NHL 25 Gameplay Trailer and Details Revealed

EA Sports revealed their official NHL 25 gameplay trailer today along with their deep dive blog going over Next-Gen Vision Control, Empowered AI, Reactive Actions, Skill Based One-Timers and much more. Not featured in the trailer, the blog also discusses improvements to goalies, hitting and the pressure system.

Next-Gen Vision Control

Next-Gen Vision Control is a revamp of Chel’s skating system, modernizing how players skate and navigate the ice more precisely. Walk the blueline and square up to the puck carrier while staying locked on goal for better shot opportunities. Or take advantage of narrow spaces to cut through traffic and get a shot off. 

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. Players can now open up their bodies to go for goal, find an open teammate, or retain possession while moving around the zone.

When not in possession, the player targets the puck when Next-Gen Vision Control is active. This allows for more accurate pass pick-ups and can set up the opportunity for a Skill-Based One-Timer. This major innovation delivers a 

more fluid skating experience that looks and feels incredibly authentic.

Empowered AI

Empowered AI revolutionizes NHL 25 with a complete overhaul of the AI player system. CPU players now have heightened awareness and greater intelligence, which leads to better positioning on the ice and improved game reading. This innovation delivers more fluid gameplay and enables players to execute plays in a true-to-life fashion. 

Chel’s In-Zone strategies, including Behind the Net, Overload, and Crash the Net, have been rebuilt to allow skaters to better utilize open space, making it easier to receive the puck and become an offensive threat. Rush Plays now create greater realism, with AI players intuitively reading the game to find space instead of simply crashing the far post.

Reactive Actions

Gone are the days of players getting tangled up and running into each other. Thanks to Reactive Actions, new collision avoidance animations allow players to glide past one another and look for space to receive the puck, just like the pros. Defense is also more dynamic with the introduction of panic turns, enabling players to turn on a dime and use their stick to shut down space. Players will also stick out their legs to 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

The power of ICE-Q and the game’s ability to create more significant scoring opportunities have enabled the new Skill-Based One-Timers to deliver exhilarating hockey moments.

One-timers come to life through an in-game indicator based on an attacker’s openness and position on the ice. Once identified, players can pass the puck to set up the skill-based shot, which creates a greater opportunity to score when executed with perfect timing and precision.

The NHL 25 team will provide details on presentation and franchise mode early this month, along with a Hughes brothers’ face-off and HUT details later in the month.

The Standard Edition of NHL 25 releases on October 4 for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The Deluxe Edition arrives 7 days earlier on September 27. Here’s what’s included in each edition. The NHL 25 EA Play trial will also arrive on September 27, allowing EA Play members 10 hours of playing time. If you haven’t seen them yet, be sure to check out our NHL 25 preview, along with the roadmap and deep dive schedule for upcoming events.