NBA 2K23 launched worldwide and across platforms on 9th September touting new animations, better graphics, online interactions and the return of the Jordan Challenge. We had a look at the game and here is our experience.
Let’s start by taking a look back. NBA 2K23 has all the usual kind of fun that you would expect. Pickup the controller and jump into a 5v5 game of your choice. The attention to detail really shines in these situations. From better and more nuanced animations to beautiful cutscenes, the overall look of the game is definitely improved.
The AI, while still at times the can be a bit clueless, has gotten an overall improvement giving you a bit more confidence while playing and also making games a bit more fun.
Simply triggering a shot doesn’t guarantee the basket, many factors need to be looked at and the player really does matter.
The Jordan challenge is a brilliant game mode for any Jordan fan. It’s full of nostalgia that almost acts like an interactive guided tour of some of Michael Jordan’s greatest moments. If you are a Jordan fan, who isn’t, then you would genuinely enjoy this.
For seasoned NBA 2K players, the MyTeam and MyCareer modes might seem familiar but there are still various complications to consider. The physical attributes and badges make a much bigger difference this time around that in 2K22. For someone who is jumping into NBA 2K for the first time, the career mode can be quite daunting to set up. Unfortunately there are no real guides to help you along and short of finding a tutorial online, you have to figure things out yourself. Once you set it up though, this mode can be quite fun.
The NBA 2K23 career turns the game into a type of open world RPG. A huge open world map with a lively city. There is lots going on around you, with many online players jumping in and out. You can even do random 2v2, 3v3, etc pickup games. There is a career story going on here and if you want to get crazy you can even use the 2K app to upload a photo of yourself to build a character that looks like you.
The biggest problem that MyCareer has is that it is riddled with micro transactions. Sure, you can make this game your second job and grind to earn that coin, but the most enjoyable way to play this game is to spend more money, buy the in-game currency and spend it on frivolous things like clothes or level up your character. Micro transactions are not unique to any game and it’s a gaming industry wide trope that is sadly here to stay. It’s no surprise that it’s in NBA 2K23.
If you look at the gameplay itself, NBA 2K23 is definitely lacking finesse. While the overall controls are pretty accurate, the animations and graphics are not bleeding edge. For a game that is 150GB (on the PS5), the crowd and supporting characters (like on court interviewers etc) are not great to look at. You even have some strange issues when players seem to be inside each other. All these things break the illusion of how beautiful this game can be, with some of the top players being so well created, while other player’s characters barely look like their real world counterparts.
This is not to take away from the fact that NBA 2K23 is a fun game to play with a friend. Get a bunch of friends together, hook up your controllers and play a 5v5 match. You can do this online as well, but there is something really enjoyable about sitting with your friends IRL in this post-pandemic, metaverse expanding world.
Overall NBA 2K23 is a fun game to play. The career mode provides enough to keep you entertained for hours, the Jordan challenge is a great trip down memory lane. But most of all playing with a friend is a treat just like all the previous iterations of NBA 2K. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, it’s up to you.
The main question is, if you have NBA 2K22, do you really need to get 2K23? The real answer is, if you just wanna play with friends, then no. If you want to play solo or have the need to relive Jordan’s golden years, then yes. It’s your call.
