NBA 2K20 is finally available. It is the best place to play video game basketball. From online gamers to those looking for a long career, there’s something for everyone. The visuals, gameplay, and experience are undeniable. So this year’s NBA 2k20 is still an absolute necessity, a powerful addition to a strong franchise. Of course, there are some shortcomings in the game, and that’s ok, I believe we will see a more perfect NBA 2k21 next year.
Platform: XB1, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC (PS4 version reviewed, code provided by 2K)
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Release Date: Sep 6. 2019
Score: 9 out of 10
Visual Effects
The lighting, renders, tattoos, hairstyles, neighborhood, and MyCareer cutscenes are delivered with as much beauty and style as any of these elements have been in previous versions. There are also a lot of new basketball animations that help to make the action look more realistic in NBA games, and just plain cool in the PARK.
Gameplay
For those familiar with the series, there are a few gameplay tweets that will be particularly notable. One of which is 2K’s tweaking of how speed and turbo have once again been integrated into the title as a central piece of gameplay. The button-mashers among us may be most comfortable holding the turbo trigger throughout, but 2K has re-examined how the sprint is being used. It’s now seen as a periodic tool used to get open or fly to the basket. In turn, stamina has also been changed to greatly dissipate if the turbo trigger is held down throughout.
The action is far more physical and realistic. No longer can 7’1″ relatively immobile centers stay with guards on the perimeter. The screen game scores big on both sides of the ball. Attacking the screen as a defensive player or tandem takes more communication and evaluation of personnel. On offense, a good screen does exactly what it is supposed to do for the ballhandler and screener.
MyTeam
NBA 2k20 to be diluted through the year with an abundance of cards to keep fans pining for the latest release. If you don’t want to spend money, there are more than enough ways to earn NBA 2K20 MyTeam MT Coins that will allow you to compete with any team you’ll face in the mode.
MyTeam mode is a little bit more transparent than it has been in previous iterations. The players have the choice of one of five Evo cards to begin their team: Derrick Rose, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, or Hakeem Olajuwon Evo.
The Daily Login prizes look like the biggest improvement in the mode. It should really help to cut down the gap between those who pay to win and those who play to win, as playing will now finally be rewarding.
The changes to the Triple Threat mode are cool as well, you will reap the rewards if you can stack up wins and the change to the CPU lineup, coming up against three randomly selected players rather than pre-sets means you’re always on your toes.
There’s also a pretty clear road to the top tier cards, which are essentially locked behind Tokens, another form of currency in the game that is rewarded for completing different challenges across all the modes within My Team. Since it is a card collector, you’ll earn these tokens in bunches simply by hitting certain milestones in terms of how many cards you have. Overall, MyTeam offers as much entertainment as you’ll find in any mode.
MyCareer
This year is a refreshed MyCareer mode with Idris Elba sitting center stage throughout, adding an extra dose of celebrity this year. The story that you play through prior to making it to the NBA is probably one of the better ones we’ve seen in recent years. From the voice acting to the story, I feel engaged as things move along.
2K’s objective this year is for players to make multiple builds, and because of that, the rise to 99 has been made shorter. It has created a more user-friendly experience that is much less of a money drain than it has been in the past.
MyGM/MyLEAGUE
There are some pretty big changes to MyGM too. The most noticeable being the introduction of My GM 2.0.
As fans will be aware, you can no longer sim til the end of the season in MyGM 2.0. Players now have daily tasks to complete each day to help their team win the Championship.
Each decision you make uses an action point, to which you are limited to the number you can use per day. So you have to ensure that you chose wisely if you want to get the full potential out of your team.
The more you level up the more action points you can earn in order to help your team. So leveling up fast is key in this mode.
Looking at MyLEAGUE, there has been little change from 2K19.
The WNBA Offers a Nice Alternative
This is the first time that the WNBA is being included with full rosters in a 2K video game. It’s at the level of the NBA stuff when it comes to player models, arenas, and all the sights and sounds from the on-the-court action. Players can play in WNBA games in the Play Now section which allows you to play a quick game with any team. You can also play a WNBA Season in My League. I think the part that I appreciate the most is the WNBA-specific presentation.
PARK Takes a Step Up While Maintaining Its Arcade Feel
The PARK is still mostly for a group that I like to refer to as competitive-casuals. They play 2K competitively, but many of them are casual basketball fans. In any case, this mode plays more realistically than it has in the past but still maintains its arcade charm.
The Deepest, Richest Homage to Hoops History
NBA 2K20 added classic teams, tons of new legends and it brought back the All-Decade teams.
New Legend Renders Add to the Depth and Presentation
To augment the retro aspects of the game, 2K has updated a number of the legend renders. One of the best decisions the company made was to hire Rytis Gineika aka R4zor to assist with the restoration and creation of classic player renders.
Neighborhood
Aptly titled ‘The Next Neighborhood’ on the trailer for this fan-favorite mode. The Neighborhood is taken to a new level on 2K20.
While there’s unquestionably a lot to love about NBA 2K20 and the core experience is essentially an upgraded version of the series fans know and love, its flaws cannot be ignored. Let’s break it down…
Layups Can Be a Little Too Slow – Players might be a little too susceptible to chase-down blocks because the action is slowed.
MyPlayer Builder is Too Limiting – There are players in the NBA who you cannot create even if you wanted to with your MyPlayer. I know these restraints are in place to create competitive balance, and to prevent users from making players who can’t be stopped at the PARK and in Pro-Am.
The Ball Drop Takes Forever – The ball drop is a major part of the team experience, and this year it takes entirely too long. It’s supposed to be used as a way to collect rewards after grinding Triple Threat games and after inputting locker codes. The drops work, but the speed in which the ball falls through the new pinball machine environment slows down the process and feels like a waste of time.
MyGM Leaderboards Didn’t Enhance the Franchise Experience – The new leaderboard system doesn’t bring anything valuable to the experience. Franchise mode fans aren’t likely to be excited about a leaderboard system because we don’t play those modes to compete with other gamers. Secondly, the removal of league customization options like selecting quarter lengths and inputting custom rosters is a huge no-no when that sort of thing has long been a strength of both of 2K’s franchise modes.
Although NBA 2k20 has some minor shortcomings, causing the whole program to lose some points. But it’s still everyone’s favorite basketball video game this year. What are your thoughts on NBA 2K20 so far? Why not Write For Us?
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