![]() Online, the game performs well with active lobbies, quick matchmaking, and accurate controls. When combined with the above-average announcing and audio, it’s difficult to tell NBA 2K22 apart from a real NBA broadcast. More importantly, the controls feel more responsive than before, putting full control of passing and special moves back in the hands of the gamer, and not not preloaded animation sequences. As a result, the presentation is realistic and well-paced, with none of the jerky, awkward movements gamers saw in older editions. Animations no longer feel canned and AI movements are far smoother and more realistic. Past editions of this title were gorgeous, but the new console versions are a sight to behold. Thankfully, this is where NBA 2K22 truly shines. This might be missing the point of the mode, but after my fourth monotonous, stuttering trot across the large city map, I just wanted to play basketball. Because of this, I found myself skipping the timed sidequests and fast-forwarded my progress to season games. The framerate slowed to the level of a PowerPoint presentation, while my controllers were rendered unusable until the machine caught up with the game’s ambition. None of the cutscenes add much to the progression or gravitas, they simply lead to another task for the player to complete in exchange for small currency rewards.Īlso, in a mind-boggling turn of events, the MyPlayer City made my shiny new Series X shut down completely. However, once it becomes clear that the character will succeed no matter the choices made, the mode becomes a tedious grind. ![]() The story begins strongly enough, with the gamer (a social media-obsessed streetballer named “MP” for “MyPlayer”) given the option to risk it all for NBA stardom, or take a more measured route to fame via stints in college and the NBA G-League. Even with countless things to do in the expansive, GTA-like “City” hub world, there’s a distinct lack of personality with this year’s characters, leading to an even greater sense of apathy. While the requisite underdog draft day story is in place (as are the branching, RPG-lite conversation trees) I’ve never felt more disconnected from the story or the experience. The one major disappointment in NBA 2K22 comes from a mode players have grown to love over the years - the MyPlayer singleplayer story. As is the expected MyTeam card game (which is a little more generous than in previous years) making it easier for newcomers to build a quality squad without dipping into their own pockets. ![]() Traditional NBA and WNBA exhibitions, full seasons, street ball, online challenges - it’s all available right from the outset. No matter how gamers want to hoop, 2K22 has a mode to suit them. While the in-game advertising (including an ill-advised quest for “Jake from State Farm”) is more prevalent than I’d like and the droning hip-hop soundtrack becomes tiresome, there’s enough to do so that these factors don’t become too distracting - and, the menus and cut screens look amazing along the way. (This praise also pertains to the hair on the player models, which may not be perfect, but is far better than the poorly-animated manes we’ve become accustomed to over the years.)īeyond the court, 2K22 is also enjoyable in menus and side activities. From the beads of sweat during player close-ups, to the brilliant light and reflection work on the courts, there’s not one aspect of the presentation that hasn’t improved over the previous generation. ![]() ![]() The visuals, as expected for the Xbox Series X, are pristine, with a level of texturing and polish never before seen in console sports. Well, I’m one of the lucky ones, because I finally got to review NBA 2K22 as the developers intended it to be.īy and large, the NBA 2K experience is alive and well on next-gen consoles. The problem was that “next-gen” wasn’t (and still isn’t) widely available to most gamers. On this website, roughly a year ago, I wrote that the NBA 2K series was in desperate need of an upgrade. WTF Slowdown, clipping and crashing? On the Series X? HIGH The on-court presentation is stunning ![]()
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