EA Sports has released the deep dive for NHL 25 gameplay ahead of its October release. The deep dive was originally set to be released on August 30, but was postponed due to the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
In the NHL 25 gameplay deep dive, EA Sports gives insight into its new Ice-Q technology for this year’s game. From new vision control to updated AI to more reactive actions, EA Sports is hoping that the gameplay updates will help make the on-ice action more authentic than ever before.
NHL 25 Gameplay Features
All of the below information comes directly from EA Sports itself.
Next-Gen Vision Control
“Next-Gen Vision Control is an evolution of Chel’s skating system that allows you to create more time and space on the ice by providing fresh abilities, improvements, and a user-initiated skating mode that ups the responsiveness, explosiveness, and expression on the ice for human and AI players alike.
“For example, when Next-Gen Vision Control is active and the player has the puck in the offensive zone, they now skate with the net as the target. This opens up the player’s body creating the ability to skate and attack the net, shoot the puck, or pass from anywhere in the offensive zone in a contextually more authentic way.”
Empowered AI
“Empowered AI is a complete overhaul of our AI player system, heightening CPU skaters’ awareness of other players and positioning on the ice, giving them more fluid and helpful reads to execute in a true-to-life fashion.
“On top of that, all of Chel’s In Zone strategies — including Behind the Net, Overload and Crash the Net — have been rebuilt from the ground up to allow skaters to better utilize open space and position themselves to be bigger offensive threats.”
Reactive Actions
“New to NHL 25, Reactive Actions like collision avoidance animations allow players to swim past one another and into position smoothly like the pros, no longer running into and getting tangled up with each other.
“Plus, all-new panic turns let players quickly change direction and use their stick to take away space if they are beaten on the ice, making defensive players more athletic and dynamic. Players will also stick out their legs to try and block a shot or pass and offensive teammates will lower their sticks into passing lanes if they feel they’re in a good spot.”
Skill-based One-timers
“Anchored by a new in-game visual indicator that identifies a teammate as a target for a Skill Based One-Timer, when passing to a teammate you’ll need to input the shot control as the puck arrives. The timing window to nail a Skill Based One-Timer is dynamic and takes into account how fast the pass is traveling, as well as the shooter’s abilities like the One T X-Factor.
“If timed correctly you’ll unleash the Skill Based One-Timer, which is more powerful and accurate. If your timing is off, the shot’s accuracy drops, raising the stakes and making the action all the more exciting.”
Other New NHL 25 Gameplay Features
Goalies
General Improvements preemptive save decisions & animations.
Improved poke check & puck cover responsiveness and situation-solving.
Improvements to save motion coming onto the goalposts.
Increased save range including better solving for lacrosse goals.
Goalies stay on their feet longer, and won’t drop to or stay in butterfly if they have time to get back up.
Tweaks to save and capability models
Improved readiness for controlled and redirected saves
Rebalanced goalie precision
Improved decision-making for positioning
One timers
Facing in-tight shots
Challenge distances
New Actions Added
AI goalies will use the spread-v
User goalies can saucer pass
Goalies can cover the puck off of teammate’s stick to better protect their own goals
Post-goal emotional reactions
Pad stack and desperation side poses are now merged
Hitting System
Improvements to hit alignment to ensure more consistent outcomes
New shoulder check animations from back-skating
Improvements to shove and hit conflicts with shooting controls
Get-up time is scaled based on player fatigue and the level of hits taken
Fatigue drain varies based on the size of the hit delivered
The bigger the hit the larger the stamina loss
AI will now use the hip check
Player sizes factor more into hit outcomes
Sustained Pressure System
A team that activates pressure will receive 20% increase to their on-ice player stamina meters
NHL 25, available only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, launches on September 27 for those who buy the Deluxe Edition of the game. Those who buy the Standard Edition get access on October 4.
What do you think of the NHL 25 gameplay trailer and deep dive?