NBA 2K22 Review

NBA 2K is the gold standard in modern sports video games - at least for basketball.

However, that doesn't mean billion-dollar franchises can't be improved. The desire for bold and innovative innovations has grown over the years, particularly due to the absence of new features that take advantage of next-gen power beyond graphics and presentation, which are, to be honest, top-tier.

It is widely believed that the 2K you get on the PS5 system is comparable to the PS4's, so why pay more? We will be focusing on the gameplay changes that we believe make this experience better than last year's 2K.

Changes in gameplay are key

NBA2K22 appears to follow the same format as its predecessor. The main menu remains the same, with the exception of a few new players and placements.

However, there are some notable differences in the gameplay that reflect the actual trajectory of basketball as a game.

Comparing it to last year's game, our broad-strokes assessment shows that there is less room for error; everyone on the court poses a threat; even the simplest errors can lead to frustration.

2K22 has finally seen the 3-point revolution in real games.

The AI of 2K has become more intelligent than ever before. It is not enough to simply stop the ball-handler of your opponent from achieving a defensive possession. This is partly due to the quicker and more visible "off-ball", which leads to open cuts, 3-point attempts, and higher conversion volume than 2K21.

The 3-point shot is game-changing. NBA2K veterans will tell you that even the simplest contest can make a huge difference in the outcome of an outside jumpshot. This is no longer true. If you are a quarter second late, it's still 3 points for your opponent, even if they don't have high ratings. Steph Curry is a master of his craft.

The player gets the same chance. A 3-ball released perfectly will unlock a camera angle that allows you to see the ball sink into the basket. This is followed by a mini celebration.

Playstyle changes

My style relies on picking-and-roll offense and relentlessly attacking the rim. I had to adjust my playing style shortly after my first matchup (Hall of Fame difficulty). This was my first loss on 2K against a CPU player in over a year.

My offense didn't look like a clogged toilet until I took advantage of 3-point prowess and advanced spacing. My preferred penetrating play style was easier to execute, which I added to the two-pronged attack with the outside touch. However, winning is all about strong defense.

This is not an easy task. Even if you accomplish 10 of the 10 defensive objectives correctly, your opponents will still score more because the ball somehow fell under the rim. This happens more often than you might think.

Another example is that you might shut down the person who handles the ball first, only for another to open up because a colleague was crushed by a screen. The game's versions are modeled after real-life players, particularly on defense.

The AI's ability to shut down pick-and-roll plays has improved. No longer can the command of "ask-for-a-screen-and-dunk-it" be rinsed and repeated.

It is the little things that can make a difference, such as your opponent bumping you before he reaches you or the quicker containment of the initial defense, that make it necessary to have a plan B orC, especially as time passes.

It is more difficult to do alley-oops. It is not easy to throw a ball for Bam Adebayo and have him catch it.

Although the basic principle of throwing a lob is the same (double tap triangle on PlayStation), it's more difficult to tap square at the right moment to get the dunk.

Although it is initially difficult, the end result is rewarding once you have mastered the problem.

The presentation adds to its appeal. The crowd is diverse, with empty seats for certain arenas (*cough Miami*). 2K enlisted the help of actual in-arena barkers from each team in order to include audio in'22.

Although graphics of arenas, jerseys and faces have been slightly improved, I don't blame anyone who claims it's the exact same.

Many prefer to stay with the older versions, while others seek marginal changes with every yearly installment (including updated rosters), but one thing is certain: NBA 2K continues to fulfill its purpose. This is to allow you to play what is the closest representation of NBA culture and play.