If you’re looking for a game that truly feels next-gen, look no further than NBA 2K14 on PS4 and Xbox One. It’s a game worth experiencing regardless if you are a sports fan or not because of its heightened realism and attention to detail.
Some people may be wary of buying the game thinking it will only have subtle differences to its current-generation counterpart similar to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag or Call of Duty: Ghosts. The difference between the two versions of NBA 2K14 is as stark as night and day.
It’s not a game that merely features an upgrade in the looks department though. The UI has been completely revamped and there are different types of game modes offered. While there are certainly numerous changes, are they welcome additions to the NBA 2K franchise?
First, let me go over into a little bit more detail about the looks and the degree of realism present in the game. The picture below can demonstrate the jaw-dropping difference between the two versions. The facial animation adds depth to the players as they express an array of emotion for each appropriate moment. Small things like sweat glistening on their skin or the fabric's intricate pattern contribute to the close fidelity the game has with reality.
Everything about the court is shiny and the reflections are nice to look at. Others are irked by even the smallest bugs, but it did not bother me too terribly. Don't expect the crowd to look amazing just yet, but I feel like they have improved a bit.
It's worth noting that the latest release runs on an entirely different engine called Eco-Motion similar to how EA's next-gen sports games run IGNITE exclusively. The latter engine isn't as powerful as the former in my opinion. FIFA 14 and Madden NFL 25 look great, but it's not on par with what 2K has in their arsenal. The game also runs in native 1080p on 60 FPS for both PS4 and Xbox One.
I love how players jump off the bench and go all crazy when someone makes a dunk at the end of fast break. Players are more responsive than ever before to events that happen around them. I love how the dynamic nature of the courtside environment continues to evolve especially since basketball is such a fast-paced and unpredicatable sport at times.
Commentary is spot-on as usual, but it can get repetitive at times like past games. Developers can only record so much dialogue so this is a limitation people should understand. An interview segment was added wherein the dialogue is taken from actual courtside interviews and is lipsynched to their virtual counterparts. I only found out about this online since it's not noticeable in-game and it is also contextually accurate to what was happening in your game. Again, superb attention to detail.
Secondly, let's talk about the game modes available. Lebron James' Path to Greatness did not make a return for the next-gen version. Perhaps, it's because myCareer mode already has a lot of content since a storyline was integrated into it. You now have a rival that you will often butt heads with similar to EA's Fight Night games.
Like most sports games with a narrative, it can get cheesy at times especially your character's voice acting. I really wish you could choose your own voice or 2K had someone who can universally represent different types of characters.
However, it's nice to have a rival you can loathe since it makes the in-game challenges more rewarding. It helps that he is extremely annoying so it's fun to shut him up. Events in the story also differ depending on what you do. For example, a team mate will scold you if you hog the ball or the coach will force you to stay after game to hit 50 consecutive free throws if your FT percentage was low.
The bad part is you don't really have as much control as before. I've been stuck in a team that trails behind by 20 points when I'm on the bench. You can't go up to the GM like before and request a trade or tell him what you want. You have to wait for those opportunities to happen and your choices are limited even then.
It's also awkward how only a small number of coaches, owners and players can talk. I get that you can't get dialogue for every player in NBA, but there must be some other way than letting your voiced character talk to mutes.
MyGm mode is just like myAssociation only your player will be the GM instead and there's more scenes to watch. It's very in-depth and you can drown yourself for hours micro-managing a team. You'll have more control this time over how your team is run. Sadly, you'll still have to play the games to get the perks.
I personally haven't spent much time with myTeam mode but it's a pretty straightforward. The Park is pretty much similar to Blacktop only there'a park filled with courts and players can create a match-up by standing on the sides. You can play five on five, two on two, or three on three with strangers or friends. I heard that it's a lot of fun but I personally have a hard time finding a match. There was a time that nothing was happening regardless if everyone filled up the spots for a match. A lot of people gave up since it took forever.
Players have also noticed the absence of create your own team and the ability to make more than one customized player. You don't have that much freedom in creating your character compared to past games. The controls are the same as the curren-generation version so don't worry about re-learning everything again.
NBA 2K14 has stunning beauty and it's a game that truly defines "next-gen" whether you are into basketball or not. The upgrade in looks might be at the expense of some features most devoted enjoy, but it is still a huge leap forward regardless. There's still much to improve and I hope they continue evolving game modes like myCareer and myGm in their next installments.
8.5/10
