When gamers are looking for a solid hockey game, two franchises immediately come to mind: EA’s NHL line and 2K Sports’ NHL 2K series. During a conference call with 2K’s Ben Bishop, Scott Krager and Colin O’Hara, I was able to find out just what makes NHL 2K8 better than all the rest.
Being released on both the PS3 and the PS2, along with the 360, the game presented the crew with a number of challenges.
Q: Scott, what has been the biggest difference between coding NHL 2K8 for the PS2 and coding it for the Playstation 3?
Scott: “Well, the hardware between those two systems is very different, and we’re dealing with, what, a five year difference. So, it would be hard to pinpoint one thing except that the PS3 is clearly capable of so much more so it gives us more freedom, and while that’s primarily a good thing, it also presents us with a unique set of challenges. You have more involved technology which means there’s a bigger learning curve, and it gets trickier to do certain things, so from that standpoint, that’s one big difference.”
Aside from the actual differences in coding the games for each system, each version of 2K8 comes with its own exclusive aspects. For instance, on the 360, online games can be played up to four on four, whereas the PS3 allows games of up to six on six. The 360 offers a new feature called the Reel Maker, which is a download from Xbox Live Marketplace that allows players to edit and save their in-game replays, and then upload them to Xbox Live in order to show them off to friends. As for the PS3, gameplay takes advantage of the Sixaxis controller, which is used in checking.
Where each version contains its own special features, they both share the core gameplay experience, running at 60 FPS, along with many new features, the first of which is the new control scheme, centered on the Pro Stick.
Colin: [The Pros Stick] allows you to stick-handle in an almost 360 degree arc in front of your player. Not all players will have the same sort of range and speed, so you will definitely notice a difference between your top line guys and your third line guys, and you’ll have to play the game a little differently depending on who has the puck.
Adding more to this idea, the right analog stick controls the Pro Stick functions. It allows you to control the puck in front of you, and skate backwards.
Another addition to this year’s game is the system of Superstar Moves.
Superstar Moves are exactly what they sound like – intense moves pulled off by the pros in the real world that have been added into the game. There are 12 in all, with each being executed using a two-button combo. While they are easy to execute, they are “hard to master”. And while you may feel like executing one of these moves every five seconds to essentially decimate the competition, they are very realistic in that they will work best if used on a breakaway, after taking notice of your position on the ice.
In terms of audio and visuals, the game has received a huge overhaul. There is a new look to the menus as well as updates in the crowd, with real time audio and visuals being implemented, along with improvements to character modeling (player likenesses), lighting, and the addition of hundreds of new animations.
The commentary tracks have been reworked, and the “stitching” problem, when the tone of voice doesn’t match from phrase to phrase, noted in other installments has now been greatly improved. Another “fix”, so to say, comes in the fact that players will no longer be able to just sit or lay down in front of the net, blocking any incoming shots.
Changes to the overall gameplay include goalies that will challenge more often, AI that is more intelligent and will learn from your style of play (that is, you can’t use the same move every time and expect to make the goal), pucks that will move and deflect more realistically and new equipment based on real life items.
In terms of customization, the game offers features such as “create a character”, where you can create not only your player, but can also change the color of their sticks, etc. This different colored equipment can come in very handy when looking for a certain player on the rink. Speaking of equipment, with the recent change in NHL jersey design, players will be able to choose from the older and newer style jerseys, the last of which will be made available in a player update available to download online.
To make the game more accessible to first timers, there are extensive training modes available in which to hone your skills. Aside from the basics which teach you controls, there are specific training modes for the Pro Stick along with one for the Superstar Moves, which helps you figure out the best place on the ice to pull off these extreme shots.
While the game does include a very deep single player career, including off season touches like contract negotiations, salary caps and so on, the thing most players will be interested in is the online play.
As expected, there will be numerous online tournaments available to take part in, as well as both unranked and ranked games. Unranked games allow for more customization in terms of game options, while ranked matches are very structured so that no one player has a huge advantage before the game actually starts.
In the end, NHL 2K8 is set to offer the same addictive, realistic and intense gameplay fans have come to know and love from the franchise, while including enough elements to bring in those that don’t have as much, or any, experience with the genre. To sum it up, I think Ben says it best:
“If you’re a beginning player, you’ll be able to pick it up and have a good time, but if you’re a more advanced player who’s pretty familiar with our series, you can jump right in, maybe change some options or move up to a higher difficulty level and get that realism/simulation stuff that you’re after.”