As you can easily presume, it is only a matter of time until Electronic Arts starts turning the wheel for the next line of annual sports video game releases for this year. So far, the publisher already announced and this week released Madden NFL 22. For this year’s version, fans can find both Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Quarterback Tom Brady & Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes sharing the cover for the game.
Additionally, FIFA 22 is on the way for release later on in October. For this year’s entry, Paris Saint-Germain and the France football player Kylian Mbappé once again is featured as the cover athlete for a second year in a row. However, that is not the last we will hear from EA Sports this year. Of course, NHL is to also make an announcement later on for its yearly release.
On Thursday, publisher Electronic Arts unveiled NHL 22. For that, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Center & Alternate Captain Auston Matthews is the cover athlete for this year’s game. You can watch the reveal trailer in the video below:
“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 game play in franchise history,” Electronic Arts shares in a 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.” Aside from the change in appearance with its proprietary engine, NHL 22 is also introducing ‘Superstar X-Factor’ which mimics athlete’s playstyle in-game accurately.
“Superstars will distinctly feel like their real-life counterparts in NHL 22 with the introduction of Superstar X-Factors, a game-changing system that unleashes unique abilities for the best players in the game, with traits inspired by their individual real-world skills. […] 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.”
Are you excited for NHL 22 later this fall?
NHL 22 ships on October 15, 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
Source: Electronic Arts
