Sport video games: Apathy... - mcdowell31's Blog

mcdowell31's Blog

Sport video games: Apathy...

Posted on October 16, 2021 at 05:33 PM.

...becoming distrust.

For the first time in my existence with 2K, I waited a week before purchase. I am still on current-gen and play MyLeague only, so I found myself reading feedback and asking a couple of questions in Operation Sports' forums.

I am old enough to remember when NBA Live's development team took their following for granted and produced games inspired by the god of indifference. I remember the wish lists turned into NBA Live development of improvements we wanted. By NBA Live 2005, I had enough and gave 2K6 a tryout. Actually, I loved 2K1 when I rented it from Blockbuster (damn, I am old), mostly for the fastbreak mechanic. However, it lacked general management AI: In the time between 2k1 and 2K6 this was remedied. The last two 2K products feel a lot like NBA Live 2005.

I did not purchase Madden for ten years... literally, I stopped after Madden 2005. I played NFL 2K5. Madden 15 seemed to be headed in a finished product direction about football, so I broke fasting from Madden. By Madden 19, I was disillusioned once again. I cannot see purchasing Madden any time soon.

The only alternative to 2K22 is... 2K itself. I started 2K21 in September 2020; by February 2021 I was fed up and returned to playing 2K20. By the end of September 2021, I put 2K22 down to experiment with the past 2Ks. Going backward, I kept looking for a completed 2K that reminded me most of NBA basketball: Paint defense, fouls, in-game injuries. I settled on 2K18: Of course, it is flawed somewhat from a simulation viewpoint, but it is playable with basketball fundamentals in mind.

NBA 2K development has become exhausting with ignoring fan wishlists. I will check Operation Sports forums hoping to see improvement. In the meantime, I will enjoy the closest recreation of BASKETBALL that is 2K18. I sincerely hope 2K22 will improve, and those choosing to make do enjoy the game.