To be honest, I don't really like the NBA 2k series. - robbie24's Blog

robbie24's Blog

To be honest, I don't really like the NBA 2k series.

Posted on December 11, 2013 at 04:30 PM.

(11)

I have to be honest, 2k is definitely a good game of basketball, but I just don't enjoy it very much. And I'm kind of surprised by how much people go crazy for it. I feel like it might be *gasp* overrated.

Sure, it has great commentary. The signature animations and attention to detail are very cool. I like hearing arena specific sounds. But something about it just doesn't feel right.

Here are my very underwhelming credentials: I'm an overweight, white, ginger. I played Canadian high school basketball in a small Single A school. Now, I play men's basketball at my church on Sunday evenings. I've owned College Hoops 2k7 and 2k8, NBA 2k8, NBA 2k9, NBA Live 10, NBA 2k11, NBA 2k12 and NBA 2k14. Also, I played all the oldies, NBA Live 95 right up until they started to suck. Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside etc etc. I know how to play basketball, but I'm far from a die-hard baller. Maybe that eliminates my opinion, but whatevs. College Hoops and NBA 2k8 are my favourites. If 2k9's graphics and 2k8's gameplay had a baby, it would be my favourite basketball game ever.

Here's why I don't like the recent NBA 2k entries:

It looks like basketball, but it doesn't feel like basketball.
It doesn't have a soul.
The player I'm supposed to be controlling feels only marginally influenced by the flick of my control stick. It's like they have a mind of their own.
There are so many animations, it's almost too much.
Controlling your player on defence is possibly one of the most frustrating experiences in sports gaming.
If the AI steps out of bounds one more time, or takes a shot from behind the backboard, I'm am going to go postal.
Also, this is more of an aside, I was playing MyPlayer/MyCareer (whatever it's called) the other day, and I gotta be honest - it's horrible. The idea is great. But after getting drafted to the 76'ers and going 0-8 to start the season, while being surrounded by severely handicapped AI who couldn't grab a rebound even if their very lives depended on it -- I nearly threw my controller at the screen.

And no, I'm not paying a bajillion VC to wear a pair of cyber shoes.

I'm not a Live 'fanboy', but I have to say that for all it's shortcomings, I enjoyed NBA Live 10 more.
College Hoops 2k7 and 2k8 were excellent. And I'm going back to NBA 2k8. The graphics might be a little dated and the cutscenes a little heinous, but it feels more like basketball and it's definitely more fun.

And with draft classes and stuff from College Hoops, I can play it until I go to my grave. Rosters Schmosters.

Comments

# 1 robbie24 @ Dec 11

yep, I'm definitely just using the blogging platform to make a statement. Not sure why I felt so compelled, but HEY!

# 2 CujoMatty @ Dec 11

Sigh. You know, I dont care what a blog is supposed to read like or what its supposed to contain. All operation sports is peoples opinions or feelings about sports or sports games or even sometimes anything or nothing.

maybe its because im also a white(non ginger thank god lol), overweight, canadian, that played as little as some highschool as well, that I enjoyed reading this.

couldnt agree with you less however. I think 2k14 is pretty awesome.

It has more soul than pretty much any sports game I can think of. Sometimes its soul is a lil evil (*wink* VC) but it definetly has soul.
myCareer is a great mode that keeps me interested longer than 10 games for the first time.
I was also drafted by the 76ers and started out horribly than we went on a 10-0 run to get back to just under .500.

I guess all im trying to say is that you are and should be able to have an opinion and honestly I enjoyed reading it. It was refreshing to hear someone on this site be negative about something with a take it or leave it kind of attitude instead of a "this is my opinion, everyone must agree or die." Kind of way that is very prevalent around these parts.
Good for you dude and I truly hope nba live gives you a product you will enjoy next year. Gamers like you deserve it.

# 3 bumpyface @ Dec 12

I agree with the OP and I respect his opinion. I played high school and college ball. I currently run with an adult AAU time but I'm limited to a bad left knee. 2k felt like a basketball game once. I guess when they started putting all of the animations in they took the "control" away from us. I give 2k credit for trying to impersonate NBA basketball, they come very close. The downside to that is in their attempt to make the game appear as close to NBA basketball as possible, a significant amount of control is taken away from the player. 2k needs to decide if they are going to make a video game, or just some simulated experience. I'll admit that I was very hard on EA with their latest Live installment. I still stand by what I said about the way it looks. But I also feel that the game offers more control to the user than 2k. 2k14 is a great game, but I long for an opportunity to play a basketball game where I feel like I'm in control of what takes place on the court. Thank you for posting. I was afraid that I was the only individual that felt this way.

# 4 tril @ Dec 12

I always wanted to know why folks always preface their statements with "I played basketball in hs, college, aau" etc.

With that being said, I disgaree with what the blogger stated. I find that 2k plays a solid fundamental game of basketball. I find that the more fundamental basketball knowledge you use in 2k basketabll, the more enjoyable it becomes. Out of control, spamming on the controls, equals less control of players etc.

The same thing can be said for defense. timely adjustmenst to defense really matters. putting certain defenders on certain players, guarding the perimeter, playing tight defnse verses sagging all matters, hedging matters.

# 5 tril @ Dec 12

Id also like to add, yes that the game does need a patch. the players going out of bounds is an issue

# 6 bumpyface @ Dec 13

I mentioned my basketball experience because its relevant to this conversation. I've been playing 2k for a long time and over the past couple of years the game has been losing it's basketball feel, at least IMO. I don't think 2k is a bad game at all. I think it's the best bball that we have, but there is room for improvement. I would like for 2k to consider making the game competitive once again. Remove the rubber banding, reimplement lobbies, I mean it is basketball. Basketball is a competitive sport is it not? I agree with OP, the gameplay lacks "soul." Its not organic.

# 7 poloelite @ Dec 13

I agree that NBA Live gives you more control, but with that more control online games quickly turn into arcade dunk fests or dribble stick, spin move and finish. I think 2K is further on the road of finding the balance between full control and contextual animations and will figure it out very soon.

# 8 Valdarez @ Dec 14

I'm loving NBA 2K13 (waiting for PS4 for 2K14), and the counter part, NBA Live is a joke of a 'reset' and basketball game.

# 9 jdareal21 @ Dec 15

Enjoyed the opinion, only contention I have is with the control gripe. Granted, there are a lot more of "continuing" animations now but I think that's why it controls better and tighter.

In real life, once you make that commitment to drive the basketball you're gonna try to initiate contact or get to the rim and 2K finally has that. IMO it nakes controlling PGs more satisfying and realistic.

As far as the defense goes I'd venture to guess more time with the game would suffice but respect the opinion nonetheless.

# 10 robbie24 @ Dec 16

So I decided not to give up on it... And actually I enjoy it more than I thought I did.
Especially since I changed the camera angle... nose bleeds for me worked better than 2k cam (I play association almost exclusively).

Defensive controls still frustrate me. But that last commenter is more correct than I - once you get used to it the controls are pretty tight at least on offense. My bad there.