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NHL -08  |
SKILL MOMENTS
The Skill Stick gave you the power to deke the goalie in NHL 07,no w you can own the 1-on-1 matchup and undress opposing defenseman with complete control Use your stick to push the puck into space and walk around your defender. Once you're all alone in front, improved stick handling and shooting accuracy will give you the toolset to beat your goaltender for that decisive goal.Beyond the framerate doubling, the NHL developers have three goals for 08 going forward: advance the skill stick, add depth, and improve the core mechanics (skating, AI, checking). For starters, the skill stick requires more nuance when it comes to shooting. The shot's power and accuracy isn't based solely on the player you're controlling, but on the user's skill. If you're off, your shot will be too. But if you fire a level shot, it's going to be as accurate and blazing as a Joe Sakic wrister. To show this off, the game opens with target shooting (just like in the NHL All-Star Competition).
CONTROL
As for depth, there are "real" minigames that will teach you hockey and help you play the game. Instead of skating around obstacle courses, expect to work on 2-on-1 breakouts and how to use your point men on the power play. There will be over 30 drills in all. There's no official word yet as far as online play goes, but at a recent press event, the game's producer said EA has put more energy than ever before into 08's online experience.The most noticeable boost we've seen over last year's iteration has been in the skating. There are wide carve turns (slow and tight) and crossover turns (for speed), plus the analog stick now lets you skate at different speeds. Push it forward all the way to go full blast, or barely push it to slow down and search for a passing lane. As for checking, last year's system was pretty lame, but now there's context sensitive hitting, and non-hitters (like Daniel Briere) will get knocked back if they go shoulder to shoulder with brutes like Donald Brashear. While these changes deepen the hockey basics, the wow moments look to come from the new modifier button, which frees the puck from your stick. If you're in a 1-on-1 situation with a defender, you can push the puck through his legs, and retrieve it on the other side of the player. And it's not a canned animation -- we saw the puck glance off the defender's skates and get kicked away altogether in separate instances. When successful, though, it gives players a way to sidestep slow-footed big hitters without getting laid on their keisters, which is very cool. 
CREATE CUSTOM PLAYS
Take any team into practice mode and train them to run custom rush and in-zone plays in game. Do you want your team to run cycle plays down low? Or feed the point for a one-timer? Record the exact movements of each player in practice mode and watch as your team's AI executes them in gameplay.
The intelligent CPU scouts your tendencies like a coach and makes the necessary adjustments to shut downyourmoneyplays, forcing you to adjust your style of play.
ALL-NEW SKATING ENGINE
New analog speed control of the left stick gives you the variance you need to glide into the zone with control or get a burst of speed to step up on a defender. With new skating animations and responsiveness, you havethe control to perform crossovers to maintain speedor carve tight turns for an immediate change in direction.
DEVELOP AHL PLAYERS
29 AHL teams the top developmental league for the NHL, are exclusively featured and fully playable. Develop your talent with their minor affiliate until you are ready to call them up for the show. Be the GM and manage your team from the ground up while staying under the salary cap.
GOALIE MODE
Take on the hardestjob in sports and seize control of your goaltender with a new 3rd person camera. Stack the pads, butterfly and makeglove saves with your entire team depending on you.
AUTHENTIC PRESENTATION
From player likeness, to the signature jersey tucks and sock preferences each athlete is rendered with a meticulous attention to detail to create a truly authentic on-ice experience.
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