OMG BROKEN LINK FTFW!!1!

wtf.

It doesn't work.

Fool.

I got that part lol

The dots ruin it.. wtf.

EDIT: wtf, the dots are actually in it. I thought phpbb tried to shorten it.

EDIT2: looks pretty much the same as all recent hockey games

k...fixed.

Can this be me and you, Sypher?! <3

Haha, looks awesome, EA Sports are putting out three very ambitious sports games in NHL 09, Madden 09 and Tiger Woods. I'll definitely be getting this.

Yes! And everyone must buy this game.

Does NHL 09 differ at all from NHL 08, 07, 06, 05, 04...

?

Seriously? You all disappoint me.

NHL 04/05/06 have nothing on this new generation of hockey games. Here's a little background for everyone.

In NHL 07, EA decided to completely drop the old, and tired, button control schemes. Instead, the took a totally new route, and mapped your players skates to the left analog stick, and the players stick to the right analog stick, this new control scheme was dubbed the "skill stick". This has not only simplified the games controls, but has given you unprecendented control over how your player shoots, and even stick-handles. Above and beyond that, they implemented a new graphics engine (which makes everything look soo good), and moved away from the arcadey style of hockey we'd kept getting year after year, and added a shootout mode (which is truly great). A true authentic simulation.

In NHL 08, they took an already fantastic game, and took it even higher. Winning 7 sports game of the year awards, beating out rival franchises like Madden and NBA Live/2k. They refined the skill stick further, and added the ability to seperate the puck from to the stick. Additionally, they added online league play, a create-a-play mechanism which is fantastic (it basically allows you to script a play, like being the coach) Choose a scenario, set paths for the players on the ice, and when you are in-game, if you enter that path, the CPU players will automatically follow through the created play with you. A practice mode was also added, where you can run all kinds of drills, and a new mode where you can play the game as the goalie, with all new controls (mostly by the analogs, with the added use of key buttons like the bumpers). And, last but not least, they implemented a learning AI. The computer will actually watch your patterns through an exhibition game, or through a season, and will play the best defensive style to stiffle you. If you wanna be effective, you need to learn to cycle, grind, dump + chase, spring and forecheck hard, because you need to constantly be switching up your offense. This provides a crazy level of replay value, and challenge, especially when at Full on the highest difficulty (where I play ). They also added the American Hockey League, so all the NHL affiliate (farm) teams, and their players are availble in the game. In dynasty, you can play both your NHL and AHL clubs games.

NHL 09 looks to take NHL 08, and step forward even further. The conclusion of a 3 year plan by EA, with 07/08/09, NHL 09 is easily the most ambitious of the three titles. Some new inclusions, including modifications again to the skill stick, now a player will be able to push the puck ahead of them to gain speed when charging the net, protect the puck with their body, and even 1 handed cradling of the puck for speed crashing the net on angles. The fighting engine is being completely redone, and both EA and IGN say it's WAY better than any fighting to do in hockey games, a new checking/physics engine, also mapped to the analogs, and while hits may be tougher to land in 09, the system to for doing it, is way simplified, and should be less frustrating. One big knock against NHL 08, was it can be very difficult at times to play Defense. 09 is changing that, with the biggest fundamental addition this year, the "defensive skill stick". Basically take the same concept as the skill stick on offense, and apply it to defense and you get the picture. You can now, check when standing still, lift people's sticks and get into passing lanes without throwing your whole body down and effectively taking yourself out of the play if you miss. One of the other two big additions is the Be-A-Pro mode. Anyone here who has played the latest FIFA will know exactly what I'm talking about. Basically, you make a character, and work your way up from the minors to the big league, and maybe eventually become a start. It's all player from your perspective, and you get coached, and whatnot along the way. Huge addition, can't wait to play it. The last thing, is actually what the video I posted was showing, the EASHL, basically take the Be-A-Pro mode, strip away the coaching, and put it online. You and other people (max 50 people) form a team, and play against other teams (up to 6 vs 6) online. You are the star, your name, your team, and you are playing for a real cup. The EASHL cup, and if you buy NHL 09 early enough, the very first one even. Additionally, every iteration has also brought incremental improvements in the areas of CPU AI and difficult settings, NHL 09 will continue to do so.

Now that I've convinced every one of you, go get your NHL 09 pre-order.

What sport is NHL again?

*runs*

I'm going to pretend I never saw this comment... (btw, buy NHL 09)

I'll be honest, your description does sound sweet. Never been a fan of the button-based sports games, where you have to press a 12-button combination just to pass a ball, but the sticks thing sounds neat.

Imma promise I'll try the demo.