Inspired by Madden, NHL 22 Introduces Superstar X-Factors to Change the Metagame

NHL 22 is ushering in a new generation of stylish consoles. This entry marks the first year the game has released on the PS5 and Xbox Series X / S, and it comes with a new look to celebrate, thanks to the series finally moving over to EA’s Frostbite engine for the new and old versions. Outside of visual updates, EA Vancouver looks like a team that is pinning all its hopes on its superstar talent to attract fans and wins, and it could work.

Elevating the best in the league with X factors

EA Vancouver wants to better represent gamers who make a difference and dangerous threats every time they step on the ice, like cover athlete Auston Matthews. Inspired by EA’s Madden series, this year introduces Superstar X-Factors for the league’s elite players. “Madden did a phenomenal job of telling stories of what makes a player special with his X-Factor feature set,” says NHL 22 producer Clement Kwong. “Not only does it allow for great storytelling as we elevate the superstars, but it [it] it also introduces a new meta to the game that injects more strategy and competition into our core, something we haven’t really done with the game in recent years. “

X-Factors will benefit all major modes of the game, forcing players to adapt to the different skills and play styles of the best in hockey. They come in two skill levels: Zone and Superstar. “Elite players with a game-changing talent who use it alone to impact the outcome of the game are assigned zone skills,” Kwong explains. “This is what defines the player and what he is known for. These are very powerful abilities, so we only assign one for each eligible player. “

According to Kwong, the other level, superstar abilities, are less powerful and more common, but players can be assigned one or more. These will be perks like great club handling, great shot through screens, and great peripheral pins. Approximately 100 players will have superstar abilities at launch, while around 50 will have zone abilities. Some elite players will have both a zone skill and multiple superstar skills.

Kwong showed us Auston Matthews’ zone ability called “Shock & Awe”, which gives him exceptional power and precision when firing from, or shortly after, a deke. You will have to decide how to defend yourself and counter this because you will surely be burned with a high score opportunity if you ignore it. “All of these skills will have an impact on the way you play,” says Kwong. “Players will need to know who is on the ice, how to deal with them and how to create their own advantages.”

These special abilities will also extend to goalkeepers. For example, two-time Stanley Cup and 2021 winner Conn Smythe Andrei Vasilevskiy has the contortionist zone ability, which means he has the athleticism to stretch and twist to make impossible saves seem easy. Translation: It will probably give you some devastating saves.

NHL 22 wants you to constantly adapt to the competition, whatever challenges these skilled players present to you. The franchise mode will also include the X factors in the new scouting reports, allowing you to scout professional and amateur gamers for them. The X factors will also affect the chemistry of the line, as you want to mix and match players with complementary skills. Time to match expert passersby with deadly snipers.

For modes like Be A Pro, your player will gain X-Factor abilities throughout their career, with special challenges to earn X-Factor points and unlock more slots for them. On HUT, players with X-Factors will undoubtedly be the most wanted player items; some cards will also have upgrade slots available to add a zone capability. And yes, the X-Factors will also be coming to CHEL, where you get a predetermined zone ability, depending on the archetype you select. You also have more ways to customize your skater as you can invest the points you earn on the skills you want within that specific archetype.

Other noteworthy features

Most of EA Vancouver’s NHL 22 reveal focused on how X-Factors will change the game, but some other interesting tidbits were also unveiled. First of all, to suit the superstar approach of this entry, EA Vancouver says it has a revamped streaming presentation. The team will have more to share on details later, but we did hear some new feedback, focusing on top talent and what their skills bring to the game.

Fans of the NHL’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, will be happy to hear that they have been added to the expansion draft for Franchise Mode. You also have the ability to start your own expansion franchise, bringing the team count to 33. In addition to unique challenges to earn points for X-Factor skills, Be A Pro will now have stories from multiple seasons, for so the fun doesn’t stop after your rookie story.

EA Vancouver hopes to take advantage of the Frostbite engine to increase the realism and wow factor of its images. The game certainly looks better than ever, with better lighting, consistent enhancements, and improved player likenesses. According to Kwong, all the sands have been rebuilt and re-lit to bring the atmosphere to life. One thing that was immediately noticed was how much better and more realistic the ice looks in general. Players are also getting some updates in the appearance department. Over 100 star players and generic player head models have also been rebuilt from the ground up to reflect the current season and bring more detail to your favorite players.

As in previous years, a technical test for CHEL will go live later this month, and that should reveal more about how these improvements fare. EA Vancouver is covering a lot about X-factors making the difference this year, and only time will tell how they change the competition. I will say that it is time for us to have new challenges to face on the ice. After all, isn’t stopping for the best part of the fun?

NHL 22 hits ice October 15 for PS5, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, and Xbox One.