Review of NHL 22: It is not necessary to fix what is not broken

The EA SPORTS NHL Game Series has been the most solid market play franchise in the past, at least. A constant and fluid experience that satisfies both experienced players and newcomers, with sufficient different game modes to keep people entertaining long-term, NHL has been a few steps ahead of competition. That remains mostly true with the debut of nhl 22. The change to next-generation consoles has allowed other franchises to earn a bit of land in the NHL, since it took the smallest step forward this year, but the EA hockey experience is still the best.

The graphic improvement of nhl 21 for nhl 22 is easily noticeable, but that should not be a big surprise. Everything obtained a graphics update thanks to the introduction of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S. Hardic feedback in the PS5 controller is a good touch for the next generation and the game is cleaner than before. Actually, that s where you will find most of the differences between 21 and 22.

Out of the changes that come from a new generation of consoles, there are not many differences in NHL 22. Usually, that is a great complaint with sports video games, since many remain the same year after year. Most games from which people complain, however, are mediocre tickets that do not solve the problems of a delivery to the next. Nhl 20 and NHL 21 are great games, so very few changes for NHL 22 were needed. EA really got into the mantra If it is not broken, do not fix it here, which was clearly the right decision.

The main new element in nhl 22 is the emphasis on X-factor skills, allowing players skills to be more focused on very specific areas. It is a good test and helps the new ones in the series to understand better what the different stars of the NHL are good, but it does not make much difference in the ice. Your construction for a created player is important, and the skills that you choose are important, but the addition of X-factor feels minimal at best. It would be difficult to realize if the menus and the announcers do not mention it so often.

There are some improvements that could be made in nhl 22, although all are quite minimal. Make changes to your team in Hut (Change t-shirts, etc.) is unnecessarily complicated. Everything in that menu requires the longest way. Vibrations in PS5 controllers are more aggressive than some players would like, causing more a distraction than a realistic experience. Actually, everything is delicate things.

NHL 22 did not do much to improve your predecessor, but I did not have to do it. The important part is that the development team did nothing to worsen the game. The franchise was already a boat that sailed without problems, all I had to do was keep it stable.

Rating: 4 of 5

A copy of NHL 22 was provided on PlayStation 5 with the purpose of this revision.