NBA 2K11 Review

[NINJAK2]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

Agreed. Even though it's not a deal breaker like it was in 2K9 and 2K10. I have to admit, the controls are much more improved than in recent years, but it's nowhere near as fluid as it was in CH 2K8. Depsite what has been touted, there are still sluggish controls and hanging animations. Also, there are nagging issues like players constantly picking up their dribbles during contact, inconceivable steals by the AI, and out-of-control pass attempts when your intended pass recipient is caught up in some hanging animation after getting bumped (FRUSTRATING). Even with these issues, it's still one of the better basketball titles I've ever played - and I've been playing bball games since Jordan vs Bird (on the Tiger handheld, no less). I just hope that 2K can resolve some of the issues that are present through a patch, then maybe we just may have one of, if not the best sports game ever.

This is one of my favorite additions to 2k11- the physicality. It has been missing for a while and it is a big part of the NBA game in general. We are talking about 10 grown men on the court ranging anywhere between sizes of 6'1" to 7'2"+ all trying to execute gameplans. Guys are colliding and bumping into each other routinely over the course of a game. The NBA is certainly not as brutal as the 80's and 90's but plenty of on ball and off ball contact takes place on almost every possession. Forcing ball handlers to pick up their dribble with good D is a welcome addition imo. Who knows what the game would be like if they took this out with a patch(Dunk city USA). Getting to the paint untouched is about reading the defense, creating space, and getting the d out of position allowing u to get where u want. All these principles apply in 2k11 as well..

Great review OS..

[DaReapa]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

This is one of my favorite additions to 2k11- the physicality. It has been missing for a while and it is a big part of the NBA game in general. We are talking about 10 grown men on the court ranging anywhere between sizes of 6'1" to 7'2"+ all trying to execute gameplans. Guys are colliding and bumping into each other routinely over the course of a game. The NBA is certainly not as brutal as the 80's and 90's but plenty of on ball and off ball contact takes place on almost every possession. Forcing ball handlers to pick up their dribble with good D is a welcome addition imo. Who knows what the game would be like if they took this out with a patch(Dunk city USA). Getting to the paint untouched is about reading the defense, creating space, and getting the d out of position allowing u to get where u want. All these principles apply in 2k11 as well..

Great review OS..

I don't have any problems with the contact, nor do I have a problem with players picking up their dribble during contact. I feel it's a welcomed feature that makes the game a lot less run-and-gun and somewhat more authentic. And I never wished that 2K would implement a patch that removes the feature. What I do have a problem with is the frequency of players picking up their dribble, which is more times than is should be happening. In a real life game, you don't see players picking up their dribble after every other time contact is initiated. Another problem I have with this is one game where I was playing as the Knicks with Amar'e Stoudemire against the Suns, and had what I thought was an advantageous mismatch with Steve Nash during a defensive switch. As I was backing him down, somehow my player stumbled and I lost control of the ball which caused me to pick up my dribble. Huh!!? With time running down on the shot clock, I had to settle for a fadeaway jumper - against Steve Nash, no less.

Again, I like the contact. There are just times like this example where it can get just plain ridiculous.

[NINJAK2]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

I don't have any problems with the contact, nor do I have a problem with players picking up their dribble during contact. I feel it's a welcomed feature that makes the game a lot less run-and-gun and somewhat more authentic. And I never wished that 2K would implement a patch that removes the feature. What I do have a problem with is the frequency of players picking up their dribble, which is more times than is should be happening. In a real life game, you don't see players picking up their dribble after every other time contact is initiated. Another problem I have with this is one game where I was playing as the Knicks with Amar'e Stoudemire against the Suns, and had what I thought was an advantageous mismatch with Steve Nash during a defensive switch. As I was backing him down, somehow my player stumbled and I lost control of the ball which caused me to pick up my dribble. Huh!!? With time running down on the shot clock, I had to settle for a fadeaway jumper - against Steve Nash, no less.

Again, I like the contact. There are just times like this example where it can get just plain ridiculous.

Ok. I got you DaReapa. When you initially described them as "nagging issues" and then I saw the word patch in your post I got worried. I see your issue with Amare though, just curious if you were trying to do a spin move,etc. to a certain direction and Nash beat you to the spot forcing you to lose dribble?

[JonahFalcon]

Why are there no sliders in My Player, by the way?

[JonahFalcon]

PS. My favorite part of shootarounds? Chasing loose balls around the gym. Yep.

[threes_co]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

Why are there no sliders in My Player, by the way?

To combat cheaters

[Dalsanto0026]

Patience is the key. Initially I thought offball player movement was non existent due to my impatience to find an open teammate but after shaking bad habits learned from previous titles I realised that if you run down the clock a little and wait for things to unfold you'll get some player movement and be able to make some nice passes and take some good shots.

This game is amazing. Easily the best basketball title I've ever played.

[DaReapa]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

I see your issue with Amare though, just curious if you were trying to do a spin move,etc. to a certain direction and Nash beat you to the spot forcing you to lose dribble?

Nah. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. I figured that since it was just Steve Nash guarding me, a simple back-down would suffice. Boy was I wrong. Even after picking up my dribble, I figured that I was close enough to attempt a leaner, but the game's overbearing animation and all it's infinite wisdom decided it was best that I do a fade-away jumper instead. Splendid. /s

[columbia wu]

You have to at least say /rant if you go on a diatribe like that.

Thank you Chase B, I have tried to tell people that 2k10 plays a better game of basketball and i get laughed at. I have yet to get a charge or be called for offensive charging in the game and I am unable to walk the ball up court with my point guard. I never fell like I have complete control over my player because I am forced into a canned animation. Great review by a true gamer

[columbia wu]

my mistake.....BlackRome thank you for a honest review. I agree with you 100%

[Control-X]

Best review I've read. Almost completely said it.
Now if only Charles Barkley is in the game!

[wheelman990]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

Beyond the ratings being given out by two different people about two different sports with completely different text for each game, I see no flaws here...

How about we just talk about this review rather than making every review about Madden? It might actually lead to something other than a tired argument.

(PS, news flash: reviews and scores are flawed. /shocker).

Shooters are judged by shooters, rpg by rpg, sports by sports. I see no reason not to compare them. In fact, I think it's silly not to.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Madden was either over rated, or 2k11 was knocked down a few. I realize it's two different reviwers, but even a blind man could see the different levels of quality in these games.

I bought Madden. Had I went on the basis you gave it a 9, and that 2k11 was a 9, I would have passed on 2K11 based on thinking quality to be close. I'm sorry you don't see it, but review scores are the bottom line. Have been for as long as review sites have been around.

Your reviewers do a nice job, I do enjoy reading the threads, but come on....these scores have been biased for along time. Like I said, it just doesn't add up.

I'm not even a reviewer, but if I gave the bottom line scores, Madden 11 =8, 2K11 =9, and The Show =9....I'd be willing to bet my money my scores would line up much better with the majority, which to me is what a review SCORE is about. Whats the majority going to rate it. It shouldn't be based on if the reviewer prefers football over basketball. Just my opinion.

If a game was fantastic, but I gave it a 8 because I hate the sport of the game, how does that help buyers? Review scores are flawed, yes......but they don't have to be. If the critics constantly give Madden 8 or 9 scores, but the public votes it around 7-7.7.....there major issues with that review score year after year.

I can't believe you can hold 2 different sports games, to such different standards. Thats just my opinion reading these scores year after year.

This has NOTHING to do with knocking madden. If you gave 2k baseball a 9, I would have listed that also. If your taking heat on Madden scores over and over, it does raise a eyebrow though. Why continue the high scores if you are abviously seeing your scores noted as highly over rated for Madden? Like I said, it should be about quality of a game. Forget EA vs 2K crap(I buy both)....is Madden 11 and NBA 2k11 the same in quality? Are they both on par?

This thread is to read and comment on this posted review....how can the Madden 11 9, and NBA 2k11 9, not jumo out in your face. Its not acurate. It was botched at the only part 70% of the readers will look at. Maybe more if the score gets pasted on EA &2K's box cover....make sense?

If 2k11 would have came out first, and then Madden, and I saw the 9 matching scores, I would have stated my comments in the Madden review thread. It stands out like a sore thumb.

[wheelman990]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

Again thanks for proving my point. Your problem isn't so much 2k's score it's Maddens score. Which means you are complaining about Madden in the wrong thread. Which the same handful of people continuously do then claim to be victims when called on it.

Complaining about Maddens score in a nba2k review thread makes what kind of sense if you are not trying to further the same old tired agenda.

As far as your poorly thought out notion that people who don't agree with me I call out as agenda drivers. Agree with me about what exactly??

I realize your comments were directed towards another, and I don't know his "agenda" as some say here.(I think we all have some sort of agenda personally, even if it's to voice an opinion)I just wanted to state my view

Regarding the above qoute- Not really. This isn't the impressions thread. This thread is about reading & responding to a OS review.

Call it how you want, Madden a 9, or NBA11 a 9, but to suggest NBA 2k11 & Madden 11 are both on par with quality is down right silly.

Don't take my word for it...just read the Madden and 2k basketball forums. Its pretty clear these bottom line matching scores make no sense, and do little to help readers decide on quality level. Sports is a genre, and being Madden has no competition, what else can you base a review score on, then other sports games? Even backbreaker and Madden are diffent sports genre's if we are being technical. Maddens a NFL game, backbreaker is a futuristic, arena/NFL/I don't know what game.

Its a quality score, not a which sport I prefer score. This does need fixed. The scores are the bottom line....ALWAYS have been. Even stamped on the game box cover!

[roadman]

Re: NBA 2K11 Review

I realize your comments were directed towards another, and I don't know his "agenda" as some say here.(I think we all have some sort of agenda personally, even if it's to voice an opinion)I just wanted to state my view

Regarding the above qoute- Not really. This isn't the impressions thread. This thread is about reading & responding to a OS review.

Call it how you want, Madden a 9, or NBA11 a 9, but to suggest NBA 2k11 & Madden 11 are both on par with quality is down right silly.

Don't take my word for it...just read the Madden and 2k basketball forums. Its pretty clear these bottom line matching scores make no sense, and do little to help readers decide on quality level. Sports is a genre, and being Madden has no competition, what else can you base a review score on, then other sports games? Even backbreaker and Madden are diffent sports genre's if we are being technical. Maddens a NFL game, backbreaker is a futuristic, arena/NFL/I don't know what game.

Its a quality score, not a which sport I prefer score. This does need fixed. The scores are the bottom line....ALWAYS have been. Even stamped on the game box cover!

I guess I don't attach a review of a game on a website highly whether or not I will purchase the game or not. I'm the best reviewer for that. It's only one person's opinion. It's up to the reader to determine if they want to purchase the game or not.


If you are going to hammer away at OS for having the same scores for two different games with different quality, I don't think that is fair.

Look at all the other reviews across the board for Madden. They pretty much line up with OS across the board.

[ahorton100]

What does it mean when a "G" shows under a player's feet?