A brand-new, 27-minute long look at NHL 22 details many of the improvements and changes coming to the upcoming sports title. The ice hockey simulation series is a part of the EA Sports brand and receives annual releases, similar to the FIFA and Madden NFL franchises. NHL 22 promises gameplay and graphical improvements over its predecessors, including new mechanics such as Superstar X-Factor abilities and enhanced stick physics.

NHL 22 seeks to improve player immersion by increasing graphical performance and enhancing stick physics. In previous NHL installments, players would often see sticks or pucks clip into the boards around the hockey rink. Now, a new physics system will allow these objects to realistically collide and bounce off of each other. This improvement is achieved thanks to the game's adoption of the Frostbite Engine, with the powerful game creation tool also allowing for the inclusion of greater detail on player uniforms and the ice itself. NHL 22's X-Factor abilities will evolve the franchise's gameplay by giving every single player a special ability inspired by their actual real-life hockey skills.

In a deep dive into the ice hockey simulator, the EA SPORTS NHL YouTube channel has posted a 27-minute gameplay video of NHL 22. Throughout the demonstration, developers answer various fan questions about the upcoming hockey title. Passing and receiving the puck has been made a bit more challenging in NHL 22, in an attempt to reflect real-world hockey strategy and skill, with players now motivated to consider player momentum and speed when passing. Unique player skate speed, enhanced stick physics, and the Frostbite engine are also topics of discussion in the nearly half-hour gameplay overview.


NHL 22's X-Factor abilities are perhaps its most impactful new addition, and the mechanic will have a big effect on NHL 22's multiple new game modes. For example, Hockey Ultimate Team will start players off with a single X-Factor ability with more being unlocked through progression. Meanwhile, World of CHEL lets players create new characters and assign them their own X-Factor abilities. The mechanic will serve to make each player feel unique, while also mixing up the NHL franchise's gameplay in small yet impactful ways.

EA Sports' 27-minute look at NHL 22 gameplay gives players a clear look into the adjustments and improvements coming with the series' latest annual release. Some mechanical changes, particularly those made to passes and pass reception, have been quite divisive among the franchise's fanbase. However, the hockey simulator's developers seem to address each of these issues with clear and thought-out reasoning. Players will be able to try out these changes for themselves when NHL 22 launches on October 15.

NHL 22 will release on October 15 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.