Courtesy bleacherreport.com
By Alex White
Staff Writer
With a probable NBA lockout on the horizon, soon basketball players and fans alike will have to get their basketball fix from the virtual world. The newly released “NBA 2K12” is a wonderfully designed game with more in-depth features and realistic gameplay than ever.
2K Entertainment puts out an “NBA 2K” game every year. Improvements have been made on the already-great aspects of the game, like the “My Player” mode and the association mode. Compared to last year’s edition, “NBA 2K12” builds off the good and eliminates the bad.
The “NBA 2K” series has been the best selling NBA video game franchise for several years now. The series was first released in 1999 and has gained fans steadily over time and is now the most popular name when it comes to basketball video games.
In a world where video games are getting endlessly more complex, “NBA 2K12” maintains an impeccable attention to detail. Even little things like broadcaster dialogue has become more interesting and specific. The menu layout is still easy to navigate, and a new home screen makes access to your favorite game modes a breeze.
As far as game play goes, things are mostly the same. One featured improvement was the shot stick. Now the vast array of shot types and layups that a player can do with simple joystick movements is amazing. Designers also made the teammates and opposing players much smarter on both sides of the ball. Defensive players are better at dropping off bad shooters and not buying pump fakes as often as in previous 2K games.
Perhaps the most exciting new feature of the game is the NBA’s greatest mode. Players can choose from 15 NBA legends and play a historic playoff game to unlock the chosen player’s team. This classic game has the ultimate old-fashioned style with an old-school scoreboard and courts without three-point lines. Driving the lane with Gail Goodrich and giving a quick pass to Wilt Chamberlain in the Los Angeles Forum is a pure delight.
Most people’s favorite feature of the NBA 2K series is the “My Player” mode, which has many new improvements. The created player’s salary now plays a larger role and gamers can spend cash on skill points and other items to improve their game.
The game is not without its faults. The pace is very realistic and may be a tad too slow for some players. The amount of flashy, highlight-type dunks and other cool plays has gone down again to make the game more life-like. “NBA 2K12” has a very steep learning curve, making it difficult for new players to get used to the style of play and controls.
With great gameplay and new features,“NBA 2K12” is the best NBA video game on the market. “NBA 2k12” is available in stores nationwide for $60.
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