1up previews NHL 08

EA’s NHL 07 shocked and awed when it debuted its skill stick last season (considered the first true next-gen sports innovation), but the game shot wide with its 30 frames per second visuals that made the whole thing feel a bit choppy. The 60 frames per second early version of NHL 08 we saw recently is missing most of the chop and jerk that held 07 back from being a sports game of the year contender. Canadians and the 1,857 U.S. hockey fans can now rejoice!

Beyond the framerate doubling, the NHL developers have three goals for 08 going forward: advance the skill stick, add depth, and improve the core mechanics (skating, AI, checking).