverjgw
Member
Foreign Jackass said:
And way too many of those missed shots end up out of play. I hope there can be a patch for this or something.
Osorio said:
That's MS's fault...due to the shoddy model of the drive you are using. Do you have any other scratched games?
I don't mind the missed shots, in fact I think some of those hit posts should be missed shots. If you ask me, it's way too easy to hit the net from most places in 08.
ChrisJames
Member
So any word on a 2k8 league? Looks like we have at least 6 people who want in thus far.
squatingyeti
non-sanctioned troll
Yeah damnit! I just want to play hockey. Why have you forsaken me god?
Thanks for the slider info Kingpen.
Hmmm, maybe I should update the OP with some slider settings. Ie. add a link from the OP to another post that has the slider settings.
I'm gonna do that for the 08 settings. As far as 2K8 settings go...I'll just link to your post that says we can download slider settings, as that post points to OP and the users who have made the settings there.
purge: Do you plan to start a new thread in the online forum regarding the 2K8 league or do you want to keep discussion here? I don't mind either way, and if you need me to update the OP's roster list let me know.
Hmmm, maybe I should update the OP with some slider settings. Ie. add a link from the OP to another post that has the slider settings.
I'm gonna do that for the 08 settings. As far as 2K8 settings go...I'll just link to your post that says we can download slider settings, as that post points to OP and the users who have made the settings there.
purge: Do you plan to start a new thread in the online forum regarding the 2K8 league or do you want to keep discussion here? I don't mind either way, and if you need me to update the OP's roster list let me know.
Marty Chinn
Member
Has anyone experimented much with creating plays? I'm just not having a whole lot of luck designing ones that work. Stuff like a simple cycle down low. Any tips?
Marty Chinn said:
Actually I made a really good one yesterday modeled after the cycle play in the video from IGN.
I used Overload formation, then had the guy with the puck start in the corner and walk towards the hashmarks on the halfboards. I had the guy on those same hasmarks skate into the slot, and I had the guy in the slot skate to the corner. Voila, perfect cycle as long as you keep passing the puck down to the guy in the corner. You'll eventually open up the defense if you do it fast enough and the guy in the slot should be open.
Alright, I've finally decided to get NHL 08.
The demo was great fun and all, but playing Goalie Mode at a friend's place really sold me on it. I used to be a goalie in real life and I've always wanted the ability (in hockey or soccer games) to have a deep and practical way of locking on to the goalie all game.
Some may think it's boring but I love it. I'll play some games the real way, but I'm looking forward to playing a bunch of games with just Toscala.
The demo was great fun and all, but playing Goalie Mode at a friend's place really sold me on it. I used to be a goalie in real life and I've always wanted the ability (in hockey or soccer games) to have a deep and practical way of locking on to the goalie all game.
Some may think it's boring but I love it. I'll play some games the real way, but I'm looking forward to playing a bunch of games with just Toscala.
Fifty said:
I agree, it's a solid mode, mainly because you can read the shot before he shoots it due to the swinging of the stick. In previous hockey games, the animation didn't really reflect where the shot was going. In this game, it's a lot more realistic.
My only complaint is that you can't cut down the angle anymore...but maybe that's just me. The mode was really well done.
Have you ever pulled the goalie and played as the extra attacker? It's pretty crazy, you follow the player as if you were playing Gears of War or something. First Person Hockey...it has potential!
speculawyer
Member
Kingpen said:
Kingpen, don't you have problems going back & forth between the two games with different controls?
I wish at least one of the games had the ability to move the controls around. I find the very different positioning of the 'switch player' control on NHL 2K7(A), NHL 2K8(left bumper), and NHL 08(right trigger) very confusing.
The Super-star moves in NHL 2K8 are kinda cool . . . they rarely seem to lead to a score but add a cool method of taking shots to the game. They'll make for great high-light reels.
I sure wish NHL 2K8 had the multi-console mode that NHL 08 has though.
Due to the ToyRUs sale, I've now bought 2 copies of each game! (A set for me and a set for my brother & my nephew)
speculawyer said:
it can be a little jarring to go between the games, but I pick it up after about 20 seconds into the game. I do appreciate all the controls 2k8 brings to the table....
I have a feeling a lot of you guys in the 08 league are going to torch me. I seem to have the New Jersey Devils syndrom and can't score goals to save my life. I would rate myself as a C for Defense right now, and an F for scoring goals. I still can make adjustments though, and am trying to learn some finer points about offenses.
General Question: Which Defense do you all use and which control scheme do you use on NHL08? (PS3)
When I play against people online, some people seem to have a D that is ALWAYS in the right position for an intercepted pass or a check. Is there a setting that I'm missing? Even when I stop in the neutral zone to look at their defense, it's always 4 guys STACKING the middle and one roaming around.
When I play against people online, some people seem to have a D that is ALWAYS in the right position for an intercepted pass or a check. Is there a setting that I'm missing? Even when I stop in the neutral zone to look at their defense, it's always 4 guys STACKING the middle and one roaming around.