EA Sports has announced October 15 as the release date for NHL 22. Auston Matthews will return as its cover athlete and – at long last – the game will run on the Frostbite engine.
Plenty of other sports games in the EA catalog have made the jump to Frostbite, and now NHL 22 is finally joining the party. The engine change should lead to improved gameplay and graphics – and make better use of the hardware available on Xbox Series X and PS5.
"For the first time ever, the Frostbite engine comes to the EA Sports NHL franchise, making NHL 22 the biggest leap forward in graphics and gameplay in franchise history," EA Sports announced. "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.
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"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."
This year also sees the introduction of Superstar X-Factors, which gives the best players on the ice unique ways to quickly swing the momentum in their favor. For example, some all-star goalies will be able to make "contortionist" saves, while other players will be able to make impossibly difficult passes look easy.
Hockey fans won't have to wait long to learn more, as EA Sports will be revealing further details in the weeks ahead.
"Hockey encompasses a diverse community of passionate players, all united by their love of the sport, and NHL 22 is embracing this culture through a number of new features across modes, as well as its rich live service plan beyond launch. 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."
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