NBA 2K16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

[jcwkings]

Here are some preliminary online head to head impressions from me.

Have played three online ranked games and overall it feels much smoother than last year. Playing on ball defense is very possible this year, even against the elite players(though still tough to keep guys like Harden, Curry, Kyrie in front of you, which is fair). Don't know if its the changes to the core gameplay or better overall connection/less lag(probably half and half). The worst part is still those hail marys rocket passes that are on the money, but they can be avoided for the most part if you are playing smart basketball. The cheese is for the most part gone, especially if they are using lower tier players, no more dribbling in traffic like a maniac holding down R2.

On a personal level the only thing I haven't come to grips with this year so far is the post game. I use the Kings and haven't been able to really dominate with Cousins on the block. At the same time I also admit the post game was way overpowered last year and I could consistently get 11-13 Fg's type games from Cousins by just feeding the post. Don't know if its the post game being nerfed or me just not wrapping my head around the new controls yet. BTW I run with the Kings almost exclusively, although I will probably change it up this year and go random, since most teams play very differently from what I have seen.

Game 1: Lakers vs Kings (loss)- This was a very sloppy game, this was actually the first full game I played of 2k16 and probably for my opponent also. A lot of turnovers from dribbling in traffic and not being able to get Boogie off were my downfalls here. Opponent was very sloppy too but hit a groove in the 3rd running pick and rolls with Russell and Hibbert/Randle that I couldn't figure out. Ultimately I figured out how to stop it and came back but fell just short losing by 4 pts. What I liked is that my defense was the reason for my comeback and even though I lost I was impressed I was able to stick around in a game I had no business winning and probably would have been blown out in in 2k15. My offense was that bad.

Game 2: Kings vs Heat (win)- After learning a lot from that first game and playing against CPU various times it was time to get back online and this game fared much better. Opponent played a very basic game, mainly sticking to Wade isolations, was pretty easily able to contain him with McLemore(who isn't even rated good defensively). Cousins fared much better here mainly using him in the high post to take Whiteside out of the paint. Rudy Gay was money from all over the court hitting midrange shots, some corner threes and some nice dunks on the break off of good defense. He stuck around for a while but game was decided by the end of the 3rd, easy 20 pt blowout.

Game 3: Kings vs Rockets (win)- My first meeting with a textbook cheeser from last year. This guy pretty much used Harden non stop every possesion, with an occasional Lawson pick and roll, but really nobody else on the court was a threat. I did a pretty decent job guarding Harden 1 on 1 with Mclemore and forcing him into the help of Cousins. Still Harden made some crazy runners and heavily contested close shots. This kept him in the game through three quarters as I rarely double cheesers because they tend to shoot their stars out of games by the 4th. Which is exactly what happen here, I also played Cauley-Stein and Cousins together in the 4th and combined with the fatigue and length of those boys, Harden was rendered useless. Stein had a sick block too hitting it off the glass leading to a breakaway dunk for Gay.

[Roger_Black]

Holding L1 +R1 for 'timeouts' worked just fine on the PS4, for several years.

Adding that new 'Touchpad Timeout' on the PS4 is really, really BAD USABILITY DESIGN, in my opinion.

If any 2K Developer or Game Tester ever accidentally called a 'timeout' by mistake... because their finger slipped off the sticks.... as they were making a move towards the bucket, or pulling up for a crucial jumper.... then that should have been a clear 'RED FLAG' that using the touchpad to call timeouts is a very bad idea.

• Gamers have different sized fingers.
• And their fingers slip ALL THE TIME when playing video games.
• Whether they have fat fingers, or slim fingers.
• It happens.

I cannot believe that NOBODY ever spoke up about this.

For those who don't know what 'bad usability design' is...

Imagine if the POWER BUTTON was put right smack dab in the middle of your COMPUTER KEYBOARD....

So anytime you accidentally had a 'typo' (or misspelled a random word)..... your whole computer just instantly shut off. (That's bad usability design. That's why the power button is located somewhere else. lol)

Yup, that's how annoying that 'touchpad timeout' is, imo.



Everything else about the game is cool tho.

[jcwkings]

The subsitutions in game are TERRIBLE, they were perfectly fine last year. I have to call a timeout anytime I want to make subs, its that bad.

[jfsolo]

I just saw a unicorn. I actually got a charge against a CPU player. Without even holding the B button. Probably won't see another one for a couple hundred games.

It's not logical to feel this way, but with this game I'm actually disappointed that I'm going to have make so many slider adjustments. I'll be able to make the game balanced, but with the improved A.I. I don't know why the CPU opponent team has so many inherent advantages over my team.

[RnRexpress3423]

Quote: Originally Posted by jcwkings

The subsitutions in game are TERRIBLE, they were perfectly fine last year. I have to call a timeout anytime I want to make subs, its that bad.

Pretty sure you can make substitutions on the fly by hitting down on the d-pad while playing.

[strawberryshortcake]

Quote: Originally Posted by jcwkings

The subsitutions in game are TERRIBLE, they were perfectly fine last year. I have to call a timeout anytime I want to make subs, its that bad.

What's wrong with substitutions? It may be different but I definitely do not need to call a timeout to do substitutions. I can sub players on the fly during gameplay or during the freethrows.

Spoiler

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

Spot reserved for "How to Substitution"... We will use two buttons to do manual substitutions on the fly: (A) Right analog stick (B) R1 (or L1) Press down on the D-pad brings up the 1st substitution screen (current lineup on the floor). The player to be substituted out will have his name up top on the 2nd substitution screen (available bench warmers or substitutes). GOAL: First substitution picture below. We will substitute Curry. Push up on the right analog stick will select Curry to be substituted out ("UP" corresponds to Curry; if wanting to sub out Klay Thompson, push "DOWN" on the right analog stick; if wanting to sub out H.Barnes, push "LEFT" on the right analog stick; if wanting to sub D.Green, push "RIGHT" on the right analog stick; "CLICKING" the right analog stick (R3) will select Andrew Bogut to be substituted out). This will automatically bring up a 2nd screen showing most of the available players you can replace Curry with. Press R1 or L1 to show the rest of the bench players you can replace Curry with. There is a maximum of two pages worth of available substitutes. NOTE: Unfortunately, nothing will highlight. Curry's name will not change color. The only way to tell who is getting subbed out will be seeing the player's name positioned at the top in the 2nd screen ("Toggle Page" substitution screen) Court (Players on the floor/court) vs. Toggle Page (available substitutes/bench warmers) At the bottom of the substitution screen are the words "Court" and "Toggle Screen": (A) "Court" is an indication that the existing substitution screen represents all 5 players currently on the basketball court. (B) "Toggle Page" is an indication that the existing substitution screen represents the player that you would like to sub out and bench warmers that you would like to sub into the game. Hit R1 or L1 to bring up other available substitutes/bench warmers.

[strawberryshortcake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Roger_Black

Holding L1 +R1 for 'timeouts' worked just fine on the PS4, for several years. Adding that new 'Touchpad Timeout' on the PS4 is really, really BAD USABILITY DESIGN, in my opinion. Spoiler If any 2K Developer or Game Tester ever accidentally called a 'timeout' by mistake... because their finger slipped off the sticks.... as they were making a move towards the bucket, or pulling up for a crucial jumper.... then that should have been a clear 'RED FLAG' that using the touchpad to call timeouts is a very bad idea. Gamers have different sized fingers. And their fingers slip ALL THE TIME when playing video games. Whether they have fat fingers, or slim fingers. It happens. I cannot believe that NOBODY ever spoke up about this. For those who don't know what 'bad usability design' is... Imagine if the POWER BUTTON was put right smack dab in the middle of your COMPUTER KEYBOARD.... So anytime you accidentally had a 'typo' (or misspelled a random word)..... your whole computer just instantly shut off. (That's bad usability design. That's why the power button is located somewhere else. lol) Yup, that's how annoying that 'touchpad timeout' is, imo. Everything else about the game is cool tho.

L1 + R1 worked but wasn't perfect; I've had issues with throwing the pass to a teammate or throwing a pass and having it intercepted by the opposition when pressing L1+R1. The touchpad for timeout has been working perfectly for me. The only issue I have is I've been doing intentional fouls accidentally.

[UTAllTheWay]

The game feels and plays amazing. The pick and roll offense and defense is excellent. I feel like I'm actually running a true pick and roll this year.

My only complaint right now is the crowd. They are dead all of the time.