NBA 2K22: 5 things to love about the game

NBA 2K22's launch has turned into a major sensation in the basketball world. Seeing how we have no NBA action until October 19th, everyone has cashed in on the NBA 2K22 hype. From athletes to famous streamers, whoever got their hands on the game has majorly given it a positive review and many are calling it one of the best versions ever.

Along with fresh ratings and the latest rosters, NBA 2K22 has given a major overhaul to several features and introduced new badges, dribbling moves, jump shots and quests in the game. Here, we take a look at 5 things to love about NBA 2K22.

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#1 NBA 2K22 added in-arena PA announcements

NBA 2K22 not only features commentary by incredible commentators like Kevin Harlan, Doris Burke and many more, it also has in-arena PA announcements in NBA games.

An announcement shouted out by the public address announcer while introducing players before a game, after a bucket, a foul or practically any activity on the court has been added to the game. What makes this better is that the actual announcers from all 30 arenas have been included in the game making each announcement as realistic as it gets.

This feature gives you the true feeling of sitting in an NBA arena and sends chills down your spine if you have never set foot in an arena. The commentator, on top of the PA announcer, makes the game a mixture of the TV broadcast and arena experience, something you might never get anywhere else.

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#2 You can scan your face in NBA 2K22

NBA 2K22 offers you the chance to customize your player to the very last detail. You can choose unique eye colors, facial hair, haircuts, clothes, sneakers and several other features to make your player as close to yourself as possible. Well, 2K Sports went up a notch and introduced a mobile app that allows you to scan your face and add it into NBA 2K22.

You can have your own face alongside legends in the game and it doesn't get much more realistic than that. It immerses the players into the game as they feel they are experiencing everything themselves.

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Also Check Out: NBA 2K22 Latest News, Updates and Ratings

#3 NBA 2K22 introduced The City and a new neighborhood on a cruise ship

An example of The City as seen in NBA 2K21 [Source: Operation Sports].

The City is a whole new experience in NBA 2K22 wherein the gamer will have a narrative story experience in a thriving and active city beaming with activities and players. More NPCs (Non-Playable Characters) have been introduced which gives the city a busier and more realistic feel which is bound to keep you engaged. Moreover, matchmaking opportunities have also improved, which means The City will have faster alternatives to playing online.

Additionally, in another feature called "No Place Like Home," players can have their home in the heart of The City. This will serve as your personal crib and will be central to your MyCareer story and narrative experience. As you improve and level up in the game, so will your home in The City.

The new neighborhood, on the other hand, is on a cruise chip and is called Cancha Del Mar. It is a whole decked out cruise wherein players can play all sorts of games and complete challenges. NBA 2K's Courtside Report said,

"On the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC platforms, NBA 2K gamers will show out and compete in an all-new, dedicated basketball community - a Neighborhood built on the spacious decks of a sailing cruise ship."

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#4 MyTeam Draft and Starter Packs in NBA 2K22

MyTeam Draft [Source: NBA 2K22 Courtside Report]

For the first time ever, gamers can collect all five MyTeam starter cards to create an All-Star type lineup. According to the NBA 2K22 Courtside Report,

"After fully evolving a Starter Player, you will unlock a new Lifetime Agenda which will let you open the Starter Option Pack a second, third, fourth, and fifth time to add all of these players to your collection."

Once you've completed and evolved your fifth starter, you will earn the first historic Coach of the Year card as an Emerald Phil Jackson.

Moreover, the MyTeam Draft allows gamers to select their coach and the 13-man roster from a set of seven packs. The last pack is a "Featured Pack," where the latest releases in MyTeam will show up. The MyTeam Draft essentially guarantees a card for the gamer. According to the NBA 2K22 Courtside Report:

"Every Draft will net you a guaranteed League Pack and at least a single pick on a Draft-exclusive Ascension; full of prizes to add to your permanent collection! For every win you get in your drafted lineup’s limited run, you will earn additional Ascension picks."

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#5 NBA 2K22 features new badges

NBA 2K22 now has more badges in each of the four categories, especially in shooting and finishing, which makes the player even more realistic to play with. 2K Sports has added several badges and the total number of badges in the game is close to 80.

The game of basketball is dynamic and ever-changing and NBA 2K had to evolve alongside it as well. For example, in 2008 (NBA 2K8), nobody would have imagined a badge called "Circus Threes." But seeing how Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and so many shooters now regularly drop wild shots from beyond the arc, 2K Sports added the badge.

NBA 2K22 has also added Shooting badges such as 'Chef', 'Lucky #7' and 'Mismatch Expert', and Finishing badges like 'Grace Under Pressure', 'Fast Twitch' and 'Unstrippable', to just name a few. Many Defense/Rebounding badges have also been added including 'Hustler' and 'Menace,' while Playmaking badges like 'Post Playmaker', 'Glue Hands' and 'Triple Threat Juke' are available as well.

These are just a handful of new badge examples on a list of several more. They were just introduced a few days ago but it already seems like they are "must-have" badges.

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