NBA 2K11 Review

[HealyMonster]

Quote: Originally Posted by theprocess

BlackRome must own a PS5 or an XBOX 1080 because I Can't see any other basketball game being better than this. I've also owned an ATARI. I even played "Kobe Bryant in NBA COURTSIDE". You name it I've played it. As far as I know this is the most fun I've had playing a basketball video game in a loooooong time. So let's not forget this is just a video game...an amazing one at that. Thanks for the review.

I agree, This is the best sports game ive ever played. I dont know what the other guy is talking about.

[DaReapa]

Quote: Originally Posted by TreyIM2

I have to agree with the lack of control on BlackRome's part. Still a big issue in this game. I don't know how people say this game controls much smoother. It's just as wonky as ever, control wise. 2K needs to overhaul the controls and player controlled movement or find a way to fit in people who prefer better controls ala Live 10/Elite 11.Everything else is just fine, to me.

Agreed. Even though it's not a deal breaker like it was in 2K9 and 2K10. I have to admit, the controls are much more improved than in recent years, but it's nowhere near as fluid as it was in CH 2K8. Depsite what has been touted, there are still sluggish controls and hanging animations. Also, there are nagging issues like players constantly picking up their dribbles during contact, inconceivable steals by the AI, and out-of-control pass attempts when your intended pass recipient is caught up in some hanging animation after getting bumped (FRUSTRATING). Even with these issues, it's still one of the better basketball titles I've ever played - and I've been playing bball games since Jordan vs Bird (on the Tiger handheld, no less). I just hope that 2K can resolve some of the issues that are present through a patch, then maybe we just may have one of, if not the best sports game ever.

[spankdatazz22]

Quote: Originally Posted by Court_vision

I've played pretty much every NBA game released...and this is the best one by far. IMO that rates it a 10. Perfection won't ever happen...so there's no point hoping for 100% perfection. However, context = best NBA game ever by far = 10.

I was thinking 9.5, but the more I think about it and play I think the game does deserve a 10. And like Tomba said, it may easily deserve a 10. There are just so many reasons as to why:

- Most ambitious sports game effort to date: Given everything that's been added to this year's game - the basic gameplay additions, the commentary/implementation, the new presentation elements, the Association additions, AS WELL AS adding all those things specific to the Jordan Challenges... Never been as attempt to improve a game to the magnitude this game was. It's remarkable that they made as ambitious an attempt to improve the game and there are no major issues ("bugs"/little issues should be expected)

- Game likely rates at or near the top in different areas: Association. Commentary. Gameplay. Graphics. Presentation. Additional modes. Customization. Innovation. The game rates at or near the best in so many areas

- Attention to detail (the little things): It's only been a week, but I'll go out on a limb and say no game better to date. NONE. And most of it done in real-time, not via cutscenes making it all the more difficult to implement. From the free throw routines, the signature shots (some players have multiple! sig shots), the player emotion, the crowds (having people the in crowd sometimes motion for penalty calls is brilliant), the player reactions, benches, coaches, refs.... and I'm still not touching on it all.

- No better sports game value: Between regular exhibition games, the various gameplay modes like: Season, Association, Playoffs, Jordan Challenges, Blacktop mode, Online play... and I'm still probably missing something. Don't think any other sports game has had this amount of content

I'll say it again - what other game is operating on multiple levels like this game is? It's debateable whether The Show or NHL or FIFA or whatever represent their sport better from a gameplay standpoint. But I don't think any are top-notch on so many levels as NBA2K11 is. It's really going to be the game which others are measured up to and deserves more than a 9 imo. Too often people are focused on what isn't working perfectly, which shouldn't be the case. Games like GTA IV or God of War III weren't perfect but garnered perfect scores because of the scale of what they attempted and what they were able to accomplish. I'm not saying 2K11 is equal to them, but in the sports gaming world it should be held in similar regard.

[bram73]

I feel like this game was a great. best bball game i eva played. the people strugglin with control dont know them period. learn the moves its that simple. The worst thing bout this game is the bigs verticals, my player starts way to low, minor glitches, missed shots some times and cheaty d sometimes but otherwise wat more could you ask for?????. come on lets b serious a dude at operation sports said he doesnt lik to review games because people compare scores, seriously. Yea we compare scores!! You mean to tell me that madden is jus as good as this game sports wise?? Dont tell me you didnt know maddens score when you did this review? whatever 2k jus release your patch fix the online which i hear youre working on and your good great effort second to none. 9.3 for me maybe even 9.5 lol

[bram73]

and o yea good read op jus dnt get the score?????????

[bram73]

Quote: Originally Posted by spankdatazz22

I was thinking 9.5, but the more I think about it and play I think the game does deserve a 10. And like Tomba said, it may easily deserve a 10. There are just so many reasons as to why: - Most ambitious sports game effort to date: Given everything that's been added to this year's game - the basic gameplay additions, the commentary/implementation, the new presentation elements, the Association additions, AS WELL AS adding all those things specific to the Jordan Challenges... Never been as attempt to improve a game to the magnitude this game was. It's remarkable that they made as ambitious an attempt to improve the game and there are no major issues ("bugs"/little issues should be expected) - Game likely rates at or near the top in different areas: Association. Commentary. Gameplay. Graphics. Presentation. Additional modes. Customization. Innovation. The game rates at or near the best in so many areas - Attention to detail (the little things): It's only been a week, but I'll go out on a limb and say no game better to date. NONE. And most of it done in real-time, not via cutscenes making it all the more difficult to implement. From the free throw routines, the signature shots (some players have multiple! sig shots), the player emotion, the crowds (having people the in crowd sometimes motion for penalty calls is brilliant), the player reactions, benches, coaches, refs.... and I'm still not touching on it all. - No better sports game value: Between regular exhibition games, the various gameplay modes like: Season, Association, Playoffs, Jordan Challenges, Blacktop mode, Online play... and I'm still probably missing something. Don't think any other sports game has had this amount of content I'll say it again - what other game is operating on multiple levels like this game is? It's debateable whether The Show or NHL or FIFA or whatever represent their sport better from a gameplay standpoint. But I don't think any are top-notch on so many levels as NBA2K11 is. It's really going to be the game which others are measured up to and deserves more than a 9 imo. Too often people are focused on what isn't working perfectly, which shouldn't be the case. Games like GTA IV or God of War III weren't perfect but garnered perfect scores because of the scale of what they attempted and what they were able to accomplish. I'm not saying 2K11 is equal to them, but in the sports gaming world it should be held in similar regard.

Agreed!! idk the effort and delivery was unmatched

[mnus03]

As far as this game deserving a 10 rating....There are a lot of things wrong with this game. Every time i play it I find myself screaming at my cpu teammates in my player mode for for being moronic. I cant count the number of times i yell "OH THAT'S REALISTIC!". my 48 rating on dunk still lets me dunk successfully at will. My coach gets fired after every game. Press conferences don't make any sense half the time in my opinion. when i try to set picks for the ball handler while running a play he falls into a terrible despondency and sits there hunched over until time or user movement breaks the play. In a mode called "My" Player the face creator although a little better than last year still doesn't let you make anything like yourself(at least i look like my race this year). That they don't even give you the option to meld My Player mode (which if you haven't guessed is my favorite) into a MY Player Association hybrid makes no sense to me. At least at a certain point let us do coaching and roster management, if we wish... WHY NOT!! I could go on and on with controls not feeling quite right, how spins, behind the backs, in and outs, and double crosses(the quick ones not the manuel doubles) are worthless on higher difficulties(i haven't on higher difficulties found any scenario where a spin or behind the back works better then a normal crossover.) And i do go on and on everyday about something that pisses me off about this game. If you read the forums on here there's something that annoys just about everyone. Flaws are everywhere in this game.

and in my opinion this game for me, no question deserves a 10 rating. The only reason i complain so much is that the 2k series standard of excellence is getting ridiculous and im spoiled rotten. The scope that 2k has set out to accomplish and in large part achieved is incredible. The realism is incredible. That people play this game and have no idea what my player is like or what association is like or what the jordan challenge is like because they've been having to much fun in quick match or one of the other modes is incredible. Its incredible that we can moan so much every year about this series and 2k takes it on full force.
The only reason this game has so many flaws is that 2k developers have been so ballsy to make such a dauntingly realistic, comprehensive, adaptable, fun basketball experience that they will never reach there goals. The closer to perfection they get the more nit picky we will get and 2k will humbly listen because they are ballers. But i think 2k needs to be rewarded for there efforts. I LOVE THIS GAME, The good far far outreaches the(in large part) superficial bad. And when the day comes when people start to say this game is broken for some ridiculous reason i'll just shake my head and load up my player and start yelling at the cpu again or how a pick and roll wasn't quite right, i'll turn to my bro who couldn't care less and show him a replay of Pau Gasol rebounding and say in mockery "look at that, yeah right.", I'll rage quit after loosing on sim hall of fame in the fourth because suddenly i can't make a three to save my life. And i'll brashly condemn this game for being hands down the worst game of all time! And believe me i'll love every minute of it. this game is a 10.

[tril]

after playing the game for 3 days, IMO, I can say that 2k has struck gold again. the last time was with ch2k8.
I still havent touched the my player or Jordan challenge.
I didn not realize the number of shot options thata re available until I went into the practice mode.
In some aspects This game may be too sim, ofr those screaming sim. but 2k did everyone a favor by including so many modes.
Its as if 2k produced a basketball game like it was going to be their last basketball game ever made.
the little nuances, are incredible.
AI logic on point. its great to see a dominant player actually dominate a reserve player. case in point. Duncan vs Dirk, I had to sub Dirk in my fantasy association, I brought in JJ Hickson, and the AI continually exploited this match up, so much so that I was forced to Bring Dirk back in.
this was lovely.
There is so much to this game.

only complaint Ive had, is with the fatigue ratings.