Recent reviews by [C4] Reester .B

TLDR: IF YOU WANT THE BEST EXPERIENCE PLAY THE GAME ON XBOX ONE S/X OR PS5!! I recommend the game if you aren't picky on having the best graphics quality or specific modes (Because 2K gave PC the current-gen version of the game instead of the next-gen version) such as The W, the City, or MyEras. Lastly, if none of the previous things held you up, then if you're a 2K fan, an NBA fan, or just a sports game fan in general, you will get enough fun and enjoyment out of this game to justify the purchase.


As someone who hasn't been known to grind or play 2K that much at all, I have had quite a bit of fun with this one so far, and let me explain why:

MyCareer feels very authentic in many ways to the struggles of becoming a star player all the way to your brand deals. In some ways it doesn't feel so authentic, with interview responses not seemingly having much more affect than team chemistry and fan numbers, and with cut-scene timings feeling more spontaneous than fluid with the story. The story feels stale after securing your spot as a star on the roster, but maybe there's just a cut-scene drought and there's more on the horizon as I get closer to the end of my rookie season. Don't expect any changes to badges and don't expect the cool J. Cole feature in MyCareer because both of those are exclusive to the next-gen version of the game.

If your groove is with Neighborhood, then be prepared to be met with many random NPCs and random quests they put you on. Also, don't expect an expansive Neighborhood like you may have seen in past games or have seen on YouTube from others playing the game. That expansive "the City" experience is exclusive to next-gen and on this game you will instead get the G.O.A.T Boat experience. The boat has multiple floors with each floor having rooms that serve their own purpose, but each part of it just leaves a bit to be desired since it feels like a lot of open and blank space in the areas instead of actual stores or indoor areas to explore. If you don't mind the quests, then its definitely a good and easy way to make VC, but if you're like me, then also be prepared to play laggy Neighborhood games with no one wanting to pass you the ball if you are low level.

MyTeam doesn't feel different at all (outside of J. Cole and Jack Harlow getting their own cards), so if you're familiar with the play-style, then expect a lot of the same with just different cards to work with and earn.

Franchise/MyGM is basically the same as it has been in the past 2K games, I just wish that you could use historic teams without having to custom make them in this mode. Playing as the 97 bulls for example and trying to still win the NBA championship against other teams during that time would be super fun in this mode rather than having to play the other mode which I will get to next.

MyLeague is something brand new to me, and I say this because I don't remember seeing this mode the last time I played a 2K game back with 2K19. In MyLeague you are essentially playing as commissioner of the NBA, as well as owner of every NBA team in being able to control every aspect of the league, as well as make a custom league with historic teams in the mix. This is pretty huge and very fun if you just feel like experimenting and basically playing creative mode in 2K. The downside is that while you can add the historic teams to the mix, you still have control over everything and in its own way causes it to feel less authentic when you have the capability and are in charge of controlling much more about the league than just a specific team. This may be a bit nit-picky on my part, or just a complete misrepresentation due to the lack of playtime I have currently given to the mode, but I will still continue to give it opportunity to wow me because in theory it is a big step for 2K to give players this option.

Lastly, the new mode for current-gen and next-gen versions of the game is the Jordan Challenge. This mode is a really cool way to allow players to play as Michael Jordan during the biggest games in his time playing basketball. And yes, this even includes the NCAA championship game he played with North Carolina. The authenticity of this mode to how the game looked and felt on television for all of its viewers is quite impressive, but the downfall of this mode is that once its over, its over and doesn't have any real replay-ability.

All in all, I would personally give this game an 7/10, with the main downfalls being that it is the current-gen version of the game, the Neighborhood feels a bit bland, and that it lacks a little bit of play-ability that I would've enjoyed seeing in the realm of MyGM. I still would heavily recommend this game to NBA fans, 2K fans, and sports game fans as a whole, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are wanting some of those missing next-gen features or if the changes to this game (My League, Jordan Challenge, and Neighborhood G.O.A.T Boat) don't entice you. (P.S. Don't take this review too seriously, I haven't played 2K in forever and have less than 100 hours invested into the game currently)