Ready to hit the ice in a new season of EA Sports NHL? The EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate free trial is going live for the game later today, allowing subscribers to check out 10 hours of NHL 24 across all of its modes.
This includes both the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, so make sure you pick the right edition for your console! NHL 24 early access begins at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST.
Here's a quick look at how to download the free NHL 24 trial:
- Search for "NHL 24" on the Xbox Store
- Select the X-Factor Edition
- Scroll down to "In This Bundle" and pick the version of NHL 24 for your console
- On this page, you should see a "Free Trial With EA Play" button
If you're reading this before early access has begun, you can pre-install NHL 24 by using the official Xbox app for Android and iOS. Link your console, search for the game on the app, and then hit the "Download to Console" button.
If you haven't been keeping up with the news, this year's NHL is defined by a new "Exhaust Engine" that has a drastic effect on gameplay, replicating the "rush and fatigue of high-pressure games". The idea is to simulate those real-life NHL moments where one team is proving dominant in the offensive zone while the other is holding on for an extended period of time, desperately trying to make a line change while their goalie faces a barrage of shots.
For those who end up enjoying NHL 24, the full release is this Friday, October 6th, although the X-Factor Edition actually launches today. The latter includes some in-game bonuses along with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions.