One of the big issues plaguing sports sims in video games today is whether fans should expect companies like EA or 2K to reinvent the wheel—when they’re the only ones providing the wheel.
This dilemma has troubled fans of the ever-popular—and equally loathed—NBA 2K series because everyone loves a good basketball sim but hates to break the bank for what feels like a reskin. With NBA 2K25, similar fears reared their ugly head for many enthusiasts who have been burned before by purchasing a glorified roster update with slightly improved graphics.
This time around, however, NBA 2K25 has surprised players with pretty significant changes that have added a lot more realism, great depth, and a ton of fun on the hardwood for diehard NBA fans to dive into as they play with and against their favorite superstars—if they can even load into the game itself.
Buttery jumpshots and lethal crossovers
When 2K introduced the ProPlay animation system, players were reasonably skeptical about how different it would make the game feel as you step onto the court. In 2K25, however, you can clearly feel these changes with every crossover, stepback, and stutter step.
It might be hard to fathom, but after trying out different players across the league, it’s much more believable that 2K added over 9,000 new animations to dribbling, signature shots, and off-ball movement. There are also new features to explore when it comes to shot difficulty, with the devs adding some highly-requested options to customize the “risk-versus-reward” of your shot timing.
Specifically, the dribble mechanics feel much improved from previous years, with players boasting quicker, more fluid combos that place you in the shoes of a true ankle assassin dropping opponents. Dribble moves and the resulting plays don’t feel as scripted, making them more dynamic depending on the build, playstyle, and skill of the defender and attacking star.
Defensively, 2K has stepped up with movement and animations, giving players a chance to stay ahead of their opponents as they try to break them down. With the new defensive cutoff system and contest system, I have found it much easier to stay in front of an opponent while also having the chance to block or steal away the ball for my team.
Disclaimer: I’m not much of an online 2K enjoyer, but I know that the scene can be pretty tough with all these new animations. For newcomers or older players returning to the franchise, the Park and online play can provide a steep learning curve that can push you back to offline play if you aren’t up for the challenge.
Overall, however, 2K’s gameplay has reached new heights and should feel much more natural and dynamic across the board. But if you haven’t touched the 2K series in a while, it might take some getting used to.
Variety is the spice of life
Whether you’re jumping into the new MyPlayer storyline, diving into the improved MyGM mode, or taking over a WNBA team, 2K has added a ton of depth to its various game modes across all venues.
For example, the latest MyPlayer storyline provides you with a whole career’s worth of gameplay, going from your early days in high school to your first start as a rookie in the league. You need to earn your way to the top, and along the way, you’ll experience many challenges that will test your skills on many stages.
As a MyGM connoisseur, I was thrilled to see the depth of the new manager mode in 2K25. First off, you can choose to manage a team in a collection of different eras, including a chance to break the destructive dynasty built by the Golden State Warriors for the 2016-17 season and beyond.
Since I’m a fan of the Toronto Raptors, this era is extra special for me. Our Kawhi Leonard-led Raps broke the streak in 2019, but now I can lead the Raptors—or any other organization—to stop this behemoth from turning into the monsters they became in that time frame.
Granted, some of the sections in the MyGM mode felt shallow, including the new MyGM Building, a bona fide apartment where you barely speak to three of your staff and a star player. These new interactions feel pretty hollow, with little consequence for how you react or answer requests from staff or players—and it doesn’t help that the animations for people who aren’t in a cutscene or on-court are pretty lackluster.
The WNBA has also been given some much-needed game modes for those looking to build a dynasty and make history. As a WNBA MyPlayer, you can build your legacy from two different backgrounds, control a team and help them win a championship, or play online.
Is NBA 2K25 a cop or a drop?
As one of the few additions to the 2K franchise that has felt significantly changed, 2K25 has impressed me as a player who constantly keeps expectations low and gets disappointed anyway. Its revamped movement and animations make the game feel much smoother and more satisfying, while its smorgasbord of game modes keeps you entertained and busy.
The only major negative I ran into was the many crashes and frame drops on PC during the opening days of early access. It was very frustrating and gave me PTSD from previous years, but after Patch 1.3, it seems like the game is running a bit smoother for some, including me. (At least I can load into the game instead of crashing while downloading shaders.)
There are still moments when FPS drops to unbearable values, and these performance issues are major turn-offs in a sports game on the PC. With people still reporting issues after the 1.3 update, 2K still has some work to do to make sure they can get people through the door because when you get past these problems, there is a gem of a basketball sim waiting on the other side.
