NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

[Steve_OS]

For better or worse, NBA 2K24 represents the cutting edge of sports games, a glorious mash-up...

Written By: Kevin Scott

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[NINJAK2]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

Great read..I'm pretty sure this review is based off the PS5/Series X/S versions. You guys may want to indicate this somewhere in the article just so ps4/xb1/pc owners don't pick it up thinking that is what they are getting. Maybe I missed the indication somewhere. If so, I apologize.

[jcblayze]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

I usually play MyTeam until the regular season rolls around and I start a franchise. But the mode has gotten so much worse this year. MLB The Show and even Madden have shown that you can get a lot out of the card modes without having to spend hundreds of hours grinding, but the rewards to goal time ratio in the NBA version are so out of wack, it's honestly embarrassing. They do not value your time at all, essentially forcing you into paying real money to get anything worthwhile. The goals you have to meet to unlock the best cards are virtually impossible to meet unless you spend 10 hours a day playing. Not to mention a goddang battle pass. It's an embarrassment.

[jclazaris84]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

in my ideal world:

next gen comes to pc from jump.

2k goes back to being a 5v5/myplayer simulation-focused game with NO mp aspect.

...but year after year 2k shatters my dreams.

anyway, critical reviews won't affect 2k's practices - only a significant decline in sales will and that has yet to happen.

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

Sums up just about most reviews. On court gameplay is good but micro transactions are bringing down review scores. Thankfully that don’t affect me as I only play offline ERAs.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

I don't purchase microtransactions, or play online, but it's like any online game, to get the best experience, you should play with other like-minded individuals who want to play the game without taking advantage of microtransactions, just avoid playing against random strangers you don't know. Microtransactions can only ruin solid on-court play if you let it.

[illwill10]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

One positive I guess is that it's microtransactions bringing down the score not gameplay or modes. As an offline player, it doesn't effect me as much. But as someone who actually wants to play offline MyCareer, it does suck that the mode is geared towards online. You get hit with both the pay wall and grind wall. If you try to avoid the pay wall, the grind wall is strong enough to try get you to run to the pay wall. I'm still going to play Offline MyCareer once the NBA season is about to start. But, I will just grind from 60 OVR. But I'm not someone who has ample time to play games. I'm not someone who has time or even want to spend 4-6+ hours a day. I just want to hop on and have a good hour or so every couple days.

I remember when they use to give out VC in locker codes. Or when the MyNBA2k app was a good way to farm VC. Now they want you to buy VC. It sucks how this seems so common in sport gaming, but that's what it has came too and we have to adjust to it

[Shadow Cloud]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

One positive I guess is that it's microtransactions bringing down the score not gameplay or modes. As an offline player, it doesn't effect me as much. But as someone who actually wants to play offline MyCareer, it does suck that the mode is geared towards online. You get hit with both the pay wall and grind wall. If you try to avoid the pay wall, the grind wall is strong enough to try get you to run to the pay wall. I'm still going to play Offline MyCareer once the NBA season is about to start. But, I will just grind from 60 OVR. But I'm not someone who has ample time to play games. I'm not someone who has time or even want to spend 4-6+ hours a day. I just want to hop on and have a good hour or so every couple days.

I remember when they use to give out VC in locker codes. Or when the MyNBA2k app was a good way to farm VC. Now they want you to buy VC. It sucks how this seems so common in sport gaming, but that's what it has came too and we have to adjust to it

I'm also an offline player too(I feel like there's a good chunk of us are at OS, which I appreciate), but it actually affects us too because of the patches from online complaints. For instances, I swear the game on launch day was much when it came to shooting. After some of the more recent patches, I swear shooting has been made harder along perimeter defense made tighter like someone else posted:

https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/nba-2k-basketball/1014474-perimeter-defense-seems-way-too-tight-smothering-6.html

I do appreciate more reviews calling out the microtransactions though even though unfortunately some people still pay them.

[Junior Moe]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/whats-even-the-point-of-sports-game-reviews/1100-6516988/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f

I feel like this Gamespot article hit the nail on the head with regard to sport game reviews. I dont think they really matter anymore. IGN gave 2K23 a 6/10 and cited microtransactions. The game still sold 11 million copies. I doubt 2K24 is any different. It's good that reviews are calling how bad they feel the microtransactions affect the game experience.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

[illwill10]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wh...CAD-01-10abi2f

I feel like this Gamespot article hit the nail on the head with regard to sport game reviews. I dont think they really matter anymore. IGN gave 2K23 a 6/10 and cited microtransactions. The game still sold 11 million copies. I doubt 2K24 is any different. It's good that reviews are calling how bad they feel the microtransactions affect the game experience.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

Just like Madden, no matter how the "masses" don't like microtransactions and overall direction of game, those games are still hitting high sales marks EVERY year. As many say they don't buy VC, there are tons of people who are willing to spend hundreds of dollars every year on microtransactions. At this point, it would be foolish for companies to change that. We just have to accept it and either adjust to it or move on

[Shadow Cloud]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

Just like Madden, no matter how the "masses" don't like microtransactions and overall direction of game, those games are still hitting high sales marks EVERY year. As many say they don't buy VC, there are tons of people who are willing to spend hundreds of dollars every year on microtransactions. At this point, it would be foolish for companies to change that. We just have to accept it and either adjust to it or move on

I'm just wishing for more competition again. Sport games were at their best when we had at least EA and Sega Sports (Visual Concept's 2k developers, old company before Take Two bought them) competing with each other along with other companies like 989 Sports (Sony first party). Don't forget about Fifa vs. Winning Eleven/Pro Evolution Soccer. We also had some arcade style games like NBA Street, NBA Jam, and Blitz, which were great.



Now days, I feel like a lot of people are just giving in because they're a fan of NFL, NBA, etc and don't have a choice so even if the game is bad, the license will ensure it will sell. So yeah that Gamespot article does have a point that it feels like reviews for sport games are pointless (at least for the casuals who don't pay attention to them).

[misterkrabz2]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

I just can't bring myself to buy VC making half the total package unplayable. Which is unfortunate because the modes guarded by the paywall really are fun (if you're competitive). The grind to get good players for those modes is to steep a hill to climb and not worth it (which is probably by design to get you to spend money).

If 2k ever makes these modes as accessible to non-pay to winner's like MLB The Show does they have the ultimate game on their hands. For now I'll stick to playing online with normal teams as that is at least competitive and fun.

[ILLSmak]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wh...CAD-01-10abi2f

I feel like this Gamespot article hit the nail on the head with regard to sport game reviews. I dont think they really matter anymore. IGN gave 2K23 a 6/10 and cited microtransactions. The game still sold 11 million copies. I doubt 2K24 is any different. It's good that reviews are calling how bad they feel the microtransactions affect the game experience.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

yea assuming you get what you got last year for 100bucks, it's a no brainer to just pay that at the start. heh. It's a joke, but the grinding for badges and such, MC stuff is even worse. Sucks because the more people spend and the harder they have the grind, the more toxic they are in team up modes. I really wish 2k had some kind of a intro to being a good teammate thing you had to play thru. lol like earn you 10k vc or something to complete.



I feel sad that it is like it is. I feel bad for the kids who are in that mental state over a game. It's ridic to pay 70 for a game, and then put 100 on it, but if that's the only game you really play, it's almost forgivable... but when you have to play bots or find 5 or go into rando rec, it's like nah. But, really, 2k needs to intervene for their community. I've never seen people behave in the way they behave on 2k online. Maybe like 4 year olds in a store, but not people who are teens and above.


-Smak

[Pokes404]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

Pretty much agreed. Love the gameplay on the court, but microtransactions are getting out of hand and putting a damper on the experience. I also really miss getting to play All-Star Team Up with friends.

[King Ken]

Re: NBA 2K24 Review: Microtransactions Threaten to Sink Solid On-Court Action

Can't blame developers. Gotta blame the executives for corporate greed