EA's NHL series proudly appears once more on the PS2 in the guise of NHL 08. It's a long known fact that the series has pretty much had the hockey market tied up since its inception many moons ago, much like EA's NBA Live and Madden NFL franchises. Undoubtedly what you'll find on the PS2 is superseded by the next-gen versions you can pick up on PS3 and Xbox 360, but if that's not an option for you then this is still well worth a look.

The NHL series has pretty much everything you could ever want from a hockey game and is by far the best available when it comes to the sport; indeed, if you're a fan of ice hockey games then you may well have already snapped up NHL 08 without the need to read any reviews, much in the same way as fans who buy the latest Football Manager, FIFA or Pro Evo instalment the minute it comes out. If you have played EA Sports titles such as Tiger Woods before then you'll be right at home with the game's interface, and personally I love the consistency across the different series, allowing you to get into the game that much quicker than if presented with an unpredictable front end.

Diving straight into the gameplay, the excellent Skill Stick system returns not just for passing but for shooting as well; with the flick of a thumb on the right analogue stick you can smash a scorcher past the goalie. It's very similar to the manual pass technique found in the Pro Evolution series, which I used with aplomb scoring past my housemate's helpless keepers. It's a very good idea that works very well, but I still prefer the consistency of the classic controls to increase my chances of scoring. Nevertheless, using the Skill Stick increases the intensity of the gameplay, as you shout at yourself when you slice another shot past the goalie's flailing hands but into the boards behind.

You see, ice hockey tenders are notoriously hard to beat, not only because of all that padding adding extra girth to an already enormous goalie, but also the fact that the nets are pretty small, so accuracy really is key. In the beginning it takes a while to get used to scoring; it's entirely possible to pass the puck around without getting a successful shot on goal, but of course you won't win matches that way. It can be frustrating when you shoot, the goalie saves and then the other team counters and scores straight away, but just as your hockey coach would tell you, practice makes perfect. After a while you'll be able to knock the puck into goal half a dozen times or more per game with some regularity, although you may well still concede just as many as you did at the start. The shooting system has been developed a little further, leaving the 'locked on net' premise behind for a more realistically simulated shooting technique. For example, when near to the net, if you push the right analogue button forward then the puck simply goes straight, but if you move it slightly right of the net then this allows for a more precise, ego-boosting shot.

The defensive AI of your teammates isn't great, especially when you're getting counterattacked, although it's always fun to watch your players diving across the ice, taking one for the team or when they crush one of the opposition against the side of the rink. I would recommend choosing the option that allows you to be in control of your defence, because you'll just feel better knowing that you're the one in control and you won't have to sink into an icy despair after you watch your defenders skating around but not actually offering any defensive help some of the time. The dekes you will perform after a few goes will send the other team players the wrong way too, opening the way up for a clearer shot - the more you practice the better you will become, the hallmark of any worthwhile and deep sports game.

Just like the previous version, up-to-date rosters, the AHL and European teams are on offer here, along with series regulars Custom and Dynasty modes. Not much has changed here from the usual fare of picking a team, winning games to improve your manager trust (losing of course has the opposite effect), upgrading stats and so on. It's still a pain to sign free agents though, but I guess that's what it is like in the icy wheeling and dealing world of real hockey.

The player graphics are slightly better than last year; you could say a little smoother, although some players don't really look as good as they should. Player animation is usually fluid, although depending on how many stoppages you're experiencing you might find yet another angry player shot irritating. Some games can take ages because of the frequent 'icings' and stick trips, which break up the flow the game, but luckily the powerplays they allow you will gift you the perfect opportunity to try the kind of set pieces you've been developing in your training. Some of the lesser known players seem to perform the same walks and manoeuvres, but this only slightly affects the aesthetic value, rather than the gameplay. The shirts all look excellently modelled on the players, along with the arenas themselves; just like real hockey, you do feel a sense of claustrophobia growing inside you as you're battling to defend your net with two players down. The puck itself moves realistically with a fluidity and predictability that is appreciated; I didn't spot any major unusual puck movement. One bonus is the fantastic Stanley Cup celebration - every sports game should have cup celebrations like these, because they are awesome and make you feel that it really was worth wrestling your way to victory.

The commentary is first class as per usual for the EA Sports catalogue, but the quality is never in the quantity, so after a long session you may just want to enjoy the sound of the ice being covered and not another obvious commentator remark. The fans cheer and boo, but they could be a bit more vocal, and a few more team/player chants would have been nice, enticing you to perform that much more. The actual player and sound effects are great, especially as the puck smashes into the net or when players collide. If you take a step back from concentrating on the game then you will see all the off-the-puck action, which makes you admire not only the physics but also your team's tenacity. The intros are top notch too, getting you in the mood for a hard game of hockey as you watch your players skate across the ice showing real camaraderie.

A new inclusion for NHL 08 is the Buddy system where, in two-player, the player who is free can send a signal via vibration to the other player to let them know they are free to accept a pass. This increases the level of teamwork and excitement as you're skating towards the opposition, trying to find that extra bit of undefended ice to let off a wonder slap shot. The puck itself, much like its real life counterpart, will change direction if it hits a skate on its travels across the ice, which is where more control over your players is needed, because they don't always change direction once the puck has been interrupted - more a grating matter than a serious one.

The fighting is here too, as always, and with a simple tap of the d-pad you can initiate a punch up against one of the opposition. It's not great to watch and depends more on button bashing than anything, but when you win it can inspire you to play better, while if you lose and get sin-binned then the levels of frustration will be apparent on your face for all your friends and family to see! Online gaming is available, but with NHL 08 also appearing next generation consoles I can't see too many people wanting to play with you. The multiplayer is just as engaging as before though, and it's always best to play locally with a buddy - in this case up to eight!

NHL 08 is the finest hockey game on the PS2 to date, although the versions on the next-gen consoles are preferable if you have the choice. While only simply an update of a very good game with a few extra intriguing features that work well, the presentation is as polished as the ice you skate upon and if you haven't bought an NHL game for a while or indeed you've never played a hockey game before then it's well worth a look - owners of NHL 07 meanwhile will have to decide whether the new tweaks and features are worth the expense. Wow, I managed to go a whole review without mentioning ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Oh, wait, I just did... dammit!

Reviewed by Christopher McNally for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).