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NBA 2K25is largely what players have come to expect from the franchise, though there are some welcome updates that make the game feel a bit more fresh. Updates to player movement and an expanded sampling from 2K’s ProPLAY system do add some noticeable differences to how players get around the court. This bringsNBA 2K25as close to revolutionary as an annual sports release can get, but that is still a big gap to close.
That isn’t to sayNBA 2K25isn’t fun. The game has a lot to offer, especially thanks to itswide range of game modes. Unfortunately, several of the game’s main features do have one major downside that stops this game from being perfect, even if it is an admirable attempt that’s well worth a look from even the most seasoned veterans of this2Kseries.
NBA 2K25’s New Dribble Engine Is Smooth And Satisfying
Driving to the basket has never felt as good as it does inNBA 2K25. The game provides ample opportunity to exploit openings in the defense and put the ball down hard in the basket. This is thanks to2K25’snew dribble engine.
For about the past decade,NBA 2Kgames have all been using the same dribble engine.2K25is the first game in a while to make major changes to the way players move the ball, and it has paid off. Though the controls are still familiar,the actual feel of controlling the ball feels more precise. The new dribble engine works in tandem with some of the other best features introduced inNBA 2K25.
Ball Handling And Shooting Skills Spice Up The Strategy
Several other mechanical innovations help makeNBA 2K25stand out from previous years. One of the most fun is the variety of offensive moves players have access to while handling the ball. Players canutilize spin moves to get around defenders, or use some fancy footwork to create distanceand open themselves up to shoot from outside unguarded. These moves are easily accessed using the right stick, but it still takes skill to employ them at the right moment. This makes the feature easy to use, but it doesn’t feel like an unfair advantage.
The variety of options for shooting is another major win forNBA 2K25. With a large selection of shot timing profiles, and the ability to choose from several styles of shooting, there are a lot of options for players to decide which way of playing is best for them. It definitely takes time to master Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting, but it is also very satisfying once one gets the hang of it. Alternatively, there are more standard shooting options for those who prefer the athletes’ stats to have a bigger say than their personal skills.
NBA 2K25offers players the chance to stop mid-shot and hang onto the ball or pass it.
One underrated feature that turned out to be very helpful was shot canceling. Getting locked into a shot animation in previousNBA 2Kgames because of a poorly judged scoring opportunity was one of the worst feelings. Luckily,NBA 2K25offers players the chance to stop mid-shot and hang onto the ball or pass it. This may seem like a tiny change, but it works perfectly in tandem with2K25’s focus on giving players more control over their game and removing gameplay elements that might be unsatisfying.
There Are Plenty Of Game Modes, With A Catch
Another positive aspect ofNBA 2K25is its many game modes. Players can play with current NBA, WNBA, and Dynasty teams from across a wide range of basketball history. There are also typical modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM where players can play as either an individual NBA player or a GM of a team, with a variety of fun mini-games including childhood favorites like HORSE or Knockout.
The number of modes is something to celebrate, but they aren’t perfect.The role-playing aspects of MyCAREER and MyTEAM still feel somewhat half-baked. This is especially true when playing as a GM, where character dialogue isn’t fully voice-acted. Character models flap their mouths silently at the player in a disconcerting manner as their dialogue appears at the bottom of the screen, then they essentially stand there lifeless after their brief interaction. While there is more effort on display in the storytelling elements of MyCAREER, it still isn’t interesting enough not to just skip through and get back to the court.
Perhaps the worst problem with2K25’s game modes is that many of them require a network connection to play.
Perhaps the worst problem with2K25’s game modes is that many of them require a network connection to play. Instead of separating MyCAREER from online play, players are required to be online to access their MyPLAYER, even if they just want to engage in single-player activities. That means, if in two years the game’s servers shut down, a large chunk of the game’s content will simply be inaccessible without this being changed in some way beforehand.
NBA 2K25’s Presentation Is Mostly Stellar
PlayingNBA 2K25on the PS5 in 4K shows just how much effort went into capturing the likeness of the NBA players in the game.Players look very real and expressive, and tiny details like beads of sweat on their bodies add to the realism. The game also captures athletes’ individual movements and rituals, like Steph Curry chewing on his mouth guard during free throws. This, combined with customized dunks and signature moves, make the athletes feel much more individualized and real.
A minor complaint to be made about the presentation is thatnon-NBA player character models are a jarringly lower quality than the likeness of the athletes. When a custom GM is talking to one of their players, it looks like a scene out ofWho Framed Roger Rabbit?where a human is interacting with a cartoon character. This is a minor gripe, and doesn’t take too much away from the experience.
College Football 25 Review: A Fresh Take Held Back By A Weird UI
College Football 25 is a largely successful return to the world of college football, held back from perfection by some clunky user interface.
Another minor issue with the game’s presentation is the fact thatthe 2K app’s face scan continues to turn MyPLAYERs into monstrosities. While this can be good for a laugh, players who are more sensitive about their appearance may want to avoid what will essentially feel like the game roasting them. MyPLAYER face scan abominations stand out even worse next to real athletes than their cartoonish default counterparts.
Final Thoughts On NBA 2K25
Even with its faults,NBA 2K25is still an overall great experience. The innovations to gameplay make it fun, and the wide range of modes will keep players interested for a while. It’s also hard to complain too much about a game where you can play a one-on-one game with legendary athletes like Michael Jordan against LeBron James.
Expectations for annual releases are often low, soNBA 2K25is a pleasant surprise in that regard. The game feels like a notable improvement onNBA 2K24. It’s hard to say players absolutely have to buy it if they already have last year’s game, but players who buy theNBA 2Kgames annually regardless will be pleased with this year’s offering.
