A deep dive into NHL 22's Be A Pro and Franchise modes gives players a new look at the ice hockey simulator. The EA Sports series has enjoyed annual releases since its very first installment on the Sega Genesis back in 1991. This year NHL 22 will introduce gameplay improvements such as enhanced stick physics, realistic facial expressions, and unique X-Factor abilities for all players.
Utilizing current-generation technology and modern innovations, NHL 22 promises to be the most immersive installment in the hockey franchise yet. Player likeness, facial expressions, and eye movement have been greatly improved, with facial capture technology used to achieve this goal. Augmented Reality Broadcast presentations will project relevant information onto the board during replays, giving players a glimpse at stats and player abilities. X-Factor abilities give each player a specific strength on the rink, which ranges from increased skate speed to better puck control. A 27-minute NHL 22 gameplay video was recently released to show all of these new features in action.
A new blog post from Electronic Arts, and a video from EA SPORTS NHL on YouTube, gives a deep dive into NHL 22 features such as roster sharing. NHL 22's Be A Pro career mode returns from past titles, and X-Factor abilities help to enhance the progression within the multi-season hockey storyline. Each player archetype possesses a unique Zone ability, which must be earned over the course of multiple games, and then multiple Superstar abilities can be purchased with points. The variety of conversations within the Be A Pro storyline has also been increased, giving players more choice in how the narrative plays out.
NHL 22 is also bringing changes to Franchise Mode, such as the addition of the Seattle Krakens team which began competing in 2021. Players can utilize any of the 32 teams currently part of the Nation Hockey League, or they can create their own custom 33rd professional team. A highly-requested Roster Sharing feature will allow players to upload a custom roster to NHL 22 and import it into Franchise Mode. Roster Sharing will be added to the game post-launch, with a suggested launch month of December. Electronic Arts has also revealed that Connor McDavid, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers NHL team, has been ranked #1 by the game's rating system.
Alongside X-Factor abilities and roster sharing, puck movement in NHL 22 has been greatly improved compared to the hockey title's predecessors. Several new passing and puck possession systems have been implemented, with player speed and momentum affecting how far the puck can be smacked. Making a pass outside of the shooter's field of vision will also result in less pass assistance, reflecting the unclear line of sight and increasing immersion when handling the puck.
With a number of adjustments and improvements compared to its predecessor, NHL 22 promises to be a big leap forward for ice hockey games. The new X-Factor ability system will have a big impact on NHL 22's Be A Pro and Franchise modes, ensuring that every player's experience is a bit different. Roster sharing has long been requested by the franchise's fans, so that feature is also sure to be gratefully accepted. Fans of both ice hockey and sports games are sure to appreciate the new features introduced in NHL 22.
NHL 22 will release on October 15 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Electronic Arts (1, 2), EA SPORTS NHL/YouTube