Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

[AIRJ23]

This is not me trying to recklessly trash the game. And these are screenshots taken off of YouTube vids for both 2K25 and 2K23. I understand gameplay stuff is a separate convo.

I’ve publicly trashed 2K24’s graphics as many have. So I’m not including it in this comparison.

In my opinion, 25 still looks more cartoony and less dynamic than 23, particularly the hardwood and lighting. But here are some pics for you to judge.

25 will be the upper pic in each comparison.

I’m extra surprised at how much they’ve regressed with the Lakers court based on this.

[AIRJ23]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Couple more.

[vetmin]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

...meanwhile, here's 2K16 (on PC, but with no mods and no reshades or other filters; 2K's color work on new-gen has been genuinely baffling to me):

[EccentricMeat]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

...meanwhile, here's 2K16 (on PC, but with no mods and no reshades or other filters; 2K's color work on new-gen has been genuinely baffling to me):

Good lord, that puts things in perspective.

[AIRJ23]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

...meanwhile, here's 2K16 (on PC, but with no mods and no reshades or other filters; 2K's color work on new-gen has been genuinely baffling to me):

That’s just insanity. How the lighting has regressed so drastically is a pure mystery.

2K25 not only doesn’t look good to me but now they’ve made the crowd darker than ever. You literally can’t see the crowd in the Celtics and Lakers pics. Who thinks seeing no audience makes for a more immersive and rich experience?

[Pray_iv_m3rcy]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Yikes. I knew it didn't look great but that's an eye sore for sure. Is Proplay, city, or Eras taking up too much space? Maybe this is just a developer preference.

[AIRJ23]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Yikes. I knew it didn't look great but that's an eye sore for sure. Is Proplay, city, or Eras taking up too much space? Maybe this is just a developer preference.

My guess is proplay is sapping tons of resources of course on top of city and everything else taking tons of space. There’s no other excuse for consecutive years of the game, namely courts, looking objectively much worse.

[49UNCFan]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Not enough resources. As you notice 2k14 was barebones and had great graphics. The more content they add the harder it is for graphics unfortunately. This is where the PS5 Pro and PC will help out.

[AIRJ23]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Yeah it’s wild. Like I said, proplay likely isn’t worth what I already perceive as graphical downgrades in this game based on the specific way I play the game.

BUT..

This game with mods sounds like it can be freaking unbelievable based on mods I’ve seen for older 2K games. Problem is I have ZERO idea how mods work and how to download them for a game. Would I have to “hack” anything or is it easy?

Also that’d mean I’d have to buy a whole PC setup just for the game which is kinda crazy.

Otherwise based on these visuals if I stay on console I don’t see myself moving from 2K23 for yet another year. Especially with no real changes to MyNBA for the second straight year.

[vetmin]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

This game with mods sounds like it can be freaking unbelievable based on mods I’ve seen for older 2K games. Problem is I have ZERO idea how mods work and how to download them for a game. Would I have to “hack” anything or is it easy?

Mods are easy to use. For most mods it's as simple as downloading them, then dragging them into a folder called... you guessed it, "Mods".

Some mods are a little more involved to properly configure, but creators always explain what to do.

Also that’d mean I’d have to buy a whole PC setup just for the game which is kinda crazy.

You need a computer for life stuff, right? To me PC is actually the cheapest option for playing 2K since I don't have the double expense of a console and a computer, I just have the computer.

[VictorMG]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Mods are easy to use. For most mods it's as simple as downloading them, then dragging them into a folder called... you guessed it, "Mods".

Some mods are a little more involved to properly configure, but creators always explain what to do.



You need a computer for life stuff, right? To me PC is actually the cheapest option for playing 2K since I don't have the double expense of a console and a computer, I just have the computer.

Creating a setup to play games on PC can be a little intimidating when you've had nothing but consoles your whole life; I feel like PC is much less straightforward than "Connect console to TV, turn on console, play."

[The 24th Letter]

Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Unless you’re really really getting deep into the weeds….its honestly just a lot of dragging and dropping. It’s just a matter of knowing where To add to that, there are at least 5 creators a year that will drop detailed tutorials with video too.

Finding the PC that’s right for you is probably the hardest part.

If you’re a stickler for details to the point that it ruins your game experience, PC gaming is the way to go. I’m on the lower end of that spectrum and still feel my PC was a great investment.

Edit: vet check your PM of your get a chance, nothing major

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vetmin]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Creating a setup to play games on PC can be a little intimidating when you've had nothing but consoles your whole life; I feel like PC is much less straightforward than "Connect console to TV, turn on console, play."

Honestly it doesn't have to be much more complicated than that. You don't really need to "create" a setup to play games. Just buy a gaming PC with good enough specs, and from there boot it up, make a Steam account, buy the game through Steam, and play it. XBox controllers work seamlessly on Windows (because Microsoft).

The part that's harder than console is that not every PC is identical, of course, so some consumer research is advisable before rushing into a purchase, but it's mostly standard computer-shopping stuff (hard drive space, RAM, graphics card, etc.) and the specs are clearly listed on Steam (see screenshot below).

(EDIT: Honestly, the simplest thing to do is to just Google "2024 best gaming pcs" and look at the articles that pop up in major publications, like PC Mag, Wired, IGN, whatever, and just buy something that's in your budget and seems be the right tier spec-wise. 2K isn't some super unique game that needs a really uniquely configured PC to run, and generally when you buy the sorts of computers you see in those articles, all of the specs are pretty well in line with each other. Like, if it has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, which is a tier above the recommended RTX 2070 you see in the specs below, I can almost guarantee you without even looking at the other specs that everything on that PC will be fine. It's not like major names are selling PCs with amazing graphics cards but are 1997-tier for everything else. Obviously be sure to look everything over, but the key is mostly just buying the right tier. I'd recommend as much storage as you can afford though. You can easily end up playing a game that is basically modded everything, which takes up a lot of space, and it's nice to not have to uninstall all of that when the next game comes out too. 1TB is good, 2TB is better.)

All that said, it can become way messier and more complicated, but that's only if—as you get more comfortable—you begin complicating your PC and mod setup in order to achieve some sort of goal you have. In that case, you're doing so because your understanding is growing, which is making you realize new ways you can improve your experience. Nobody starts from there, and plenty of people never stray very far from "Open Steam, turn on 2K, and play"... just with some mods dropped in their "Mods" folder that makes the game look and feel more polished.

[hesko]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

The extra stuff in the game is cool, but I'd like to see that space used for cosmetics used for gameplay advancement. Probably a tuff balance trying to please casuals, comps, and sims tho.

[nitsujneal]

Re: Graphics comparison: 2K23 vs 2K25

Just purchased my first gaming PC a month ago for this reason exactly. I don’t think these consoles are as powerful as they were initially made out to be. Graphics throughout gaming entirely, have not taken the leap we expected this generation. The more they add to the game, the more they have to cut corners, visually. Sucks but it is what it is.

In terms of PC, It’s either jump on the train or stay left behind. It’s scary entering a whole new world , trying figure the ins and outs of modding. It’s a challenge I’m willing to embrace though.