NHL 22

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. XboxAddict
    Oct 26, 2021
    96
    This years entry has brought the EA NHL series to a whole new level and it makes me excited to see what comes in future iterations. I have been playing EA's NHL series for many years, and over the years I have seen the minor and major upgrades and improvements that have come yearly. I am extremely impressed with this year's entry, making NHL 22 easier to navigate with more options for gameplay modes, all without taking away from the experience that has continued through the years. Same game with massive improvements and I love it!
  2. GameCritics
    Jan 14, 2022
    75
    Overall, NHL 22 is a solid next-gen effort for the series, and points to bigger things to come. While longtime fans may be tired of the samey gameplay, there’s enough reason here to believe that EA has plans for the near future. Let’s hope they’re less about novelty modes and more about deeper presentation overhauls and a richer singleplayer experience.
  3. TheXboxHub
    Oct 30, 2021
    70
    NHL 22 has started to lay down the groundwork for a great ice hockey game. It’s incorporated new mechanics in X-Factor players, graphically it’s improving and the gameplay is a mixture of fluid simulation and fast paced arcade which is a great balance. However, Be A Pro mode is still stagnant, there is a heavy reliance on spending real money on card packs in Ultimate Team and there just doesn’t feel like enough new additions to get excited by.
  5. Everyeye.it
    Oct 29, 2021
    70
    NHL 22 finally brings the series to the next-gen: the beginning is encouraging but we are still far from the magnificence that had characterized the EA series for long periods in its first thirty years of life.
  6. MondoXbox
    Oct 25, 2021
    70
    The richness of the game modes, the depth of the Franchise mode and the introduction of the X-Factor system are the indisputable strengths of NHL 22, but graphical uncertainties, an often de-structured commentary and the intrusiveness of microtransactions inevitably affect the final evaluation.
  7. Pure Xbox
    Oct 22, 2021
    70
    It's a transitional year for NHL, then. It's arguably better than ever on the ice, playing a mostly authentic and enjoyable brand of hockey that implements some subtle, but worthy new features to satisfy hardcore fans. It also looks meaningfully improved thanks to the Frostbite engine (and clearly a lot of hard work). But in terms of content and game modes, it's largely the same offering as last year, and that gets pretty old after a while. Hopefully, now that the engine transition is out of the way, we can look forward to some ambitious new modes and features in NHL 23 and beyond.
  8. Stevivor
    Oct 15, 2021
    65
    In the grand scheme of things, I’d say that NHL 22 is a skip overall, though long-time hockey fans will certainly find enjoyment. And hey — just like NHL 15 before it, this is one of those years that means double Achievements/Trophies because of its cross-generation release. Quite honestly, though, I’d prefer cross-gen play and one Achievement set instead, and that’s a lot coming from Mr 600,000 Gamescore over here. It’s very likely that the matchmaking problems I’ve encountered have been exacerbated by the lack of current-gen console availability; while the Xbox One version is near identical to Xbox Series X in terms of gameplay, I’ll stick to playing the prettier-looking one.
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  1. Xboxygen
    Nov 4, 2021
    We were eager to discover the contributions of the famous Frostbite engine for the NHL franchise. EA’s ugly duckling sports game, which always comes last, can now be at ease and benefit from a technically and graphically solid engine to face the future on the new generation of consoles. The first try isn’t perfect with disappointing face modelling, but the outstanding dynamic lighting, much more realistic physics and additional animations mean that an ice hockey game in NHL 22 has never looked so good and immersive. Unfortunately, the welcome arrival of the Superstar X-Factor can’t cover for long that the content is almost a copy and paste of the previous game. Apart from the traditional statistics update and once the wow effect of the first few games has passed, those used to the franchise will be disappointed by its monotonous content. However, NHL 22 remains an excellent sports game for other players to discover with a ton of quality game modes ranging from simulation to arcade.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
35
#35 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
4.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 30
  3. Negative: 14 out of 30
  1. James94
    Nov 20, 2021
    1
    Absolutely terrible game. I have played these for nearly a decade and NHL 22 is by far the worst experience I have had yet. The game is splitAbsolutely terrible game. I have played these for nearly a decade and NHL 22 is by far the worst experience I have had yet. The game is split up between two groups: Series X/ One. Each group got nearly 50% of the already nearly dead fanbase. It is impossible to get a match. No one is playing, not even me. Constant crashes, visual bugs, dead servers, horrible graphics which continue to deteriorate, and obtuse mechanics, make up the core of this game. When you see a brand new game go 50% off 4 weeks after release, that's a HUGE red flag. Do both of us a favor and let this awful garbage fire die.… Full Review »
  2. Repoman16
    Nov 13, 2021
    2
    How do you release a product so poor is beyond unbelievable, but this EA that we are talking about here. They had a great game going from theHow do you release a product so poor is beyond unbelievable, but this EA that we are talking about here. They had a great game going from the early 2010s until they switched to Xbox one which was around nhl 15 if I’m not mistaken. Same glaring issues with syncing errors, the score on the intermission menu has the wrong information showing the wrong score, and they say they add things into the game but all they really do is take them out and reintroduce them a few years later like it is brand new. Enough is enough with this game and company. X-factor abilities are supposed to be the big thing this year next to the frostbite engine and in all honesty, I could care less about it. The community has been asking for things we used to have in the game brought back and they listened to it for once with eashl attribute choices. Otherwise they ignore everything else and focus on HUT and getting more money from us. What is so hard about fixing gameplay bugs that haunt this game? Why does it have to be this way? Wait, it is still EA that’s why. EASHL has or it did have great potential at one point. I’m a huge fan of creating things for my EASHL club like our sweaters or arena, but the customization options are the same ones for the last few years which is highly disappointing. No new logos to pick, no new arenas to play in, less music options for teams, no saving color options unless it’s the three you selected for your team, they don’t even tell you what jersey template or teams jersey fonts you are using when making a team. How difficult is it to do this? Team logos should be abundant and fresh every year while keeping what they had and bringing in new ones. MLB the show has customizable stadiums and is amazing, I want something in that direction for the arenas. My biggest problem with gameplay is they took out so much of the great features we used to have. Bumping the goalie in nhl 11 was one of the best features because net battles became fun. Missing checks against the boards would sometimes result in injuries which no longer happens. The glass breaking from a massive hit or slap shot. If you do injure a player they are hurt for maybe five minutes then are perfectly fine. If Scott Stevens lines you up and nails you, you are definitely not going to be ok five minutes later. If you are injured you should be told what the injury is, what stats it will diminish. This would help eliminate teams in eashl with three snipers as forwards because they just want speed and shooting abilities. While the opposite team has a sniper, grinder, and playmaker and they compliment each other in different aspects of the game. A team full of snipers would not work because you need team chemistry and team play. Make what style you play as MATTER in this game. The sniper build is a scorer yes, but they should not be like Gumby. A lot of people in eashl also like to just sit at the blue line or red line waiting for a home run pass and spam the pass button when the goalie has it. If the game sees you not playing defense or calling for the puck from the goalie non stop the game should adapt and learn. The player should have 2 chances at most because sometimes accidentally calling the puck does happen when the goalie has it. Yet if they continue to play this way punish the player by decreasing stats for them. Nothing more infuriating than out playing a team with 30-7 in shots, 7 minutes of time on attack to 1:30, and losing 3-1 because they call for the puck from the goalie all game and sit in the neutral zone. Games like that are just sickening to me. The team who makes this game really needs to go back to their roots and make significant changes. It may already be too late though.… Full Review »
  3. Kaijukai
    Oct 28, 2021
    4
    the new frostbite engine helps with the graphics but it doesn't help the game the past 3 games have been NHL 19 but with roster and scoreboard changes
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