NHL 24 drops this week, finally bringing cross-play to HUT and WOC while expanding the feature to allow for you to play with friends. Additionally, the trailer showcased brand new gameplay features, a new engine, and the NHL 24 release date. The 2023-2024 NHL season begins next Tuesday on October 10th, so it was the perfect time to launch the latest game. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

NHL 24 Release Date – October 6th, 2023

NHL 24 releases on Friday, October 6th, 2023. The X-Factor Edition of the game includes three days of early access, meaning you can start playing it today on October 3rd, 2023. Additionally, EA Play Members receive a 10-hour trial of the game, giving them plenty of time to try out all of the game’s new features. Furthermore, EA Play members can purchase the game for 10% off while receiving in-game member rewards.

The game comes out out for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. NHL 24 is not coming to PC or Nintendo Switch. The next gen-editions of the game cost $69.99 USD, while previous gen versions remain $59.99. The X-Factor Edition costs $99.99.

The standard edition pre-order bonuses include:

  • Base Game
  • HUT Power Up Icon Pack
  • WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier (x5)

The X-Factor edition includes:

  • Three days of early access (October 3rd)
  • Base Game
  • Dual Entitlement
  • 4600 NHL Points
  • Exclusive Cale Makar Player Item
  • HUT Power Up Icon Pack
  • WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier (x5)
  • *Limited Time offer: Pre-order NHL 24 X-Factor edition by September 25th and receive a HUT Team Building Player Choice Pack (2 of 32) plus pre-order content

So if you’re a big NHL fan, you’ll be glad to now the X-Factor edition is out now. So if you’re a big fan of the series, you can start playing it today and get a head start over your friends.

NHL 24 Gameplay

Now let’s talk about NHL 24’s Gameplay.

First off is the New Exhaust Engine lets you “feel the intensity” when your opponent is in the zone. It forces the player to decide between things like getting put possession or attacking on the rush. The engine itself is based on a Sustained Pressure System & Goalie Fatigue system.

The former rewards offensive plays like shooting, passing, and checking in the attacking zone. The pressure gauge indicates how much of a boost your offense receives in their stats due to the adrenaline effects, while the defense actually receives a nerf.

There’s now more ways to put pressure on a goalie and the defense whether you’re launching the puck to their territory or making effective passes to confuse them.  Defensively, players need to decide between making safe boards and outplay, or risk losing the puck in a slide.

The Goalie Fatigue system adds 50 new goalie animations, including a new desperation save package. As time progresses in the attack zone, the more tired the goalie will get, making it easier to score on them.

Physics Based Contact System”revolutionizes” checking in NHL. New rag-doll and reactions create big moments while looking more authentic. Total Control Skill Moves make the control scheme more accessible, hopefully making it easier for new players. A new ability to fake, pass, or deke out of every move is available.

And a Vision Passing System led to a re-mapping of face buttons and new visuals above receivers. Additionally, one touch passing lets you move the puck quickly, taking out any unnecessary delays when you need to move quickly.

As mentioned earlier, Cross-Play returns as expected, but now comes to HUT and WOC modes. Hopefully this means you can play with friends who you actually know, instead of being forced to randomly search for opponents. Overall, players on same-generation systems can play against each other to reduce matchmaking wait times.

NHL 24 Story

NHL games typically don’t have a story mode like MyCAREER in NBA 2K or the new Superstar mode in Madden NFL 24. However, players can control and manage their own teams or players in Franchise, HUT, or Be a Pro.

Overall, Franchise doesn’t come with any major changes this year, but EA Sports made a few improvements that should elevate the experience for all players.Some of the new changes to Franchise mode include an updated X-Factor progression/regression system and age factoring system. While under 27 years old, your player can earn new abilities. However, once you turn 32, you might start losing them.

A few more of the new additions to Franchise and Be A Pro mode include:

  • Coaches utilizing secondary positions of players more often
  • CPU teams now utilize buyouts
  • Increased creation limits on next-gen consoles
    • 30 extra maximum teams
    • 1500 extra maximum skaters
    • 200 extra maximum goalies

EA Sports also planned post-launch updates to Franchise mode but also want to wait and hear from their community. So over time, we should see more adjustments to make it more fun.

And that wraps it up for NHL 24’s Release Date. The game is now available for X-Factor Edition owners. So, if you own the special edition, you can get out on the rink today and start playing the latest NHL game.

In the meantime, check out ClutchPoints for more gaming and NHL news.