NHL 25 just released its first major deep dive video going over all the gameplay changes coming to this year’s game. This includes improvements to player vision, AI reactions, and tons of new animations.
Next-Gen Vision
The biggest addition coming to NHL 25 is the improvements to next-gen vision control. These improvements seek to give users more control over their players. The increased responsiveness and explosiveness will allow players to create more space between them and their opponents, giving them just enough of a window to sink the puck in the back of the net.
This system will allow players to more accurately recreate the strategies and mechanics that real NHL players use. On defense, it will be easier to keep yourself in front of your opponent to keep him from skating around you. On offense, you can skate the blue line while looking for the open teammate to pass to. Players with the puck will also always skate with the goal as their target, while players without the puck will skate with the puck as their target. This will keep you from getting turned around by mistake and turning the puck over.
Empowered AI
AI player intelligence has been completely overhauled for NHL 25. CPU players will now be more aware of where their teammates are positioned on the ice. This will help keep them from being out of position on offense. This will make setting up shots on the goal feel more fluid and efficient. On top of that, all of the offensive strategies have been completely rebuilt. This allows CPU players to more accurately fill space in the offensive zone.
Reactive Actions
New collision avoidance animations have been added to keep players from constantly bumping into one another. Now, players will make unique movements to try and avoid contact so they can get into position smoother. Also, new panic turn animations have been added for when players do get caught out position. Players will now make a fast turn and try to use their stick to block shots when they get beat on defense.
