NBA 2K25 on PS5
When it comes to basketball in the video game realm, there is no contender to the crown other than the NBA 2K series from Visual Concepts, and it is no different with NBA 2K25. Each and every year, the basketball sim gets better both in gameplay and presentation, but it always comes with a caveat that long-time fans are more than familiar with. Paying to win is an actual tactic online, which remains unfortunate.
But first, let’s talk about the good stuff. Building on the foundations of the past, NBA 2K25 represents yet another step forward in bringing the game of basketball authentically to players’ control. Dribbling has never felt more real thanks to the new physics system, translating the kind of ball control and impact every basketball player knows onto the screen.
Naturally, if you have watched a lot of the sport, you already know that each and every player has their own style and quirks when on the court. This is where NBA 2K25 shines the most, replicating all of the players quite well through their movement, shooting, and even celebrations to complete the whole package. To the uninitiated, it can feel like an actual game is playing out on the screen if the UI elements are removed entirely.
Furthermore, Visual Concepts has also taken the community’s feedback to heart regarding the shooting and the shot meter. While the mainstay of getting green in the shot meter to make a shot is still present, there is now a more simulation option, where players who work hard to get better shooting angles and positions are rewarded as such, rather than having the success of each bucket dependent on your timing. Add to that more customisation options for the actual look of the shot meter and even your preferred pull-up style, and it is easy to see how the game becomes more accessible to players of all skill levels.
Speaking of that, NBA 2K25 boasts a robust mode that helps you get to grips with all of its systems and is something that is highly recommended for players to dive into before enjoying the rest of the game. Learn 2K is a great method to pick up fundamentals of the sport, and extends to the more complex strategies and concepts that will bring your game to the next level. Even seasoned pros will stand to learn something.
Now that you are ready to step onto the court, the action that awaits is simply breathtaking as NBA 2K25 has gotten its presentation game on point as usual. From commentary to the various overlays that appear for possessions and plays, it can be hard to think of other ways in which the presentation can be improved further. The atmosphere each game generates can be unique, and when you are deep into playoff runs, the tension is palpable. It makes picking up and playing a game of basketball a true enjoyment, and if you are able to master the skills and strategies required for high level play, there is really nothing quite like what you can experience in this year’s entry.
Of course, that quality level helps to make the modes in NBA 2K25 even better, of which there are many to suit the different tastes of players lacing up their shoes. MyCAREER gives you the opportunity to chart a course in the NBA, both for the men’s and women’s game, and the added focus on the WNBA is particularly welcome. Having a way to learn about the rising profile of the sport from another perspective is great, and Visual Concepts has certainly put in plenty of hard work to deliver quality that is well worth a look.
If you prefer to start even earlier, then MyPLAYER is where you will need to be, bringing your created avatar through high school and more before jumping into the NBA proper. The various targets and milestones to hit on the road to become the greatest of all time is not easy, but that only makes the journey to the top even more sweeter. Needless to say, you will be reminded and recognised along the way as you pump up your attributes and break record after record, another great way in which the presentation shows off its chops.
While the emphasis is on the NBA career, MyPLAYER also overlaps with one of the biggest features of NBA 2K25 in The City. The online space in which players can mingle is a beast of its own, throwing all sorts of activities and challenges to keep you busy and chasing rewards, and offering a broader variety of ways to enjoy the sport. There is no doubt that when it comes to a social setting, The City is amongst the best any sports game can offer, yet, things are not all perfect in this virtual world.
The fact that the in-game currency of VC rules everything is going to take some getting used to for new players, and a recurring nightmare for those returning for another year. The pay-to-win economy is well and alive, allowing anyone willing to drop money to get their MyPLAYER all the way up to 99 overall. It isn’t a surprise to see multiple players who have hit the cap just hours into the game, and when everyone’s on that level, it can be hard to compete if you are not planning to do the same.
Therein lies the issues with NBA 2K25. Everything else outside of the microtransaction economy is first in class, giving players a great way to experience the sport they love without making it to the arenas. At the same time, it can be marred by the fact that not everyone is progressing the same way, and that you may never be able to keep up even if you are nailing all of the game’s wonderful mechanics like the developers intended.
It remains a recurring argument, even as NBA 2K25 comes together as a complete basketball package that can be considered in the echelons of all-time greats. The gameplay is fantastic, the presentation is top-notch, and it is wonderful to see how the team continues to iterate and improve the fundamentals of the series. If only there was a way to remove attribute-padding with virtual currency, but alas, that day may never come, and we are all the poorer for it.
NBA 2K25 is available now on on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
