Posted October 10, 2021 by Austin Bumpus2 Comments Hockey

NHL 22: New features, Ultimate Team tips, and more

As gamers continue to adjust to the next-gen era, hockey fans will get to see what the developers at EA Sports have to offer with the release of NHL 22.

Scheduled to come out on October 15, 2021, NHL 22 will represent a massive shift in the franchise’s history, considering all of the new improvements and features that the 2021 installment of the game will bring to the table.

For starters, the release will be the first in the game’s long history to utilize the Frostbite engine, which has been a common feature in EA franchises like FIFA and Madden.

The new engine will bring with it loads of new graphics and animations, which fans hope will create a better overall experience from a gameplay perspective. Better face scans, more authentic visuals, and, ideally, a smoother game in the process.

Meanwhile, the release will also add in loads of new features that the crew at EA Sports hopes will keep fans hooked with this year’s installment for months to come.

Arguably the biggest new feature that fans will enjoy is the community’s ability to create and share their own rosters, which will be accessible through “Be A Pro” and Franchise Mode.

It won’t be available right away, which will be a bummer for many fans looking to dive into the game on release day. But, when it hits consoles in December, players will be able to create and download rosters throughout the season, ultimately creating a more authentic experience in team-based game modes.

For player ratings for the EA version of the roster, click here.

Fans of Madden will be familiar with the “Superstar X-Factor” system that’s heading to NHL 22, which will have impacts on “Be A Pro,” Franchise Mode, Hockey Ultimate Team, and the “World of Chel” game mode.

Each X-Factor will create unique scenarios for superstars around the league, whether it’s cover star Auston Matthews, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, and more.

Those X-Factors will be extremely valuable across the game, but will have added importance when it comes to Hockey Ultimate Team, one of the most-played game modes that EA’s NHL franchise has to offer.

It’ll have a major impact on how you build your roster and your respective lines, which has always been a tricky puzzle to solve for any player’s skill level.

Those who have played HUT before will get a head start on those who are new to the franchise or new to the game mode, but that doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily be better at the game overall.

Returning user packs will help towards the beginning, but a commitment to grinding out HUT Challenges and Squad Battles will ultimately help when it comes to building out your roster, racking up the necessary coins to get new players, and find the right fit for your lineup.

Just like in real life, finding a game plan that works and a lineup that fits your strengths will ultimately be the most important piece of the equation.

If you’re looking for sheer offense, you’ll be looking at a player’s speed and shooting abilities to put you in a position to get pucks on net and sneak one past even the game’s best goalies.

On the other hand, defense wins championships. Don’t be afraid to stack up each of your lines defensively, ensuring that you have the proper depth to carry you late in a close game where your opponent’s gas tank may run out.

Finding the right players is crucial, but knowing how to use them as you fly around the ice will be vital to your Ultimate Team’s success.

Figuring out where Alexander Ovechkin’s sweet spot on the ice is will be just as important as the stats his cards will have throughout the year, so be sure to take mental notes of what works (and what doesn’t) as you progress throughout your respective seasons.

Lastly, stay up-to-date with any of the new promos that EA Sports releases throughout the year, and stay tuned to how your favorite players perform throughout the regular season.

Superstars will get new cards frequently through Team of the Week, Team of the Year, and other limited-time promos as the months go on, and adding those players will make sure that your team is staying ahead of the curve on a consistent basis.

Most importantly, especially when considering the new engine that NHL 22 will be utilizing, just remember to have fun with the game.

Glitches will happen, and players will take advantage of certain spots on the ice as tricks continue to be revealed throughout the year.

It’s bound to happen in any sports game, let alone a game from EA Sports with the Frostbite engine, so it’s just about adapting to the circumstances and having fun with the game overall.

NHL 22 will be available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, along with the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, on October 15, with multiple versions of the game providing different levels of rewards as bonuses.

The base version will run $69.99 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and will cost $59.99 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Pre-order bonuses for the Standard Version include:

Up to two HUT Choice Packs
Five World of Chel X-Factor Ability Unlocks
Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks
One unlocked Hockey Bag

Meanwhile, the X-Factor Edition will cost $99.99, and will provide the following:

Dual Entitlement (Gives access on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, or the Xbox Series X/S and the Xbox One)
Three days of Early Access
Up to 10 HUT Choice Packs
HUT X-Factor Choice Pack
HUT Power-Up Starter Pack
Up to four HUT Power-Up Packs
Five World of Chel X-Factor Ability Unlocks
Be A Pro X-Factor Slot Unlocks

To buy NHL 22, click here.

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