NHL 2K8 [X360]

Now, the 360's d-pad has never been know for its laser-sighted accuracy, I found myself accidentally flipping categories when I was about to select the option I really wanted and just generally being underwhelmed by the presentation -- the breakout tree of modes reminded me of a cumbersome computer programming tool and didn't mesh with the rock music being piped in.

The create modes didn't cut it for me either. Sure, I could change the curve of my blade and the way I taped up my stick, but I couldn't customize any of my facial features. Instead, the game gives you a set number of heads and has you pick the one that's the most like you. Lame.

Although I dug my ice time, not everyone's going to embrace Pro Stick like I have. Luckily, they can use a more traditional scheme, but some gameplay hiccups will remain. My main gripe is that things can be just a bit too touchy on the ice. If your center has the puck in traffic and you're not moving the right thumbstick exactly where the game says there's a hole, you're going to lose control.

Now, I'm not saying I should be able to truck through guys and not miss a beat, but there were times when Martin Havlat would get nicked by a defender and completely lose control. That's a curse-word inducing pain in the neck. Worse? The computer doesn't play by the same rules. When my 'hawks were up against Colorado, Lang and Martin Lapointe pinned Tyler Arnason to the boards. As the center shimmied and shook to try and get away from our team-up attack, he lost control of the puck and it slid from between his skates. My boys let go to grab the loose puck and somehow the dominated Avalanche player came away with it.

What?

Oh, and remember Cinemotion -- 2K's cinematic presentation style from last year that used sweeping scores and camera angles for a new way to look at the game? It's back -- but off by default -- and boils down to some music pumped over the game.

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