NBA 2K23 game review

It is unfortunately a logical blow, NBA 2K23 version Switch, PS4 and Xbox One does not reach the graphic and technical standards of the last generation version. We do not benefit from the almost non-existent loading times, dazzling light effects or larger than life models. Logic on console, but on PC? Once again, the platform is not included in the batch of the last generation versions of NBA 2K with the PS5 and the Xbox Series, a choice that only increases the grumbling of PCists season after season. In addition, the incredibly varied animations on the higher version do not really move here, enough to give an impression of deja vu in the gameplay of the previous opus.

However, a major modification is to be taken into account to delight the frustrated of the “meta”, namely the strategies to exploit the flaws of the game when you spend a lot of time training. A dribbler can only attempt an explosive dribble 3 times per possession, under penalty of being weak in the finish on the last attempt. It will be necessary this season to play collectively, and not only to use the leader-pivot connection. Ditto for crazy interceptors on defense, who can only attempt three interceptions or three jumps before making subsequent attempts far less effective. Regarding the shot, it’s like on next-gen: whereas previously a neon green animation accompanied a timing and a perfect shot from the start of the ball, indicating to everyone that the shot was going to go in, this animation now only intervenes as soon as the ball touches the hoop or goes in. Ditto for the indications of defense and imperfect timing if you checked the option in the parameters. Knowing that the timing is more demanding than last seasonwe advise you to remove the shooting gauge in the settings to have a shooting bonus in the event of good timing, and not to give any indication to the opposing team who will not start a counter-attack directly in the event of a missed gauge .

When the career takes us by boat

On the side of the My Career mode, it is again very different from the penchant for PS5. But (too?) similar to NBA 2K22 old-gen version. We are still in a cruise ship, the “boat GOAT” certainly a little less labyrinthine and better arranged than on NBA 2K22, but with a quest system that is still just as tedious. Cutscenes, with the same scenario as on Xbox Series, follow one another before the matches and according to the main quest, with a rivalry with Shep Owen, a player chosen in the middle of the Draft like you and in the same position. The possibilities of the mode are still quite substantial, but we do not find the Theater and its various temporary modes, it is one of the disappointments of the software which could have had its place in these versions. In terms of Career menus, it’s pretty much the same as last season, as is player progression in terms of attributes and badges. So just as slow to rise with the quasi-obligation to buy VC to progress quickly (see the last paragraph).

Content well below the PS5 and Xbox Series version…

In other modes, understand My League, and not My NBA as on PS5. We embody a franchise manager with a 200% configurable league system, but without the exceptional new generation addition. Even if we could integrate historical players via Fantasy Draft before the season, now a choice of decade is essential on PS5 and Xbox Series: the 80s with Magic Johnson and Bird, the 90s of the Bulls of Jordan, the years 2000 with Kobe Bryant, or the modern era dominated by the Warriors. All the teams and staff are adjusted to the time, the TV skins of the time, the visual identities of each franchise… A novelty not included on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Switch like the Wthe women’s career mode, which is a big weak point in the variety of content.

The return of Michael Jordan

Regarding the solo pan of the iteration, Take-Two has perfectly respected the tribute aspect to Michael Jordan by bringing out the closet the Jordan Challenge mode. Already present on NBA 2K11 (with 10 challenges), it is a succession of challenges where we relive the 15 most important games of MJ’s career. With 3 objectives to complete per encounter, it’s also the opportunity to (re)discover the immense career of His Airness with the rules and TV skins of the time and via visual effects specific to old televisions. A sort of “The Last Dance” with Sirius music by Alan Parsons Project in the background (the Chicago Bulls’ entrance music) with some particularly high challenges (scoring 63 points against Boston, getting 8 rebounds in the university final , etc.).

Co-op in MyTeam mode

If the MyTeam card game, similar to the “Ultimate Team” games of other sports simulations, does not radically change its formula, it improves on several points. First, it is now possible to play in co-op in MyTeam in Triple Threat (match 3 against 3, first team to 21 points). Each member of the team plays with an NBA player acquired on the card, a great step forward and a good alternative to the Career, since we control a current or historic NBA player this time. Another novelty is the possibility of “blocking” a position, ie controlling only one player throughout the match and leaving control of teammates to the computer. Useful if you are not comfortable controlling the whole team, if you want to progress in a position or win a challenge to improve the player’s card. For the rest, the lifespan is consistent with the many online/solo challenges, the classic seasons where you face opponents of the same level without constraint (unlimited MyTeam) or with team constraints to respect (limited MyTeam ) and therefore the 3 against 3 possibly in coop.

The color of money

Where the shoe pinches in this edition, and it is sadly not a surprise, is at the level of virtual currency. Like the last titles of the license, it will take more than 260,000 VC to raise a player from 60 to 85 in general rating, i.e. 60€ in VC. All without spending currency in MyTeam mode! The need to find the right archetype the first time is therefore crucial. Note that this season the “rebirth” quest allowing you to redo a player and raise him directly to level 90 if you have enough VC is available by raising his first basketball player to 90 and winning a game of hide and seek with Ronnie 2K. To finish on the gray areas, the career matchmaking for the REC or Pro-Am modes is always limited, unbalanced with confrontations and combinations of positions sometimes turning into a nightmare. But with the many satisfactions brought by the opus, we will pass for this time.

Strong points

• Substantial lifespan
• Added new fatigue system
• The shooting system, more demanding and fair timing
• The return of the Jordan Challenge, taking
• My Team is gaining depth
• New career mode scenery…

Weak points

• …but still a tedious quest system
• The PC not included in the new generation platform
• My NBA mode not as complete as on PS5 and Xbox Series
• Fewer animations
• The W not improved enough
• The need for VC further increased
• No matchmaking overhaul

It’s a small disappointment for all those who were waiting for a renewed opus on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch. NBA 2K23 hardly changes in content compared to NBA 2K22, except in the layout of the Boat Goat, framework of Career mode or the addition of co-op mode in My Team mode. Fortunately, the addition of the new defensive system and a more accurate, demanding and realistic shot save the furniture, not to mention the dozens of hours to spend on the title for neophytes. We hope for a big effort for the following seasons, because this is the first time that there has been such an abysmal gap between the old gen and PS5-Xbox Series versions.

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