NBA 2K20 Review – Off the Backboard

No one can argue that this is undoubtedly the year where 2K Sports is straightening its crown once again, outing the competition and silencing the naysayers. Running with the tagline “Next is Now,” NBA 2K20 has looked over their previous releases and listened to the community, delivering one of the best overall experience’s players could ask for. Just another Visual Concept.

NBA 2K20 is back for another year and rather than seeing a handful of innovation, 2K has gone back to the drawing boards between what’s worked over the years and what the community has asked for. In addition, we are graced with the WNBA, while not at the park this year, still making a bold statement. With as good as 2K20 looks and plays, you have to wonder are they holding back the sauce for 2K21, which may potentially release on Next Gen.

2K Remains Untouchable

First, let’s get this out the way; visually, NBA 2K20 is as stunning as ever, continuing to be where 2K stands out. Players likeness is stellar, and just as aesthetically pleasing when creating your face scan for MYCARRER and to stroll around the neighborhood. In a game that creates a unique RPG every year, it definitely enhances the story and progression.

This year in NBA 2K20, the devs have found more ways to make every player feel like a genuine architype on the court, both NBA players and MyPlayer. After creating your player, you’re introduced to a Pie Charts to determine what’s important to you and your overall atrributes. From there YOU decide how you want your build to look on your Road to 99. And finally, for the first time ever, you can test your build before finalizing your MyPLAYER.

For those that invested years and tons of VC into their gameplay, having an opportunity to not only find your perfect build, but testing them and their overall from 60-99 is insane. This is the first year we can’t complain about not making the right skill type or wasting VC through an unnecessary grind. But after strategically fine tuning your player, it’s on to your new career.

Shooting mechanics are tweaked a bit this year as well, requiring a bit more timing and strategy. Gratefully your release isn’t as unforgiving as 2K19 when not shooting a guaranteed green release. Instead, it feels more simplified, especially after you pick up certain badges with your MyPLAYER.

Another Year, Another Career

The MyCAREER story kicks off you playing as “Che,” team captain for the Bay City Flames looking to win the Conference Finals. Taking the win should be the biggest highlight, but unfortunately your friend and teammate (Porter) suffers from a career ending leg injury. With Porter losing his scholarship and spot on the team, you decide to stand up by standing out of the next game, a bold statement that also cost your team’s season to end abruptly.

3 months from graduating you drop out after the school turns on you and your mom begin to receive threats, redefining your path to the NBA from the Portsmouth Invitational to the NBA Combine. This career is all about following your gut rather than the straightforward cutscenes in-between. Prepare to make some right and wrong decisions and learn to accept the consequences from doing so. Will you get in that extra bit of practice or skip out to hand out with another ball player? You make the tough choices.

Your career is bigger than how you play each game this year, but how you practice as well. This year’s MyPLAYER evolves more around badge progression rather than overall. And there’s not a better way to climb this obstacle than MyCAREER. Completing team practices can earn you double XP during your games, filling your attributes and badge progression meter faster. This is another win as you are able to decide what badges you’d like to unlock and upgrade rather than grinding in one direction.

To be honest, there are two major setbacks to look forward to; the first being the length of the MyCAREER story. While most character developments are on average the entire first season, 2K20 decided to give it all to you in the first few hours of gameplay. This was a nightmare as I found myself watching way more than I was playing, leaving the overall story both intriguing and dull.

After completing the career story, presentation reverts to an older career where your coach gives pregame, halftime and postgame feedback for the team. In-between, Team practice is based on your overall performance and position. Playing as a PG, until I earned the ability to choose, most of my practices were perimeter based and actually helped me grow my character.

The Neighborhood

The neighborhood is honestly more of the same in comparison to 2K19, which in enjoyment isn’t a bad thing. Hit the Daily spin for a chance of winning VC free items, then make your way to the gym for as much stamina, strength and more; needed for your career and on the court.

I wish there were a few new additions this year as it’s all the same, leaving most players looking forward to simply enjoy a quick game or creating a squad with friends.

THE WNBA and MyTEAM

The WNBA makes their NBA 2K debut and gameplay is solid. Don’t expect anything less than perfection as our first run was with the Las Vegas Aces and it felt just as smooth as an NBA game. We didn’t manage to get any dunks in as we found a few fast breaks with no icing on the cake. I only wish the Women of then NBA could’ve found their own way to the Neighborhood or created a ladies’ only court to give them more recognition in 2K20. WNBA does however have a full season opportunity in MyLEAGUE.

MyTEAM over the years has become one of the most player and lucritave modes available for 2K Sports. Like Madden’s and FIFA’s Ultimate Team, you can buy pack of cards in hopes of opening the best deck and building a unique team to take online (of offline) to complete challenges and earn more cards. You can also evolve certain cards as you complete special objectives. It’s hard to recommend this particular mode unless you are willing to invest VC towards earning cards or buying them through auctions. But for those that do, it can become quite rewarding in the end.

VERDICT

NBA 2K20 continues to draw players into the most authentic video game experience ever. With a few flaws that seem to be fixed after early updates, gameplay (specifically MyCAREER) deserves its moment in the limelight once again. As aforementioned, I would’ve love seeing more with the WNBA aside from Play Now and MyLEAGUE, but it’s still a great start to what it can become.