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. 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
  2. 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
  3. Halupa22
    Oct 16, 2021
    10
    I gave it a ten because it’s the best NHL from EA that I’ve played in years. Realistic score? I would say 8 but I know the trolls and fans you can’t please will be on here giving it 0’s. No matter what your stance is on this game, denying that’s it’s leagues better than 21 is ridiculous. The gameplay on the ice is fluid and a joy compared to 21. Is there still plenty to work on?I gave it a ten because it’s the best NHL from EA that I’ve played in years. Realistic score? I would say 8 but I know the trolls and fans you can’t please will be on here giving it 0’s. No matter what your stance is on this game, denying that’s it’s leagues better than 21 is ridiculous. The gameplay on the ice is fluid and a joy compared to 21. Is there still plenty to work on? Absolutely. But this is a solid step in the right direction.… Expand
  4. Metameth
    Oct 15, 2021
    10
    Great game
    I just want to say that the game is fun to play i play that like i play on the ice thx to the producers thx
  5. Blakeberry
    Oct 16, 2021
    10
    Just popped this game in, played a match, and let me tell you guys, wicked, the hitting is so natural now, the passing is more realistic, great job, transitioning this game to next generation, am happy with my purchase
  6. kyllin
    Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Easy 10. The hitting, passing, and presentation are all top notch. Highly recommended.
  7. PattyIce2927
    Nov 4, 2021
    10
    Even if they did very little to improve some things with franchise. The nhl series is in a better state than madden. Great gameplay improvements. Great career mode. Great visual. What more can you ask for?
  8. hamiltonreview
    Aug 23, 2022
    9
    Love this game on PS5 (it was not good on PS4). Have really enjoyed HUT, the updates, and graphics. Still, some changes can be made to improve cut-scenes, animations, etc….
  9. Vetroplach81
    Jun 17, 2022
    9
    In NHL 02 I spent hundreds hours, then I haven ´t play for 20 years (family reasons). And now I got this, NHL 2022. And I really like it, Im enjoiyng every match, it´s real hockey!
  10. MinePlay512
    Oct 13, 2021
    9
    While I like the new gameplay animations and the new features, I honestly however do not like the change to Frostbite and the Superstar X-Factors but overall, NHL 22 is a solid game.

    Overall Score: 8.5
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. PMG-Writer
    Nov 21, 2021
    8
    So EA managed again this year with "NHL 22" to make another good spin-off of the series. The new presentation and the new graphics engine make this a title that is really worth seeing. The controls are once again excellent and the game modes are also good. A few innovations haven't really become great, but still round off the good impression of the improvements well. If you want to playSo EA managed again this year with "NHL 22" to make another good spin-off of the series. The new presentation and the new graphics engine make this a title that is really worth seeing. The controls are once again excellent and the game modes are also good. A few innovations haven't really become great, but still round off the good impression of the improvements well. If you want to play with your favorite team, you can't do without "NHL 22". Other players should also take a look.… Expand
  15. BayAreaBrit415
    Oct 15, 2021
    8
    As a devout Hockey fan I can honestly say this is one of the best entries in the series. Lots of attention was given to graphics and presentation and it truly feels "next gen". The game is much slower than NHL 21 and leans more towards the sim side which could be a turnoff for some players. Integration of the haptic feedback on the controllers is a nice touch as the period goes on and theAs a devout Hockey fan I can honestly say this is one of the best entries in the series. Lots of attention was given to graphics and presentation and it truly feels "next gen". The game is much slower than NHL 21 and leans more towards the sim side which could be a turnoff for some players. Integration of the haptic feedback on the controllers is a nice touch as the period goes on and the ice gets choppier, the controller begins to rumble more. Would have given it a 9 if they would have changed presentation of BAP mode which is essentially the exact same product as last year. If you are a Hockey fan looking for a legit sim, you cant miss with NHL 22.… Expand
  16. 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
  17. 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.
  18. SgtSocks
    May 11, 2023
    6
    Lags, Clunky, And Some things are way to slow to get into, but It makes a good party game, and is really the only hockey game out there sooooooo
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. timkore
    Aug 30, 2022
    5
    There's some fun to be had, but the my pro career is pretty lacking. Lots of glitches with the scoreboard where it won't show the right score. I'd love to see some of the features that were in NHL games 20 years ago be included.
  22. 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.
  23. donsiphono
    Jul 28, 2023
    4
    I'm a bit late, but I recently decided to play a bit of hockey on my PS5 and pop up NHL 22 (given by a friend) and damn are hockey games (and sports game in general) disappointing in general.

    The good (there's some): It is playable and by messing with the sliders you can literally transform the game into NHL Hitz and it's funny as hell. Graphically, it's good too. The bad: Huge lack    I'm a bit late, but I recently decided to play a bit of hockey on my PS5 and pop up NHL 22 (given by a friend) and damn are hockey games (and sports game in general) disappointing in general.

    The good (there's some): It is playable and by messing with the sliders you can literally transform the game into NHL Hitz and it's funny as hell. Graphically, it's good too.

    The bad: Huge lack of content and substance.
    TILTED ICE : when you're supposed to lose, you will lose be your 96 OVR goalie letting in 6 goals in 15 shots while their 74 OVR goalie stops 60 shots out of 64). Your player losing the puck at the slightest push by the opponent while every opposing players seems to play with a magnetic puck that sticks to them no matter the direction of the pokecheck.
    TONS OF BUGS: Fans of the opposite teams with your name on their sweater (and it's like that for EVERY single fan). Achieving a coach challenge and get a failure nonetheless in Be a Pro. Numerous bugs concerning overlay texts during games, here's some examples: when they show my pro stats and the opponent best scorer stats, the number of goals are identical for both players. Let's say I scored 30 goals, 20 assists and their best player had 14 goals 10 assists, the text will show 30 goals 10 assists for my opponent. Another bug after the period highlights, they show the score but, from time to time, it will show the period score NOT the game score. Like it's 2-1 after the 1st and then we score 4 goals in the second the end of period scoreboard will show 4-0 and not 6-1
    LACK OF SUBSTANCES: About 2-3 types of interactions with your coach during a game (they were WAY much interactions in previous games, like 4 years ago I think); not being able to see what's going on in the league in Be a Pro (like trades, signing or whatnot), the best innovation to have been created in the past still not back (Connected Franchise), lack of choices in dialogue (1 to 4 choices, all of them mostly boring... remembered being able to rip some teammates after a bad game (now, you seem to be the only player affected negatively of a game outcome... I got negative XP even though I scored 4 goals in a game but I was on the ice in OT when the opponent scored in a 7-6 loss).

    Anyway, that's what a monopoly does to a IP (look at what happened to Star Wars during the Dark Times of EA monopoly).    … Expand
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. jetgm
    Jun 9, 2022
    4
    Don't know where to start with this game and how to even deal with it. The game itself is relatively good, it's just a causal ice hockey experience like most sports games brought out to consoles. I love playing the game and think its got awesome graphics and the players look great. However lets get to the problems. First of all, the CPU players on your team, are garbage, and the CPUDon't know where to start with this game and how to even deal with it. The game itself is relatively good, it's just a causal ice hockey experience like most sports games brought out to consoles. I love playing the game and think its got awesome graphics and the players look great. However lets get to the problems. First of all, the CPU players on your team, are garbage, and the CPU players on the other team, are too good. They move to the right spots and work their way around the puck, and the CPU players on my team, always just seem to wonder off and not do anything even if I change the strategy. The goalies are just terrible. Unless you have a 99 rated goalie, they are going to have a save percentage of below .9. I got Fluery in franchise mode and he let abot 5 goals in a game, even on easier modes and when the defence is relatively strong. Absolutely impossible to win games on the harder modes if the goalies are just rubbish, but the goalies for them can stop anything you put on them unless you make a really good play. The umpiring is just so bad man. Pre much poke checking is just always a trip, and when my players get boarded or interfered with, even on the other end of the ice, its no penalty, but as soon as I try and poke check whilst the player has the puck out in front of them and we are facing, they fall over and its a trip. Makes no fricken sense. I avoid going into the settings of the game, simply because it takes about an hour just to get from the game to switch something like the camera view and to get back. Am I not mistaken that EA makes 2k and other games like fifa and all that? Why is NHL22 loading screens so long even when the 2k franchies are a bigger game? They put so much effort into career modes and in those games and NHL22 career mode is just useless. You could be terrible and still get drafted as Number 1 to Sabres, and when you play career mode, there is no fun involved like 2k with neighbourhood and all the cutscenes and decisions you have to make. NHL22 career mode has a couple of these conversations and decisions, and they are all just like the best player of the team your playing for coming over and talking, with no audio, asking if you want to go sightseeing or something, then it just cuts back to the main screen of career mode with nothing useful happening. Player's don't deke when they are supposed to, when I use the deke control and they decide to do something else, the game is full of glitches and its so slow. Whilst I still play because I love ice hockey, it never ends happy unless you play on semi-pro mode. Do not pay full price for this, if you can get it discounted then get it if you truly want it, but do not pay full price. It is not worth it. Fix it EA, make it as good as 2k, or give it someone else who will make it better… Expand
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
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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.
    Read full review
  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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