NBA 2K25 Review – The Return of MyNBA Eras and An Overhauled Career Mode Make For the Best NBA 2K in a While

As a devoted basketball enthusiast with a soft spot for nostalgia, I must say that NBA 2K25 has truly struck a chord with me. The inclusion of MyNBA Eras is nothing short of a dream come true, allowing me to relive some of the most iconic moments in NBA history, from the 1983 76ers to the 2010 Lakers. It’s like stepping into a time machine and being transported back to my childhood, where I would watch these legends on TV, wide-eyed with admiration.

The adventure starts during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA playoffs in your dream. With mere minutes left in overtime, your character ‘MP’ is performing some remarkable basketball feats in NBA 2K25’s MyCareer storyline. However, there’s a surprise twist – it was all a dream! This serves as an introduction to NBA 2K25, where you get the chance to create your own player and decide their build, or dive right into the story-driven part, or jump straight to the main menu to explore all that the game offers. This year, Visual Concepts and 2K are eager for players to delve into Career mode, and it’s easy to understand why – it’s significantly enhanced, and a key component of an overall better game.

In NBA 2K25, MyCareer is your primary destination. You can opt for ‘Heart of a Dynasty’ side matches to flesh out MP’s history if desired, while focusing on your NBA career with your selected team. Jump straight into the action without any introductions or delays, as you compete for a spot in the starting five from day one of a new season. Outside the arena lies a new city to discover, which, unlike its previous version, is more streamlined and less confusing, offering easy access to everything along a single street. This is a positive development.

In NBA 2K25, the sleekness of the presentation carries throughout the game, noticeably on the court. The shot stick and its associated gauge have significantly improved from previous versions, offering a smoother shooting experience. Defensive play is also more instinctive, making the game feel less scripted or artificially controlled. The animation flows more naturally, and the overall rhythm of the game mirrors that of a real basketball match. If you outplay your opponent, the victory feels truly earned, and shifts in momentum are possible but fair, rewarding those who put in the effort to play better.

Some niggles remain, like a shot rattling out of the hoop being left for the opposing team to scoop up – often, I noticed that during MyCareer games, the paint would be completely deserted when on offence, with none of the AI players attempting a put back or even a simple rebound. It’s confusing and occasionally frustrating, but seldom game-breaking, and it thankfully doesn’t extend to the other modes, where you have full control over the entire team rather than an individual player. Movement around the key and under the basket is good, allowing for fast link-up play, drives into the lane for monster dunks or sweet layups. When the momentum is on your side, NBA 2K25 feels sublime. And defensive play feels fantastic – responsive and weighty, with cut-to-the-basket cheese gone, and hip-check animations now nice and sticky. The pick and roll is great, too.

In this game version of NBA 2K, the traditional play modes continue to be prominent features. The card-based MyTeam mode remains engaging, though it can consume a significant amount of time and is heavily influenced by microtransactions. If you want a formidable team, you might encounter challenges unless you’re willing to invest time or money for card packs. Initially, a beginner’s pack is provided, but the desire to upgrade players for faster progression can be quite persuasive.

2K’s Virtual Currency (VC) is integrated into MyCareer mode as well, where you can enhance your customized player’s stats and attributes by accumulating VC. You earn this currency slowly by completing challenges, making it a lengthy process to significantly boost your player’s stats with just a small increase in points. The allure of Virtual Currency is strong, intentionally so – 2K and Visual Concepts want you to spend, spend, spend. This has been a persistent issue for quite some time now, but there’s no indication that it will change soon.

Despite some frustrating microtransactions, this version of NBA 2K stands out as one of the better entries in recent times, although changes outside of MyCareer are somewhat limited. The modes MyGM and MyTeam largely resemble past years, but the introduction of the MyNBA Eras mode is truly exceptional this year. It features the addition of the 2016 Steph Curry Era for an impressive lineup of 28 classic teams, including Kevin Durant’s final Oklahoma City Thunder team and the last Kobe Lakers team, among many others from last year’s five eras that cover significant periods in NBA history (1983, 1991, 2002, 2010, and the Modern Era). However, some players are still missing, and the likenesses of a few characters, like David Robinson, remain somewhat peculiar. It’s a mystery why his face looks as if it’s been hit with a frying pan!

Although it’s disappointing that basketball legends such as Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller are yet to join MyNBA Eras, the delight of reliving iconic moments with teams like the 1983 76ers featuring Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving and Moses Malone, the 2010 Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, or even experiencing Jordan in his prime or wrapping up his career with the Wizards during the 2001-2002 season, is still exhilarating. This feeling is similar to what NBA 2K24 offered. The inclusion of teams like the Seattle SuperSonics at their peak with Shawn ‘The Rain Man’ Kemp and ‘The Glove’ Gary Payton, LeBron James at his best with the Miami Heat, and more, makes for a fantastic experience, especially for those reminiscing about NBA nostalgia. The game also incorporates features like the NBA on NBC theme song, which was famously parodied in an SNL sketch, and visual filters that replicate the viewing experience of watching games back in the day.

The player omissions are a shame, and some of the Eras teams have only one or two players on the bench, so they’re either broken or very barebones. NBA MyEras remains a definite highlight again this year, though, and the changes made to MyCareer are certainly meaningful. Stinky microtransaction nonsense aside (exacerbated by stupid pop-ups trying to sell you the Season Pass whenever you fire up the game), this is the best NBA 2K has been in some time, especially on the court. NBA 2K25 provides an excellent game of basketball, then, its commentary and attention to detail in its slick presentation and gameplay is superb – as such, it’s worth investing this year.

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2024-09-30 18:42