RT Gaming : NBA 2K14 Review (Retrospective)

NBA 2K14 For XBOX ONE and PS4

2K's next entry in the popular NBA 2K series, NBA 2K14, was a solid push into the right direction for the series. Becoming ever so popular next to the NBALive Franchise, 2K earned its spot on the radar of basketball Sim-heads. With other franchises like NBA Inside Drive, Sony's NBA The Inside Series and NBA ShootOut, there was a lot of basketball games on the market when 2K's Journey started off, as NBA Fastbreak and NBA Action '98. To see where they are at now is amazing! Every journey has its ups and downs but 2K managed over the years with top notch game-play and stellar ESPN commentary. With this newest installment of the series, 2K did a great job but trial and error is something that's expected with a next gen release. With the latest entry roughly a month away, NBA 2K15, let's take a good look again at NBA 2K14, and let's see what to somewhat expect and hope the errors they had in this installment they fix this time around.

Game-play, Graphics and Controls

The game-play is top notch! Very fluid and responsive in offline play (I'll explain that part in a later paragraph). Court movement is fluid and running plays is easier to do now with quick run, by holding the RB button, and if you are the type of player who runs plays a lot, you can arrange them options in the menus. Shot feedback and Timing is a lot better this year compared to last year, and player movements and reactions are decent. The only thing I didn't like about the movements on the court and especially when they reach for rebounds and steals, is that they are still stiff and feel like last gen. When I say that it still "feels like last gen," what I mean is that it seems to fade in and out of fluid movement with 2K's new "Eco-Motion" Engine. Only real 2K Sim-heads will know what I'm talking about when I say the movements still don't feel good enough for the quality of product they put out each and every year. Now not to downplay what positives I went over, it's still a way more responsive game compared to last gen. You can really feel the groove and also you can control the tempo way better compared to last gen 2K. That's something very impressive and worth taking note of, the tempo control. Something that really stands out is the slower pace compared to last gen, but the player can really control the flow and make it a fast paced ball game. Passing is solid and ball movement is good, but can be better. Passing feels like it's on rails and the players are on train tracks. That can be a issue when you're on a fast-break or open for a 3-pointer. But besides that point, A.I. and Difficulty have been upgraded and feels more like a true Sim, but no change compared to last year's besides the fact that the computer doesn't make everything it puts up on Hall of Fame Difficulty. Defense is also beefed up this year, and 3-pointers are not as easy as last year but more realistic. Only issue I have with defense is that you can't really run a good zone properly or set custom zones or run custom offense like the Lakers' famous "Triangle" Offense. I would like to see that in future installments with custom playbooks and defense set-ups.

Graphics are stellar, I mean jaw dropping! They put a lot of work into this year's installment and that new "Eco-Motion" engine is in full-effect. I'm Excited to see what they will do in 2K15 with the realistic player movement and emotions in game-play. Only thing I did not like about the graphics, there are hiccups in the frame-rate in timeouts and still an ongoing issue of "ghost jerseys," where jerseys would move on their own without players moving. Besides that nit picking, the game is beautiful and you can really see where this game stands next to the last gen installment. The Controls are solid and responsive, just how I said previously the game moves really smooth. No Issues with controls when it comes to player movement and shot reaction time. That's one thing that really impressed me as an avid 2K player this go around, the controls are and have always been great each and every year.

To end it on that note about game-play, graphics and controls, it's amazing to see what they did this year with their new installment of 2K, but issues from past 2K's still lurk; like rebounding issues, player vision issues, and A.I. Problems. Let's hope 2K15 gets them issues resolved to keep their seat on the throne of basketball games and keep the Sim-heads happy.

Content's Music and Cinematics

The Content in this year's 2K is okay, not the best and not the deepest, but for a next gen title compared to the likeness of Madden 2006 and NBALive 2006 when they first hit consoles, all the features from past installments are not going to come over. The process of having 2 development teams for 4 different systems is a tough task, but that doesn't mean this next gen installment don't have something to offer. Something to take note of is the Euro teams. That's a neat addition into this year's 2K, but another issue still lurks with Classic Teams. They are all there, but some players are missing. My Opinion on that is if you can't get the full squad, it's not a true old school match-up...But, I do understand there's legal matters between the players likeness and the NBA. The Cinematics and Intros are not as good as 2K13, but are solid and still makes you feel like you're watching a live NBA game. Reason why I say that is with NBA 2K13 more work was put into pre-game intros, since Jay-Z was the game's musical adviser. Adding off that note as well, Music could be better but it's not my cup of tea. I liked 2K13's playlist with such rap legends; like Biggie Smalls and Nas better. Not to say this year's soundtrack is bad, but in my personal opinion it's not for everybody but it's current and up-to-date with what's out now in music. The 3 Main Pillars of this game's Content this year is MyCareer, MyGM and MyTeam. MyCareer is the same as MYPlayer. This mode is AMAZING and is crazy to play. This is something no sports game has done as of recently before with career modes, which is to make a plot behind the central focus of moving your player up the ranks to NBA stardom. It has cut-screens, GM and Player Interviews and Player and coach interaction. For Sim-heads like me, this is jaw dropping and I really can't wait to see what they do for 2K15 and also add a ton of re-playability to '14, and that's a huge plus because many folks trade in their game for the next installment. Trust me, after you experience MYCareer you will be impressed. Another note to add about MYCareer is improved A.I.. It's still not the best, but for a revamped mode its refreshing. You can actually play another position this year and score and get decent minutes; that was an issue with previous MyPlayer modes. MyGM mode is just standard General Manager Mode for any sports game. You control contracts, player emotions on and off the court, and deal and make trades. Nothing extremely special if you're the type to like running the behind the scenes instead of playing the game. Only wish for GM mode is that you can control ticket prices, PR management, and more gritty bone gristle of running a NBA team that would add a lot of realism to the game, but no complaints there at what they offer. Last but not least we have MYTeam mode, where you buy card packs and make your own dream-team. Similar to Madden Ultimate team where you do the same thing, if you're familiar with that you will like MyTeam. Can't explain too much on that aspect of the game, but it's brand new to 2K and for Next gen systems. It's a nice touch and adds so much re-playability, 2K really pulled out all the stops to make sure their fans are satisfied this go around with the modes they offer.

Online play
Online play, where do I start? The only positive thing I can say about it is that when it does work, it's amazing and is fluent and there (are) no complaints. With that out the way, the online play is shotty and hit and miss. The Same issues with previous 2K's, like 2K Servers are always offline most of the time, and real time roster updates throughout the season were hit and miss and not always updated, and sometimes you played with outdated rosters. One feature that is crucial nowadays is online play in this day and age. I'm not going to hold back on this part of the review because this is a constant ongoing issue that needs addressed. When it comes to "The Park" 2K's answer to Crew modes, its excellent again when it works, but again there's always an issue when you get online and try and play a game. To Sum up this part of the review, the online is hit and miss, but again it's not bad and when it works it's solid. That's again one issue I hope and pray I don't see in NBA 2K15.

With so many bright spots with 2K and what they offered this year for the Xbox One and PS4  is amazing . No other sports game did what 2K did this year with the presentation and the game-play. Makes you feel immersed in the experience of pro basketball. When you dribble with Lebron or take that game winner with Kobe, you can feel it and that's something that is missing with sports games nowadays. "Eco-Engine" The new physics engine is something else to see in motion, and game-play is smooth and has hours of re-playability and fun. The only thing that holds 2K back from making it the Greatest, is minor issues that plagued past 2K; like rebounding issues, A.I., Foul Calling and movement issues. The Online Play is something that seriously needs addressed next go around, but it doesn't make the game unplayable but makes it frustrating to veteran 2K players. Bottom Line, if you want to experience a true next gen sports title, 2K is the route to go. It has its ups and downs, but the level of quality behind the game-play and environment it creates, is nothing like the competition offers of the next generations of systems this go around.

Final Verdict : With a solid starting point for this next generations of systems, 2K really did a great job this year. This game has its share of issues like any game, no game is perfect, but its issues that 2K have been dealing with for a while now. One they fix the small things and improve on what they already have done in the last 5 years, 2K has a bright future.

8.0 out of 10