NHL 24 promised to be the ultimate ice hockey experience, but unfortunately, it falls flat in several key areas. From the moment I stepped onto the virtual ice, I was underwhelmed by the lackluster graphics and outdated gameplay mechanics. The player models lack detail and realism, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the game. The controls are clunky and unresponsive, often leading to frustrating moments and missed opportunities on the ice.
One of the biggest disappointments with NHL 24 is its lack of innovation. It feels like a rehashed version of previous NHL games, with very little added to keep players engaged and excited. The game modes are uninspired, offering the same old career mode and multiplayer options that we've seen countless times before. There's a distinct lack of new features or gameplay enhancements that would have justified the release of NHL 24.
Furthermore, the AI in NHL 24 is incredibly frustrating. The opposing team's AI often makes questionable decisions, leading to unrealistic and frustrating gameplay moments. On the other hand, your AI teammates fail to provide effective support or make intelligent plays, making teamwork a futile effort. This lack of competent AI makes the game feel unbalanced and ruins the overall experience.
The online multiplayer component of NHL 24 is equally disappointing. Matchmaking is slow and often results in unbalanced matchups, making for frustrating gameplay experiences. The servers are also unreliable, with frequent disconnections and lag issues. It's a shame that such a critical aspect of the game falls so short.
In terms of presentation, NHL 24 lacks the polish expected from a modern sports game. The commentary is repetitive and lacks enthusiasm, and the crowd animations are stiff and unnatural. Additionally, the soundtrack is forgettable and fails to capture the energy and excitement of a real NHL game.
Overall, NHL 24 is a disappointing entry in the long-running franchise. It fails to deliver on its promises of innovation and falls short in several crucial areas. From its lackluster graphics and unresponsive controls to its uninspired game modes and frustrating AI, NHL 24 simply does not live up to the high expectations of hockey fans. If you're a die-hard fan of the sport, you're better off sticking to the previous installments or exploring other hockey games on the market.
