NHL 24 Hitting Mechanics Should Return in NHL 25

Discussing why NHL 24's body checking mechanics are actually fun and should return in NHL 25

EA SPORTS wanted to get creative and more innovative with the physical aspect of their NHL video game. The new body checking mechanics that were implemented in NHL 24 have received a lot of criticism and the majority of the fanbase disliked the change. I would argue that the new hitting mechanics have been a success and should be brought back for NHL 25.

In previous EA SPORTS NHL video games, all you had to do to level your opponent was flick up on the right stick of your controller and you could have them take a seat on the ice. Players could go around and hit their opponents with very little skill involved and it didn't feel authentic.

EA SPORTS has made it so that there is more skill involved now when hitting. And it's now far more enjoyable when you complete a big-time body check.

In real life, a player will find his target and prepare themselves to throw a hit. Players can't throw a big hit when they are side-by-side with their opponent. That's why the "charging up" for a hit mechanic that was introduced in NHL 24 feels more authentic. You find your target and prepare yourself by taking the right angle and timing your hit like you would in real life.

If you missed your hit and flew by your opponent with the game's lunging animation that many have complained about, and yes it can look very silly and hilarious at times. It wasn't the game's fault. You miss-timed your hit. And like in real life, you're going to look silly and throw yourself out of position.

However, when you time your hit properly and you see your player explode through the chest of your opponent, I think I can say for many chel players that it is extremely satisfying.

I believe there are no issues with the body checking in NHL 24 and the system they have should be brought back for NHL 25. If you want to throw a big-time hit then there should be a risk and reward factor to doing so. 

Hip checks were overpowered at the start and could still use some tweaking in terms of the hit box of them. But they have been a fun addition back into the NHL video game series along with the ability to reverse hit an opponent, which players really need to utilize more.

Also, keep in mind that you can still knock players off the puck fairly easily by just a simple quick flick up on the right stick if you are next to your opponent. There's no need to charge up a hit in those situations. I play defence for my EASHL club team the majority of the time and I use the "shove-check" a ton to make players lose possession of the puck. 

So, EA has a big decision to make. It appeared that most of the chel community were not a fan of the new hitting mechanics even though it gave the game a more realistic feel in terms of playing the body. Do they revert to the old ways which are frankly bland and boring? Or, are they happy (they should be) with how the hitting is and will have to tell the angry chel fans that this is how it is and they will just have to get used to it.