NBA 2K14 Impressions (PS4/Xbox One)

[Csquared]

MY INITIAL IMPRESSION: XBOX ONE
After longing for this game for over half a year, the time finally arrived. It was Thursday November 21st, and it was finally time for myself to take a step into the future. 12 am hits, and I scurry Into the store to get my new xbox one. They tried hitting me with a couple bundles, a two year service plan, or some games. I delightfully declined, and told them all the stuff I needed was already at home.

Fast forward twenty minutes. I'm rushing into my house. My girlfriend meets me at the door, and says I bet you are the happiest person in the world right now. I looked at her and smiled and without saying anything immediately went to the TV and started unboxing this beast. They wasn't lying when they said it looks just like a VCR. After taking about five minutes to connect it I immediately turned it on and began to do my Xbox update. Surprisingly the update took three minutes. Which I was thrilled about considering what I had read about the ps4 update. Then came the time to install NBA. I slid the disc in and began anticipating the install percentage.

After five minutes it was still on 0% and told me the disc was unreadable. I began to panic. Not just panicking in my mind, I'm talking worldwide epidemic panic. Then I put the disc back in and immediately went to 1%. It felt like I had just found out my dog was alive after years of searching for him. That's how happy I was. It took about 30 minutes to get to 12% and then it said I could start a quick game. Without further ado I pressed a and let my eyes look at all the beautiful graphics. I was stunned. The game really does look like it does in the commercials.

As I started playing I began noticing very different things immediately. I noticed the game was much smoother, the players actually played smart, and they honestly did not fly around the court like they had a magic carpet under their shoes. They were right when they said this game plays like it's current GEN counterpart, but what they cannot express enough is how smooth this game really is. Everything flows, when you pass it you feel like you were supposed to pass it the whole time. When you do a cut and your man finds you open and passes you the ball it was like that was designed for you the whole time. Just like in real life, if you get hot it will show. You can drive the lane take open shots and not even think twice about going after the rebound because you know it's going in. Take a couple of stupid shots though, and you might as well just pass the ball the whole time.

This Ecomotion engine is incredible. I really feel like I'm watching a game that is being played on TV. In fact last night when my my player hit a three he put his hand up to his head and made the three-point sign and I lost it! You can see players discussing things amongst each other when they back up after hitting a shot. You can tell that they get upset when you don't pass them the ball or when you're being a ball hog. As a matter of fact if you are being a ball hog they might not pass it to you at all.

Online is totally different though. Being a mostly online player in last year, I was expecting 2K to really step it up. Boy was we in for failure. The park barely works, online quick games are more of a cheesefest than last year, and VC has totally took this game to the next level of nickel and diming. You might as well save 100$ for the game, because just buying the game will not be enough for hardcore players like myself. I'm so sick of having to buy VC to upgrade things, when they should have it to where you EARN your rewards, not buy them.

Overall I give this game an 8.5 out of 10. My ONLY complaints are online and VC. As far as gameplay goes, it's truly remarkable. Just last night my girl got home and said babe can you please change the channel, I've watched basketball all night at work (she's a bartender). I said babe, how can I change the channel when I'm not watching tv. She took a closer look and realized it was the game. If you plan on going next gen, and love basketball, then yes I believe this is a must buy. If you're gonna buy this game and just play it a few times, then I would recommend waiting until 2k15 so they can add in the things they stripped, that makes 2k what it really is.

[RED BULL]

How does the player progression work in mygm? I heard u can't do development drills anymore, so how do players improve?

[stillfeelme]

I know this game inside and out played a ton of games on current gen and next gen. Right now current gen plays slightly better than next gen to me by a few. This game does not play that well against a CPU opponent head to head. I am not a myplayer guy so I can't vouch for that but they need to seriously address on ball defense, warping, slippery sliding by the CPU

• Warping is a big problem in this game you can not play realistic defense as soon as you try to get up on the CPU they will warp through you via the pass or their body to get where they need to be or the ball goes through you. Bring a double team warp, warp, and more more warping. They pass out of the double team ball warp.
• Passing by the CPU into the paint is so unrealistic again warping, warping and more warping to get easy bucket. The angles of the pass again too many passes getting to where they shouldn't way too easy to pass in the paint. The passing success rates are way way too high in the paint. These are passes that shouldn't even be made and connected. My teammates are playing what kind of defense?
• CPU teammate awareness is nowhere to be found for passes in the paint. It is like the game is coded to take away any "reasonable" smart teammate logic. These are NBA players but my teammates play like mindless drones. I did a couple back to back games. I played as Indy and then let the CPU play as Indy it is a night and day difference between what the CPU does vs. my team. All-star sim settings. I don't know what is going on with the game.
• CPU awareness is too high for every loose ball it is so ridiculous. Why did they program the CPU to get so many loose balls there is nothing "live" about the loose ball. The CPU knows where it is going way before you can move.
• Lobs are happening in congested lanes with close proximity again by the CPU again these are scripted.
• Scripted rebounding to the point your man will not jump so that the higher rated CPU guy can get the rebound. Please give me control of my man dev's. I am not in control for too many of the rebounds.
• Hands up being negated by passes meaning my guy will sort of move out the way, slid out of the way to let the passes be completed.

On ball defense doesn't impact the ball handler the way it should be. The dribbling is independent of defense which is a bad idea. Meaning the CPU can perform way too many moves in situations that the really should not be even thinking about. They need way more contact detection for moves in the post and double teams.

• Positives the game looks very good very realistic but some of the things that are happening on the court are taking away from this and to me it is gameplay over everything.
• Dribbling is way more in control than current gen and footplanting makes a huge difference
• Emotion plus add a nice touch and the streak system is nice.

[DivinePunishment]

After missing out on a ps4 I picked up a X1 on launch night at midnight with 2k14. The ONLY game that made me want a ps4/xbox one. That's right, I got a next gen system solely to play NBA 2k14. When they started showing the next gen footage of Lebron last summer I was sold.

I must say the game does look exactly like that too. I'm impressed. I can't imagine what future 2k games will look like 3 or 4 years from now after developers get used to coding for these new systems.

Only gripe is that you can't skip cut scenes in my career which is silly.

[Mos1ted]

Like the previous poster, I jumped on the NG bandwagon solely to play NBA 2K14. Ironically, NBA 2K14 was the third game I bought and played. My PS4 came with Battlefield 4, and I bought Madden and 2K14 from Wal-Mart a few days again since both were on sale for $50 apiece.

So far, NBA 2K14 has been a mixed bag for me. Yes, I'm impressed by the graphics, but that wow factor is starting to wear off after a few days. Now, my attention is focused squarely on the gameplay experience, and I, too, feel that the CG gameplay is better overall. (I bought NBA 2K14 for the PC on release day.)

My biggest gripe with the game, and this may be a minority opinion here, is that the animations aren't as smooth as the CG version. It's almost like I'm playing -- dare I say it -- a more polished version of NBA Live 2010. The game just lacks the fluidity that I have come to expect from NBA 2K. Again, this is based on how the game feels when I play the PC version versus the PS4 version.

However, I am very optimistic about the future of this title on the NG platform. Given 2K's track record, I see this game being vastly improved when NBA 2K15 drops next year.

[TeeDogg]

Ive been holding off on giving my quick thoughts on the game until the luster wore off. I didn't want to be still in awe of the graphics and the next gen aura lol.

but I gotta say this game is incredible. im loving it. yes I can find instances where things happen that aren't perfect, but the game is phenomenal. I get the feeling they could cancel 2k15 and id still be playing the crap out of this thing. On the court this game is the bar for all others for me (haven't played Fifa yet). Dudes on the web saying this game is just a pretty face are smoking da crack rock

disclaimer: im an offline season gamer.

my cons are the menus are far from intuitive. Roster creation, franchise (mygm), customization, and file saving all need to be addressed going forward (this stuff is well documented)

[WTF]

Quote: Originally Posted by stillfeelme

I know this game inside and out played a ton of games on current gen and next gen. Right now current gen plays slightly better than next gen to me by a few. This game does not play that well against a CPU opponent head to head. I am not a myplayer guy so I can't vouch for that but they need to seriously address on ball defense, warping, slippery sliding by the CPU Warping is a big problem in this game you can not play realistic defense as soon as you try to get up on the CPU they will warp through you via the pass or their body to get where they need to be or the ball goes through you. Bring a double team warp, warp, and more more warping. They pass out of the double team ball warp. Passing by the CPU into the paint is so unrealistic again warping, warping and more warping to get easy bucket. The angles of the pass again too many passes getting to where they shouldn't way too easy to pass in the paint. The passing success rates are way way too high in the paint. These are passes that shouldn't even be made and connected. My teammates are playing what kind of defense? CPU teammate awareness is nowhere to be found for passes in the paint. It is like the game is coded to take away any "reasonable" smart teammate logic. These are NBA players but my teammates play like mindless drones. I did a couple back to back games. I played as Indy and then let the CPU play as Indy it is a night and day difference between what the CPU does vs. my team. All-star sim settings. I don't know what is going on with the game. CPU awareness is too high for every loose ball it is so ridiculous. Why did they program the CPU to get so many loose balls there is nothing "live" about the loose ball. The CPU knows where it is going way before you can move. Lobs are happening in congested lanes with close proximity again by the CPU again these are scripted. Scripted rebounding to the point your man will not jump so that the higher rated CPU guy can get the rebound. Please give me control of my man dev's. I am not in control for too many of the rebounds. Hands up being negated by passes meaning my guy will sort of move out the way, slid out of the way to let the passes be completed. On ball defense doesn't impact the ball handler the way it should be. The dribbling is independent of defense which is a bad idea. Meaning the CPU can perform way too many moves in situations that the really should not be even thinking about. They need way more contact detection for moves in the post and double teams. Positives the game looks very good very realistic but some of the things that are happening on the court are taking away from this and to me it is gameplay over everything. Dribbling is way more in control than current gen and footplanting makes a huge difference Emotion plus add a nice touch and the streak system is nice.

After my games last night, I'd have to say that you hit it on the head 110% with this post.

Granted, doesn't happen every game, but on MOST games here recently, this is exactly how my games play out.

EVERY single thing that you listed, I was coming to post as well.

I'm going to delete the patch to see if it's "fixed", like some other posters have said it is. It's funny though, if you have the same issues that I have, then I'm not 100% crazy. I am actually seeing the things that I've thought I saw.

The teammate AI, loose ball AI, mind reading CPU defense... great post.

Still enjoy the game for what it is. But the things above are beyond frustrating.

[STLRams]

Quote: Originally Posted by stillfeelme

I know this game inside and out played a ton of games on current gen and next gen. Right now current gen plays slightly better than next gen to me by a few. This game does not play that well against a CPU opponent head to head. I am not a myplayer guy so I can't vouch for that but they need to seriously address on ball defense, warping, slippery sliding by the CPU Warping is a big problem in this game you can not play realistic defense as soon as you try to get up on the CPU they will warp through you via the pass or their body to get where they need to be or the ball goes through you. Bring a double team warp, warp, and more more warping. They pass out of the double team ball warp. Passing by the CPU into the paint is so unrealistic again warping, warping and more warping to get easy bucket. The angles of the pass again too many passes getting to where they shouldn't way too easy to pass in the paint. The passing success rates are way way too high in the paint. These are passes that shouldn't even be made and connected. My teammates are playing what kind of defense? CPU teammate awareness is nowhere to be found for passes in the paint. It is like the game is coded to take away any "reasonable" smart teammate logic. These are NBA players but my teammates play like mindless drones. I did a couple back to back games. I played as Indy and then let the CPU play as Indy it is a night and day difference between what the CPU does vs. my team. All-star sim settings. I don't know what is going on with the game. CPU awareness is too high for every loose ball it is so ridiculous. Why did they program the CPU to get so many loose balls there is nothing "live" about the loose ball. The CPU knows where it is going way before you can move. Lobs are happening in congested lanes with close proximity again by the CPU again these are scripted. Scripted rebounding to the point your man will not jump so that the higher rated CPU guy can get the rebound. Please give me control of my man dev's. I am not in control for too many of the rebounds. Hands up being negated by passes meaning my guy will sort of move out the way, slid out of the way to let the passes be completed. On ball defense doesn't impact the ball handler the way it should be. The dribbling is independent of defense which is a bad idea. Meaning the CPU can perform way too many moves in situations that the really should not be even thinking about. They need way more contact detection for moves in the post and double teams. Positives the game looks very good very realistic but some of the things that are happening on the court are taking away from this and to me it is gameplay over everything. Dribbling is way more in control than current gen and footplanting makes a huge difference Emotion plus add a nice touch and the streak system is nice.

Well put! The issues you touch on is something I would really like a dev from 2K to look into.