As EA Sports builds the hype towards the launch of their new hockey simulation title, the first official NHL 21 gameplay trailer arrived on Thursday. In the video, gamers get a first look at the graphics, as well as the new animations, skill moves, and Goalie Locomotion system that will be in the game.
NHL 21 Gameplay trailer arrives online with new details
An NHL 21 gameplay trailer debuted as of Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. In the trailer, a narrator helps educate viewers on the newest aspects of the hockey game while showing off various players. Cover Star Alexander Ovechkin made an appearance in addition to other players.
With the new gameplay, there will be four unique skill moves available in the game. There’s the Kucherov no-deke deke, the Matthew Tkachuk between-the-legs one-timer, and “the Michigan.” In addition, they have a move like Sidney Crosby’s where you can bank the puck off the back of the net to open up space when there’s a “pesky defender.”
Goalies will be smarter and also get improved control and positioning in the new game. That involves a “reworked right stick” to help with more fluid and tactile movements. In addition, there’s game saving goalie desperation as part of the animations for a “chance to make a jaw-dropping, acrobatic stop.”
In addition to improved AI hockey IQ, the game also brings slips, banks, and chips with it. This allows gamers more creativity by banking the puck off the side boards or chipping it forward to get past defenders.
A full look at what all the new NHL 21 gameplay will feature is available at EA’s NHL website.
NHL 21 next-gen details, release date
A lot of gamers are excited about the ability to play EA Sports games on the next-gen consoles. As of Wednesday, PlayStation 5 pre-orders arrived as information on the console pricing and release date hit. There’s a $399 Digital Version and a $499 version that handles Blu-ray discs. The new Sony PS5 will officially come out on November 12.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series X comes out two days earlier on November 10. It will cost $499. There’s also a lower-priced Xbox Series S at $299. So the holiday console wars will be in full effect. It’s also known that popular EA Sports games like Madden and FIFA will have next-gen titles available.
Back in July EA gave an update regarding next-gen for NHL 21. EA mentioned that the game will be playable via “forward compatibility” on the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
However, it won’t be enhanced and there won’t be a specifically-produced version of the game for the new consoles. Going forward, the EA NHL series should be focused on those next-gen capabilities, though.
Gamers will be able to enjoy the new NHL 21 gameplay on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The Standard Edition of the game is set for release on October 13, 2020. There are also the Deluxe and Great Eight editions that grant gamers three days early access to play the game along with other in-game bonus content.
Visit our NHL news page for more of the latest game updates.