I got the opportunity to spend 2 1 hrs with NBA 2k in downtown DC today and here are a few quick impressions:
First things first…the game reminds me a lot of NBA 2k11. I’m not saying
that there are no significant differences between the two games but if
anyone has any expectations that the game will be completely different
than last years game, this isn’t the game for you. The good thing for me
is I loved NBA 2k11 so I was very happy with the game I saw. FYI, the
version of the game that I played is the retail version so what I saw is
what will be released Oct. 4.
I watched two quick exhibition games before getting the chance to play
(Miami/Dallas and Washington/Lakers). The first thing I noticed was the
improved presentation. The stat overlays are improved (showing stats
like the number of points Dirk had compared to the rest of his team) and
multiple starting lineup screens (Some games show each team’s lineup
individually and some show them on the same screen). I wasn’t able to
get much of a feel for the game from watching the two games because one
of the players was a newcomer when it came to 2k and struggled with the
controls. Some small things I noticed was the new Washington Wizards
court, redone faces for every player and head coach and that you can
interact with the first row of the crowd (I noticed Lebron leap over the
scoring table when going for a loose ball).
I finally got a chance to play the game and chose Oklahoma City v.
Boston. First, the pregame presentation looks incredible. Highlights of
each team and its stars to music from Bad v. Evil (Eminem and Royce da
5’9) and its very similar to what you see before a game on TNT or ESPN.
Regarding the actual gameplan, the best way to describe it is player
movement feels heavier and there is a CLEAR difference between point
guards and big men when it comes to speed. Using Westbrook I was able to
push the tempo off of Boston misses and create fast break
opportunities. Rondo was doing the same thing to me. There is a
realistic downside to that as if you attempt to push the pace and the
defender is able to get back, you will find yourself turning the ball
over. In a weird way while momentum is definitely more of a factor this
yr, this is perhaps the fastest (and most fast break heavy) basketball
game I’ve played. Now before you freak out, this isn’t a bad thing. The
fast breaks were realistic (plenty of 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 breaks) and were a
result of turnovers or a team failing to get back
Simply put the AI is much smarter and more realistic. I’ll give you two
examples: One, I started the game killing Boston by running pick and
rolls with Westbrook and Isos with Durant. By the middle of the first,
Boston’s D started adjusting doubling Westbrook on pick and rolls and
cheating with a second defender against KD. The defense against KD was
great as you could see defenders like Allen sag off Sefolosha and help
against KD but not fully commit to doubling KD.
The second example comes in the second quarter. I wanted to test the AI
by running the same play a few times and seeing if it adjusted. I ran a
pick and pop with Maynor and Cook. The first time I ran the play, Cook
set the pick and popped to the 3 point line. Both defenders stayed with
Maynor and he hit Cook for a wide open 3. Next offensive possession, I
ran the same play and Cook’s defender stayed with him. I ran it one more
time and this time both defenders stayed with Maynor but a third
defender rotated to Cook. That’s the kind of AI I love….same play three
times and three different results. I also love the new playcalling. 2k
explained how it word on the last Insight but it adds a ton to the game.
Next I spent bout an hour playing My Player. I’ll be honest My Player
isn’t my favorite mode and I rarely spend much time playing it but there
are a good amount of improvements in this year’s version. The mode
begins with you playing in a college all star game at Madison Square
Garden. My biggest frustration with this mode in the past was I felt it
sometimes penalized you for playing realistic basketball. For example,
there were times when I would be penalized for taking a good shot just
because I missed it. This year is different though. I probably shot 35%
from the field but I rarely forced shots and was rewarded for playing
good fundamental basketball.
The biggest change I saw was the addition of franchise interviews before
the draft. Three GMs will meet with you and ask you a series of
questions. The questions are team specific (Phoenix asked me how I felt
about learning from Steve Nash and the Bucks asked me if I was OK with
playing with Brandon Jennings) and depending on how you answer them
determines your draft status (I told Phoenix that I would love playing
with Nash and told the Bucks they should trade Jennings and draft me.).
Next comes the draft and there is a little bit of drama to it. You have
to watch the entire draft until your name is called (no skipping) and
listen to David Stern (Stern’s real voice) call each name. Other
additions include contract negotiations, players get paid a check each
month and can use the money to purchase attributes or do activities to
make them more popular (like pay for team activities).
The final mode I saw was the NBA’s greatest mode. I played the Bill
Russell and Patrick Ewing games and they couldn’t be more different. The
Russell game was slower paced and felt like a game from the 50’s.
Plenty of set shots and animations similar to how players played during
that time. Many of you have seen the presentation for this game (Black
and white, grainy footage and 50’s style audio) and its very authentic.
As much as I liked the Russell game, the Ewing game is what made me
fall in love with the game. One, the presentation looks just like TNT’s
presentation from the 90’s and the Garden is spot on with the correct
court, constant organ sounds and even the chime after every Knicks
basket.
A couple of takeaways from the Knicks game:
- Penny Hardaway is every bit of the unstoppable athlete that he was before injured.
- The Ewing/Starks combo is fun. Starks is a very streaky shooter though.
- Only AI mistake I saw was the Magic ran was it ran 3 plays for Dennis
Scott in the post. I don’t remember Scott being a post threat.
At the end of the day, I was very excited about this year’s game. It’s a
continuation of last years game but it has enough of improvements and
additions to make it worth $60.
Here are some random thoughts:
- No rookies will be in the retail version but will be added by a roster
update after the lockout is over. According to 2k, the transition will
be seamless and the rookies’ names and references are already in the
game.
- The announcing is once again incredible and Steve Kerr is a great
addition. After listening to Madden’s horrible commentary, the
commentary in 2k is a revelation.
- New replay angles to the Sprite Slam Cam
- The tipoff music starts much earlier this year so that bug is fixed (only people who used custom music care about this)