{{Short description|2021 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = NHL 22 | image = NHL 22 Cover.jpg | caption = Standard edition cover art featuring [[Auston Matthews]] | developer = [[EA Vancouver]] | publisher = [[EA Sports]] | series = ''[[NHL (video game series)|NHL]]'' | engine = [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite 3]] | platforms = [[PlayStation 4]]<br/>[[PlayStation 5]]<br/>[[Xbox One]]<br/>[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] | released = October 15, 2021 | genre = [[Sports game|Sports (ice hockey)]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] }}
'''''NHL 22''''' is an [[ice hockey]] [[simulation video game]] developed by [[EA Vancouver]] and published by [[EA Sports]]. It is the 31st installment in the [[NHL (video game series)|''NHL'' video game series]] and was released for the [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on October 15, 2021. It is the first entry in the series to use the [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite]] engine, and utilizes the new game engine on all four platforms.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Clappy |user=TheClapperton |number=1428374570151530500 |date=August 19, 2021 |title=#NHL22 will utilize the Frostbite engine on all platforms (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X{{!}}S). So you'll get the benefits no matter what console you play the game on. |language=en |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828083004/https://twitter.com/theclapperton/status/1428374570151530500 |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game features [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] center [[Auston Matthews]] as the cover athlete for the second time in the series, after being the North American cover athlete for ''[[NHL 20]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maple Leafs forward Matthews appears on EA NHL 22 cover for second time|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/maple-leafs-matthews-ea-nhl-22-cover/c-325995498|access-date=2021-08-23|website=NHL.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823175109/https://www.nhl.com/news/maple-leafs-matthews-ea-nhl-22-cover/c-325995498|url-status=live}}</ref>
The online servers for the game will be shut down on August 31, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arts |first=Electronic |date=2022-10-14 |title=I-Q |url=https://www.ea.com/en-gb/legal/service-updates/i-q |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=Electronic Arts Inc. |language=en}}</ref>
== Features == New to ''NHL 22'' is a new game engine and a graphical overhaul. The ''NHL'' series jumps to the [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite]] engine, after using the [[Ignite (game engine)|Ignite]] engine for the previous 7 years. Additionally, it moves to the next generation consoles [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arts|first=Electronic|date=2021-08-19|title=NHL 22 - This is Breakthrough Hockey - EA SPORTS|url=https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-22?setLocale=en-us|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Electronic Arts Inc.|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819175506/https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-22?setLocale=en-us|url-status=live}}</ref> ''NHL 22'' also introduces Superstar X-Factors, which are abilities that makes superstar players unique, and differentiates them from other players. This also unlocks specific animations affecting their area of expertise.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Clappy |user=TheClapperton |number=1428376858773524487 |date=August 19, 2021 |title=One of the biggest goals with #NHL22 X-Factors was adding true player differentiation. The abilities players will have access to not only affect attributes but unlock specific animations affecting their area of expertise. Adds new elements to each game based on who's on the ice. |language=en |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823175109/https://twitter.com/theclapperton/status/1428376858773524487 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
''NHL 22'' will be feature complete on all four platforms, with the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] versions also moving to the [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite]] engine, while the [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] versions won't be losing any features from the last generation counterpart. According to ''NHL'' producer Clement Kwong, the NHL team's priority this year was making sure everything will be carried over to the new [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite]] engine, as well as next generation versions so as to not repeat the same mistake with the previous console generation transition that was ''[[NHL 15]]''. In moving to the [[Frostbite (game engine)|Frostbite]] Engine, the NHL team is rebuilding all the arenas around the new lighting engine, allowing for enhanced particle and visual effects on the ice and elsewhere, as well as the character models are also being redone.<ref>{{Citation|title=NHL 22 Announced For Next-Gen Consoles With a New Engine and Other Enhancements - IGN|date=19 August 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nhl-22-announcement|language=en|access-date=2021-08-23|archive-date=2021-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824070325/https://www.ign.com/articles/nhl-22-announcement|url-status=live}}</ref>
''NHL 22'' also introduces new gameplay animations, with new reverse hitting, new pass and shot blocks, new pickups, revamped puck protection, additional goalie saves/pokes, and more.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Clappy |user=TheClapperton |number=1428848229395795974 |date=August 20, 2021 |title=Want to clear up a misconception that there are no new #NHL22 Gameplay animations. There is now new reverse hitting, new pass and shot blocks, many new pickups, revamped puck protection, additional goalie saves/pokes and more. We'll provide detail on everything gameplay soon. |language=en |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823175121/https://twitter.com/theclapperton/status/1428848229395795974 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
''NHL 22'' also introduces the new expansion team [[Seattle Kraken]], as they join the [[National Hockey League]] in the [[2021–22 NHL season]].<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Seattle Kraken |author-link=Seattle Kraken |user=SeattleKraken |number=1428371348376666115 |date=August 19, 2021 |title=#NHL22 is about to get a whole lot better. 😏 🎮 Catch the full trailer & get ready for the #SeaKraken to make their @EASPORTSNHL debut → https://t.co/2aCodLk2iB https://t.co/8lHo7srL0V |language=en |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823175124/https://twitter.com/seattlekraken/status/1428371348376666115 |archive-date=August 23, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In franchise mode, you can redo the [[2021 NHL Expansion Draft|Seattle Kraken expansion draft]] or do a 33rd NHL team expansion draft. For the first time in the ''NHL'' series, in ''NHL 22'' you can now share your rosters and download community made roster files with the new roster sharing feature, planned to release in December.<ref>{{Citation|title=NHL 22 ROSTER SHARING {{!}} Franchise Mode + Be A Pro Deep Dive| date=4 October 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJLwHPySzE8|language=en|access-date=2021-10-04|archive-date=2021-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004150439/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJLwHPySzE8|url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 27, 2022, women's national hockey teams were added in ''NHL 22'' for the first time in the series.
In March 2022, publisher EA Sports announced that the Russia and Belarus national teams will be removed from ''NHL 22'' following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|former country's invasion of Ukraine]]. The announcement comes following the [[International Ice Hockey Federation]]'s announcement that they will expelled both Russia and Belarus from six tournaments by the federation in March to September 2022, along with the [[International Olympic Committee]]'s announcement on banning both Russian and Belarusian athletes from all international competitions on March 1, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=EA Sports removes Russian teams from NHL, FIFA video games|url=https://www.polygon.com/22958515/fifa-nhl-russian-teams-banned-ea-sports-statement|author=Owen S. Good|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303152849/https://www.polygon.com/22958515/fifa-nhl-russian-teams-banned-ea-sports-statement|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The ''NHL 22'' soundtrack was revealed on October 6, 2021, featuring artists such as [[Angels & Airwaves]], [[Grouplove]], [[Jxdn]], [[KennyHoopla]], [[Machine Gun Kelly (musician)|Machine Gun Kelly]] and [[Volbeat]], and also returning from previous ''NHL'' soundtracks: [[Arkells]], [[Dropkick Murphys]], [[Imagine Dragons]], [[Johnossi]], [[K.Flay]], [[Royal Blood (band)|Royal Blood]], [[the Strumbellas]], and [[Twenty One Pilots]]. ''NHL 22'' has the largest soundtrack in the series to date, featuring 43 songs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-06|title=The Official #NHL22 Soundtrack|url=https://twitter.com/EASPORTSNHL/status/1445781028459610116|website=Twitter|access-date=2021-10-06|archive-date=2021-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006230320/https://twitter.com/EASPORTSNHL/status/1445781028459610116|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = (PS5) 71/100<ref name="mc-ps5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-22/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=NHL 22 for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref><br/>(XSX) 74/100<ref name="mc-xsx">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-22/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=NHL 22 for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref> | IGN = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paprocki |first1=Matt |title=NHL 22 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nhl-22-review |website=[[IGN]] |date=19 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026225519/https://www.ign.com/articles/nhl-22-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | SN = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lavoy |first1=Bill |title=NHL 22 review: Time for a rebuild |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/127280/nhl-22-review-time-for-a-rebuild |website=[[Shacknews]] |date=23 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026190745/https://www.shacknews.com/article/127280/nhl-22-review-time-for-a-rebuild |url-status=live }}</ref> | PSQ = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Banas |first1=Graham |title=NHL 22 Review (PS5) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/nhl-22 |website=[[Push Square]] |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027220431/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/nhl-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> | HCG = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wells |first1=Cory |title=Review: NHL 22 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-nhl-22/412785/ |website=Hardcore Gamer |date=19 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027220430/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-nhl-22/412785/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
''NHL 22'' received "mixed or average" reviews on PlayStation 5 and "generally favorable" reviews on Xbox Series X according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]]. Kimberley Wallace of ''Game Informer'' awarded the game a 7.25, and summed up her review by saying "''NHL 22'' relies on its superstar talent, and it's not impressive enough to give the gameplay the new life it so desperately needs."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Wallace|first=Kimberley|title=NHL 22 Review – Superstar Letdown|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nhl-22/nhl-22-review-superstar-letdown|access-date=2021-11-12|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112183421/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nhl-22/nhl-22-review-superstar-letdown|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Notes and references == '''References'''<references />{{unreliable sources|date=August 2021}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-22}}
{{NHL series}}
[[Category:2021 video games]] [[Category:EA Sports games]] [[Category:EA Vancouver games]] [[Category:Electronic Arts games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:NHL (video game series)]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Video games set in 2021]] [[Category:Video games set in 2022]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]