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NBA 2K15 Reviewer Initial Impressions (PS4)

I want to state right off the bat I received the game today like most of you. The impressions that follow come from playing a half-dozen quick games, so stay tuned for the full review later this week for more details on game modes and features, as well as more comprehensive gameplay discussion. For now, I'm going to focus on initial gameplay impressions.

I'd be selling the AI short if I described it as "improved." Let's go with "revamped." The AI work done by new 2K team addition Da_Czar shines through.

AI teams run offenses featuring more ball movement and fewer isolations and broken plays. This change feels refreshing and leads your AI opponents to more closely resemble their real-life counterparts. It forces you to defend more intelligently and approach each team on an individual basis on both ends of the floor.

Star players get more involved, a much-needed development for the series. When I played against the Rockets, Dwight Howard had 11 points in the first half, thanks to a steady stream of post-ups they ran for him. I counted at least five such actions. In another game, Derrick Rose burned me several times by attacking the basket and — when given space — pulling up for a jumper in the lane. I haven't played enough to know how consistently stars stand out in this way, but I feel encouraged. I don't remember seeing anything like it in NBA 2K14.

That player and team uniqueness carries over to the other side of the controller — to you. I'm finding it much more difficult to jump between teams than in years past. Playing to your team's strengths definitely matters. After playing a game as Memphis, I moved on to using the Suns and quickly found myself trailing by double digits after the first quarter. When I thought about why I was struggling, I realized I had Grizzlies hangover and was still in that grind-it-out mindset. The quick Suns aren't supposed to play like the burly Grizzlies! I was getting killed on the boards and my speed was a non-factor. When I started pushing the pace in the second quarter and running more, we mounted a comeback. I usually like bouncing around the league and playing with multiple teams, but this year I might focus on getting comfortable with just a few.

In terms of controls, I'm still getting used to the new shooting meter. It definitely has an adjustment period. The meter is another reason I'm going to focus on getting comfortable with a few teams. Individual player releases on their jump shots matter more.

I'm also struggling a bit with the new play-calling controls. You now access plays via the directional pad and it feels awkward to me. Left hand to manage the left analog stick and move the ball-handler — right hand to reach across the controller and manage the directional pad while retaining one finger to use the R1 button to scroll between pages? At the same time? I don't have it down yet. I hope I get there. For now I find it unwieldy.

I appreciate 2K TV as an addition. The Kevin Durant interview is moderately interesting. Assuming they keep 2K TV updated with fresh videos every week, it will have an appeal. I wish a video didn't autoplay every time you went to the main menu. It becomes irritating quickly.

The pre-game show with Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal adds value, though it's too early for me to say whether it will age well as we play the game over the next several months. The player introductions are neat. The commentary in-game may have taken a step back due to the Steve Kerr situation. It feels to me like they tried to tone down his contributions, which leads to less flow and continuity in the broadcast.

Wrapping things up for now, I feel very encouraged at this stage. The AI improvements addressed several of my biggest complaints about past iterations of the series.

Check back throughout this week for continuing coverage of NBA 2K15 release week.

What do you think of NBA 2K15 so far?


NBA 2K15 Videos
Member Comments
# 1 FedExPope @ 10/07/14 11:43 PM
Hmm pretty disappointed to hear the commentary is inferior to what we're used to. But very encouraged to hear that the AI plays correctly now. Hopefully it's not just a placebo effect or anything like that.
 
# 2 RajonMoneyRondo @ 10/08/14 01:51 AM
I was really hoping they would at least improve the servers slightly, but looks like 2K are having the same issues this year smh
 
# 3 Dr. Banner @ 10/08/14 02:49 AM
Can't wait until your full review. My only questions to everyone that has the game. Is it true the graphics look worse this year than last? Also is create a player improved? As in more faces hair styles and added tattoos etc.?
 
# 4 Feldman011teen @ 10/08/14 03:56 AM
Honestly, if I do pick up a basketball game, it's going to be Live. I just don't feel enough has been improved with this series, and the idea of having ESPN presentation and the improvements i'm hearing from their camp garner more interest. Why, after all this time, 2K hasn't invested in the TNT nameplate is beyond me. It's basically it, just do it already.
 
# 5 Maxbeatzz @ 10/08/14 04:45 AM
Same ol 2k I've played at least 12 hours of it and the most noticeable thing was steph curry his jumper is finally fixed... The handles are a little better also. Just to be fair ppl are probably interested in live because it's fairly new... Happy I reserved it😁
 
# 6 Serra11 @ 10/08/14 07:38 AM
I assume that this partial review is not based on the Xbox360 game

Has anybody tried it for the 360???
 
# 7 JayAtkHar @ 10/08/14 07:49 AM
Shooting is hard as ****
 
# 8 RajonMoneyRondo @ 10/08/14 07:55 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Banner
Can't wait until your full review. My only questions to everyone that has the game. Is it true the graphics look worse this year than last? Also is create a player improved? As in more faces hair styles and added tattoos etc.?
Graphics look better, but the lighting on the court and inside the arena has changed and looks worse for some reason or more dull than normal . the graphics really show when your playing MyPark .

Create a player has improved with updates to accessories also and more tattoo's from what i saw.
 
# 9 Coolade @ 10/08/14 10:14 AM
Can't give impressions. Can't get into myteam or myplayer or play online with the servers messed up :*(
 
# 10 Jakeness23 @ 10/08/14 10:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Banner
Can't wait until your full review. My only questions to everyone that has the game. Is it true the graphics look worse this year than last? Also is create a player improved? As in more faces hair styles and added tattoos etc.?
CAP is improved but not by much IMO. Its especially hard to create a white guy that looks like a white guy. No matter what I do my guy looks like a black guy with really light skin. And the editing jumpshots is broken. Just an FYI, it plays A LOT like 2K14 and 2K13. I actually preordered Live yesterday just so I can see which one I like better (and for a change of pace from 2K).
 
# 11 scottyp180 @ 10/08/14 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayAtkHar
Shooting is hard as ****
I noticed that to. Last night I played a game ast he Wizards and could not hit a shot in the first. I ended with like 6 points. Ironically I like the shooting and think it feels better but there is an adjustment period.

Oh and switching between teams is much more difficult this year. You really need to know your players' shots and play styles
 
# 12 thedream2k13 @ 10/08/14 10:38 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyp180
I noticed that to. Last night I played a game ast he Wizards and could not hit a shot in the first. I ended with like 6 points. Ironically I like the shooting and think it feels better but there is an adjustment period.

Oh and switching between teams is much more difficult this year. You really need to know your players' shots and play styles
If you want to use random teams you will need to play on low difficulty levels
 
# 13 scottyp180 @ 10/08/14 10:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxbeatzz
Same ol 2k I've played at least 12 hours of it and the most noticeable thing was steph curry his jumper is finally fixed... The handles are a little better also. Just to be fair ppl are probably interested in live because it's fairly new... Happy I reserved it😁
You know when I first put the game in I was a little disappointed. I thought I would immediated see and feel the differences and upgrades but my initial reaction was that not much has changed. The more I play the more I notice and like about the game. The offense movement is night and day. Without calling a play you have players moving on offense trying to get open, making cuts when necessary (like when a double team occurs). Your teammates just seem smarter on both ends of the court.

The animations are also improved especially when contact is made at the rim. Overall more realistic. Again its something that doesn't stand out at first but the more you play the more you notice.

Lastly the control and feel. This is perhaps what I was most disappointed about when I first played. I got on offense, started dribbling, tried to drive and explore my options and I thought "I thought this was suppose to be a little different and more responsive". I wasn't feeling it at first. Again the more I played the more I noticed the differences from 2k14. Players feel a bit more free. They don't suction to players quite as much and I have noticed very few, if any, canned animations on offense. Dribbling feels a bit better but mostly the same.

The big thing, as you mentioned, is that the game is still 2k. If you are a 2k fan then you are going to like/love 2k15. The developers aren't reinventing their image here. For me my 2k side is loving this game the more I play.

However their is another side of me that wants something new and different. I've been playing 2k every year since 2k2. I love the series but I also want something to compliment 2k as a change of pace. I'm hoping Live will be that this year. It doesn't have to be better than 2k, it just needs to be a solid NBA game that plays well.
 
# 14 alkamist @ 10/08/14 11:32 AM
I played 5 mins last night due to servers and wat I seen is 2k14 with an upgrade, the new shot thing I will need to get use too, AI seems smarter, passing is the same, they AI help def is better but still ez to drive and dish off to the center for ez 2 pts on hall of fame... but they need to address the servers and 2k scan because none of it worked on Xbox one for me
 
# 15 Semipro91 @ 10/08/14 11:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by topdog9007
First. I have been a long time 2k fan. I preorder their games blindly knowing that usually come out with great products. but...
They dropped the ball on so many levels. Game play is frantic and not smooth. Frame rate is garbage. plyers don't feel as weighted as they did in 2k14. And animations are awkward. Graphics are weak , even the basket and rim look weaker then last year.. players are all skinny, player models are way to similar. Elbows are pointy. Colors are off too.
The basket ball teleports during passes and shots
sound effects are off too. the ball bouncing off the rim clacks to much. Am i the only one seeing this?
I think you are playing the wrong game.
 
# 16 Khanchus @ 10/08/14 11:44 AM
only got to play one game

I played 2k every yr since it first came out on dreamcast

the thing that 2k has going for itself is its game play and is the main reason why i wont even touch live without a great response after its release. Also the way that rate players and how it affects game play is another aspect that i really like.

this is my first time playing 2k on next gen and it is refreshing to see they finally changed the 5 yr old menus and added some nice visuals....

they still suffer from the same lame ol' server problems...very annoying especially when at E3 Microsoft was talking about dedicated servers and what not

the game felt smooth (contrary to what the above poster says) I was playing with the knicks on hall of fame and shooting wasnt easy (which is the case in almost every 2k so i dk why thats a surprise

the music sometimes doesn't match the game

dribbling feels the best it has ever felt

but my sample size is totally off because i only played one game and all of this is just my opinion

lol overall from what i seen and played i give it a 8/10 but so so so so so disappointing with the "legacy" issues such as server stuff...I am a huge team up guy especially on gamebattles so taking 10 minutes to connect and start a game is very annoying

i wish i played 2k14 for next gen so i can see the differencesbut from last gen 2k14 to current gen 2k15 is the step up i have been searching for the past 3/4 yrs (kinda makes me wonder about how nfl 2k would be....everyone raves about 2k5 but if it were similar to nba 2k it would be______...im just saying......)
 
# 17 kackle85 @ 10/08/14 11:45 AM
My mind is kind of blown by how many people are saying they are disappointed. This is the best basketball game I have ever played and it's not even close. Not saying their opinions aren't valid I just don't get it.
 
# 18 TheLetterZ @ 10/08/14 11:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kackle85
My mind is kind of blown by how many people are saying they are disappointed. This is the best basketball game I have ever played and it's not even close. Not saying their opinions aren't valid I just don't get it.
I'm not surprised. A lot of people care about aspects of the game that simply don't matter much to you or me. I try to accommodate their concerns in my writing, but I can only speak to my own experience.
 
# 19 Mauer4MVP @ 10/08/14 12:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BizDevConglomerate
2k has become what Madden is to Football. Admit it. Year after year the same thing all be it very very playable. People won't admit the clear issues with this game. But they do a great job in making the gameplay issues and animation problems with complete and deep customizations. This is the way games should be. They're never going to be perfect, and as long as it's playable that should be good enough. 2k has spoiled the people with modes and options. This is where the other game will have to compete, even after their game is playable. There is no way you can play exhibition over and over, or seasons without draft classes that mimic real life. Tuning, sliders, and customizations.

I think live will be good, but if they can bring the import draft class they had on PS2, along with a college game, they may change the game on next gen
Live looks horrible again.
 
# 20 mprofit42 @ 10/08/14 12:20 PM
Man, I am shocked at the negative responses. It seems like people are almost trolling for Live. Server issues aside, the gameplan is amazing. The cheesing is gone for the most part and the AI is strong. The word that comes to mind when I play is rewarding. My baskets and defensive stops feel much more earned than in the past. I was never a my player fan but after a good face scan I'm enjoy what I see so far. I will say it again, the servers must be fixed but I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen sooner rather than later this year with Live on the way - which I hope is a decent game because competition is good. Not sure what you need in a hoops game if you don't enjoy this years 2k after extended time with the game.
 

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