![]() ![]() “Adding to the frustration of all of this is that your MyPlayer can’t transfer over from the previous generation version, which meant that the dozens of hours I poured into my previous character were entirely lost once I started playing on the Series X. The writing is rarely any good, and the G League games are a slog to get through. That said, there’s an option to skip The Long Shadow and head straight to the NBA, and I’d still advise taking it. The story follows mostly the same path as it did on the PS4 and Xbox One, though I did enjoy additions like the return of some characters that had made appearances in previous 2K stories, such as the over-the-top Jackson Ellis. M圜areer features the same disappointing story from the previous-generation versions, The Long Shadow, but it now includes a branching storyline that involves going to the G League out of highschool instead of playing for one of the 10 available universities. NBA 2K21 makes quite a few changes outside of the arena, too. This is likely a side-effect of the animations being less automatic than they were in the past, but given that the pick-and-roll is such a common tool, it’s a glaring issue. The off-ball defender doesn’t switch matchups when it’s appropriate and often sinks on players it shouldn’t, such as Steph Curry. The pick-and-roll is incredibly hit or miss, and frequently results in a far-too-easy basket for the offense. “Similarly, other new issues crop up as a result of some of the changes. ![]() There were several instances where the CPU would dribble the ball out of bounds in really important situations, breaking the immersion that NBA 2K21 works so desperately to achieve. The tradeoff is that the changes to the movement mechanics seems to result in accidental out-of-bounds happening far too frequently, especially involving the A.I. The emphasis on position makes mid-game battles more fun and engaging than they have ever been in the past. One of my favorite refinements has been the ability to position yourself for a charge when playing against someone overly eager to drive the lane. Tapping the analog stick to one side or the other doesn’t result in a big move instead, it results in the controlled player taking a quick step to the left or right to adjust position. Again, the real beneficiary here is how it feels to play defense. Score: 6 Read the full NBA 2K21 for Xbox One and PS4 review Movement also feels a lot better, with foot planting resulting in less sliding and more nuanced play. Maybe the new set of consoles on the horizon will bring a fresh start for the NBA 2K franchise, but right now I feel more pessimistic about the series’ future than ever. At the same time, it’s a shame that 2K’s focus isn’t on the fun you can have on the court, but instead the money that can be extracted from your wallet off of the court in the M圜areer and MyTeam modes, which just aren’t fun to grind through without paying. But that’s been true for several years now, and though this year’s iteration improves on a handful of things, most notably the aimed shooting mechanic, there hasn’t been much movement. Verdict: When it’s clicking, NBA 2K21 has some of the best gameplay in sports video game history. Still, NBA 2K21 is a good representation of what the new set of consoles are capable of graphically. ![]() ![]() The unfortunate side-effect of all of this realistic glamour is that when things break down, like when a player stares blankly into the void at the freethrow line, it looks odder than it would otherwise. After years of watching static (or sometimes non-existent) movement courtside, it’s one of the first details I noticed about NBA 2K21. Even beyond the players, the sidelines feel so much more alive and dynamic. Watching players’ expressions change as they contact each other in the air or fight for position off-ball is truly impressive. Player models are incredibly detailed - so much so that I would frequently pause the game and watch a replay just to slow things down and appreciate it. Everything on the court – and everything revolving around it – in NBA 2K21 is a technical marvel. There’s a lot to be excited about, but much like a fast-break dunk gone awry, sometimes flash is less important than substance.But my goodness does it look great. It doesn’t shake the bad habits that rob the existing version of greatness, though: we’re still stuck with unnecessary grinding, putrid pay-to-win microtransactions, and a host of problems that seem like a direct result of NBA 2K21’s ambition. Everything feels newer and bigger, from the jaw-dropping variety in presentation to the giant City that can be explored in MyPlayer. However, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X version of NBA 2K21 uses the opportunity to take the ambitious leap forward that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 version didn’t. Usually with cross-generation games like this, when we play on the shiny new boxes we expect to see the exact same game but prettier. ![]()
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