NBA 2K25 has arrived, bringing with it a host of new features and improvements. While the series has consistently delivered immersive basketball experiences, this year’s installment aims to take things to the next level. So is it worth it? The short answer is yes. NBA 2K25 is the premiere sports game experience and perfect for basketball die-hard fans as well as casuals, however, there is one glaring con that hinders the game.
Graphics
The graphics in this game are beautiful, from the crowds to the player’s sweat, 2k nailed the details in this one. Those who are new to the series or simply have skipped a few entries will be blown away, however, if you have played NBA2k24 the graphical jump isn’t that large. This is not necessarily a bad thing just 2K looks and has always looked great, but from a technological standpoint, it feels like sports games are reaching the graphical ceiling.
Gameplay
The gameplay is smooth, players feel fluid, especially when dribbling,(Thanks to the new dribble engine) and 2K has implemented 9,000 new animations with “ProPlay”. Pro Play basically pulls from real NBA footage and puts those moves into the game. This makes it much more fun to use your fav teams/players in matches.
Gameplay here is a blast and thanks to the “Learn 2K” mode beginner players can jump in and get better. Experienced players DO NOT sleep on this feature. As a fan of the series for over a decade I still found some useful tips and tricks here.
MyCareer
This is the premiere mode of the NBA2K series and honestly the best mode in all of sports games. In this mode, you create your own character and go on a Journey to become a legendary player. What sets this mode out from other sports games? The attention to detail, the mode feels alive. There are cutscenes, choices to be made, endorsements, and an entire city to explore with vehicles and events shops, and the best (or worst) part depending on who you ask, is that this mode allows you to compete online with friends and other players.
This mode is basically a sports RPG game, and it’s a ton of fun! From the time it first hit the scene in NBA 2K10, there has not been anything that comes close to this. The issue is that due to the success of the mode 2K has implemented its Virtual Currency or VC, more on this later.
The W
This mode was one of my most anticipated, with the new Rookie Stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink the WNBA has gotten more buzz this season and I’ve found myself more invested than ever. In the past, The W mode always felt bare bones in comparison to its MyCareer counterpart, so when 2K announced that they would be improving the mode I could not wait to check it out!
There are some noticeable improvements with Voice Acting and some cutscenes, however the mode still feels barebones. W’s player builder is not very detailed. Where My Career feels like an RPG, the W does not have that same feeling. I would like if in the future The W and My Career can either combine or more closely mirror one another.
Cons
So as mentioned earlier NBA 2K has its Virtual Currency or VC system. Players can purchase this with real money and use it for just about anything in the game, upgrading your Character in My Career and purchasing Packs in 2Ks signature card game-like mode. The success of this Microtransaction system is the downfall of NBA2K in many eyes. The biggest side effect is that modes outside of the ones that incentivize Microtransactions(My Career and My team) do not get the same love and attention to detail.
There are also numerous predatory practices like a battle pass system, which costs $10 for the Pro Pass or $20 for the Hall of Fame Pass. These battlepass seasons can last 6 weeks each so every year you can expect about 8 seasons. So if you wanted the pass every season you would be looking at $80 or $160 respectively. That is not including the cost of the game, $70 for the standard edition, or if you want to play 3 days early you can spend $100 for the Allstar edition, and $150 for the Hall of Fame edition. Gamers can easily pump hundreds of dollars into this game.
NBA 2K25 Verdict
So what is the verdict? NBA 2K25 is the best sports game out, however, it is also the most expensive. At its core, it is an excellent sports game, with beautiful graphics, plenty of game modes, and fun gameplay. Despite all of NBA 2K25’s great features and great gameplay, the excessive microtransactions cause it to feel like more of the same.
NBA 2K25
$69.99
Pros
- Stunning Graphics
- Smooth and fun Gameplay
- A plethora of game modes to enjoy
Cons
- Microtransactions
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