NHL 24

The impact of the NHL 24 gameplay upgrades really can't be overstated. Weighted on the game mode changes only, this would feel like a fairly inferior installment for the franchise. Instead, NHL 24 has the best hockey this series has ever delivered. The sport has truly never looked or played better than it does in NHL 24.

Gameplay updates enhance the on-ice action, and despite some of NHL 24’s touted new features not being new at all, the game’s atmosphere is still electric.

NHL 24 is once again another solid outing in the long-running series. It may be far from revolutionary, but it still provides players with a great hockey experience along with some enjoyable additions like the new Exhaust System and HUT moments, as well as the ability to finally play with friends on the opposing platform. Where it gets a bit concerning, though is the introduction of the Battle Pass and more microtransactions in the fan-favorite World of Chel mode, after mostly being relegated to HUT in the past. The overall experience is very good and gives players plenty of opportunities for ...

NHL 24 is a solid improvement on-ice over last year’s title, with the exhaustion engine adding technical depth that the series has lacked.  Outside of that, some minor presentation and control improvements are countered by mostly the same overall package of modes.  If you love the NHL then this is the best playing game in the series, but if it’s $70 worth or better over last year’s is tough to say.

As a slight change of pace this year, I decided to review two EA Sports games at the same time, and assess if the same amount of work is put into them. There was EA Sports FC 24, being hyped before launch as the “next step” in the company’s foray into digital football. Then there was the plucky underdog, NHL 24, a game aimed at a more niche audience, a sport literally impossible to enjoy where I live, due to the fact our winters are hotter than most countries’ summers. The better game...

A fine game of ice hockey, NHL 24 improves upon last year's instalment, offering some slick new features, and all of the usual modes and other accoutrements you'd expect, all nicely presented.

NHL 24 hits the ice in a much stronger way than NHL 23 did last year, due in large part to the brand new exhaust engine, which strikes a good balance between NHL 24 feeling like a hockey simulator and a fun, arcade-y video game to play with friends. The lack of any changes to Be A Pro mode is once again disappointing, and HUT is still trying to squeeze out every dollar from you, but it's an overall strong package for hockey fans to pick up.

NHL 24 does do some things that make changes to gameplay in a positive way. The checking is improved and going with the Total Control scheme allows for some more simplistic gameplay while netting advanced results. The Exhaust Engine is a nice addition that's really only achievable to its maximum during power plays as it's difficult to keep the puck in the offensive zone for two minutes straight, especially with this A.I. being so aggressive and overkill, once again. HUT Moments are the shining mode addition this year, but these classic moments to relive are locked behind HUT thus requiring an ...

NHL 24 feels like a positive step in a new direction, but there's more work to be done. The gameplay this year is really good, bolstered by the inventive new Exhaust Engine feature, and we're also liking a lot of the new presentation improvements. Because of all this, we're willing to overlook some of the new features that haven't worked so well, and now it's up to EA to listen to the community and shape their feedback into something truly special with next year's entry. This is a good game that will keep us entertained far longer than NHL 23 ever did, and we're very intrigued as to what the f...

When it comes to reviewing sports titles, it can often feel like being trapped in a time loop. Much like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, you may find yourself feeling as if you’re playing the same thing over and over each time you pick up a game. This sensation of déjà vu is very much present when it comes to EA Vancouver’s NHL 24. And you’ll find similar sentiments in our reviews for previous NHL titles as well. With that said, what is there to talk about that’s new?