Stanley Cup Gameplay. Beggar’s Cup Microtransactions.
GOOD The on-ice gameplay, realism, and atmosphere are all phenomenal.
BAD Haven’t we seen these modes before?
WTF The microtransactions and upsells practically shame users for not spending more.
Fall is upon us, and that brisk air means EA Sports has rolled out another edition of its venerable NHL series. Fans who don’t like my usual dive into minutiae should know this — the latest iteration, NHL 24, presents an often exciting, but also predictable collection of incremental upgrades and nagging issues. While there are some admirable improvements, the overall structure feels like a highly optimized version of last year’s edition, rather than a true step forward.
That said, the devil is in the details, and NHL 24 features a few new ones worth mentioning. The most noteworthy improvements are the Exhaustion Engine and Sustained Pressure systems, which both emphasize more balanced player usage for maintaining stamina and consistency. This new mechanic requires players to pace their typically-relentless offensive outbursts and put more thought into how many times they jam buttons to accelerate their skaters, lest they pay the price when the opponent takes control of the puck.
This system brings a metric ton of realism to the on-ice gameplay and reduces the comically-long line shifts from past editions. Instead of “run and gun” gameplay, users are forced to apply balanced pressure on goalies and defenses, ramping up the authenticity tenfold. It’s a hockey tactician’s dream, and watching goalies becoming sluggish and lethargic felt surprisingly good… at least when it wasn’t happening to my team.
The physics-based contact mechanics have also been refined, reducing the rag-doll-like flops from last year into a more accurate display of gravity and aggression. Likewise, I enjoyed the subtle animation improvements during faceoffs and in the corners, where players jostle for position during the occasional slower moments. Even the penalty system seems more balanced, letting the players play, while avoiding an abundance of whistles.
NHL 24 offers a refined take on its stick-based control scheme, which requires some adjustment but ultimately leads to a more immersive and measured experience during high-stakes moments. These on-ice enhancements mark a step forward for the series — one that longtime fans will notice and appreciate.
Visually, NHL 24 impresses with its detailed player models, accurate uniform physics, and stunning arena atmospheres. The game successfully replicates the excitement and look of an NHL broadcast, complete with NBC branding and camera angles that put fans (pardon the pun) “in the game.” While some close-up animations can still be a little robotic, the overall visual presentation sets a fairly high bar for the series.
One minor negative lies in EA’s decision to remove the classic “‘94” control scheme, which hadn’t changed since NHL’s dorm-room dominance of the mid-1990s. I can certainly appreciate the developers wanting gamers to use every bit of their creation to its fullest extent, but there was something simple and enjoyable about firing up a quick game and sniping goals like we did when Soundgarden was still dominating the airwaves. Mastering more complex controls is rewarding, to be sure, but the occasional three-button slugfest also had some retro appeal.
Stepping away from the core gameplay, NHL 24 paints a less inspiring picture. The predominant modes — Franchise, Be A Pro, Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT), and World of Chel — exhibit only superficial changes, largely echoing their previous iterations. While there are some new objectives in HUT and the always welcome “Moments,” these additions feel more like fleeting gestures than reasons to upgrade. The career-based Be a Pro is particularly disappointing, as its voice-free web of dialogue rarely makes the user feel connected to the onscreen character. I think it might be time for EA to let the career mode go until something unique can fill this space.
The Franchise mode is also predictable. Despite being a core pillar of the series and offering a solid experience, it has seen little innovation over the past decade. The lack of distinct team or division playstyles and an overly simplified growth system make this cornerstone seem like a veritable afterthought compared to the more-hyped modes. When viewed next to the depth and complexity of management modes in other titles, NHL 24’s Franchise mode is perfectly adequate but seems more like a throwback to past console generations rather than a forward-looking feature.
EA’s approach to monetization is a major point of contention in NHL 24 and most sports titles. The game continues the trend of pushing players towards spending real money, particularly in the HUT mode, which favors those who are willing to invest financially to build their dream teams. While it’s certainly possible to earn rewards through gameplay, it seems to be more enjoyable for those who cut the line with their credit cards.
World of Chel also falls a little flat this year. Player growth and gear unlocks are tied to an odd battle system, leaving players to grind extensively to see advancement. Additionally, the in-game upsells constantly advertising the NHL 24 X-Factor Edition can be intrusive … especially when I already owned that version.
Returning to the positive, I’m happy to report that NHL 24 shined online. I experienced zero lag in games and a snappy, responsive feel in the lobbies. Sure, there’s still rage quitting and I may not ever compete well online, but I enjoyed watching experienced players leverage the new exhaustion system with a measured, realistic approach.
In what has become a regular mantra for my closing sections, NHL 24 is a tale of highs and lows. On one hand, the title features the most engaging, authentic hockey sim gameplay yet, and those who choose to stick with the basic modes will likely be enthralled by the slick graphics, realistic player fatigue, and top-tier presentation. On the flipside, the in-game advertising and omnipresent cash grabs — in a title that seems a little too familiar to prior editions — may leave longtime fans wondering if they should ever expect more, no matter how much they’ve already invested in the series.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Disclosures: This game is published and developed by EA Sports. It is available on PC, PS5, and XBX/S. This game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Approximately 16 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed. Approximately 3 hours of play were dedicated to online multiplayer modes.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E and descriptors of Mild Violence. This is a realistic simulation of hockey, including player-controlled fighting which may concern parents.
Colorblind Modes: There are colorblind modes available in the Accessibility menu.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: NHL 24 features subtitles (see examples above) and numerous tactile feedback features within the controller, in all modes. The game is easily playable without sound and is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: There are several controller configurations but the game’s controls are not remappable.
When not writing for Gamecritics, Brad spends his days as a managing editor, handling content that is far less complicated than the RPGs haunting his dreams each and every night.
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