The best video game sports franchise is (and has been) by far NBA 2K. The FIFA games are always fun. MLB The Show is a really solid game every year. But nothing comes close to NBA 2K. This year is no different. In fact, 2K17 takes things to a new level.
Stephen Curry does ridiculous things on a nightly basis over the course of the NBA season. He does things you wouldn’t even be able to do in a video game; that is, until NBA 2K17.
The shot meter is revamped to make things much more realistic. Before, you would simply move the right stick (or press X/square) in any direction to shoot. Now, you aim your shot. Pressing straight down on the right stick will reward you and increase your chances of making the shot. Because of this change (and change to the overall fluidity of the movements of players), you can now hit 35-footers easily with Steph Curry.
In 2K16 — and the games before it — you really couldn’t even think of trying to shoot super-deep threes like Curry does. You would miss 99% of the time. The new shot meter is a welcome change, because you can now drain insane (but realistic) shots.
This clip just begins to scratch the surface of how improved the shooting is:
If you watch the full video, you’ll see that on the other end LeBron has a tip in off his own miss, just like he would in real life.
The gameplay in NBA 2K17 is almost as close as possible to a true, realistic, simulation game. If you play 12 minute quarters, you are going to get a realistic score. But if you played 15 minute quarters in Madden, for example, the score would be around 67–60 almost every game.
I tested this out with a full 48 minute game with the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics. I lost 119–110. *sigh*
119–110 is a realistic score; especially because I decided to push the ball like crazy with Ben Simmons, who by the way plays just like he does in real life. That’s another thing about the gameplay in 2K17 — the players play like they do in real life. LeBron plays like LeBron. Westbrook plays like Westbrook. The stat line from the 12 minute quarter game against the Celtics backs this up:
Ben Simmons had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and two steals. Simmons will certainly have games very similar to this in his first NBA season.
Also, the Celtics had 91 shots in the game, just two more than their average of 89.3 last season.
Gameplay has always been good in 2K, but it can’t be overstated how much it has improved even from NBA 2K16.
Rebounding has been changed so that the players actually battle for rebounds. Players now rebound like their real-life counterparts. If you’re playing against the Cavs, LeBron will fly in for rebounds just like it does in real life. Tip-ins also now occur on a regular basis — probably the same frequency as in a real NBA game.
In past games, fastbreaks were always fun. You could throw up lobs, but that was it. Players didn’t fill lanes accurately or drift for three’s. In 2k17, players are much more intelligent in terms of accurately running on fastbreaks. Just play one game in 2K17, and you’ll instantly notice the difference.
This video shows a clip of the computer running a fastbreak where Kyrie Irving decides to pull up from three off the dish from LeBron:
Then at the end of the video, you can see it transitioning to the previous video clip. So, keep in mind that these realistic things are occuring in about five minutes of real time. The gameplay improvements in 2k17 are evident.
. . .
The game modes in NBA 2K17 are also improved over previous years. The MyGM mode was already the best franchise mode in a sports game, but it somehow took another huge step forward. You can now start the mode in a few different ways.
You can start from before last offseason (before the draft, before KD signed with the Warriors, before the Thunder traded for Victor Oladipo) and re-do it. You can also start right from the beginning of the season, like normal. Something else new to 2K17 is the ability to start a franchise in middle of the NBA season. So, if a kid receives NBA 2K17 for Christmas this year, they can just insert the disc and start their franchise from that point in the NBA season if they want to.
NBA 2k17 also has up to six expansion teams. You can either upload your own logo and create your own uniforms, arena, and branding; or you can choose from some of 2k17’s ready-made expansion teams with some awesome logo/uniform combos. The schedule will dynamically change and still work out like a normal expansion NBA schedule would. It’s simply amazing.
Another option is to do a totally customized league, where you can have historic teams in your franchise. If you want to have the ‘95–96 Bulls, the ‘00–01 Lakers, and the ‘12–13 Heat teams all in one season, you can do it. The MVP race would be pretty heated (MJ would take it, though).
. . .
MyCAREER mode is still the best story mode in a sports game, but it’s not really “My” Career. You can make decisions, but in the end your character probably won’t really feel like “you” because a good amount of it has to be pre-determined. You can’t really determine your personality that much. If you’re a quiet/humble person and want your MyCAREER to be that way, you’re kind of out of luck. We don’t want to give anything away, but if you like past MyCAREER modes, you’ll still like this one. And again, it’s by far the best career mode in a sports game.
MyPARK is still a lot of fun, and is also improved. Overall, it’s just a lot cleaner and better. There are now 9 badges you can earn in MyPARK, which will give you a boost. For example, if you have the “Game Point” badge, it will increase your chances of making a game-winning shot. You can also now double alley-oop (like NBA Jam) and see other player’s individual 2K player cards of other players.
PRO-AM is also improved, mainly by the team rosters. You can have up to 10 players on a team roster with a customizable logo, uniform, and court. Basically, you can have a legit squad.
The game modes are as good as ever, and there is also an Olympic mode where you can play as Team USA.
. . .
There are also changes to things like the scoreboard and commentary in 2k17. The scoreboard is now more square and looks better, but we weren’t a fan of the new animation. The new score shows up before the animation of 2 or 3, which is kind of weird. It’s not a huge deal, but maybe the score shouldn’t change before the animation.
There are also commentary teams and TNT’s David Aldridge is added as a sideline reporter. It’s just another cherry on top of a great game.
NBA 2K17 isn’t perfect. The facescan using the MyNBA2k17 app is still frustrating. The MyCAREER isn’t really MyCAREER. And the new scoreboard animation isn’t ideal. But…those are our complaints? It could be worse. A lot worse. Just look at the Madden series. I am a huge football fan, and like football more than basketball, but I won’t even touch Madden after playing it for a few days. It’s just not good. NBA 2K17, though? It’s the best sports game of this console generation.
Overall score: 9.6/10