News Post

NBA 2K9 Hands-On Preview (Gamespot)

02:01 AM - August 19, 2008 by AI Crossover 3

Gamespot has posted their hands-on preview of NBA 2K9.

Quote:


	"In addition to the more cosmetic improvements in the game, new gameplay features have also been added to make the game more realistic than NBA 2K8. While the breadth of plays has carried over from 2K8, the off-ball movement of your AI controlled teammates is more consistent with the real NBA. Players automatically set off-ball screens to free up open teammates, cut to the rim when their defender cheats toward the ball, and generally space the court better. For those who do prefer calling set plays, 2K9�s addition of inbounds plays should make the final minutes of a close games a bit more technical. The improved AI applies to pick-and-rolls as well. After calling for a on-ball screen (done by pressing down on the right analog stick this year) players will either roll or pop depending on their actual tendencies."

Game: NBA 2K9Reader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 72 - View All

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Member Comments

# 21 obie @ 08/19/08 11:10 AM

I really hope they did something about the lead pass and hopefully the interaction down low will be a lot better. The defenders seem like they don't push and force the offensive player out of the paint.

# 22 Shakedowncapo @ 08/19/08 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DueceDiggla


	I guess they didn't put any work into the fastbeak game'???

You mean as far as running lanes and passing? If so, I agree, that would be a welcome addition.

# 23 SimBaller @ 08/19/08 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalsanto0026


	I can't wait, unfortunately, because I live in Australia, I have to wait much longer for a PAL release.

Or do you...

# 24 theming @ 08/19/08 11:51 AM

ONLINE FEATURE NOT YET RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Rumor)

My hunch is that you will be able to create a league and play the association 2.0 online. Each individual picks a team and goes through a season with that team. There will be certain dates that you set up to play the online gamer on your schedule. For example, I have the Lakers and someone has the Celtics. We both go into our season and and we both agree that we must play our game against each other on a specific day and time. Whom ever fails to meet will forfeit. This would be a great addition if it happens. I am sure you could do this up to a specific amount of users. How cool would it be to play as the Lakers and you have another user rival playing as the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. In the other side are two user controlled teams who battled to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals (CLE, BOS). Imagine going 7 games and your heart is pounding and you are saying to yourself "I have never seen anyone play with LBJ like this). If you are defeated, It really feels like you have been sent home packing waiting for the next time to meet again. HOPE THE RUMOR IS TRUE.

# 25 GymRat @ 08/19/08 11:59 AM

Thats what my guess was also.

# 26 Shakedowncapo @ 08/19/08 12:00 PM

Doubt we'll be getting an online franchise...But boy do I hope!

# 27 SageInfinite @ 08/19/08 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Neither do it. That statement is ****ing crazy. Also did in one notice a slight biased slant to that article. I mean its a preview article and he's praisng Live's player models, 5 on 5 mode and saying that it will be a tough decision between Live and 2k. I didnt see Gamespot mentioning 2k in its Live previews.

# 28 Pared @ 08/19/08 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parasight


	That part gave me an idea. We should be given a small window to do whatever after a whistle, as some players do in real life. Some take shots, and others goal tend said shots. It's not a necessary feature, but it would be neat to include.

Already known and discussed. Whoever actually implements it first, however...

As a side note, it's a really stupid thing to complain about, since EVERY SINGLE BBALL GAME EVER RELEASED has not done this.

Why hold it against 2k9? What a joke.

# 29 bizcanos @ 08/19/08 12:54 PM

Quote:


	While 2K9 does include a healthy dose of gameplay improvements, the physics in the game are still not as sharp as they could be. These include herky-jerky animation transitions (especially when the user changes his mind mid-animation), offensive players not falling to the ground on a charge or block (the defenders do though), play immediately stopping when the whistle blows following a foul or violation (the ball immediately drops from the player�s hands), and small guards sinking seemingly impossible shots while surrounded by bigs and other times get rejected from behind (it just seems totally arbitrary). While, like last year, you will still run into the occasional clipping issues, the 2K team has tweaked the game to eliminate the missing of wide-open layups. The majority of the above are known issues though and are still being worked on.

Are they serious? The only real issue is the herky-jerky transition animations. All of the other issues have been in every basketball game. Small guards making impossible shots � have they seen AI or CP play?

But from all the impressions (from all sites) 2K9 is really shaping up. Too bad EA is on track to buy Take Two (just google EA & Take Two). This may be the last NBA 2K we play.

# 30 Po Pimp @ 08/19/08 12:54 PM

Quote:


	After each game you will be greeted with a highlight reel of the biggest layups, dunks, and rejections from the game. These replays are shown at full speed from a variety of camera angles and are meant to mimic the commercial preludes used in TNT’s NBA broadcasts. As such, these segments don’t include commentary that may have given the feature a more postgame recap feel.

This is what I was hoping would be included. Oh well, atleast not all the replays are dunks anymore.

There needs to be two types of replays...

the replays that simply reshow actual game "footage" with the same realtime commentary included. (end of game highlights)

and the replays where they actual discuss a particular play or player. (dead balls and end of quarters)

# 31 Pared @ 08/19/08 12:57 PM

Wow... where to begin.

This guy seems clueless. As if all this was read to him. He's not right on what controls do what.

Guys take some of the negatives with a grain of salt. He's certainly off-base on a lot of his comments. It doesn't even look like he spent enough time with 2k8 to notice what "actually" is new. The step-through is certainly new though.

# 32 Kaanyr Vhok @ 08/19/08 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Czar


	"You can direct your AI teammates to conservatively maintain position, play aggressive to force turnovers, or even to leave their man to double a particular player when he receives the ball (yep, Rondo�s inability to shoot will hurt Celtic players this year). " Very very good news. the old way of tight looose regular has been way overdone. Good read !

Rondo's D wasnt much of a factor so most of the good Celtics ballers put Ray Allen at the point and shot 30 3's a game. Unless you can contest 3s better Rondo wont even see the floor online.

# 33 SageInfinite @ 08/19/08 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mharlem


	Thats because they did'nt know anything about 2k9, now that they have had hands on with both they can compare.

The writer brought up Live 08 though.

# 34 Fabric @ 08/19/08 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimBaller


	Or do you...

Come on, man. You can't write something like that without an explaination!

SimBaller, you big tease

# 35 TMagic @ 08/19/08 01:49 PM

I thought that was a pretty decent preview. I don't think the mentioning of Live is really as big of a deal as some of you. It's not like that's going to affect my purchase anyway. And I think it's nice to have something to compare it to.

He pointed out some negatives that he noticed. They were such small complaints, which makes me excited that those were the only ones that he can pick out during his time with the game as they aren't even that big of a deal. Very solid preview.

I'm really looking forward to the defensive side of the ball. Looks like they put in a lot of work there. I'm also interested to in 5 on 5 play and the ability to grade other players more accurately.

Can't wait for this game.

# 36 Shakedowncapo @ 08/19/08 02:04 PM

i remember the complaints last year talking about the game feeling sluggish(with the new momentum system) Nothing like that was mentioned this year in the previews so I can only imagine how good it plays..

# 37 MrSimCity @ 08/19/08 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Neither do it. That statement is ****ing crazy. Also did in one notice a slight biased slant to that article. I mean its a preview article and he's praisng Live's player models, 5 on 5 mode and saying that it will be a tough decision between Live and 2k. I didnt see Gamespot mentioning 2k in its Live previews.

Yes the bias was duly noted...not professional work from the article writer at all

# 38 Bornindamecca @ 08/19/08 02:38 PM

Lotta great news in that preview. I agree that this guy seems to have a slant in his writing, favoring the Live series. Even the title of the article is using a slant.

"NBA 2K9 takes everything positive from last year's title and adds a whole lot more. The question is, will it be enough?"

That is not the question. Why would that be the question? 2k has dominated sports basketball for years now. They use that technique in public relations, politics and psychology to imply a statement. It's like saying: "How difficult is it to get used to your new team?"

That is a statement in disguise, saying: "It IS difficult to get used to your new team."

2k9 isn't a comeback game. It's a followup to the universally best reviewed basketball game last year, which was a followup to the universally best reviewed game before that. He put good info in the article, but it was biased.

By contrast, the subhead to the Live article was:

"EA Sports shows off the science of hoops, and we get a hands-on look." And there was no mention of the competition.

# 39 amedawg00 @ 08/19/08 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theming


	ONLINE FEATURE NOT YET RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Rumor) My hunch is that you will be able to create a league and play the association 2.0 online. Each individual picks a team and goes through a season with that team. There will be certain dates that you set up to play the online gamer on your schedule. For example, I have the Lakers and someone has the Celtics. We both go into our season and and we both agree that we must play our game against each other on a specific day and time. Whom ever fails to meet will forfeit. This would be a great addition if it happens. I am sure you could do this up to a specific amount of users. How cool would it be to play as the Lakers and you have another user rival playing as the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. In the other side are two user controlled teams who battled to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals (CLE, BOS). Imagine going 7 games and your heart is pounding and you are saying to yourself "I have never seen anyone play with LBJ like this). If you are defeated, It really feels like you have been sent home packing waiting for the next time to meet again. HOPE THE RUMOR IS TRUE.

I nearly wet my pants simply contemplating how dope that scenario would be if this is indeed the secretive and much-hyped online feature. The Preview simply reiterates 2K's desire to portray the little nuances of basketball gameplay that Live just doesn't get let alone implement. All of the little nuances that 2K implements in their game enhances the SIM expereince to point where any cheeser or basketball neophyte can be shredded with the good strategy and gameplay mastery, especially on defense. I have the ability choose which games I purchase and which games I want for free, after deeming it not worthy of my purchase. I will gladly purchase 3 copies of 2K9 on launch for myself, older brother and younger brother. I will burn a backup copy of Live 09, defecate on it, burn another copy, and use it as a coaster. Damn this franchise is crack! How dare Live fanboys try and compare a legimate behemoth of sim basketball that 2K represents, with a toothless, paper-tiger, gimmicky-laden arcade basketball that Live represents. WE DONT BELIVE YOU EA, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE!

# 40 ZephyrSong @ 08/19/08 04:55 PM

Guys.. could we stop with the "I almost wet my pants", "I almost pee"... Jesus, are we kids? So you'd really "almost" wet your pants over a videogame?

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NBA 2K9 Hands-On Preview (Gamespot)