NBA 2K15 Reviewer Initial Impressions (PS4)

[topdog9007]

First. I have been a long time 2k fan. I preorder their games blindly knowing that usually come out with great products. but...
They dropped the ball on so many levels. Game play is frantic and not smooth. Frame rate is garbage. plyers don't feel as weighted as they did in 2k14. And animations are awkward. Graphics are weak , even the basket and rim look weaker then last year.. players are all skinny, player models are way to similar. Elbows are pointy. Colors are off too.
The basket ball teleports during passes and shots
sound effects are off too. the ball bouncing off the rim clacks to much. Am i the only one seeing this?

[BizDevConglomerate]

2k has become what Madden is to Football. Admit it. Year after year the same thing all be it very very playable. People won't admit the clear issues with this game. But they do a great job in making the gameplay issues and animation problems with complete and deep customizations. This is the way games should be. They're never going to be perfect, and as long as it's playable that should be good enough. 2k has spoiled the people with modes and options. This is where the other game will have to compete, even after their game is playable. There is no way you can play exhibition over and over, or seasons without draft classes that mimic real life. Tuning, sliders, and customizations.

I think live will be good, but if they can bring the import draft class they had on PS2, along with a college game, they may change the game on next gen

[alkamist]

I played 5 mins last night due to servers and wat I seen is 2k14 with an upgrade, the new shot thing I will need to get use too, AI seems smarter, passing is the same, they AI help def is better but still ez to drive and dish off to the center for ez 2 pts on hall of fame... but they need to address the servers and 2k scan because none of it worked on Xbox one for me

[topdog9007]

Graphics look better, but the lighting on the court and inside the arena has changed and looks worse for some reason or more dull than normal . the graphics really show when your playing MyPark .

Create a player has improved with updates to accessories also and more tattoo's from what i saw.

Yes the lighting is to dark in the areanas. But yes , I feel the graphics are worse. players are way too thin. however playing a park game, players look more on point. Yes they have a cartoonish effect. But graphics and animations are so much smoother.

[Khanchus]

only got to play one game

I played 2k every yr since it first came out on dreamcast

the thing that 2k has going for itself is its game play and is the main reason why i wont even touch live without a great response after its release. Also the way that rate players and how it affects game play is another aspect that i really like.

this is my first time playing 2k on next gen and it is refreshing to see they finally changed the 5 yr old menus and added some nice visuals....

they still suffer from the same lame ol' server problems...very annoying especially when at E3 Microsoft was talking about dedicated servers and what not

the game felt smooth (contrary to what the above poster says) I was playing with the knicks on hall of fame and shooting wasnt easy (which is the case in almost every 2k so i dk why thats a surprise

the music sometimes doesn't match the game

dribbling feels the best it has ever felt

but my sample size is totally off because i only played one game and all of this is just my opinion

lol overall from what i seen and played i give it a 8/10 but so so so so so disappointing with the "legacy" issues such as server stuff...I am a huge team up guy especially on gamebattles so taking 10 minutes to connect and start a game is very annoying

i wish i played 2k14 for next gen so i can see the differencesbut from last gen 2k14 to current gen 2k15 is the step up i have been searching for the past 3/4 yrs (kinda makes me wonder about how nfl 2k would be....everyone raves about 2k5 but if it were similar to nba 2k it would be______...im just saying......)

[Semipro91]

First. I have been a long time 2k fan. I preorder their games blindly knowing that usually come out with great products. but...
They dropped the ball on so many levels. Game play is frantic and not smooth. Frame rate is garbage. plyers don't feel as weighted as they did in 2k14. And animations are awkward. Graphics are weak , even the basket and rim look weaker then last year.. players are all skinny, player models are way to similar. Elbows are pointy. Colors are off too.
The basket ball teleports during passes and shots
sound effects are off too. the ball bouncing off the rim clacks to much. Am i the only one seeing this?

I think you are playing the wrong game.

[kackle85]

My mind is kind of blown by how many people are saying they are disappointed. This is the best basketball game I have ever played and it's not even close. Not saying their opinions aren't valid I just don't get it.

[TheLetterZ]

Re: NBA 2K15 Reviewer Initial Impressions (PS4)

My mind is kind of blown by how many people are saying they are disappointed. This is the best basketball game I have ever played and it's not even close. Not saying their opinions aren't valid I just don't get it.

I'm not surprised. A lot of people care about aspects of the game that simply don't matter much to you or me. I try to accommodate their concerns in my writing, but I can only speak to my own experience.

[Mauer4MVP]

Re: NBA 2K15 Reviewer Initial Impressions (PS4)

2k has become what Madden is to Football. Admit it. Year after year the same thing all be it very very playable. People won't admit the clear issues with this game. But they do a great job in making the gameplay issues and animation problems with complete and deep customizations. This is the way games should be. They're never going to be perfect, and as long as it's playable that should be good enough. 2k has spoiled the people with modes and options. This is where the other game will have to compete, even after their game is playable. There is no way you can play exhibition over and over, or seasons without draft classes that mimic real life. Tuning, sliders, and customizations.

I think live will be good, but if they can bring the import draft class they had on PS2, along with a college game, they may change the game on next gen

Live looks horrible again.

[mprofit42]

Man, I am shocked at the negative responses. It seems like people are almost trolling for Live. Server issues aside, the gameplan is amazing. The cheesing is gone for the most part and the AI is strong. The word that comes to mind when I play is rewarding. My baskets and defensive stops feel much more earned than in the past. I was never a my player fan but after a good face scan I'm enjoy what I see so far. I will say it again, the servers must be fixed but I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen sooner rather than later this year with Live on the way - which I hope is a decent game because competition is good. Not sure what you need in a hoops game if you don't enjoy this years 2k after extended time with the game.

[CWilson04]

I haven't played the game yet. Not in a rush since every 2k game is nearly the same, they're either taking away something they shouldn't have or adding in unrealistic elements.

I just wanted to post after reading comments on here and other websites. There must be a VERY SMALL percentage of people who like 2K that post on video game websites that are actually good.

It has never been hard to shoot on 2K. It's pretty easy if you understand basketball and video games. So hearing not only from OS but other places (I never comment) that shooting is hard and this is coming from people who say they have played this series for years. Umm your not progressing at all. Go in practice mode and work on the shot release. For me I choose different teams all the time and my shot release is good with every player EXCEPT for the slow, awkward release guys but those are few and far inbetween.

The other knock is people complaining about NBA 2K defense. 2k has added so much help on defense for the player it is sickening over the years. I have always been great at defense with 8/10 players online always complimenting on my defense and acknowledging they have never played against someone with defense like mines. I play every man on the court. It's called move your joystick. If you can beat on the dribble, or really just to alter the shot in the post just quickly switch off your man and make a move with your big man. I use to play FPS a lot, and it's similar to basketball games to where you need to having gaming ADD. You just need to be aware of your surroundings and be quick to move and switch off.

2K has a few minor fixes (that are huge in terms of realism) that I'm sure they didn't fix in this release. The difficulty of the AI is a joke. They don't make them play smarter, they make the AI do unrealistic things so they can put points on the board. That part needs to be cut out. We are probably 5-7 years away from seeing an actual realistic basketball game.

[GisherJohn24]

I have no regrets forking over 60 bucks. Plays a lot better than last year, I'm seeing less clipping, better organic flow, looks cleaner and more polished overall. Player intros? Nice to see those back. Cheerleaders? Very nice. (but those mops on their heads). Soundtrack. uh, no comment.

Shooting requires "a little" better timing on your part, but I had no problem overall figuring out the signature shots and release point for all the players. Anyone notice, no more of the audio cutting out (Thank goodness) Better spacing, better graphics, seeing a lot more animations too. I love the free throw routines, it's getting so real, I really don't know what they're going to do a decade from now to improve it. haha. The arsenal of moves you can uses in this game is a bit overwhelming especially for newbies on this game, but most people who have played 2K should be able to do that spinning jumper in no time. Can't really say too much bad about it at all, I haven't seen anything that bugs me other than omissions. The Legends are still unchanged, but I liked having them. The commentary is getting a little stale, I would like a new crew for next year. Ernie Johnson and Shaq are nice, but the studio is too bare without Barkley and Kenny. No halftime blows and signature highlight replays are also missing? WTF?

My only major nitpick is that you STILL can't see how tired your players are when you bring up the sub screen in game. That's just an omission I don't understand. Overall, I know me and my friend will be playing this on the couch all year round. Don't anticipate going online much, too much cheese. Would appreciate everyone who does go online keep us up to speed if it's less troublesome than last year. Haven't checked out the other modes yet.

9 out of 10.

[YourHazard216]

Honestly, if I do pick up a basketball game, it's going to be Live. I just don't feel enough has been improved with this series, and the idea of having ESPN presentation and the improvements i'm hearing from their camp garner more interest. Why, after all this time, 2K hasn't invested in the TNT nameplate is beyond me. It's basically it, just do it already.

It has a ESPN scoreboard but that's mostly it lol. The Commentary is terrible. Its always been terrible. Idk why people expect 2k to change drastically every single year when its one of the most consistently good sports games out right now. You gonna switch to a series that have yet to prove itself over the past 4 years vs sticking to one that has been good?

[BigDaddyHolmes]

The feel of the entire gameplay is completely different. Anyone who says its the same game hasnt played it. The gameplay from 2k14 to 2k15 is as big a change as Madden 12 to 13 was. Huge.

After I played it couldnt believe how smooth it was. Felt like 2k and EA created it together with the best aspects of both games. Loved it and suprised. By watching videos I thought was minor changes. I was so wrong. 9 out of 10 easy.

[JKSportsGamer1984]

First. I have been a long time 2k fan. I preorder their games blindly knowing that usually come out with great products. but...
They dropped the ball on so many levels. Game play is frantic and not smooth. Frame rate is garbage. plyers don't feel as weighted as they did in 2k14. And animations are awkward. Graphics are weak , even the basket and rim look weaker then last year.. players are all skinny, player models are way to similar. Elbows are pointy. Colors are off too.
The basket ball teleports during passes and shots
sound effects are off too. the ball bouncing off the rim clacks to much. Am i the only one seeing this?

I wouldn't go as far as you did but I agree about the player models. Everything feels/looks too small. I think they purposely designed the game this way to give the illusion of better spacing (although spacing has improved) but the skinny player models are a HUGE eyesore to me. Players like Ibaka & James Harden are way too skinny. There are many othes too skinny as well. 2K needs to really focus of player models going forward. They need to add way more body types & give us the ability to edit players biceps/calves.