NBA 2k7 (360 version) Preview
 

TroyF, myself, and other 360 owners on here have raved about 2k6 and along with college hoops it is my favorite 360 game, so I've kept a periodic eye out for the next version. Today on Operation Sports, I just read the preview and there were some jaw dropping things I read:

http://previews.operationsports.com/...game=nba2k7360


- Over 250 signature jump shots.

- Progressive Fatigue - Play a guy for 45 minutes and expect him to start the next game tired particularly if it is a back to back. This is a feature I've wanted for a long time in a basketball game.

- Different passing styles and a method to choose between overhead, chest, or bounce passes.

- Revamped post game with different style of moves. Every player will be able to use each style, but based on ratings they will have different efficiencies with those styles. Styles include: Power ("Shaq type moves"), finesse moves ("Duncan type moves"), and Quickness based moves (
("Carmelo" type moves.) They give an example of Dirk excelling at the Finesse and Quickness moves.

- AI that controls each player on the bench, each coach, and the mascot. They will react to each event as it happens.

- Improved Substitution AI.

- Up to 8 players in multi player franchise mode! :)

- More realistic post defense with dunks being much more difficult to execute. The ease that I could get dunks off was one of my big criticisms of last year, so this could be very nice.

- The previewer says the demo was short, but the fouls seem much more realistic at default levels without adjusting sliders.

- Only downside is that they might not able to include authentic representations of all 30 arenas in this year's game, but they are working towards that goal.


On an unrelated note, I'm looking forward to playing my first game of NBA 2k6 and College Hoops on my new HDTV tonight :)

Do you really need to choose between different passing styles? At this level of basketball, I would expect the players to figure out the best style for the situation.

You don't have to, but it sounds like there will be combinations of buttons to press if you want to do so. I think it is a nice addition as 2k6 overutilized the overhead pass when it wasn't always the best choice.

That is true. Hopefully the AI won't try to jump in front of so many passes and getting itself out of position in the next version.

Easily the best Xbox360 sports game thus far. By far and away the single best basketball game I've ever played on any system.

I hope they utilize the college hoops style of substituting this year as well. It's nice to not have to go to a seperate menu to sub guys in and out.

For the first time ever, I'm looking forward to this game (and was before you even posted that) than to any of the football releases scheduled for the fall.

I wonder if they'll have the Oklahoma City and New Orleans courts.

Eaglefan27

What hdtv you end up getting?

As the risk of being accused of possessing mad hype skills, I thought I'd mention that this is my most anticipated 360 game for the remainder of the year. OS has gotten their hands on a version for several days now. So far, they haven't found any bugs.

Several things I like:

- Progressive fatigue sounds like it will be nicely implemented. Not overdone, but just a moderate effect if a guy plays too many minutes too many nights in a row.

- There are team specific sliders for every team in the league if you don't like the default way they run their teams that can be adjusted by the human coach. These sliders include: Game tempo, Crash boards, Fast break, Def. pressure, Bench usage, Help defense strength, Help recovery speed, Pound ball inside, Settle for jumpers, Rely on 3pt shot, Attack the basket, Finish strong at basket, Look for post players, Prefer 1 on 1 play, Tend to overdribble, Use finesse inside, Follow missed shots, Pass w/ Flair
Prone to foul, Clog passing lanes, Reach on def and Contest shots.

However, it seems like early previewers are saying they won't need to be adjusted much at all, as at default, teams are playing like their real counterparts with teams like the Heat pounding it inside and teams that don't have a good big man relying more on their perimeter game.


- 3 way trades are implemented and you can trade future draft picks as well as current picks.

- Signature styles seem like they are well implemented. Players move more than ever like their real life counterparts (they did this for the star player on each team as well as 3-5 players for the bigger teams that have multiple star players.)

- Like last year, the sim stats look very good at the end of the year.

Anyway, I'll judge for myself in about 3 weeks when this is due to be out, but so far the previews have me very excited about this game.

I'll keep an eye on this, but for basketball the college game really interests me WAY more. So, I'm curious to see if any of this is put into NCAA 2k7.

I'll be picking this game up at the earliest opportunity, which is probably mid-October for me. I can't wait. :)

thanks EF27. If this game bombs, it's all on you. Freakin hype machine.

I just popped NFL Head Coach into my PC last night, and after 2 minutes, I was cursing EaglesFan27 again. He's lucky that I moved out of Louisiana, because I'd have to hurt him if he were nearby. :mad:

looks like live is better game

agree

ea sports website say so

The team sliders sound great, but what happens when the rosters change? Will the sliders adjust to take advantage of the talent on the court? Or will the teams try to bring in players that fit their system? And are the sliders attached to the team or the coach?

It could be a great system. Hope it's done well...

Those are all great questions. I look forward to finding out the answers down the road.

One big deal that I forgot to mention is the game will have fully functional online leagues with trades/injuries, full seasons, draft, etc. The league can also start with a fantasy draft if they choose. I probably won't use this much unless my best friend in NJ wants to do a small online league because it is hard to sync up playing times, but the game has a lot of options there too, including your VIP profile (which measures many of your tendencies and supposedly plays like you) can play your game or the game can be simulated if it is holding up the league.

NBA 2k7 is one of my most anticipated 360 games this year also (along with Phantasy Star Universe, Rainbow Six Vegas, and Gears of War). Those are the only 4 games I plan on picking up in '06. Hopefully several FOFC'ers pick it up so we can all play online :)

When is NBA 2k7 coming out? I picked up College Hoops 2k6 for $20 and had a blast with it the only time I played it. Would it be worth getting NBA 2k6 for $30 with the next version coming out soon?

Using the VIP profiles for a league is a FANTASTIC idea....

Ok, I'm getting more and more interested in this.

I just pre-ordered it today. It will be in most stores on the 25th of September.

Edit: Had a brain infarct. It will actually be the 26th for most stores.

Is there going to be a college hoops 2k7 this year?

Oh, yes. http://www.2ksports.com/games/choops2k7/

I'm getting amped about this one, too. :D

The fatigue carrying from game to game is the feature that interests me the most. I will pre-order this one as well.

That is probably my 2nd most anticipated game for the 360 this year (assuming it doesn't get delayed into next year, like it did last year.)

oh great more hype

thanks

I must use my hype and hypnotic powers for evil.

Did last years version of CH and NBA on the 360 allow players to be drafted from CH? I know the XBox version does (after a patch).

Yes, but it was poorly implemented in some regards (sometimes players would change skin colors and other wonky things.)

However, if these 2 games are as good as I'm hoping they will be, I'll probably do a good length career with both games and do all NCAA draft classes.

Wonky...gotta love that word. :)

I'll probably get a 360 once those 2 come out. I'm still holding out hope that a price drop will happen...

NBA 2k7 demo is supposed to be available starting at 2:00 AM PST tonight. I'll be downloading it Friday probably (I won't have much time to play tomorrow night and I figure the servers may get hammered for the first 24 hours anyway.)

Wow, games are coming at a furrious pace right now!

Awesome news.

Going to pick up the xbox 360 this weekend.

Oh yeah, the demo's details:

One 2 minute quarter game featuring Dallas vs Miami. Looking forward to seeing some of the signature styles of players on those teams.

Great, so I'll be playing a damned demo for three weeks now. :)

A little less than 2 weeks until the full version is out :)

Why buy 365, it better to wait for ferst impressin.

Impressions of the demo on OS are VERY positive with the biggest gripe being that some of the models don't look very much like the real player. So far, everyone is raving about the gameplay including stuff such as improved ball physics, rim physics, lead passing into the paint isn't an automatic basket anymore and is likely to lead to a turnover. You can now press L on the R analog stick to have a defender get more in a guy's face and really harass him, but it can lead to more fouls.

Lots of really good impressions on the gameplay. People say that dunks are MUCH harder to do. Dunks being too easy was my biggest gripe about 06. I can't wait to try the demo on Friday.

Dola -

It's actually a 4 minute quarter demo, not a 2 minute demo and there is a restart option after the game is over.

Edited to add this comment from one of the main editors over there:

This demo is going to sell a ton of games. That was the most realistic 5 min of basketball I've ever played.

Downloaded the demo last night. Two things I noticed: It's pretty fun. And also - I suck.

Reportedly, that is only pro difficulty level. So, if you start beating it consistently, there is quite a bit more challenge awaiting you with 2 higher difficulty levels. I'm looking forward to playing it after work tonight.

Yeah, I think it's pro difficulty cuz you're given 15 seconds to shoot FT's. They subtract 5 seconds each lvl you go up.

The demo seems really cool and the little stat bar at the bottom that always gives you the stats is an ingenious idea that nobody has used yet.

I am out of practice but I will be playing the demo some more before the release. This is a game I will be getting the day it comes out.

Darn, this demo is good. I've only played 10 games already, and I just want to keep playing more and more. It's only a demo, and it's only 4 minutes long, but it feels more like the real sport that it attempts to model more than any team game video game console that I can remember.

Interestingly, this demo makes me want to return Madden and use the money towards NHL 2k7 which I've read very good reviews about at multiple sites (although I don't see many comments about it here.) NHL 2k7 if it is as good as I'm reading and this game once it comes out could fill all of my sports console gaming needs (along with NCAA FB which I'm enjoying with the current sliders I'm using.)


Back to comments about NBA 2k7, going inside is SO much more difficult than in previous versions. A good pick can help you accomplish it at times, as well as some of the better dribblers, but it feels much more realistic, and the post defense feels punishing. Also, fouls actually feel right on default settings.

I'm d/l this demo now.. but read my comments in the NHL thread. :)

WOW, I'm not much on the NBA.. but damn did 2k sports do the same immersive job the did with NFL 2k5.

Last year's game was very fun. But the demo for this year... September is going to be a bad month for me....

He leaning toward NHL 2k7 over EA NHL 07.

Just finished my 20th "game" of the demo, I think. Amazing the variety of games that have been played in the 4 minute quarters. I've had 3-2 games and 12-10 games. Assuming the actual game plays the same, I see no reason that I won't be able to run 12 minute quarters. I can't wait.


To expound on my comments earlier, I realize that NHL 07 and 2k7 are pretty much neck and neck overall. As irrational as it might be, the quality of this demo makes me want to support VC and their games including 2k7. I know some people are saying NHL 07 has better gameplay, but Sully and quite a few people on OS who have played both are saying that NHL 2k7 has a more sim like gameplay and that NHL 07's AI isn't as good. Obviously, those are just some people's opinions.


Anyway, if they are similar overall, my recent sour experience with Madden is pushing me towards NHL 2k7, but I'm still considering just going with no more sports games as NBA 2k7 might eat up almost all of my console sports gaming time once it is released in 10 or so days.


Edited to add: I love the variety of FT shooting styles and how similar they look to the real player. I'm finding FT shooting with Shaq to be nearly impossible.

I'm unbiased when it comes to games, obviously if I liked the NBA, this game would be the end all for me.. and I like the demo quite a bit.

I just don't see it with the NHL 2k7 game though.. the AI in NHL 07 is quite good, imo and in 2k7 it's pass and speed burst to the other end for a shot.. to each his own though as I know many people like NHL 2k7.

NHL 07 is like MVP 05 was for me when it came out. Quite innovative and hard to go back to any other game of the same sport.

I don't really like the NBA, but NBA 2k6 was in my top-5 for number of games played for 2005-2006.

3-2 and 12-10? Is the game 4 minutes TOTAL or 4 minute quarters??

It's a demo of one 4 minute game.

I have a confession: I've been playing this demo every chance I get and I'd have to say, if you're an NBA fan, this game would be a system seller for sure. WOW, best looking sports game EVER on a console. It's amazing how much they have crammed into this little demo. Heck, I'm thinking about getting it as there is just so much to like.. and well, most of you know I don't follow the NBA much at all.

EF and Troy, you'll be VERY busy soon. :)

Yes, yes I will be.

Terrific game. Counting the hours til release. . .

I looking forward to this game on my new xbox 360.

Ditto.

I can't afford it until about 3 days after it comes out, but it's the first thing I'm buying from my new (permanent) job's paycheck. :D

U should wait for furst impressions.


(ok, last time I'll do that.)

IGN has a review up.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/733/733877p1.html

Reading now...

Based solely off the demo, I think the main reviewer significantly underestimated the game in his final score, while Jrob was more supportive of the game in his comments from that site. Will be interesting to see what they give Live. Also, interested in Gamespot's scores. It won't effect my choice at all, but it may effect some purchases and I'd hate to see sales drop and the product suffer because of relatively low scores on a review. I think the developers went for realism more than most games (all games) on consoles go for, and I just don't want to see that trend change.

Looking forward to this one. I just hope I don't get disappointed like I did with Madden 07 :rolleyes:

Wait, just caught this...

No more coal mining?!

Just preordered it from EB, looking forward to playing some games with you guys if you don't mind.

I'll be glad to play any of you guys online. However, I'm not very good with the isomoves yet.

I suck ass. Prepare to bury me by 50!

Yeah, still coal mining. I was a temp for 22 weeks, and I finally got hired by the coal miners on Labor Day. Due to the payroll procedures here, I won't receive my first paycheck until the 29th. The pay period went from the 4th to the 17th, and then there's a 12-day delay until we receive the money for that period. My last check from the temp agency arrived on the 6th, so I've been hurting for money for a little while now. Once I get that first check, though, I'll be spending a bit. :D

This is going to be a long weekend:

A few impressions from Pared on OS (who I usually agree with about games.) Oh yeah, he went to a release party with Shaq and a whole bunch of players with some cool pics on OS. He got the game at the release party:

---

Obviously, this is for the full game, not the demo.

I have been up playing this game for so many hours now... and let me just say, any low score or poor review must come from someone who does not watch the NBA.

This has to be the most impressive NBA game I have played in my life. It's that good.


From the minute you turn on the game to the minute you hit court, this game just screams HI QUALITY. The menu starts with a city fly-by similar to TNT's NBA broadcast. Music is very catch... some great old-school hip-hop beats thrown in the mix...

I have had a chance to play (more like, get my butt kicked-All-Star difficulty) with the Lakers, Cavs, Knicks, Nets, and Nuggets. Probably a few others, but I quit a few games halfway through to see some more sig styles.

And speaking of sig. styles... incredible. The team somehow paid attention to players that come off the bench... this isn't some 10 star player gimmick. You actually FEEL like you have the entire NBA at your disposal.

The team plays is even better than last year. The CPU will punish you if you play off players defensively... plus, they run a more fluid offense. I felt last year's game would punish you by driving it to the hole to easily if you attempted steals... which doesn't happen ALL the time in the NBA. This year, they've found such a great balance that you just feel like you're playing the Suns as the fastbreak on you... or the Heat as they utilize Dwayne Wade and Shaq. Playing against the Spurs, Tony Parker and Duncan were VERY difficult to stop... and I loved every minute of it. Star players certainly shine in this game... while role players still hold their own.

I haven't done anything but play a few Exhibition games... but I'm REALLY loving what I'm seeing. I'll post more as I get more time with the game.

Hopefully the game is well done. The demo is pretty good, but I was having trouble running the fast breaks effectively (like my players had to stop to catch the pass). Looking forward to getting the game next week!

Using the lead pass button is supposed to prevent the guys from having to stop to catch the pass, every time. However, there still will be errant passes on occasion that will mess up the fast break unless you have a very highly rated passer.


Also, reading the impressions thread, people are playing 12 minute quarters and getting scores like 98-83 with realistic shot attempts (around 80 per side) and generally realistic stats if they don't try to fast break too much. Early impressions are that out of the box, it is playing realistic fun basketball and not many slider adjustments will be needed (not even to fouls.)

Yeah, there are two pass buttons, the lead pass button will make it to where your player doesn't have to stop, but also be a little riskier. The standard pass button is safer, but no so good for fast breaks.

You can use the lead pass button even in half court sets. If you see a guy cuting through the lane, you'll want to use that button so he keeps his lead on the opposition.

Bump because the game is out on Tuesday. Apparently Best Buy is giving out a $10 giftcard with the purchase of the game on the 360! I'll definitely be picking this one up since free giftcards are sweet money. Hooray!!! :)

Preordered from Amazon yesterday, but probably won't get it until early October. :(

Another interesting feature that I've been reading about on OS, is that there is going to be something called Reel Center which will enable the sharing of highlight reels. The exact mechanism hasn't been revealed yet, but if they are viewable on the web, it has very interesting dynasty potential.


Edited to add: This is reportedly going to cost money to use, presumably to pay for the extra internet storage space.

Will there be enough interest of starting a XBox 360 league for NBA 2k7??

I'd be interested. As always, the challenge is coordinating everyone's schedules, but the new system seems to have some good ways to overcome that challenge.

I definitely want to be in a league. I call Grizzlies! :D

Nuggets

Troy, I like you, but if we get this league going, I'm going to try to kill Carmelo. It'll be like the old days of hitting Gretzky after the whistle on the Sega Genesis. Gotta get rid of the superstar. :)

Is there a way to do a fantasy draft for an online league? (BTW - I want the Cavs) ;)

http://reviews.operationsports.com/r...game=nba2k7360

10 out of 10!!

You try to kill Carmelo. And while you are trying to kill him, I'll make sure he's lighting your team up for 35 a night and that every player on him is in instant foul trouble. :)

I remember the days of the Gretzky hits. One time a friend and I playing coop hit him from the front, back and front again. As he snapped back his head hit the ice and the blood poured. We must have watched the replay 100 times.

To bad the only replay you'll get to see with Melo is him torching your team for buckets. :)

Ouch. I just got served. :D

I'll pick this one up for the Xbox, but this and College Hoops 2K7 will sell me on getting a 360. Love this series and I'm looking forward to continuing to play on the next gen. And I'll be up for a league once I get moved intot he new house and buy a 360. :)

I call Sixers. I think you can do a fantasy draft, but am not sure about that. Could be mixing it up with another game.

OS has their review up. They gave it a 10/10.

I'd be in for a league. But I'm not sure 82 games would be doable. I'll take the Bulls, escpecially if we do a fantasy draft.

I just got the call that it will be ready for pickup tomorrow!



I then found out from my wife that we will be dining with my Father-In-Law after work :( (He is coming into town tomorrow in anticipation of her birthday party this weekend.) So, I might only get 1 game in tomorrow evening.

I tought you were getting it at Best Buy, so you can get the gift certificate?

No, I never said that.

Best Buy is way out of the way for me. Gamestop is close to my work. The 10 dollars isn't worth the time I would waste heading all the way over to Best Buy, and I wouldn't definitely get the game. I'm pre-ordered from Gamestop as I usually do for a game I really want.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/spor...k7/review.html

Gamespot.com review (8.2 - bla)

Wow. I'm surprised the score isn't higher. Then again, they do have NBA Live ads all over the site.

Isn't that funny how that work...

Argh. I need to contact Microsoft and see about the procedure for getting my 360 fixed, as it still locks up games even after I put the Intercooler on, have the power pack off the floor, etc...

Then I need to pick up NCAA and NBA 2K7 :D

*I* will be getting NBA 2k7 from Best Buy tomorrow :)

I'd be up for a 360 league for sure. But uh, can we make it a 14 or 28 game schedule? (something way shorter than 82). I always play the 28 game schedules in the 1-player and it makes it so I can get through more seasons.

8.2 from Gamespot? That's a bummer, I need to see what the downsides are. Look for me online tomorrow night! :)

According to gamespot the downside is.

The Bad: Free throws are extremely difficult to make; controls are often unwieldy; not significantly improved over last year; questionable artificial intelligence.

dola

According to Gamespot also:

For a game that bills itself as "the next-generation champion," 2K7 has some significant problems. The artificial intelligence is spotty, with point guards dribbling away 10 to 15 seconds at a time if left unguarded at the top of the key, and players constantly rotating into mismatches. It's not uncommon to see a center guarding a point guard or vice versa. Not all of the AI is bad. When the computer is on defense, defenders will fight through picks, rotate quickly, and double-team the hot player. Players also have a difficult time picking up loose balls--they'll just stand there and watch the ball roll around. When someone dives to the floor to get a ball (99 percent of the time it's the computer), there doesn't appear to be any sort of animation for a defensive player to try and tie them up. Everyone will just mill about as the player on the floor sits there looking for someone to pass to.

Per one of the mods on OS who contacted the Gamespot reviewer, the gamespot review was done on the default level (Pro) where the AI is weaker to help newbies to the series. OS did their review on Superstar level where the AI is quite good.

Great news

I can't wait to pick this game up for the weekend.

OK, I wanna get this straight:

The Bad: Free throws are extremely difficult to make; controls are often unwieldy; not significantly improved over last year; questionable artificial intelligence


So FT, which you can change the setting on is a flaw. Unwieldy controls are a problem. (anyone, anyone have problems in the demo with control?) Again, controls which you can use as much of or as few as you desire. Not all that improved from last year, when anyone who has played the demo could see otherwise. (not sure what the demo was in, but I doubt it was superstar) and questionable AI. . . AI which was pretty darned good last year and again, by the demo, looks good this year.

Sounds like a wonderful review. Meanwhile you have the Operation Sports guy stating that the game is the best sports game he's ever played. Hmmm. . . FWIW, last year I think I stopped on all star level and was challenged plenty.

Oh well, to each his own. I did something with this game I never do. I reserved it at Gamestop. Got the call tonight it would be in tomorrow. Unlike EF27, I have no other commitments tomorrow night outside of the game. Don't bother contacting me online tomorrow, I'm gonna be going to be playing some games and setting up a franchise. (may even sim a few years in franchise)

I'll post impressions. I am an unabashed fanboy of this game though. If anyone is on the fence, you may want to read other reviews. I'll tell you if it sucks (which would be the most dissapointing news in my gaming history), but the likely scenario will have me raving about the game.

Don't blame me if you buy it and hate it. Not my fault. :)

I agree - if we do get this league going then we'll for sure have to make the season shorter. 28 games sounds perfect.

I think 28 games for a season would be great. I don't know how the schedule works, but the number of games is reasonable. I mean, with 28 games, do you play almost every team once, or do you only play within your conference, or does it work some other way? I'd check on NBA 2K6, but I don't have it anymore. It doesn't matter anyway. I'm just curious.

I'll get the game on Friday unless I can scrounge up a lot of extra pennies before payday... which I'm going to try to do. :D