NHL 18 new gameplay features detailed

EA Sports is looking to deliver the creativity of today’s young NHL talent in this year’s NHL 18. They are doing so with new gameplay features such as Creative Attack controls and an all-new Defensive Skill Stick — both of which were detailed in length in today’s new trailer.

Creative Attack Dekes

On offensive, NHL 18’s all-new creative dekes include between-the-legs shooting, one-handed dekes, back-handed toe-drags and more. New deke branching gives you control to choose how you string deke combinations together into fluid dangles based on moment-to-moment decisions and reaction time.

Defensive Skill Stick

On defense, you’ll be given the tools to counter attacks with NHL 18’s all-new Defensive Skill Stick which allows for poke check targeting, extended pokes, and controlled stick sweeps to cover zones of the ice and take away lanes.

Creative A.I.

This change doesn’t necessarily have to do with the user, but the user sure will benefit. Your A.I. teammates leverage all the same creative deking and passing tools that you do, creating smarter plays up and down the ice. Teammates are better at finding you in breakout opportunities through off-the-boards bank passing, lead passing and improved positioning. A.I. will also use the new Defensive Skill Stick, making them more effective teammates in your own zone.

3-on-3 EASHL (EA Sports Hockey League)

Bringing authentic NHL 3-on-3 overtime to EA SPORTS Hockey League, you can now choose to play 3-on-3 full matches, opening up more ice for you and your teammates to get creative, pull off big plays, and showcase brand new skill moves. With more space to attack – and to make mistakes – 3-on-3 EASHL is higher stakes with more competition and skills.

As always, let us know what you think about the changes above.

Yesterday, EA revealedNHL 18’s Ultimate Team Rookies. Check out the full list here.

[EA]