With EA Sports introducing the Frostbite engine to NHL 22, many fans and critics alike believed that the attempt was a half-baked result from the gaming developers. However, EA are using NHL 23 as their second pass at building a premier, world-class hockey game while also allowing next-generation consoles to perform at their very best. Not only that, for the very first time, NHL 23 is set to be the first sports game to feature female players in its Ultimate Team mode with Canadian professional star Sarah Nurse on the cover as well.
Details of NHL 23
Developed by EA Vancouver and published yearly by EA Sports, the NHL series has been on shelves since 1991 with the release of EA Sports’ NHL Hockey. In the years since, the game has evolved and taken on new forms thanks to next-generation consoles. That was the case with NHL 22 as it delivered serious visual upgrades and player animations as compared to its predecessor.
However, NHL 23 has been long accepted to be EA Sports’ attempt to regain and rediscover its momentum after the developer struggled to produce a fan loved game with 22 and the Frostbite engine. Yet, NHL 23 is EA’s second attempt to get the engine off and running in the world of Hockey with even more gameplay improvements, living arenas and atmospheres, and the introduction of IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Women’s National teams in HUT (Hockey Ultimate Team).
NHL 23 trailer
NHL 23’s Release Date
The game will officially be released worldwide on October 14th, although those that pre-ordered the X-Factor Edition can play it three days early, on October 11th.
What platforms will NHL 23 be released on?
Unfortunately, NHL 23 remains available only on consoles and not on PCs with the following consoles set to have a version of the game:
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S
NHL 23 Cross-Play
Arguably one of the biggest asks from fans, NHL 23 will have cross-platform matchmaking and this will allow PlayStation and Xbox players to face off against each other. That was not an option in the past although it will only take place in World of Chel and Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT). It is also limited to the same console generation which means that PS5 gamers and Xbox Series X|S gamers can play against each other and the same applies to PS4 and Xbox One gamers.
There is no cross-generation cross-play and thus a PS5 player can’t play against or with a player on an Xbox One. Furthermore, the initial phase, according to EA, won’t have cross-console invitations although an Xbox gamer can play against a PlayStation player from the same generation. EA also confirmed that Cross-Platform Matchmaking will appear after an update that will be released in November.
NHL 23 Features
Much like NHL 22 and 21, NHL 23 is also jam-packed with brand-new features with Cross-Play matchmaking at the top of that list. However, that’s not the only one as it also includes:
Updates to Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT):
For the first time in any sports game, women players will be featured in NHL 23’s Ultimate Team mode after EA got the license from the IIHF. Not only that, in HUT Rivals, there are three additional tiers of rewards, which are based on win streaks or wins. HUT Migration also allows a gamer to transfer their teams from a previous generation system up to Xbox Series X or PS5, and they can transfer over 20 player items and a coach by transferring it over.
Last Chance Puck Movement
Since contact with a player has become more frequent over the last few generations, EA has added Last Chance Puck Movement to NHL 23. This essentially disables “stun lock” which was a jostle animation that robbed a gamer, momentarily, of their ability to control the player. Now, thanks to Last Chance Puck Movement, a gamer has over 500 new animations related to player contact and last chance plays.
NHL 23 X-Factor Edition
Much like FIFA 23’s Ultimate Edition, NHL 23 also has it’s own version that comes with a serious price difference although that is made up for with its many additional benefits. That is not limited to the fact that players who do buy the X-Factor Edition, will get the game three days earlier (on October 11th) as compared to NHL 23’s release date of October 114th. It also includes:
Dual Entitlement
This allows the user to play the game on both the newer generation consoles and the older generations thus someone who buys it for the Xbox Series X|S or PS5 can play it on the PS4 and or Xbox One respectively. That also applies to those that buy it for the Xbox One or the PS4, and this is only available to those who pre-order the X-Factor Edition. Players can also transfer their HUT Team Value across platforms as well.
HUT X-Factor Power-Up Starter Pack (Instant)
4600 NHL Points
HUT X-Factor Player Choice Pack (1 of 10)
