NHL 22 is disappointing by the lack of new modes or improved modes. Aside from the addition of Superstar X-factors (which are absolutelyNHL 22 is disappointing by the lack of new modes or improved modes. Aside from the addition of Superstar X-factors (which are absolutely pointless in my opinion), notable modes such as Franchise Mode, Be A Pro, and Creation Zone are too identical to NHL 21. That said, while the game doesn't offer anything new in terms of what to do outside of the ice, the one thing that saves this game from being a carbon copy of NHL 21 is the upgraded gameplay and graphics overhaul powered by the Frostbite Engine. And roster sharing, which will be added in a post-launch patch in December.
NHL has never felt much better to play than NHL 22 on the ice. Though passing is harder this year, it is much more realistic. It adds a bit of challenge when to pass, and adds a new learning curve. And the new stick physics also really makes a difference. Getting the puck from the opposite team's players is much easier this year, either by grabbing the puck while the opposite team's players are passing the puck, or by sweeping the puck off the other player's stick. No longer does the R1 button cause a tripping penalty ever other minute when you're trying to poke check. Though you will still trip other players if you intentionally put your stick in front of the other player's legs. This is a welcome change, since this was the biggest reason that made NHL 19, 20 and 21 so frustrating to play for me personally. I never got used to the new learning curve to the new poke check system introduced in NHL 19, which seems to have been abandoned in NHL 22 thanks to the new stick physics.
The upgraded gameplay feels even better, when the game also comes with upgraded visuals, powered by the Frostbite engine. Though player faces still looks uncanny, and the audience still looks like they're from a PS2 game, the lighting is so good that the game looks almost photorealistic when viewing from afar. Though the graphics are still in the uncanny valley, even looking at footage from the next gen version. But the graphics is still a huge upgrade over from NHL 21, even on PS4 and Xbox One. And there's a lot of new animations that makes the gameplay of NHL 22 stand out from NHL 21.
Let's use a metaphor to explain how NHL 22 feels to play. Having better graphics and new animations on top of upgraded gameplay is like getting fries with your burger, rather than just the burger that the last 6 years of NHL have been. Too bad NHL 22 still doesn't deliver the soda with the burger and fries, due to a lack of new or improved game modes. But NHL 22 doesn't really take anything away from NHL 21, even on next gen versions.
Skating is the same as NHL 19-21, shooting is the same as NHL 20-21, and goal tending is much or less the same as the last couple of years. A lot of superstar dekes introduced in NHL 18 and 21, like the Forsberg, Datsyuk, Kucherov no-move deke, and the Lacrosse deke is still in the game. With the Lacrosse deke being just as difficult to pull off as last year, but is satisfying when you do finally pull it off. There's really nothing removed in this game. Aside from jersey numbers being present on the back of the jerseys on custom teams. There's a lot of visual bugs like this that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. And the menus on the PS4 and Xbox One versions are very slow and unresponsive, more than ever.
Pros:
- Best gameplay in the series ever
- Better graphics and new animations
- Nothing is removed from NHL 21
- Best soundtrack since NHL 14
Cons:
- Nothing new to do, everything is the same
- Superstar X-Factors feels pointless
- Slow menus
- A lot of "visual" bugs and glitches… Expand
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