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NBA 2K15 was finally released last Tuesday and has received mostly positive feedback from all the gamers worldwide. This game has it’s own strengths and weaknesses, but on the whole, this game takes the NBA series to the next level with more realistic features. It is definitely better compared to the previous releases. The players will notice drastic improvements all over the game starting from the game’s presentation and menus, to the realistic gameplay. 2K Sports and Visual Concepts have taken serious consideration about presenting the game, as they have revamped the entire user interface and the look and feel. The user interface looks stunning, crisp and beautiful.
The main highlight of the game is it’s more realistic graphics, the redesigned scoreboard and court designs, gives a new feel. The players graphics are more real life-like, thanks to the game developers for using the face-scan technology on each and every player in the game. The sweat coming from the players, that reflects from the court’s light are just amazing. Also, 2K have added over 6000 new animations for players in their on-court action. Even, the player uniforms have been improved which reacts dynamically to a player’s direction and speed.
Eventhough, NBA 2K15 core gameplay is unchanged as the last year’s 2K14, there have been major tweaks to make the players feel a more realistic gameplay. The game introduces a new shot meter, making it easier to time the shots accurately. In previous games, players have to learn the hard way of releasing the ball at specific point to make the shot, since some players shot technique was impossible to learn or predict. In this new shot meter, when the players are about to make the shot, a small semi circle fills up based upon the time, the main aim is to release the shot command as close to the center of the meter. This feature is a welcome addition to the players, as they can predict and learn the players shot techniques and perfect releasing point to make the shot. This feature may be easier or harder depending on the players handling.
The biggest updates in the gameplay can be seen in ‘Defense’. The players can now read the offense closely and pay attention to their position on the floor, they can make better effort to stop drives, closeout on jumpers, and play passing lanes. This opens up more options and increases court-spacing for a defensive minded player. On the other hand, the ‘Offense’ has become smarter but not easier, 2K have added new shooting mechanics, complete pass control, multiple packages for dunks and lay-ups and have also increased post-up control. Turnovers aren’t as frequent like last game, and it appears the game designers have partially corrected the issue of missing easy layups. These features makes the game feel more balanced in the gameplay.
The MyCareer mode in this game is the closest any gamer can get to a professional sports RPG. The game developers have taken the game to the next level with more attention on the back-story, an increased number of cutscenes, easier player attributes system, and more dialogue options. The players instead of joining the draft like last game, starts as an undrafted rookie with a 10-day contract. The players are assisted by a mentor in these 10 days, who plays a crucial role at the start of a player’s career. The players will be given an option to continue with the team they play for 10 days or can also negotiate with other teams with the help of their agent. The addition of new cut-scenes makes the MyCareer mode far more realistic, from over-excited agent’s conversations to the interactions with managers who are but solely focussed only on your on-court games. In this mode, players can create their own superstar by improving the attributes that affects defense, play-making, inside shooting, and athleticism in groups, making it simpler to upgarde a player.
Other than the MyCareer mode, the game offers other modes, like, the MyGM mode that offers a RPG-like story progression, which enables the players to fill the boots of an NBA manager. The conversations between players and the manager is more realistic and the players progress with the club will focus on the promises made by the manager to him. The MyLeague is a new addition to this game with added customizations, where the players are allowed to focus entirely on the game and not on the management. MyPark gives an oppurtunity to players to take their game to streets to prove their talents in a number of small playground matches, this is an online mode. MyTeam returns with new Challenges mode, with the addition of an auction house.
The main talking point of this game is undoubtedly the new face-scan option available to the players. NBA 2K15 is able to use images gathered from PlayStation Camera or Kinect to create a virtual rendering of players. Scanning one’s face might take only few minutes but will take more number of attempts, if the players are not properly scanning their faces. The players should ensure they follow the guidelines from 2K on how to scan their face, if not the result might be just like the below image. But with a proper face scan, players will feel like they’re actually a part of game action.
NBA 2k15’s presentation looks absolutely stunning. Press conferences and discussions with agents have been improved and the half time reports form the coach helps you to close the game strong. The highlight being the analysis show presented by Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal before the start of the game.
Obviously, there are more visual glitches in the game like awkward display of lip syncing and sideways head twitching from Doris Burke during the interviews, random blue dots frequently appearing on the screen replays, player’s arms frequently clipping in and out of their jerseys, the camera angle which pan inside of players, showing a bizarre hollow human shells. It’s wretched to see these visual oddities, but none of these affect on how the game is being played.
Verdict : 9.5/10
Overall, NBA 2K15 is an excellent addition to the already popular NBA 2K franchise. Eventhough there are some notable graphics glitches, no one can deny the improved gameplay, real life-like player graphics, new presentations, over 6000 animations among other things, that elevates the game to a whole new level. This game sits as a benchmark to other professional sports games to be developed and certainly gives the gamers a new experience about professional basketball.
