EA's NHL series has always been a bit of a funny one. Much like FIFA, NHL has struggled to decide just what kind of game it wants to be. Caught somewhere between recapturing the glory days of the fast, big hitting hockey of Mega Drive era NHL 94 and emulating the deep, realistic and involving hockey of the NHL 2K series, year by year EA's NHL seems to change it strategy, unable to quite find its own balance between the juxtaposition of arcade thrills and simulation accuracy.

Well, this year, EA have set out there stall. They want to beat the NHL 2K series at their own game and create the most authentic reproduction of hockey ever to grace the videogame market. Have they done it? Surprisingly enough, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Although the idea of challenging the continuously outstanding 2K series at its own game may have seemed quite foolhardy, EA have pulled it out of the bag with aplomb.

With a combination of the terrifically implemented skill stick mechanic and a completely revised gameplay and AI structure, NHL 08 is finally a game that can match, and often better, the 2K series for gameplay and depth, while still holding the trump card of unrivalled atmosphere and superb production values. With the 2K series uncharacteristically dropping the puck this year, with a slightly awkward and over complicated new control scheme, it seems that EA have chosen just the right time to release their finest NHL game for many years. Don't get me wrong - NHL 2K still has far and away the most in-depth franchise mode known to man, something that EA are still a way off - but as an overall package, NHL 08 is one hell of a game, and one that purists and newcomers alike can enjoy in equal measure.

After EA introduced the terrific skill stick control to the world in NHL 07, but sadly decided to leave out a huge selection of options and game modes, not to mention completely ignoring the need to iron out the many issues that plagued the game engine, with balance and AI being major points of concern, hockey fans were left pondering what could have been while happily carrying on with the, altogether far superior NHL 2K7. Well, hockey fans need ponder no more, as NHL 08 has taken everything that was good about the skill stick control mechanic, improved upon it and combined it with as authentic, balanced, and downright fun a game engine as you are likely to find.

The first thing you may actually notice when playing NHL 08 is just how much slower it is than NHL 07. Don't be alarmed though, because this actually benefits the game greatly and is all down to matches having a more realistic pace and methodical nature to them. A large part of this comes from the fact that the speed burst has been done away with in favour of complete control of player speed through the left analogue stick. This immediately gives the game a more intuitive feel, as the link between thumb and onscreen action feels tighter than ever. It also gives the movement of players a much more natural feel and look. The slower speed can also be attributed to the improved AI and game engine. Players move as they would in real life and they also react to your actions a lot more, like you might expect real opponents would, even learning from your strategies as the game goes on; keep pushing down the right and the AI will back up with extra cover for that side. Although player attributes don't seem to effect how quickly they adapt to your style, this is still extremely well implemented and a real sign of improvement for AI in the series, not to mention the genre as a whole.

This may all sound a little too challenging and - more worryingly - boring for those who don't play or watch hockey on a regular basis, but in all honesty, that is exactly what it potentially could be for the uninitiated. Although EA have created a great hockey game, it's certainly a hockey game for hockey fans. For players looking for hit after bone crunching hit, well, I guess you're going to have to move onto the NHL Hitz series for your kicks; checking too has been toned down greatly for NHL 08. However, for those uninitiated yet still willing to give the game a try, this is compelling stuff, not to mention surprisingly accessible and actually helpful at every turn. The commentators drop subtle hints if things aren't going your way and tips pop up between quarters to help you, suggesting new tactical approaches and techniques to try out for the remainder of the game.

As mentioned previously, the skill stick controls make a welcome and improved return for NHL 08. For anyone who played NHL 07, the controls will feel hugely familiar. There has been no great overhaul here, as one wasn't needed, just that little bit of refinement has been added to give the control scheme that extra coat of gloss. For those who haven't yet experienced it, getting to grips with the new control scheme may require a little perseverance - stick with it though and the controls will seem like second nature before long.

If truth be told, the more you play the game, the more you realise just how similar the control scheme is to last year's instalment. All the changes have actually come from successful tweaks to the game engine that allow for the excellent skill stick controls to really shine this time around. Due to the much more realistic responses from the opposition and the much smoother player movement, matches seem to flow based on changing tactics and on the fly decisions, rather than continuous use of first timers and big body checks. Players are encouraged to adapt their style as they go, depending on the nature of the opposition and the needs of specific offensive and defensive situations that arise throughout a game. In fact, the only really new introduction to the control scheme is the loose puck deking. By holding the left bumper and pushing the analogue sticks in the direction required, players can now leave the opposition for dead as they release the puck, skate around the defender and pick it back up on the other side. This is tricky, but when mastered becomes an incredibly useful tool, especially when it comes to one-on-ones with defenders.

A more controversial change to the balance of the game comes from the aforementioned watering down of body checks. For the seasoned hockey player this is without question a benefit, as it certainly brings an extra balance to the gameplay and again adds to the simulation of NHL 08, as players are hustled and shoved off the puck in a manner more befitting the situation at hand. This is also one of the areas that the more balanced player attributes are easily visible. Little speedy players aren't going to do that much damage against some of the bigger guys, but catch one of the smaller guys in full swing with a well timed body check and they are going to be mincemeat. This all sounds well and good, but for those a little less versed in hockey law, it could prove to be a bit off a turn off. For the majority of players who don't watch or play hockey on a regular basis, one of the big pulls has always been the opportunity to smash your opponent up against, or better yet, through the glass. Don't get me wrong, time it right and you can still give your opponent an almighty whack, it's just that those hungry for a constant diet of big hits might come away a little disappointed.

As already mentioned, one of NHL 07's biggest problems was the huge lack of game options. This has more than been made up for this time around, with a plethora of choices available to the player. Dynasty mode is a huge improvement over last year's effort, with a more comprehensive negotiating system - probably the best of any sports game on the market - and a much greater choice of management options. As good as the negotiating system is though, Dynasty mode still doesn't hold up well when placed against the 2K offering. Despite the improvements been made to the all-round package, the 2K series is still the place to go for those looking for the ultimate in all encompassing hockey.

Apart from the obvious game modes, the other big improvements come in the form of practice mode and online mode. For this year's iteration, practice mode not only allows you to practice your attacking game plan within the constraints of a huge selection of pre-determined scenarios, but also allows for new plays to be created. This is a surprisingly simple process that is helped by the well-implemented mechanics that allows you to pick each player's specific position for the play individually.

The online mode in NHL 07 was a major nagging point for many players, with issues of lagging and a general lack of options really reducing any chance of success or fun to nil. Luckily, EA have got their act together this time around with a wider choice of online options, an improved lobby menu and a huge reduction in lag during games. Along with the usual one-on-one matches, there are now online shoot-outs and well-executed online leagues. The online leagues are especially something of a joy; easy to set up but deceptively deep and engaging, they allow for up to thirty-two teams and are helped immeasurably by the hugely improved lobby menus. Again, these options still don't quite match up to NHL 2K, but they are without question a vast improvement on last year and another step in the right direction for the series as a whole.

Presentation wise, the NHL series once again can't be faulted. An already superb graphics engine has been tweaked and polished for NHL 08, giving the game an even more impressive atmosphere. All the razzle-dazzle before and during the games is also here in abundance, with superb lighting and outstanding recreations of all the big name stadiums. On top of that, player models look even better, with animations also improving on last year's outing. It's not just the graphics engine that is impressive either, as NHL 08 is also blessed with terrific audio throughout. The commentary, not only helpful, is light years ahead of most sporting games and successfully follows the on-ice action far better than most. The usual, impressive array of sound effects are all here too, as well as a surprisingly decent mix of chart friendly rock songs to ease you through the menus.

NHL 08 is without question the finest hockey game that EA have released for many years and the first real contender to NHL 2K's crown as the premiere hockey simulation. This vast improvement is great for hockey fans, as it not only gives them the choice of two great hockey simulations, but will surely push the 2K series to up its game for future releases. However, for those who play videogame hockey but don't necessarily have a great interest in the sport, this could actually prove a little more problematic, as it takes the more arcade friendly choice from the market and somewhat forces the player's hand. Much like the way FIFA has changed its game to emulate Pro Evo and thus left little choice in the football market, so EA's choice to rival its nearest competitor head-on in the hockey genre leaves the more casual gamer without an option B. At the end of the day though, EA have simply gone out to make an as enthrallingly entertaining and accurate hockey simulation as they could - and they have succeeded spectacularly.

Reviewed by Liam Pritchard for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).