NBA 2K12 = PERFECT? Not so fast... - rangerrick012's Blog

rangerrick012's Blog

NBA 2K12 = PERFECT? Not so fast...

Posted on October 12, 2011 at 01:11 PM.

(24)

NBA 2K12 is getting rave reviews all throughout the gaming press. Don't believe me? Just go to NBA 2K's Facebook page, where you'll see the glowing reviews. "4/4 STARS!" from AP. "10/10" from SI.com. "Perfect 10!" from GamesRadar. You'd think this game had no flaws. You would be wrong, and the fans seem to agree.

Don't get me wrong, the game is great and builds on alot of the things which NBA 2K11 did so well. But there are also some key missteps. Gameplay, though smoother, seems less responsive. Passing is slow, and the new branched playcalling system, though ambitious, seems to take long to develop at times. There still seem to be bugs and glitches throughout the game's core offline modes, MyPlayer and Association.

Also, due to a change in 2K's rating system as well as the fact that simulation sliders have been changed, now 3-point shots are seemingly easier to hit than they were in previous years' games. Instead of just 3-point specialists like Ray Allen and JJ Redick being able to go off on you, now due to the tweaked 3 point rating and sliders, seemingly anyone from Luol Deng to Caron Butler can become a 3-point sniper in an instant. And this problem rears it's ugly head online when you'll see people chucking 30 3s a game in quick games because of the ease of the shot and the difficulty of contesting them off the dribble. But more on the online later...

Most people would say that these issues can be fixed through patches and slider tweaks, which is a fair point. And that may be true. But one area which seems to be a problem year after year, and was touched upon in a recent blog by OS's Chris Sanner is the relative weakness of 2K's online system. Games will drop if you attempt to make lineup changes at the loading screen prior to starting a game. Lag issues are prevalent. And then there's Online Association...

Online Association was a feature that had been asked for by many of the 2K faithful, and when it was announced there was plenty of excitement. But so far my Online Association experience has been, in a word, frustrating. For one, the customization options which were present in online leagues, such as slider adjustments and setting how many teams are available, are now seemingly gone.

Also the mode has a timer setting which automatically advances and sims games if users do not get them in, which is frustrating for some who actually have a life and can't sit around playing 2K all day. This would not be so bad if it weren't for the fact that apparently these games cannot be reset, even once NBA2K.com launches. (Which for some reason it hasn't been launched yet even a week after the game's release)

These are frustrating and potentially game killing things which cannot be ignored. In this day and age, online is the next step in the progression of video games, and 2K has seemed to be slow on adapting to this. Online lobbies are also still absent, both in regular quick play and in online associations.

All in all, some will say that many of the issues currently in 2K12 can be patched, and granted that may be true. But there are also a number of design flaws which keep 2K12 from true perfection. So I find OS's rating of 8.5 (which interestingly 2K did NOT gloat about on their Facebook page) to be a lot more closer to reality.

Comments

# 16 rangerrick012 @ Oct 14

Quote:


	such as what? The biggest problem i would say would have to be with A.I. logic in those modes, things like what trades take place and player signings, as well as the tendencies concept still being a bit flawed (centers thinking they can play like guards for some reason). Those are certainly issues, but i dont think they are enough to somehow get me to write an angry letter to 2k or anything.

There's still problems with subs, such as my 6'1 PG playing SG more often than he actually plays PG. Also seeing things like Kevin Martin playing center takes away from the realism of the mode. There are still issues with my player, and though I like the additions off the court, there still needs to be things done to make the game mode more fun on the court. Also, don't take my constructive criticism and say it's some angry letter about how this game sucks.

Quote:


	This is what is really bothering me, why are some people thinking gamescores are equal to potential reached. Sport games are ever evolving, no video game will ever, EVER be perfect because it will always like the humanistic qualities that we connect with in sports. Game review scores are designed to be (in attempt at least) objectional, and in sport games it should take into account available time, technology, and most importantly, improvements over its previous installment.

Yes, and I'm not saying that the game should be or ever will be perfect. But when the issues that are in this game exist, it is in my opinion not close to that and not deserving of the perfect scores across the board. 9-9.5 would be more of a favorable score, though personally I'd give it a 8.5 at this point.

Quote:


	Like i stated, aside from the lagging servers, there isnt much flaw in 2ks online modes.

Team-up is inoperable. Online association claimed to give admins complete control, when it seems that games that are simmed cannot be reset and no one is really sure how the timing advance really works. I could go on, but point is that lagging servers aren't the only issue. Throw in lack of lobbies as well, and the inability to customize sliders in private games and private associations.

Quote:


	But the issue i take with that is blaming people who review these games to being biased or suggesting that the game is generally flawed.

The issue I have, and this is the issue I have with all reviews good or bad, is that reviewers seem to sit, play the game for 2-3 hours, and make a determination. Sometimes this is good, and it seems like some of 2K's scores are benefiting from this. But other times we criticize this, like Madden getting high scores year after year on other sites despite the inherent flaws. Now, I am not saying 2K is in Madden territory, not even close. This is a very good game, could be great after more patches just like 2K11 was. But it seems like reviews just want to slap a 10 on it when there are flaws there that don't merit the game getting a 10. That's my issue.

You may disagree, which is fine, but I'm just pointing it out and hoping more than anything 2K doesn't see the 10s and think the game doesn't have major flaws in some areas.

# 17 Flithy @ Oct 14

I agree the 3s are easy but it makes My Player awesome!

# 18 Dr. Poe @ Oct 14

No game will every be perfect. Everyone has different tastes and preferences. NBA 2k12 plays really well. The most important thing to me is that it fun. I don't need to get into all the technical stuff like a little anal child. The game is fun. This is virtual basketball. All the players in the game will do things that they might not be able to do in real life. This is the only way that the game will be entertaining. Just have fun and stop worrying about the small stuff.

Also this is the NBA, if you leave anyone open they will make the shot. Stop crying about the 3's the scores are still around the same on 5 minute quarters. The game is pretty well balanced.

Online is really small to me. Online is good for quick games, but if you really want to tweak and do stuff then stay offline. I don't like only beacause people jusst won't play the game. People always want to pause and change this and that. Only to me is the equivalent of an arcade mode. It's not supposed to be a time to be getting deep and stuff. We know that everyone is going to press turbo and just fastbreak the whole time, so why cry when the game is not realistic. Very few people play realistic anyways. Just play like it's arcade and move on. If you want to tweak stay off line.

# 19 rangerrick012 @ Oct 15

@Dr. Poe: You're totally misreading the blog and taking it as if I'm saying not perfect = bad. The game's not bad. And please, again, don't take constructive criticism and say people are just whining or crying about insignificant stuff.

About online: you may not play online, which is fine. But I don't see why offline folks are so hell bent on saying online isn't important or shouldn't be evaluated as a part of the package. There are plenty of people on the OS community who do play the game the right way and love to play each other online, so to say online is only arcade is wrong. Quick games, yes that is the case, but check the online section and you'll see plenty of people who get together and play and play the right way.

There's no reason that's been given as to why things like customizable sliders aren't in for online this year. For me personally it's disappointing. You may not feel the same way, which is fine, but don't write off the other side of the coin and say it shouldn't matter as much.

And again, I'm not saying 2K12 is a bad game. The game is very good and could be great after the patches. So please don't take my criticisms as if I'm just crying or saying the game is bad.

# 20 bumpyface @ Oct 15

I agree. I honestly haven't had fun playing 2k12 and I had it since launch 12am. As soon as I put 2k11 I was in heaven. I only play online so I can't really say anything about my player, or the greatest. But the gameplay is stressfull. The passing is slow, the controls are sluggish, and the 3 pointers are rediculous.

# 21 Dr. Poe @ Oct 15

So what's the point of saying that it's not perfect then. We know that it's not perfect. There is nothing on this earth that is perfect. By saying that it is not perfect you are already placing a negative connotation on your assessment. That's like saying that a person's wife is not perfect. It is obvious no one is perfect and by stating that fact, you are using it in a negative way.

I just stated why online is not important to me. Not that it is not important to others. I gave reasons why I felt online was not as fun for me.

Overall I play games for fun. 2k12 is fun for me. So it's good.

# 22 piccolomair @ Oct 16

Quote:


	I agree that this game is flawed in ways. But To say NBA 2K11 is a better game , is just wrong, I don't know how else to put it. It's just dead wrong. The only way to say that is if you put the game in, play a quick game... and judge your thoughts on that...

Thats exactly my stance on the subject, and the reason i disagree with the main post. If 2k11 received 9.5s in reviews, and 2k12 is a better game (and a much better game than anyone anticipated 2k making) how can you suggest it deserves sub 9.5 ratings? And the main poster is even going as far as to say it deserves sub 9 rating? Really?