NBA 2K17 Review: A slam dunk by 2K Games
NBA 2K17 isn’t a perfect game, but it damn near comes close. The latest instalment in 2K’s NBA franchise is one of the most complete basketball experiences in the world. While 2K16 was a masterpiece unto its own, 2K17 fixes a lot of the issues from last year.
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While there are moments that will frustrate you, they are largely overshadowed by the euphoria that comes from everything NBA 2K17 gets right. A little wrong and a lot right seems to be the mantra here as you are more than willing to endure small issues because the larger picture can take your breath away.
Graphics
NBA 2K17 is hands down, the best-looking basketball game on the planet. While there are instances where players don’t quite look like their real-life counterparts, they are few and far in between.
Most of the players come alive in front of your very eyes, and 2K knocks it out of the park with the improved graphics, new animations involving players, coaches, and even referees. Even your created player in MyCareer looks right at home amongst the superstars of the basketball world.
Arenas are another strong point, as 2K has faithfully recreated the most famous basketball arenas in North America with frightening accuracy. Along with a slick menu and first-class presentation, it is very rare that you aren’t captivated by NBA 2K17.
Gameplay
Video credit: GhostRobo YouTube channel.
This is where NBA 2K17 really shines as the new improvements to the crossovers allows for fancy new crossover chains which are an absolute delight. The sense of accomplishment when you break some ankles is unparalleled by any other NBA game.
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There have also been improvements with shooting as you can now use the right stick as well as the shoot button to shoot. Also, getting a perfect shot means a guaranteed basket, meaning there is an actual point to getting off the perfect shot.
There are still a few niggles with AI and passing, though, which can abruptly ruin the immersion, but for the most part, 2K17 pulls off the most comprehensive basketball experience in the world with a sense of style and power which is unmatched.
Game Modes
The two major offline game modes for the 2K series return with massive improvements – MyCareer and MyGM.
MyCareer allows you to create your own basketball star and experience the highs and lows of an athlete’s life, starting from college ball to and ending with a (hopefully) successful NBA career.
Unlike last year’s effort, there is room for a lot more options this time around, as MyCareer is non-linear and offers you with options in every aspect of your player’s career path. Despite the grind involved in boosting your player’s stats, the strong customisation and the inclusion of actor Michael B. Jordan make this a fun experience overall.
Where NBA 2K17 really shines, though, is MyGM where there are now customisations available for every aspect of the game mode making this the go-to mode for the hardcore basketball fans.
Realistic trades, the ability to start before the 2017 NBA Draft and make changes, as well as the ability to start mid-way through the season with your chosen team’s current real life record make this the deepest mode ever offered by 2K17.
Hell, you can even expand the league to 36 teams, allowing you to go on and add to the mad world of the NBA.
Sound and Music
The sound is another area where a lot of good work is stained by a few problems. The atmosphere can sometimes feel fake and is a jarring experience for a game that gets so much right. On the other hand, the commentary is absolutely phenomenal and the custom sounds for different arenas is a nice touch.
As always, the selection of music in 2K17 is top-notch. While the playlist understandably leans heavily towards Hip-Hop, the tracks offer a perfect mix to both sets of fans – those who enjoy the genre and those who don’t. It’s fun for those who do, it is non-intrusive and mostly background noise for those who don’t.
Online
Online mode has received some serious work, this time around, as 2K have put in an immense amount of work to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s debacle. For the most part, it is an extremely stable experience this time around.
Sure, there is a little lag here and there, but by and large, NBA 2K17 is the best online experience available to every basketball fan. It is an extremely forgivable inconvenience when you consider the fact that last year’s online launch involved broken game modes and server issues for weeks.
While it might not have the popularity of FIFA’s Ultimate Team mode, the MyLeague mode is still a lot of fun and miles ahead of anything else a basketball game has on offer.
I’d like to conclude this by saying that 2K Games have gone on to make the best basketball game to have ever existed. Is it perfect? No. Is it bags of fun? Hell yes.
Rating: 8.5/10
You can buy the game here.