NHL 22

 PlayStation 5
User Score
4.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 62
  3. Negative: 34 out of 62
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  1. givefomindireti
    Nov 10, 2021
    1
    It's just a terrible game from every angle. Apart from the graphics, there is nothing of hockey here. Always crooked passes, inadequate physics of the players, out of sync when playing online. HUT is just a wrestling with the coolest players, no intrigue and interest.
    The game is slow, the skating of the players is terrible, as is their maneuverability. Why 3on3 has been present for which    It's just a terrible game from every angle. Apart from the graphics, there is nothing of hockey here. Always crooked passes, inadequate physics of the players, out of sync when playing online. HUT is just a wrestling with the coolest players, no intrigue and interest.
    The game is slow, the skating of the players is terrible, as is their maneuverability. Why 3on3 has been present for which year is a mystery to me.
    To summarize, in this game there is only a beautiful picture on PS5, in all other respects the game does not stand up to criticism. What has this hockey inherited from the present? NOTHING! A piece of cow cake in a beautiful candy wrapper.    … Expand
  2. Samheis
    May 24, 2022
    2
    It's baffling to me how a game that is quite literally copy/pasted year to year, somehow manages to get worse. More bugs, less capable AI, slower gameplay, less realism - even the graphics, while better overall thanks to the new engine, are subject to numerous issues, such as darkening screens while using HDR and random camera breaks.

    EA needs to lose the hockey license so badly. This    It's baffling to me how a game that is quite literally copy/pasted year to year, somehow manages to get worse. More bugs, less capable AI, slower gameplay, less realism - even the graphics, while better overall thanks to the new engine, are subject to numerous issues, such as darkening screens while using HDR and random camera breaks.

    EA needs to lose the hockey license so badly. This series is dead in the water. Don't buy this game. I swore off the NHL series in 17 and all of the same problems that made me quit buying them then still exist in this iteration. It's only because of EA Play that I've even touched the last couple generations, and I'm currently getting ready to delete this one from my hard drive.

    This is not a hockey game, it's a cash grab. As a hardcore hockey fan, NHL, please, I beg you, give this license to someone who wants to make a real hockey game.    … Expand
  3. Serx79
    Mar 5, 2022
    0
    unplayable game on release from company that are super politically engaged.
  4. TatarN
    Jan 12, 2022
    3
    I was ready to give a good mark playing offline. This is something like real hockey. But online it looks more like an Arkanoid at maximum speed. Reduce the game speed, add inertia to the players and send all "xxx" to EA fightings with their super speddy button checks. At the moment this is not a hockey.
  5. TCTC222
    Oct 25, 2021
    3
    I’m so disappointed. As a 56 year old, I’m not the target audience…but have still played for years and have enjoyed it. This year, it is almost unplayable. Poke checks from 5-feet away are common and it plays like the computer has decided the outcome before the puck has dropped. Even graphics suffer..no more facial bruises after fights etc. The flow of the game is ruined by the FrostbiteI’m so disappointed. As a 56 year old, I’m not the target audience…but have still played for years and have enjoyed it. This year, it is almost unplayable. Poke checks from 5-feet away are common and it plays like the computer has decided the outcome before the puck has dropped. Even graphics suffer..no more facial bruises after fights etc. The flow of the game is ruined by the Frostbite engine. Really sad to see it go in this direction.… Expand
  6. Mimi10
    Nov 10, 2021
    0
    Be a pro is not good the rosters change up way to much, franchise mode has been the same forever, the game only looks better in instant replay, The a.i. is horrible per usual, I think they need more customization for players, It’s the same game every year with 1 new feature still same garbage, but Seattle looks very good in game DO NOT BUY IF YOU HAVE 21 !!!
  7. Radionov
    Nov 16, 2021
    0
    Покупал игру на старте продаж после бета теста, игра была супер. После патчей игра превратилась в NHL21. Брать не советую, от слова совсем.
  8. Gwimpon
    Nov 19, 2021
    5
    The game is a copy paste of NHL 21 which is a copy paste of NHL 20 and so on and so forth. You know exactly what you're buying with EA at this point. But if you're surprised that EA isn't innovating you probably get surprised when your alarm rings in the morning. There's no excuse for it and I still enjoy playing the game but if there was another NHL game and EA didnt hold a monopoly onThe game is a copy paste of NHL 21 which is a copy paste of NHL 20 and so on and so forth. You know exactly what you're buying with EA at this point. But if you're surprised that EA isn't innovating you probably get surprised when your alarm rings in the morning. There's no excuse for it and I still enjoy playing the game but if there was another NHL game and EA didnt hold a monopoly on sports games this game would not sell at all. I enjoy it because its hockey, I don't enjoy it because EA did anything right… Expand
  9. JRand
    Nov 27, 2021
    1
    This game requires you to sign into your EA account to play online and it made me sign into an account I made 10 years ago with an email I don’t have access to anymore. I chatted online with EA’s customer support and they were complete A holes and couldn’t help me sign in. EA is an absolute joke. I’ve been playing games for 29 years now and not one of them has required me to sign intoThis game requires you to sign into your EA account to play online and it made me sign into an account I made 10 years ago with an email I don’t have access to anymore. I chatted online with EA’s customer support and they were complete A holes and couldn’t help me sign in. EA is an absolute joke. I’ve been playing games for 29 years now and not one of them has required me to sign into their service to play online not even past EA games. I’ve never had this problem before and I will never buy another EA game ever again. “Let’s Go EA!”… Expand
  10. Bergerking
    Mar 24, 2022
    0
    This game is so broken on both ps5 and PS4 this happens with any game EA sports makes. EA sports is for sure the most evil company in the industry. Boycott anything EA sports makes short there stock. Bancrupt them. They are the worst. They need to disappear. I'll do everything In my power for now on to make sure EA fails
  11. TickleNuggets
    Apr 10, 2022
    0
    Just don't buy it unless you REEEEEEEAAALLLLY love hockey but even then don't buy it. EA holds a monopoly on NHL branded hockey video games.. they literally don't care about their games at all.. especially sports games
  12. Khederk222
    May 1, 2022
    2
    As soon as I went to HUT and saw the game had been overhauled with the superstar traits from this year's madden, I knew this game would be a disaster. Im done with madden, and now you can add NHL to the list. madden and nhl 1993-2022 RIP. done w these 2 and leaving them in old gen where they belong
  13. SuomiSoldat
    Oct 20, 2021
    4
    It has interesting changes and improvements, but basically you no longer can score on cross-crease one-timer at all. Ever. I like most of the other changes. The menus are still completely **** It’s more sluggish than ever. I don’t know how someone can make that sluggish menus. Someone should get a medal for it.
  14. OnlyOneHere
    Oct 24, 2021
    0
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the NHL was a professional hockey league. The gameplay in this game is too slow. It feels like I am playing like an amateur, not a professional. The developers made the player movement so sluggish, to give players the illusion that the game is realistic. None of that is realistic for me. The menus are also slow and unresponsive. The physics areCorrect me if I'm wrong, but I thought the NHL was a professional hockey league. The gameplay in this game is too slow. It feels like I am playing like an amateur, not a professional. The developers made the player movement so sluggish, to give players the illusion that the game is realistic. None of that is realistic for me. The menus are also slow and unresponsive. The physics are garbage.

    The multiplayer is trash with so many server issues. The pass assist is terrible, making the gameplay tedious. I buy sports games, because I can't play like a pro in real life. If I can't play like a pro in a fake videogame, then what is the point paying $70 for this sluggish garbage? I don't recommend this game at all.    … Expand
  15. Thebrah
    Oct 22, 2021
    0
    For starters you basically can't play only unless you live close to a server .Graphics look better, gameplay is absolute garbage though, players can't hold onto the puck and gameplay is super slow. It's like instead of making AI better they just made the game play terrible. Other then that it's the same recycled stuff.
  16. Jeppeto12
    Oct 14, 2021
    7
    I would say this game feels like NHL 21 if they would have made a next gen version last year. I do like how playing defense feels with this version. Be a pro seems to have a little more detail this year as well. Nothing revolutionary with this game, but still a fun game with minor tweaks and upgrades.
  17. Samalefic
    Oct 17, 2021
    4
    Fix passing by making it wildly inaccurate? Check.

    A shed load of visual glitches (players in the box seem to drink through invisible tracheostomys, amongst other things)?Check Inaccurate rosters and plain wrong player ratings? Check. Superstar abilities seem to do very little or nothing? Check. Clueless goalies? Check. Players able to control 70mph loose pucks and carry on fully in    Fix passing by making it wildly inaccurate? Check.

    A shed load of visual glitches (players in the box seem to drink through invisible tracheostomys, amongst other things)?Check

    Inaccurate rosters and plain wrong player ratings? Check.

    Superstar abilities seem to do very little or nothing? Check.

    Clueless goalies? Check.

    Players able to control 70mph loose pucks and carry on fully in stride? Check.

    Mostly last years modes and ugly presentation? Also Check.

    And finally, my real pet peeve... team mate movement on a par with extinct flightless birds. For the love of god EA stop cash grabbing and make some actual improvements for once.    … Expand
  18. Hockeydef
    Oct 22, 2021
    0
    This has been the worst hockey game I have ever played. It's amazing how sluggish it is an on top of that you lose the puck super easy. Players don't even want to accept a pass. Say your money, I don't know how they did it but they made a copy past game 10 times worse.
  19. zachmamba
    Oct 22, 2021
    0
    Fix passing. Please, for the love of god fix passing. It never goes where you want it to. Not to mention picking up the puck still doesn’t work half the time. You can completely outplay the other team and lose 3-0. Not worth getting, they’ve improved literally nothing.
  20. Digitalgritz
    Oct 14, 2021
    4
    Gameplay and graphics are all where they are expected to be in my mind, but I’ve gotta give this a negative due to the lack of cross generation support. For a game that’s population is fairly small compared to other big sports titles, and the shortages of PS5s on the market, this will kill online play. For a huge publisher like EA, this is a clear miss and a massive middle finger to players.
  21. Frostyjizzle
    Oct 16, 2021
    0
    Mechanics of the game are better than last year. The glitches in the game are horrible. Flashing areas on the screen and game going back 1 minute when someone does a high dump in and sometimes when the goalie passes. Losing connection happens way too often. EA Released an unfinished game it has so much potential to be good and they just don't care. They want $$$$
  22. Oup
    Oct 16, 2021
    0
    Same generator of random wins in HUT as in prewious years. Also local connection boost for the chosen one. Horrible passing. Many time it go to different direction then I aim.
  23. devinhenes
    Oct 17, 2021
    2
    Game feels like it’s reverted back in time, movement is terrible and chunky. Oh and god forbid you want to pick up a puck or make a tight turn…. Feels like I’m a 12 year old virgin to hockey. Oh wait they’re better than my player is at all these things

    Terrible game please go back to the old mechanics
  24. freestar76
    Oct 15, 2021
    10
    The graphics are amazing and I'm glad they made it easier to identify some of the bigtime players in the nhl. I'm a Madden fan so the X-Factor addition is pretty cool especially when you make a goal and the replay stops and shows a cinematic sequence of an X-Factor player and their ability. I'm absolutely excited for the Roster Sharing update as well. FINALLY
  25. TwistedBengal90
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    This is a nice upgrade this series has been desperately needing for almost 7 years. The jump to Frostbite is amazing graphically. Especially on an HDR OLED tv. The new animations, the fluidity, and the xfactor implementation is grade A. X factors work the best with a sport that is a constant unlike Madden where it’s stop and go. You can really feel X factors come to life in NHL 22. AfterThis is a nice upgrade this series has been desperately needing for almost 7 years. The jump to Frostbite is amazing graphically. Especially on an HDR OLED tv. The new animations, the fluidity, and the xfactor implementation is grade A. X factors work the best with a sport that is a constant unlike Madden where it’s stop and go. You can really feel X factors come to life in NHL 22. After years of stagnation and little improvement, NHL 22 is the NHL game to get if you’ve been waiting a couple entries for changes. This one is it.… Expand
  26. lizardking420
    Nov 30, 2021
    5
    Another NHL game Another NHL game Another NHL game Another NHL game Another NHL game Another NHL game Another NHL game
  27. Eagle16
    Nov 25, 2021
    8
    Playing this game for over a month, it's the best NHL out there. World of Chel seems lacking. I couldn't get into it this year, I miss 6v6 only-option, with 3v3 options you can never find a match for Chel 6s when everyone is playing 3v3. I don't enjoy Chel where there are 10 penalty shots per game. Hitting is improved but still isn't what it could be. Sometimes you perform a hittingPlaying this game for over a month, it's the best NHL out there. World of Chel seems lacking. I couldn't get into it this year, I miss 6v6 only-option, with 3v3 options you can never find a match for Chel 6s when everyone is playing 3v3. I don't enjoy Chel where there are 10 penalty shots per game. Hitting is improved but still isn't what it could be. Sometimes you perform a hitting animation but the player doesn't react to the hit which is annoying but overall, game is fun, great gameplay, slightly improved presentation is a + too, game feels and plays totally different than NHL 21. It's much better feel than transition from NHL 20 to NHL 21. 9/10… Expand
  28. DrummBumm
    Oct 18, 2021
    7
    I actually really dig the new gameplay! The passing and player movement is much, much better than any other previous game. Some people will complain about it, but, personally I think the realism of having a backhand saucer pass being slower and more innacurate, is what this game needed. Not super accurate backhand laser passes up and down the ice when holding R2 for .2 seconds like inI actually really dig the new gameplay! The passing and player movement is much, much better than any other previous game. Some people will complain about it, but, personally I think the realism of having a backhand saucer pass being slower and more innacurate, is what this game needed. Not super accurate backhand laser passes up and down the ice when holding R2 for .2 seconds like in previous versions.
    The be a pro is still lacking, still very boring cut scenes/dialogue. I wish they would make be a pro like they did for the Fifa series where there is an actual storyline and other characters that play a role in your career.
    I'm sure the rating will change for me once I encounter the inevitable drop in moron who calls for a pass every millisecond, but, for now, I like the more realistic gameplay and I can see myself having more fun playing solo modes than ever before. I have yet to test how impossible 'All-star' difficulty is yet, but if it is manageable and challenging without having to customize sliders, that will be a huge win for this game.
    I don't really play HUT as it is a 'pay to play' mode, so can't really speak on it.
    There is no cross-play yet, but, frankly that doesn't bother me very much, I don't need to knit pick and cry over things that aren't available upon release. I'm sure this issue will be fixed, and even if it isn't, I'm happy with playing against PS5 only players.
    Overall, although there hasn't been many changes in gameplay modes, the gameplay itself feels different than the last 10 years of NHL games. More realistic feel that rewards players that have accuracy in saucer passing over someone who prefers easy/automatic passing.
    If you're and NHL regular and up for a more realistic NHL gaming experience I'd recommend this game. There's definitely more that could've been done, but this is definitely an improvement and heading in the right direction as a franchise.    … Expand
  29. BreakzJ
    May 18, 2022
    8
    4.4/10 user reviews is ridiculous. I’ve been playing NHL games since Wayne Gretzky on NES. NHL games have had a lot of issues over the years but ‘22 has been a radically different game from the past 5-10 years. The player systems, puck handling, AI are all improved. Anyone who has been playing hockey and the video games for as long as I have, knows that this game should be rated 7 at the4.4/10 user reviews is ridiculous. I’ve been playing NHL games since Wayne Gretzky on NES. NHL games have had a lot of issues over the years but ‘22 has been a radically different game from the past 5-10 years. The player systems, puck handling, AI are all improved. Anyone who has been playing hockey and the video games for as long as I have, knows that this game should be rated 7 at the lowest. From here on out this series will only improve. Especially thanks to next gen consoles.… Expand
  30. KalKenobi83
    Mar 3, 2022
    8
    The Transition to Frostbite has been fantastic also the Superstar X Factor has been an Improvement as well as well roster sharing as well helped make some of the rosters my only issues have been with limited selections of some things but overall a great improvement over the previous titles happy we got all 32 Teams with The Seattle Kraken Being The Last also should getter with theThe Transition to Frostbite has been fantastic also the Superstar X Factor has been an Improvement as well as well roster sharing as well helped make some of the rosters my only issues have been with limited selections of some things but overall a great improvement over the previous titles happy we got all 32 Teams with The Seattle Kraken Being The Last also should getter with the Frostbite Engine 8/10… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
45
#45 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Games.cz
    Jan 13, 2022
    70
    A solid ice hockey simulator with very few true innovations. The new Frostbite engine is probably the most important one - not that it will blow you away, mind you. If you want your miracle on ice, look elsewhere.
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  2. The Games Machine
    Nov 2, 2021
    79
    NHL 22’s gameplay is substantially unchanged from its predecessors. The Frostbite engine brings a breath of fresh air to the graphics, but the gaming experience does not differ dramatically from what has been seen in the past. The result is a fun and full of game modes title, which however would need an update in the game mechanics to be able to take it one step further.
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  3. Softpedia
    Nov 1, 2021
    75
    At the end of the day, NHL 22 just feels like a transition to a kind of gameplay that would eventually feel even more real, probably not this year but in the upcoming releases. It’s still fun to play, and the graphics are clearly the best improvement on new-gen consoles, but otherwise, those who want to get the game on old-gen wouldn’t necessarily notice a massive refresh.
    Read full review
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