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. 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. Everything feels newer and bigger, from the jaw-dropping variety in presentation to the giant City that can be explored in MyPlayer. 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. 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. Everything on the court – and everything revolving around it – in NBA 2K21 is a technical marvel. 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. Watching players’ expressions change as they contact each other in the air or fight for position off-ball is truly impressive. Even beyond the players, the sidelines feel so much more alive and dynamic. After years of watching static (or sometimes non-existent) movement courtside, it’s one of the first details I noticed about NBA 2K21. 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. Still, NBA 2K21 is a good representation of what the new set of consoles are capable of graphically.I’m not sure why 2K needed the power of the Series X and PlayStation 5 to pull it off, but in this version we get an entirely new broadcast team calling the game. Brian Anderson, Grant Hill, and Allie LaForce add to what is already the best play-by-play and color commentary in sports video games. It’s refreshing to get a break from Kevin Harlan every once in a while, especially because the new team provides a slightly more grounded approach to Harlan’s dazzle and enthusiasm. Still, Anderson and crew deliver the excitement when it counts. Especially for those of us who pour hours into play-now or franchise modes, having some diversity in the booth provides a welcome change of pace.The new-gen version of NBA 2K21 addresses many of the legacy issues that have plagued the franchise for years.
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Movement also feels a lot better, with foot planting resulting in less sliding and more nuanced play.
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Off-The-Court Problems
NBA 2K21 makes quite a few changes outside of the arena, too. MyCareer 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. 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. 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 writing is rarely any good, and the G League games are a slog to get through.
The rest of MyPlayer, however, has seen an ambitious overhaul. The City is a brand-new area to roam and explore with created players, and it’s absolutely huge. In fact, it’s arguably far too big. Even with a decent map to help guide me, it took far too long to get from one end of The City to the other. There is too much unnecessary padding, such as restaurants you can’t interact with and large construction sites that seem to exist for no reason. The City also seems to be capped at 100 players, which might seem impressive, but this isn’t a battle royale. Given that there are four different affiliations and a handful of courts per affiliation, those numbers are spread incredibly thin. In my experience, finding a 3-on-3 matchup can take anywhere between five and 10 minutes, which almost totally defeats the purpose of the incredibly fast loading times.The City is huge and just feels empty.
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Your MyPlayer can’t transfer over from the previous generation version, shining a spotlight on the gross microtransactions.
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Another nice addition is being able to control a WNBA league.
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Verdict
NBA 2K21 jumps into the new generation of consoles with a heaping pile of ambitious upgrades. On and around the court, it’s one of the best sports game experiences I’ve ever had. The movement is fluid, the presentation is startlingly good, and NBA 2K21 leaves a lot of the franchise’s legacy issues in the dust. The rest of NBA 2K21, namely everything it does off the court, feels like the first half of an alley-oop. There’s so much potential in the MyPlayer experience that it’s maddening that things feel so empty and heavily dependent on pay-to-win progression mechanics. Still, the new MyNBA mode has plenty of depth and streamlines things in a refreshingly simple way, and the ability to take on most of what NBA 2K21 has to offer through the WNBA is a really important addition. Ultimately, it’s just frustrating to see NBA 2K21 pass up what seems like it should be an easy slam dunk.