NBA 2K21 Next-Generation Review
Will the actual NBA 2K21 please take a stand? NBA 2K21's "current-gen" PC, Xbox One, and PS4 versions were released in September, and I was disappointed, but the game's "built from the ground up" PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions have since been released. This next-gen update does more than just spruce up the visuals; it also overhauls the gameplay and introduces a slew of new features and modes. It's sufficient to merit a new review, so here we are!
Of course, just because NBA 2K21 for the next-gen console is different doesn't mean it's better. When it comes to switching systems, sports franchises have a history of getting off to a rough start. So, will NBA 2K21 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S maintain the franchise's winning streak, or will a rebuilding phase be required? It's time to lace 'em up and get back on the court...
Note: Because some parts of NBA 2K21 in the current and next-gen versions are nearly identical, I won't go into great depth about them here. You can read my original current-gen NBA 2K21 review here if you want to learn more about the game's MyCareer story campaign or MyTeam mode, for example.
The NBA 2K franchise hasn't had a big overhaul of its basic gameplay in a long time. Sure, each new game rebalances and adjusts key mechanics, but the adjustments are almost always incremental. That is, until the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 comes out. The game not only looks better, but it also feels completely different. The animation and mobility system in NBA 2K21 next-gen is totally overhauled, and the difference is astounding. Visual Concepts, the developer of NBA 2K, has been working on the issue for years, but the series' gameplay has always had a slightly stilted, artificial feel to it. That is no longer the case. On the latest consoles, NBA seems a lot more nimble, fluid, and authentic.
Players ground their feet realistically as they maneuver, ball handlers and defenders battle in the paint in a credible manner, and dribbling and passing feel more predictable and in control. I especially like the new "lead pass" mechanic: use the triangle/Y button to pass to one of your guys, and they'll start making a break for the hoop before they even catch it. This may seem insignificant, but it all adds up to a far more enjoyable experience. NBA 2K21 is a next-generation basketball game that moves realistically yet with the pick-up-and-play fluidity of an old-school arcade game.
NBA 2K21 next-gen also addresses several of the game's flaws from the current-gen edition. On the PS4/Xbox One, shooting was stingy as hell, but happily, sinking baskets is now a lot easier. The fussy Pro-Stick shooting is back, but you can now shoot with regular time without penalty. Although this edition of NBA 2K21 feels easier than most prior entries in the game, which may irritate some seasoned veterans, I wasn't disturbed. I don't play these games to build the perfect MyPlayer, so as long as the sport is accurately shown, which it unquestionably is, I'm OK, I'm not going to complain if victories are a little easier to come by than they used to be. Sports games are supposed to be power fantasies at their core, right?
NBA 2K21's improved gameplay is complemented by an eye-catching graphic overhaul. Arenas look incredible, with far more lively, convincing crowds (remember those?) Every hair, wrinkle, and bead of perspiration is caught in minute detail, making the players seem amazing. At the very least, the major stars are stunning. Headliners like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and LeBron James look fantastic, as they always do in 2K Games, but what about the bench warmers? Not quite as much. Some appear to be straight copy-and-pasted from current-gen.
HDR is also used with a heavy hand, giving NBA 2K21 a slightly harsh aesthetic that doesn't always match the look of real basketball broadcasts. Don't get me wrong: this is a beautiful basketball game, but keep your expectations in check.
NBA 2K21 is divided into three sections, as usual: MyCareer, MyTeam, and the MyGM/MyLeague franchise modes. MyCareer is a carbon copy of the current-gen games, with the same cinematic prologue but considerably better presentation. You take on the character of "Junior," a talented baller who tries to live up to his father's mixed history as a famous collegiate player who never made it to the NBA. This isn't the first time we've seen the "bright-eyed up-and-comer makes it to the NBA" narrative, but it's a good one. If you've already completed the prologue on PS4 or Xbox One, there's no reason to do it again you can, however, jump straight to the NBA season if you choose.
The latest edition of Visual Concept's social center, which began as "My Neighborhood" in NBA 2K18 and was renamed "2K Beach" for the current-gen version of 2K21, is the company's main focus. The hub has been enlarged into “The City” on next-gen consoles, a fairly vast (it will take you at least a few minutes to run throughout) basketball-focused metropolia. NPCs now stroll the streets, handing you simple RPG-style missions, and the city is divided into neighborhoods, with players able to join one of four main affiliations.
These improvements are lovely, but The City quickly becomes sterile and barren, with the majority of the extra area dedicated to, you guessed it, cosmetic-shelling stores. Worse, while playing in The City, I've experienced some performance issues, which have been resolved with upgrades. If you spend all of your time in the hub playing Rec or Pro-Am games, The City will be a pleasant improvement (assuming all of the bugs are ironed out), but if you've always disregarded 2K's small microtransaction-pushing towns, you may keep doing so.
MyGM and MyLeague have long been some of the most underappreciated features of NBA 2K, and that trend continues now. MyGM and MyLeague are combined into a single franchise mode called MyNBA in NBA 2K21's next-gen version, allowing you to freely experiment with individual clubs as well as the league as a whole. This is definitely a good approach, and the number of customization possibilities are astounding, but I can't help but think we're moving away from what I want from a franchise mode, which is more personality and storytelling. Yes, RPG elements are still available as an option, but they are just that: a choice.
Visual Concepts appears to be abandoning the idea of MyGM as a structured challenge in favor of turning franchise mode into a fantasy basketball tool. And, while some may find that appealing, it isn't for me. This year, at least, women may join in the franchise mode fun with their own MyWNBA mode. Although there aren't as many possibilities for the ladies, you may create your own female MyPlayer, manage her and her team through a season or playoffs, create your own league, and more. It's a good start, and Visual Concepts should improve on it in future games.
Ultimate-Team mode in NBA 2K21 MyTeam mode is carried over directly from current-generation consoles. In fact, it's the only mode that supports cross-gen save transfers; in every other mode, you'll have to restart from the beginning. Thankfully, this year's MyTeam departs from last year's widely panned casino premise in favor of a Fortnite-style seasonal framework, but random card packs remain an important part of the mode. Personally, I'm going to keep a safe distance.
And that's pretty much it for NBA 2K21...er, for the second time. On next-gen consoles, there's enough stuff to work through, yet the game doesn't feel any bigger than previous entries in the franchise. It's up to you to decide whether the increased $70 price tag is warranted.
The publisher 2K Games provided a PS5 copy of NBA 2K21 for this review. NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition, which features a next-gen upgrade, is available for a discounted price here.