NBA 2K14 Impressions (PS4/Xbox One)

[solofx7]

These are just some of my quick impressions of the game and thoughts of stuff that I have heard. First, I have been gaming since Lakers v Celtics on the Genesis, so I have a long long history of games and bball games.

Next, I know that people are ripping 2K for focusing on graphics and a "new game" than porting over from last gen. This is just my quick thought. I would prefer to play this game which though is missing stuff is light years better than anything current or next gen graphics and game play wise... Yes, it is that good.

Graphics? You have seen the screenshots, s just picture that as gameplay. It looks that good. Better than any game ever, period. My opinion...

Gameplay, well it is different than last gen. Part of it is the graphics, the more you see, the more you can react to. You can take advantage of little things you see or get taken advantage of just as fast. Height plays a huge role in things as previous posters have said, but so do player and team tendencies. The gameplay is off the charts because the computer is smart and fast and adjusts to what you do. They also understand spacing and passing lanes and thus whatever you think your first option is when you are trapped, so does the CPU so they are already working to shut that down. An example of how different the game is, game to game. One game I played the clippers and made a big effort to keep paul from getting off and jordan from catching oops on me. I blew them out because it was a sound strategy and they could not get on track or in rhythm. So second game around, I tried the same thing. Not so good. Jordan got off early which led to griffin getting off and by default paul got his too. I was getting blown out nearly the entire game until Curry got hot at about 2:45 left to go and hit 7 or 8 3's in a row. I cut the lead down, but I still lost by enough... The point being the game is great gameplay wise and the CPU is thinking. Yes it is tough to hold that many good to great players under wraps. And yes, the first game I used the warriors also...

[solofx7]

The announcing and stats on screen are great as they carry over from previous meetings, previous games, jokes about players and such. Basically what we have always expected from 2K. Which logically brings me to sound. This is something that is not spoken of enough. The sound design is awesome. When the other team is on a run, your ho,me team gets quiet. When you are on a run they are loud. When you get a big steal or hit a big shot they ramp up and explode respectively. Crappy fouls, they boo. During a big run my team was making, the crowd was insane. When iguodala stepped to the line to shoot important free throws, they noticeably slowly got silent so I could shoot. All of these things are big and lend to the game feeling. Couple this with the emotions that each player shows based on their personality and play, it makes for a truly immersive environment. On a side note, when the computer does an instant replay on a big play, the colors fade back in, which is a really nice touch that you have to be looking for to see.

I could go on and on, but I won't.
I will just sum up my personal experience by saying, 2K is not the most complete basketball game ever, but it is by so far a margin the best looking and playing game on the court that it makes it the best basketball game ever. Not me boasting because I have no stake in the matter, just my thoughts on extended play time with the game.

[solofx7]

PS. The game is balanced, meaning it is not offense or defense heavy. Making you over play one or the other because of game balance issues. You play good smart hard d and you will see results. Same with offense, you play good smart hard offense and you will reap those rewards. The players and the systems they run and in game coaching decisions play into those, but overall it is a balanced game that you control by your actions.

Yes the ball feels like a separate entity, and thus it should as it is not connected to any one person. The ball has its own real ball physics that I agree with. We have been striving for games that have felt organic that we have some sort of control over, more like playing the game in real life and less like a video game, and here we have it.... play the game deeply, try different things and find things that you enjoy... This is the "game" we were waiting for....

[jeremym480]

Quote: Originally Posted by iameich

Nice! Jeremy, did Z-Bo & Gasol take actual post-up/back to the basket shot attempts or did they mostly attempted lay-ups & bunnies in the paint?

Here's the stats:

Z-Bo: 21 pts, 8 rebs, 8-13 FG
Gasol: 21 pts, 2 reb, 8-11 FG
Koufos: 17 pts, 6 rebs, 8-8 FG

However, Bayless was actually their leading scorer with 22 pts, 2 rebs, 5 ast, and 2 stl on 5-6 FG, 2-3 3PT

I lost 112-88.

Unfortunately, the majority of their points came from Conley and Bayless driving and dishing to them. I believe that they played with their back to the basket some, but I can't recall because honestly I wasn't paying too much attention to it. Going forward I will though.

[eslimm]

Quote: Originally Posted by solofx7

PS. The game is balanced, meaning it is not offense or defense heavy. Making you over play one or the other because of game balance issues. You play good smart hard d and you will see results. Same with offense, you play good smart hard offense and you will reap those rewards. The players and the systems they run and in game coaching decisions play into those, but overall it is a balanced game that you control by your actions. Yes the ball feels like a separate entity, and thus it should as it is not connected to any one person. The ball has its own real ball physics that I agree with. We have been striving for games that have felt organic that we have some sort of control over, more like playing the game in real life and less like a video game, and here we have it.... play the game deeply, try different things and find things that you enjoy... This is the "game" we were waiting for....

Bro keep going your impression has me intrigued

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Sundown]

Quick impressions after a few games.

Definitely feels a lot less cheesy than Current Gen 2K14 out of the box. My bigs get blocks. Andrew Bogut is a force if PG's opt to drive on him. This wasn't the case in CG 2K14.

Trey Burke still shot way too much however.

The highlights in this game are... really highlights. Because the graphics and animations are so much better and more realistic, I'm approaching the sort of thrill and reaction to highlights that I get watching real ball-- KD's NASTY dunks on me. Curry breaking Westbrook's ankle with a spin, then calmly hitting a long jumper. Curry again with a crazy spin behind the back pass to Bogut (who unfortunately missed the dunk). Another nasty KD dunk. I mean when's the last time you had to nod and give props because you were genuinely impressed by a CPU highlight on you?

There's a visceral realness to the game that's making me react to it in new ways, even if some of it is exaggerated. And when games get crazy on a run and all your players are playing frantic, adrenaline fueled basketball for the lead after a grueling back and forth game, I almost feel the same sort of buzz I do watching the same thing live.

The little reflections, the lighting, the animations, I think they help trick me into feeling like these are real guys balling and gelling when I'm not paying close attention to their graphical flaws.

[Tommyklaid]

I don't know if this has been said yet...

This is one of those games you could just let CPU vs CPU play, sit back, and watch...it's great leap forward my friends.

(I can't even "fathom" or imagine what 2K15, 16, 17, or 18 will be like...)

[ProtoPunch]

I could nitpick this game all day but I don't care to 'cause this is such a giant leap forward - the effort to capture player likenesses paid off tremendously.