When it comes to hitting the virtual ice in a face-off between your favorite NHL hockey teams, the NHL 2K games has long been the example of what a great hockey game looks and feels like on your favorite console. With each yearly release, the franchise adjusted many of the things that didn’t work and added a slew of features that helped make the game more realistic. Well, NHL 2K8 looks as realistic as it gets but, on the PS3, the game just doesn’t feel as spectacular as previous installments.

For my money, the NHL 2K8 delivers in many of the aspects that made the NHL 2K series such a treat in the past but when it comes to the controls this is where the game really dropped the ball, um, or puck in this case. That’s right, this year there’s a clear winner and it’s EA Sports’ NHL 08 for the PS3. Sure, there are improvements to the gameplay, visuals and the Franchise mode, but when it comes to what counts - namely the control scheme - this year’s game disappoints just slightly.

Let’s get to some of the things the game does get right. All the returning favorite game modes are back so you can come to expect Season mode, Tournament mode and Challenge. There are even some of the familiar extra mini-games such as Battle Mode, Mini-Rink and Pond Hockey. You can create your very own team with players you create or recruit into your roster. This year, though, Franchise Mode is one of the best improvements to the series and will have you playing it for quite a long time. It’s a deep, involving experience that puts you behind the desk in charge of your favorite team’s schedule and just about every other aspect of your team’s every movements. You will be keeping an eye on your players and their mood, enter into a realistic simulation of off-season negotiations while dealing with agents for signing those free agents. It’s really one of the most interesting and worthwhile game modes new and returning fans will delight in playing.

There are some interesting new moves as well such as the Superstar Moves feature that allows you to pull off various moves that really should have been a part of the series for a long time now. Better late than never, right? These moves include through the legs shots, a spin pick up, double deke, drag ‘n’ drop and even a fake whiff. The face-off system has changed, allowing you to use the right analog stick to move the hockey stick the spot where you think the puck will drop. It’s an interesting concept that adds a surprisingly challenging element to face-offs and it works nicely. ProStick allows you to control specific and commands with just a flick of the analog stick while leaving the face buttons alone. This makes puck handling pretty challenging even when taking control of power players such as cover athlete Joe Thornton.

Unfortunately, on the PlayStation 3, the controls actually feel awkward at times and require gamers new and old to pay more attention to the tutorial to relearn the new control scheme. There are some questionable control decisions - like assigning the neat Crease Control feature to the Select button and penalty shots are taken with the R1 button. The opponent AI is actually smarter this year but it also manages to turn the tables on you in mid-game in the most unrealistic manner. There’s also online multiplayer but it suffers from framerate stutter.

Graphically speaking, NHL 2K8 is quite a beauty when it comes to the player models that look quite stunning on the ice. Really, this year’s game has outdone itself with meticulous facial details and more realistic animations that look like a true televised experience. Adding the NHL style signature moves just adds more to the player movements. The overall presentation has also improved slightly but sadly, the crowd animation still looks like it did in past PS2 games. Still, it’s a small complaint seeing as the arenas look true to the real thing.

When it comes to the game’s sound, on the other hand, the arena sounds aren’t as detailed as the visuals and the two-man commentary team of Harry Neale and Bob Cole adds some more player facts and some personal touches but as far as adding any substance to their commentary you won’t find it this year. In fact, much of what you’ll hear is recycled often. Thankfully, the soundtrack is pretty good and the indie rock tunes (Tokyo Police Club to name a few) are actually really good.

A few control gripes aside, NHL 2K8 for the PlayStation 3 is an energetic hockey game that might not deliver the best hockey game this year but it’s one fans of the franchise will certainly enjoy. Forget the fact that there’s no SIXAXIS motion sensor action, it’s the weak control scheme that just doesn’t work the way it should considering the fact that the series has done it right on the PS2. As a dedicated fan of the NHL 2K games, I found enough to like about this year’s edition but from a technical standpoint it’s clear that EA Sports’ NHL 08 is this year’s winner of the Stanley Cup.

Gameplay: 8.5
Somehow, NHL 2K8 doesn’t feel quite right control-wise despite the fact that there are some interesting new additions to the gameplay such as the Superstar Moves and the new face-offs. This year’s Franchise mode really delivers and is the highlight of the game.

Graphics: 9.0
The realistic player models will not fail to drop jaws and the animations are as real as they get but somehow 2K Sports just can’t get the crowd right even on a next-generation console. Still, the stadiums look great and the overall presentation is just as good as a televised match.

Sound: 8.0
Last year’s commentary exactly great and this year it’s pretty much more of the same. There are some hard-hitting tunes from the likes of Korn as well as some decent indie rock and Cinemotion is back so the music inserts itself nicely within a match. The sound effects are just Ok.

Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI offers up quite a challenge in the best possible way and then again, the AI works in favor of the opposing team in the most unfair way. Many of the teams play the way you expect them to play but this is a game where even the weakest team can score like crazy.

Concept: 8.5
Whether you like creating your own team filled with created and real players or you like your Franchise modes pretty deep then there’s a lot to like about this game. All the usual game modes make a return and there are some interesting new elements to the gameplay. Online the game runs like a dream.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Online you can even customize your own match the way you see fit but on the PS3, the game’s framerate is not as smooth as the offline mode. It’s a bit annoying when the framerate stutter occurs during key moments in the match such as when you’re challenging the goalkeeper.

Overall: 8.5
NHL 2K8 for the PS3 is a step back for the series but it’s still a hockey game with enough good moves to make this a solid sports game. Unfortunately, the controls cramp the game’s style and the opponent AI is about the only unrealistic thing about the game but then again the franchise mode is wonderfully deep. Sorry, 2K Sports but EA Sports’ game is by far the better hockey game this year.