Electronic Arts Inc. launched EA SPORTS™ NHL® 18, delivering an authentic, fun and fast-paced hockey experience where the ice is a playground. Featuring new Creative Attack controls, an all-new Defensive Skill Stick, Creative A.I. and a brand-new 3-on-3 gameplay experience, NHL® 18 captures the skill and creativity displayed by today’s young superstars. On top of that, players can do it all with the most co-op and competitive multiplayer options ever delivered in an EA SPORTS NHL® game.
With the introduction of the NHL® THREES mode, NHL® 18 now offers over-the-top 3-on-3 hockey action complete with unique arenas and new commentary. The arcade-inspired mode features faster gameplay, bigger hits and high-scoring action that can be experienced through both couch co-op and fully competitive online team play. Featuring a new NHL® THREES Campaign Mode that can be offline or in co-op with a friend, players compete against different teams and leagues in a circuit-style journey, where they can unlock objective-based rewards as they progress through the campaign.
Gameplay in NHL® 18 has never looked so good, with new Creative Attack moves, which gives players the control to execute jaw-dropping plays. On offense, creative dekes include between-the-legs moves, one-handed dekes, and the ability to branch moves together for quick play-by-play decision making. On defense, the Defensive Skill Stick gives players full control of their stick to take away passing lanes, deflect shots and poke the puck away. The tool allows players to counter attacks with poke check targeting, extended poles, and controlled stick sweeps to cover zones of the ice.
NHL® 18 has also expanded on the popular Franchise Mode, to include a new Expansion Draft feature that lets players reshape the entire NHL by adding and drafting a 32nd team. Through the Expansion Draft, players can run an authentic draft experience to build a dynamic roster as well as take on the front office role to manage the team, the business and the games. Start with a hometown for the 32nd team from cities across North America and Europe, then use the Creation Zone to choose an arena, design a uniform and a logo, and for the first time ever – design their very own custom mascot. Players can also use NHL Expansion Draft™ to experience the Las Vegas Knights™ first, complete with authentic rosters, uniforms and logos.
Finally, NHL® 18 introduces more ways to team up and compete in multiplayer than ever before. Featuring over 64 different combinations of multiplayer gameplay – including the ability to create a team of local couch players combined with online players from their own console – no other EA SPORTS game lets you team up and play with your friends like NHL® 18.
NHL® 18 is developed by EA Vancouver and is available now worldwide for Xbox One and PlayStation®4.