Complete NHL 24 Review

Introduction

EA SPORTS NHL shared an NHL 24 review code with me. Over the last week or so, I had the opportunity to explore different aspects of the game. In this article, I share my review of the game.

Please use the Table of Contents to navigate to the different sections. A total score is associated with each area, and an overall NHL 24 score is shared at the end. The overall score was determined by adding the scores from each section. Please note that my review is based on my current observations and that my opinions of the different aspects may change as time goes on.

Gameplay

From the game's onset, the primary focus of NHL 24 was to improve and innovate the gameplay. So, NHL 24 is designed to emulate the authenticity of momentum-swinging, pressure-filled, real-life hockey moments. This innovation is made possible through the Exhaust Engine, which includes the Sustained Pressure System and Goalie Fatigue System.

NHL 24 is the most realistic hockey video game to date. For example, when activated, the Sustained Pressure System is designed to provide the attacking team with an endless forecheck on offense. Full Pressure is activated through shots, hits, and puck possession. The defending team is tasked with adapting and defending against the sustained pressure and clearing the puck to negate it.

The simultaneous interplay of the Goalie Fatigue System adds to the layer of realism, wherein a goalie’s save efficiency is reduced as they get fatigued. This provides opponents with opportunities to score from more areas on the ice. Being able to score from more areas on the ice has been needed for a long time, as it dissuades players from only going for specific shots for goals.

The exhaust engine could be better, with tweaks likely needed through tuners. There is ongoing thought about how exactly the pressure meter should fill up. Others believe that puck possession should have a limited influence because, understandably so, those pressure-filled momentums in hockey are usually driven first by shots on goal that get the defending team scrambling, tired, and pinned.

NHL 24 also includes the all-new Total-Control system, designed to simplify complex hockey moves with simple face button touches. The all-new Tethered Control System offers an easier way to experience the goalie position. 

The new systems seem to have been built with accessibility in mind, but in the process, created other accessibility issues. For example, Hybrid Controls were removed, and for experienced goalies, the standard classic goalie controls gave them more freedom. That said, EA Sports acknowledged the community feedback. They informed them that Hyrbid Controls and the classic goalie control system would be returned in a patch in late October. The control systems should not have been removed in the first place, but knowing they are coming back is a step in the right direction.

Finally, the all-new Vision Passing System and Physics-Based Contact provide another layer of immersive experience to Chel gaming. Vision Passing gives players far more control and creative room.

The Vision Passing system is an excellent addition to the game. However, total control over manual player switching has yet to be in the game. So, this is one of those instances where vision passing is awesome at a baseline level. Still, it cannot be considered complete until its counterpart, vision/manual player switching, is integrated into the Chel series.

Physics-Based Contact encourages risk-reward hit opportunities that generate scoring chances for or against. The system provides more control over the hit's style, direction, and strength. This improvement is significant as it truly does encourage players to consider hitting and stick checking on a similar level in terms of preference and usefulness. At the end of the day, anything that gives users more control over how their players function is good, and Physics-Based Contact generally delivers. Of course, tweaks in terms of how much hits impact stamina or recovery can always be fine-tuned, and this will be an ongoing discussion throughout the year. Additional tweaks regarding consistency are also needed.

Overall Gameplay Score: 4.5/5

Crossplay

EA SPORTS NHL built on the crossplay feature they first implemented last year. NHL 24 offers full crossplay in World of Chel. Players on same-generation consoles (Xbox and Playstation) can team up and play together for the first time. Crossplay has improved the social aspects of the game, widened the player pool, and reduced wait times.

In HUT, Shared Economy on same-generation consoles also takes advantage of the crossplay feature, stabilizing and, at the same time, creating a more dynamic marketplace. A big drawback, however, is that HUT has yet to offer a shared leaderboard system. This makes HUT cross-platform matchmaking unnecessary and, in certain situations, only hurts players, knowing that they could drop a few ranks just because they lost to a player from an entirely different leaderboard.

For competitive players who know the crossplay feature will be utilized during the 2024 EA SPORTS NHL World Championship, server-based cross-platform matchmaking can put players at a disadvantage. So, while crossplay has been improved, there is still much more to be explored and implemented. As another example of where it can be enhanced, crossplay is not yet implemented in Versus mode.

Crossplay Score: 4/5

Hockey Ultimate Team

Moments is the biggest excitement in Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), in addition to a Shared Economy and new alumni players. In HUT Moments, players relive the most significant moments in hockey's history, and during this upcoming season. HUT Moments has replaced HUT Challenges, a more generic model where players would complete challenges using their own HUT lineup. However, players dive into the moment's contextual situation in HUT Moments. In other words, the same set of players that were part of that moment will be placed in that situation again for gamers to relive. Even better, users can back out of the game upon completing the moment’s objectives, thus saving time and moving on to the next. Generally speaking, HUT Moments is a mode that existed in the past (i.e., NHL 13), and its return has been a pleasant experience so far.

Objectives 2.0 might be the most underrated new feature in HUT. When I heard about this feature, I did not recognize how useful it would become. I would see a popup as I worked towards completing objectives. This has been a beneficial tool in reminding me of where I am on various objectives with so much to work through.

Unfortunately, HUT is not seeing anything new with the online game modes. The same cycle of Rivals-HUT Champs and the odd HUT Rush will be tedious for those who have longed for something fresh. It feels like all I am doing is restarting my HUT team and expected to grind for months towards a top-tier team, essentially repeating the same process as the last couple of years. Ideally, online modes, like HUT Moments, will see some exciting innovations in the future.

Overall HUT Score: 3.5/5

World of Chel

I want to preface that I have not explored World of Chel (WOC) very much yet. That said, WOC has seen some significant improvements. Its best features include a new EA SPORTS Hockey League Playoff Format that resembles the Stanley Cup Playoffs. More specifically, teams are tasked with winning four best-of-seven rounds to claim the cup. The all-new quickplay mode makes it easier for players to drop into a game and earn currency while experimenting with different class builds in a more laid-back environment, knowing their competitive rating will not be impacted nor a factor in the leaderboards.

The creation zone has been streamlined, reducing the clutter and the time it takes to customize the look of one’s character. The qualify of life improvements in NHL 24’s WOC are certainly appreciated.

The all-new Battle Pass is a progression system that provides players access to a range of vanity and utility items, including new player classes. The most exciting part is that the items acquired in the Battle Passes will be carried over to NHL 25, so players can feel more at ease that their purchased items will not be removed or lost. Concerns over microtransactions in the game are limited because gameplay-specific unlockables are promised to be part of the free tiers and, hopefully, always remain that way.

A critical area that is hard to judge is the player classes, X-Factor abilities, and how they impact gameplay. As time passes, the hope is that nothing becomes game-breaking. At the moment, I am optimistic that the right adjustments have been made, but only time will tell, and experienced WOC players would know a lot more than me.

WOC Score: 4.5/5

Franchise Mode and Be a Pro

Likewise to WOC, I have not explored Franchise Mode and Be a Pro. That being said, it’s evident that this year’s focus was on innovating the gameplay, improving WOC, and focusing on HUT. With what’s been shared so far, there has been some quality of life improvements to Franchise Mode and Be a Pro, but nothing that stands out on a stellar level. I expect these two modes will get far more attention in NHL 25. 

Franchise Mode/Be a Pro Score: 2.5/5

Presentation Upgrades

No doubt, NHL 24 provides the most immersive experience yet. The presentation upgrades in addition to the gameplay innovations truly give you a more authentic hockey experience. The sounds, look, and feel have all generally been improved. The lighting can be a little heavy on the eyes, but nothing too bad. Some fine-tuning is likely needed there.

The new flex-celebrations add a nice touch. What was important and a positive sight to see was that team celebrations were not removed. Team celebrations are followed immediately after the individual flex-celebrations. The crowd also seems more engaged, making their presence and emotions felt based on the game’s contextual situation. Cheryl Pounder has also been an excellent addition, with some in-depth analysis provided throughout the presentation.

Moving forward, I believe further presentation upgrades such as team introductions through the tunnels would be a positive return to the game. Crowd response during team introductions would also go a long way.

Presentation Score: 4.5/5

Final Comments and Overall Score

Overall, NHL 24 significantly improved from NHL 23, particularly with its revamped gameplay. WOC has seen some exciting new features, and HUT Moments is far better than HUT Challenges. Full crossplay is huge in World of Chel, and there are opportunities to further improve it in other modes such as HUT and Versus. Franchise Mode and Be a Pro have seen some quality-of-life improvements, but much more should be done to uplift them. The presentation upgrades have been excellent. 

Overall, NHL 24 earns a 23.5/30 (B+) score from me. 

NHL 24 is available worldwide on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. For more information on EA SPORTS NHL 24, visit https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-24.

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