NBA 2K25 Review in Progress

ign.com:

Over the past few years, developer Visual Concepts’ focus on updating online features and adding more microtransactions has left the meat of its annualized basketball series a forgettable merry-go-round of rehashed ideas and uninspired modes. But after spending about a dozen hours with NBA 2K25 so far, it already feels like a grizzled league veteran instead, and the definition of a perennial starter—there are still gaps in its game, but solid fundamentals and a willingness to adapt help make it a reliable part of any rotation. Or, in this case, right now it seems like a novel and innovative entry that can win new fans and bring back oldheads alike.

Make no mistake, you still can’t teach a long-running basketball sim new tricks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t polish it until it becomes as smooth as Steph Curry’s buttery jumper. This is where the return of ProPLAY technology shines. Although it was initially brought on board as part of 2K24, this year’s iteration is much better. It produces more lifelike player animations and motions, so Paul George’s fluid jump shot and Jayson Tatum’s upper body heave look like the actual thing.

The old adage “a tale of two halves” really encapsulates the NBA 2K24 experience. On one hand, the hardcourt experience is as good as it ever has been (as we should demand from a game that iterates annually), and there are a handful of game modes that allow all of that to be enjoyed without interruption. On the other, much more nefarious hand, MyCareer is nearly unplayable unless you open your wallet or endure an absurd grind. Even worse, mechanics like badge regression reinforce the worst parts of the microtransaction scheme. Beneath those issues, NBA 2K24 still offers a solid basketball experience, but it requires looking in the right places. Clearly, there is a love for the game of basketball on display in modes like MyNBA and Mamba Moments. But a lot of that love is lost the moment we’re asked to pay an absurd amount of money to compete in