10 hour trial for NHL 18 now available through EA Access on Xbox One

NHL 18 can now be downloaded as a timed trial with EA Access on Xbox One. Subscribers to the service will get 10 hours of playtime after which it will expire. The timer is ticking down whenever the game is loaded regardless of whether it is being played, menus are being navigated through, or if there is any activity taking place at all. Because of that make sure to exit out and close the application from the Xbox One home screen when not in use.

The 10 hours are there to play immediately but can continue to be used past Tuesday. Saves are stored on the hard drive so progress in any of the modes and online records and stats carry over if a full copy is purchased. The complete game is available during the trial period.

EA Access launched July 2014 and is available on Xbox One along with now Origin Access on PC. Sony has declined to offer the service through PlayStation 4 saying it doesn’t offer enough value – despite being arguably the best value in all of gaming. EA Access includes the “Vault” which offers unlimited play with nearly every game from the company’s catalog this generation, 10% off all digital purchases, and the ability to play games up to five days before they release with a limited timed trial. EA Access is $30 for a full year or $5 month-to-month.

Features for NHL 18 include Expansion Draft for Franchise mode, the arcade mode NHL Threes, 3-on-3 in EASHL, and the addition of a Defensive Skill Stick.