NHL 22 Gets Release Date and New Engine
Electronic Arts announced today that NHL 22 is coming to next-gen consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 15.
They also announced that NHL 22 will be powered by the Frostbite engine, which is already in use in Madden and on the FIFA franchise. And finally, Superstar X-Factors is coming as well. Superstar X-Factors is all about elevating the league’s biggest stars with an all-new layer of class-based play.
For the first time ever, the Frostbite engine comes to the franchise, so expect a noticeable bump in visuals.
According to the press release:
“Players will be brought to life via overhauled player likeness, cloth animations and uniform micro-details, all delivered in higher resolution to make every stitch visible. Alongside these advancements will come enhanced spatial awareness for players to track and react to the world around them. In addition to enhanced player detail and visual fidelity, on-ice gameplay will see an upgrade as well with new physically accurate stick interactions, just one of many gameplay improvements coming to NHL 22.”
With Superstar XFactors, NHL studs should feel like their real-life counterparts in NHL 22. This system unleashes unique abilities for the best players in the game, with traits inspired by their individual real-world skills. Superstar X-Factors brings two key elements to help elevate hockey’s elite and break them away from the pack: Zone Abilities and Superstar Abilities. Zone Abilities bring game-breaking enhancements to the best players, while Superstar Abilities represent upper echelon skills reserved for athletes playing at the next level. Players like Edmonton Oilers Forward Leon Draisaitl, whose “Tape to Tape” ability reflects his elite core passing; or Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s “Contortionist” X-factor that boosts his ability to make wild, body-twisting saves with ease will make a profound impact on NHL 22 gameplay.
Superstar X-Factors not only bring new facets to gameplay but also add new dimensions to Franchise Mode, Be A Pro, Hockey Ultimate Team and World of Chel.
In the coming weeks more will be shared on the World of CHEL, Hockey Ultimate Team, Be A Pro and Franchise modes, as well as some long-requested community features.
Fans that pre-order NHL 22 will get a variety of bonus in-game content. The EA SPORTS NHL 22 XFactor Edition includes the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 or Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, three days of early access, up to 10 HUT Diamond Player Choice Packs, one HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack, HUT X-Factor Power-Up Starter Pack, up to four HUT X-Factor Power-Up Packs, five World of Chel X-Factor Zone Ability Unlocks, five Unlocked Hockey Bags, two Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks and XP Boost and Bonus Trait Points. All pre-order editions and information can be found here.
NHL 22 will be available on Oct. 15, 2021 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Source: Press Release