Review: NBA 2K21

For basketball enthusiasts familiar with the series, NBA 2K21 offers an engaging experience. While many elements remain consistent with its predecessor, NBA 2K20, the developers have refined specific aspects of the gameplay.

As someone who appreciates narrative-driven games, I began with “My Career” mode. Similar to Madden 21, the mode starts in high school, where the protagonist is convinced by the basketball coach to abandon American football and join the basketball team. The premise centers on the player character being the son of a celebrated, deceased basketball player, striving to live up to his legacy. However, the overarching narrative feels somewhat underdeveloped. It transitions from memories of training with his late father to navigating media pressure and relationship challenges in the present. Upon being drafted into the NBA, the storyline abruptly concludes, leaving the narrative without a satisfying resolution.

Disregarding the story’s shortcomings for a moment, “My Career” mode presents some notable strengths. The animated sequences exhibit a higher level of polish compared to those in Madden 21. The performances of the actors in the main roles stand out; their portrayals are believable and contribute to a more immersive experience. The cast includes notable talent, which merits highlighting.

Jesse Williams, known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and The Butler, portrays the deceased father (Duke). Djimon Hounsou, an Oscar-nominated actor with appearances in films like Blood Diamond, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Fast And The Furious & Shazam!, plays the coach who encourages the protagonist to pursue basketball.

For players seeking quick offline matches, modes such as “Triple Threat” (3 vs 3), Arcade, Exhibition, or “My Career” offer a fluid experience. The game’s graphics are well-executed, delivering the expected visual fidelity for the PS4 platform at this stage in its lifecycle. Player likenesses, both in the story mode and among the NBA teams, are easily recognizable, capturing their appearance and signature playing styles.

NBA 2K21 Online

Players can control entire NBA teams in online matches. In single-player mode, the option to select a team freely remains, alongside the ability to play 3v3 with a “squad” (online friends) while controlling a created player. The 3v3 matches perform smoothly, exhibiting minimal lag or latency. However, assembling six random players to initiate a match can be a protracted process.

Full team play online functions effectively overall. One drawback encountered was the ability for opponents to pause the game freely without requiring a timeout, which also pauses the game for the other player.

Controlling a single player necessitates a total of ten participants, which can lead to extended wait times. In one instance, a 40-minute wait yielded only four players, precluding participation in that particular game mode.

From a gameplay perspective, NBA 2K21 demonstrates improved fluidity compared to previous iterations and other contemporary sports titles, with fewer instances of lag or crashes (a prevalent issue in Madden 21). Compared to last year’s NBA 2K20, player movement, both with and without the ball, appears more realistic. While the improvement is not dramatic, it is noticeable.

The new “skill stick” function, combined with the existing timing-based shooting mechanism, can prove frustrating. The controls feel overly sensitive. Even with a player built with the “sniper” trait, designed for excelling at long-range shots, successfully making those shots relies heavily on achieving an “excellent release.” The precision required by these mechanics means that even slightly early or late releases result in missed shots approximately 98% of the time.

The “My Team” and “My League” online modes remain largely unchanged. Players can earn in-game currency to spend in these modes through extensive play. However, the amount earned is typically insufficient to acquire desired items or upgrades without resorting to real-money transactions. The game’s interface makes it very easy to navigate to the microtransaction store. While these microtransactions are not mandatory, their inclusion in a full-price game remains a contentious issue (distinct from free-to-play titles).

In conclusion, NBA 2K21 provides an entertaining and enjoyable overall experience. However, its complexity may present a barrier for newcomers seeking a casual arcade basketball experience. The game’s difficulty settings, ranging from Pro, All-Star, Superstar, to Hall of Fame, translate to a spectrum from challenging to exceptionally difficult, potentially discouraging less experienced players.

Footnote: An enhanced version of NBA 2K21 is also available for next-generation consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X).