NBA 2K19_20180909095429

Hello, sports fans! Have you been wondering what’s hotter than Darryn’s latest cosplay outfit? Hotter than the potato in Harry Kane’s mouth? Or perhaps you’ve been considering options over what has more features than Dennis Rodman has tattoos? More style than your favourite hipster joint? Sexier than your ankle bearing jeans? Well, the answer is one and the same, it’s 2K’s famed NBA series, which slams down another brilliant rendition with NBA 2K19.

In truth, despite NBA 2K18 being a solid release, there was a lot to dislike in the game. It had the usual bells but not all the whistles. The production was more polished than Shaq’s head but there were issues that were a bit too “Shaq-Fu-esque”. NBA 2K19 seeks to counter last year’s effort with all-around improvements and does so with aplomb. Mostly.

NBA 2K19_20180909092317

NBA 2K19 returns to form with its career mode after a somewhat “iffy” affair last time out. It’s no longer the drama-filled Spike Lee type take on the Basketball world, but rather a more streamlined approach which feels, in many ways, a lot more authentic. This year’s prelude has you playing as A.I. and has you going international for the first time ever. In the story, you play as an NBA draft hopeful who doesn’t quite make it, and instead heads first to China, and then the G League before making his way into the big time.

For all purposes, the story in MyCareer is great with the trip to China (with full-on Chinese commentary which I assume is accurate) full of authenticity and adding a global flavour to the game for the first time. The matchups are great, and you really get to feel what your character is going through. The same can be said for the G League experience, which has you playing for a small-town team in Fort Wayne, experiencing the close community of the sport away from the limelight. There are some decision tree sections in the story, but no matter what plays out, eventually you get your shot in the NBA at the end of the prelude. As always there is some magnificent voice acting with cameos from Anthony Mackie, Haley Joel Osment and Ricky Whittle for starters.

NBA 2K19_20180912000306

Players will know that the real MyCareer test starts after the Prelude and NBA 2K19 has many improvements on this element, as you pick your team and attempt to go from a rookie to a superstar. The Neighbourhood returns but has a far better aesthetic to it with the on-court action taking place in the middle, and the training centres and other events all around in a square. It’s far less messy than last year. It can still be a little intimidating based on all the options, but after a few hours, you will get to know the grounds well enough to decide what you want to do.

MyCareer is all about earning VC and MyPlayer points to improve your player’s abilities, earn new fans and become the legend that you dream of. While the microtransaction aspect is once again a little aggressive from 2K, it’s better than it has been before. If you aren’t going to spend real money (I refuse to do so) then you will need to be prepared to grind through. Thankfully just about every activity earns you VC, and believe me, there are more activities than sweaty armpits at your favourite Comic Con.

NBA 2K19_20180916220020

The Neighbourhood has some of the usual elements. Your home where you can play on your own basketball court with some of your star friends. You can train with your team and in the gym, both of which will improve your player too. You can go shopping at Foot Locker, Swags, Wheels and the NBA Store to kit out your character and/or home. Or you can go to the Ante-Up arena where you get a Daily Spin reward, can play NBA 2K on an “actual” arcade machine, try out the trivia competition and a whole lot more.

There’s so much going on in The Neighbourhood this season that it’s hard to know where to start. Daily Events include a target bonus, a game of Dodgeball, historic apparel and of course special events that you can play through with your character. Then there are the Cages which return for your dose of street basketball, this time with the inclusion of Trampoline Basketball. Trampoline Basketball is a fun addition, but in all honesty, it gets a bit boring quite quickly and doesn’t quite feel as smooth as the rest of the game. You can team up with your own crew, play 3v3 in a number of matchups and of course bet some VC while you’re at it. Between the Cages, the outdoor courts and the Ante-Up arena there’s a lot of options.

NBA 2K19_20180912203053

It doesn’t end there either as you can take your player to the Pro-Am events and the Jordan Rec Centre. Both event types offering up great rewards for winning, even if the online competition can be incredibly tough when you are still starting out with your low-level character. Still, the time and effort are worth it with big rewards everywhere you look.

Lastly, of course, you can take your created player to your standard league matchups where you attempt to go from bench player to the sixth man, to starter and hopefully a star player. The story continues while you play through these games with interviews and information on several characters and stars that you meet along the way. It’s truly an impressive, all-inclusive career mode. More so than ever.

Outside of MyCareer NBA doesn’t let up. MyTeam returns better than ever as you attempt to create your dream team of players with 2K’s version of the card-based fantasy team mode. Collecting MyTeam points is still difficult, but there are enough challenges, online and offline matches and tournaments to keep you busy to build your team (again without spending real money). MyTeam’s biggest new inclusion is a Triple Threat match where you take three of your players against three players from another team in a set of challenging matches where you can earn some great VC and MyTeam points. With daily, weekly and monthly challenges, it’s a mode that will continue to impress throughout the season.

NBA 2K19_20180913222113

MyGM returns with a second year of a story mode option. It’s not quite like the production of MyCareer, but it is engaging nonetheless. After last year’s exploits as a top side coach winning the title, your character decides to take on a new expansion team. This means picking a staff, a city to play in, picking from the draft and building a team that can challenge for the NBA title once again. The story is completely text-based but that doesn’t matter at all as the gameplay and challenge of being the complete GM makes it a worthwhile experience.

The standard MyGM mode returns too where you can pick a team and play through successive seasons in the NBA, while Blacktop returns for its all-action approach on the streets. There’s the Play Now exhibition option, and the Live NBA games that will begin when the season starts – allowing players to play the matches as they happen in the real world, and of course various moments and challenges from these too.

NBA 2K19_20180912202630

It’s hard to argue that this is the most complete NBA package to date with more options than ever before, but it’s truly on the court (and off it) where the game shines brightest. The production value is off the charts, an improvement on everything before which was already incredibly high. The pre-game show with Shaq and co is full of great humour and insight, the commentators are on a different level and together with the crowd atmosphere and the recreation of the stadiums, it’s the most realistic sports game of the year, once again. Player and coach interviews fill the quarter and half-time breaks, while highlight packages are worth watching repeatedly. The NBA 2K show enters its fifth season and Rachel Demita returns with various guests to give you a view on the world inside the NBA. There have been two episodes so far, and both are excellent and worth watching for all NBA fans.

NBA 2K19_20180913235140

The gameplay is as tight as ever before. Defending was a pain in NBA 2K18 but it’s far more accurate and rewarding this time around with player movements feeling a lot more reactive to what you want to do. Offensive feels a lot more fluid than last year too and the animations have improved to a level beyond magnificent. NBA 2K19 is near perfect on the floor with a host of new customisation options from where you want the shot meter (if at all) to adapting the rules to how you want to play. It’s the best it’s ever been for newcomers and veterans alike.

Last Updated: September 17, 2018

NBA 2K19
NBA 2K19 is another impressive outing from Visual Concepts and 2K with just about everything you can think of included. It’s a real shame that there is still a heavy reliance on purchasing VC in the modes that matter, but it’s plausible to play without giving in to the temptation. Aside from the microtransactions and occasionally tedious load times NBA 2K19 has all the modes, polish, challenges and value you’ve come to expect from the franchise. It’s the annual release that truly lasts a year and if you’re a fan, there should be no doubt as to whether or not you should get this year’s game.
9.0
NBA 2K19 was reviewed on PlayStation 4
82 / 100

12 Comments

  1. Ghost In The Rift

    September 17, 2018 at 14:26

    The Grind and Micro-transactions and ya’ll gave it a 9..?!?!…Like what did 2K pay you guys?…….Just kidding but seriously…

    Reply

    • Jarred

      September 17, 2018 at 14:45

      I asked them to pay me in VC to spend in-game but sadly they’ve not provided even one virtual coin 🙁
      Seriously though, I have played closed to 30 hours of it without spending a single bit of real money on the game, and all the quality mentioned in the review, all the modes, visuals, options etc. more than make up for the fact that there are microtransactions.

      Reply

      • For the Emperor!

        September 17, 2018 at 18:56

        I still find in the prelude that my player sometimes runs in a random direction, often just as a play is called and I want to run in the opposite direction! Do you know how to stop that? I disabled defence and the other type of assistance, yet it still happens 🙁

        Reply

        • Jarred

          September 18, 2018 at 08:48

          I did not experience that at all! What position are you playing, and is it only when the PG calls a specific play that it tries to move you into position?

          Reply

          • For the Emperor!

            September 18, 2018 at 09:14

            I was playing Centre*. Mostly when a play is called, but it moves me more out of the position I should be in, or suddenly moves to make contact with the opponent locking me in a stupid animation. I would have no issue if the opponent is the one making the contact with me, but literally my player suddenly backs up into the opponent. Has cost me some nice pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop opportunities 🙁

            It happens a lot in 2K18 as well, which is where I will stay until at least next year as I am only rated 90 and want that 99 🙂

            *I think playing Centre might be a little OP for me. I am in my second season averaging +-30 boards, +-30 points and almost 6 blocks.

          • Jarred

            September 20, 2018 at 08:46

            Ah okay, I have not had that problem. I’ll spend some time this weekend checking out the settings for you, but it could just be predetermined plays I guess.

            Haha, it sounds like you need to bump up the difficulty!

          • For the Emperor!

            September 20, 2018 at 11:01

            Perhaps the difficulty settings is my problem? Seems there are still some assistance settings there that get lowered on higher difficulties (2K18). Facing the Nuggets tonight (on 2K18), so easy game to push up to HoF level and test. Won’t affect my upcoming post-season as I am already locked into first place in the West and overall 🙂

  2. Gardos

    September 17, 2018 at 14:55

    I just wish the FIFA franchise (or any footy franchise) took a page out of their book and implemented a similar experience. I love the sound of this but I know about as much about basketball as I do about quantum mechanics (nothing).

    Reply

    • For the Emperor!

      September 17, 2018 at 18:54

      I also knew nothing about the sport before I got 2K14. I still do not know too much, but the game is normally fun to play if you get past the nonsense it has included.

      Reply

    • Jarred

      September 18, 2018 at 08:50

      I have been saying this for so so long. It would be amazing to have a mashup of FIFA and PES, best of both worlds. That’s pretty much what NBA is.

      And as For the Emperor mentions, the only way to get into it is to try. I’d suggest buying last year’s game (which should be cheaper now) and giving it a go. It gives you a lot of customisation options so you can lower the rules and make it easier for yourself. It’s a fun game once you get into it!

      Reply

  3. Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd

    September 18, 2018 at 09:06

    9 … what?

    Game is getting brutal reviews on Steam:

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/841370/NBA_2K19/

    Reply

  4. Ahmed M

    September 26, 2018 at 08:09

    NBA 2K19 is another impressive outing from Visual Concepts and 2K with just about everything you can think of included. It’s a real shame that there is still a heavy reliance on purchasing VC in the modes that matter, but it’s plausible to play without giving in to the temptation. Aside from the microtransactions and occasionally tedious load times NBA 2K19 has all the modes, polish, challenges and value you’ve come to expect from the franchise. It’s the annual release that truly lasts a year and if you’re a fan, there should be no doubt as to whether or not you should get this year’s game.
    Downloaded from : https://www.codexgames.org/nba-2k19-codex/

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Manchester United Sues Football Manager Over Use of their Name and Fan Mods

Manchester United, that massive global football brand whose fans are as equally annoying a…