NHL 19 Tuner Update: Poke Checks, Drop-In Games Causing Issues For Some Gamers

Matt Couden 6 years ago
NHL 19 tuner update poke checking drop in issues
NHL 19 tuner update poke checking drop in issues
Matt Couden 6 years ago

With the release of EA Sports’ newest hockey game, most NHL 19 reviews have been favorable. However, just like previous iterations of EA’s hockey game, NHL 19 already has its issues too, based on feedback from gamers. It seems right now that the biggest complaints from a number of gamers involve the NHL 19 drop-ins and poke checks. Despite a recent NHL 19 tuner update, there are a good number of comments and debates raging on about if (and how) to address these game issues.

NHL 19 Tuner Update: Poke Checks Better or Worse?

This past Wednesday (Sept. 19), EA Sports indicated there had been some tuning adjustments for NHL 19. Among them, was some tweaking to resolve a frustrating poke check issue. In the EA Sports’ tuner notes, they note that they adjusted the game so poke checks would require a player to “get a slightly larger piece” of the opposing player in order to make them trip. In addition, they made an increase in terms of “poke check accuracy when poking to ideal angles.”

Checking in on a forum post called “Poke Check Spam” shows a range of thoughts. There’s a feeling from some gamers that EA made this new poke check update because gamers may have been too afraid to use that aspect of the game. Some gamers felt that they went too far in doing so, even suggesting in Twitter or forum posts that it’s made NHL 19 a lot like NHL 18 in terms of the issues. Other gamers feel the game is just fine after the update and it addressed a major problem.

There are some gamers who suggest that maybe it’s the stick lift part of NHL 19 that needs some tuning. They feel the game currently allows players to get away with a bit too much in that aspect without resulting in penalties. Either way, it should be interesting to see how this one plays out over the next week as NHL 19 gamers keep adjusting.

NHL 19 Drop-In Game Issues Frustrating Some Gamers

The NHL Drop-ins are also a point of frustration for a number of gamers on the forum. This particular aspect of the NHL 19 game involves the World of Chel feature which has online “Threes” games. It involves two teams of three players each in the Threes format. Sometimes, it means waiting in the lobby for enough online opponents in order to play a competitive game.

Unfortunately, some gamers on the forum feel the wait is a bit too long, to the point they have stopped waiting. Other times, it means simply playing a 2-vs-2 game rather than 3-vs-3. Even with that, it can mean a player decides to drop out of the game early.

The mode also requires building camaraderie with other games in order to develop a team. That can mean bonding with new people and playing together regularly, although it can be tough to get everyone on the same schedule.

Some gamers feel this year’s Drop-ins mode is a major downgrade from last year’s mode. Others feel it’s a nice, refreshing change for “casuals” to find games. The Drop-ins issues is not something EA Sports has mentioned in terms of feedback just yet. At least a few gamers have suggested the developers bring back the “Stay in the Lobby” feature from the previous game.

That said, the new NHL 19 poke check update may take some time to get used to and it may even see further tweaking down the road (or ice). As far as the drop-in issues, one has to think EA’s development team isn’t about to resolve something like that as World of Chel is receiving praise in many NHL 19 reviews.