NHL 22

 Xbox Series X
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
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  1. 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
  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 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 intoHow 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.… Expand
  3. 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 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 toAbsolutely 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.… Expand
  4. freestar76
    Oct 15, 2021
    10
    Had to make sure to play with my friends so glad all of them were able to upgrade to next-gen. Graphics are spectacular in this year's version and the X-Factors make it easier to understand specific abilities that NHL's all stars are good at.
  5. Mattyice
    Oct 18, 2021
    8
    I know it's very easy to hate on EA for their money-grubbing and anti-consumer practices, but I need to give credit where credit is due. NHL 22 is a notable improvement from years past and definitely shows major promise as the series heads to the next generation of consoles. While I wish they added a bit more to the game this year (namely with regards to World of Chel and customizationI know it's very easy to hate on EA for their money-grubbing and anti-consumer practices, but I need to give credit where credit is due. NHL 22 is a notable improvement from years past and definitely shows major promise as the series heads to the next generation of consoles. While I wish they added a bit more to the game this year (namely with regards to World of Chel and customization options), the features they did add this year are very welcome additions. The Frostbite engine, while an absolute disaster for Madden, works surprisingly well for Chel. Animations look notably improved from last year, the visuals and player likeness definitely get an upgrade, and the game finally slows down a bit more in simulation and competitive modes, which makes the game feel much more realistic to the game compared to past years. Additionally, things like cross-crease one-timer are more difficult to pull off this year without user skill and the penalties have been tuned to reduce the amount of tripping calls on poke checks (which is a welcome addition, although there have been more interference penalties from my experience). The second big addition was X-Factors, which also suit the NHL series far better than Madden. Stars like Matthews, MacKinnon, and McDavid actually feel far different from your average 3rd or 4th liner, which I can't say was the case in years past. We also will FINALLY be getting roster sharing in a little bit, which is a long-needed feature that surely increases the longevity of the title post-NHL season. Although I wish more was added to existing modes, I can't complain about this year's major steps forward visually and gameplay-wise. NHL 22 is definitely the best playing NHL game ever and hopefully in the future EA can continue to build goodwill by upgrading the rest of the modes as well.… Expand
  6. 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
  7. WillGoss
    Oct 25, 2021
    0
    When we was thinking that It cannot be worst then NHL 21... we were wrong... Its the same game as NHL 21, New roster update, ganeplay feels like garbage, the game feels slow like if it was midgets guys, HUT is still there only priority. Im done buying those games every year. Sa dont cares about poeple who just want to play the game solo, like Be a pro, franchise, ect.
  8. Gunmars
    Mar 28, 2022
    0
    You play the last 5 years worth of EA NHL titles? Then you played this garbage. But keep buying those HUT packs boys. Let me get this loud and clear for EA. I AM NOT BUYING A NEW CONSOLE FOR SPORTS GAMES. BRING NHL TO PC LIKE MADDEN. Now back to my rambling review, laggy menus, slow sims, poor on ice gameplay and same old rehashed junk they charge 60+ dollars for year after year.
  9. Kamikaze211
    Oct 17, 2021
    5
    That year we have Frostbite. Is this enough? NO, it's not. Goalies are still same, even it's harder that to do cross crease, I am getting them like 70% of all goals in online. Except that, if I have offensive team and someone take's defensive, I get hit after hit with no chance to take puck or do anything else. Against CPU it's better, feeling is that they defense in kind of some way.That year we have Frostbite. Is this enough? NO, it's not. Goalies are still same, even it's harder that to do cross crease, I am getting them like 70% of all goals in online. Except that, if I have offensive team and someone take's defensive, I get hit after hit with no chance to take puck or do anything else. Against CPU it's better, feeling is that they defense in kind of some way. Still, it's hockey that it used to be last year. Nice improvement but not enough to ask 70$ for completely new game.… Expand
  10. mosca26
    Oct 13, 2021
    6
    Beautiful graphics and colours on new generation of xbox. No other significant changes for me. Ones and franchise mode seam stuck in time. New menu... more dynamic. X-factor not a major feature. It look like hot/cold feature in retro nhl games. No major upgrade on the gameplay. The new frosbite engine reduce the speed of the gameplay. A new roster patch will be a better option. No goalieBeautiful graphics and colours on new generation of xbox. No other significant changes for me. Ones and franchise mode seam stuck in time. New menu... more dynamic. X-factor not a major feature. It look like hot/cold feature in retro nhl games. No major upgrade on the gameplay. The new frosbite engine reduce the speed of the gameplay. A new roster patch will be a better option. No goalie real life mask or new desing for them is a major flaw for me. I pass this year. Better hope next year...… Expand
  11. mr_jhnzn
    Sep 12, 2022
    4
    It's still a game about poke checking.

    Also still fun locally with friends, of course, but for that you don't need to update every year.
  12. DzmitryBoston
    Aug 13, 2022
    4
    The game crashes often. Nothing exciting and I got bored too soon considering my love for hockey.
  13. alphawulf
    Mar 27, 2023
    5
    The game is still bugged as hell and they're going to release 23 soon I assume. This is the price we pay. **** EA.
  14. Doog39
    Nov 5, 2021
    0
    Same game. Same problems. Another typical EA moneygrab. It’s insulting to fans that they keep churning out the same garbage and people keep paying for it. Be a pro is awful again. No matter what difficulty you use your computer teammates just stand there and don’t check, they can only finish PERFECT chances. Awful game. Online, the AI is way overpowered. Save your money and buy anySame game. Same problems. Another typical EA moneygrab. It’s insulting to fans that they keep churning out the same garbage and people keep paying for it. Be a pro is awful again. No matter what difficulty you use your computer teammates just stand there and don’t check, they can only finish PERFECT chances. Awful game. Online, the AI is way overpowered. Save your money and buy any other game.… Expand
  15. bobemil_sw13
    Oct 15, 2021
    6
    Year after year we get a "new" game with very limited features and improvements all around. This year is nothing different other than the improved graphics. This made me vote 6 instead of 5. Don't get me wrong, it feels like hockey. That's good but the slow development is out of this world. This time they marketed X-factor as a super big feature. Sure, it's something but it's not hard toYear after year we get a "new" game with very limited features and improvements all around. This year is nothing different other than the improved graphics. This made me vote 6 instead of 5. Don't get me wrong, it feels like hockey. That's good but the slow development is out of this world. This time they marketed X-factor as a super big feature. Sure, it's something but it's not hard to code that stuff, this is minimal effort on display. There are nothing new to the customization zone (in fact it's even worse UX this year and same logos as last year). Next to nothing new in Franchise Mode. When in game the cutscenes between whistles have so many weird animations where players keep skating into each other, into the boards, getting stuck etc. This makes the game feel so rough. You can't fool us any longer EA. It's time to show why you have the power you have in the sports game industry. I only played the 10 hour demo but it's the full game so I don't think there are ANY changes in the final version other than roster updates.… Expand
  16. Doesntmatter64
    Oct 20, 2021
    7
    Some overall basic improvements and definitely noticeable graphical improvements. HUT is much of the same, but the addition to change stats in CHEL is nice. Overall the game is slightly better than previous installments, but online players still play very cheese and top players still prefer to puck carry and find spots behind the net to bait AI on behind the net strat for very easy wrapsSome overall basic improvements and definitely noticeable graphical improvements. HUT is much of the same, but the addition to change stats in CHEL is nice. Overall the game is slightly better than previous installments, but online players still play very cheese and top players still prefer to puck carry and find spots behind the net to bait AI on behind the net strat for very easy wraps and one timers. Overall game is an improvement, but still needs work for sure.… Expand
  17. JJay19
    May 11, 2022
    7
    Greatest Nhl game since Nhl 14. Passing is sometimes difficult and the lack of brand new content is pretty disappointing, but i like this new direction and hope that the series will continue to improve.
    AND JUST PLEASE FIX THE COUNTLESS BUGS ALREADY!
  18. mabruneau
    Jul 8, 2022
    2
    Disaster. So many bugs. Get prepared to lose your progress countless times.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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