The Evolution Will Be Televised
HIGH The WNBA mode is inching closer to completion. (Thanks to the class of ‘24!)
LOW Microtransactions still permeate the landscape.
WTF Why am I so enamored with realistic mesh fabric and beads of sweat?
One year ago, I closed my NBA 2K24 review with the line “In the end, NBA 2K24 might be the finest sports videogame I’ve ever resented.” because with each passing edition, the game gets deeper, more involved, and more overwhelming, but without any major improvements or truly unique features.
This year, I don’t resent 2K.
Now, this is not to say that NBA 2K25 is perfect, nor does it scratch my ongoing itch for a gameplay overhaul. But what the developers did do was listen. The result is a fantastic entry into this annual series that tightens the controls, enhances the realism, and broadens the scope, fine-tuning the proven format in countless positive ways.
Visually, NBA 2K25 continues the series’ legacy of stunning graphics and animations. Beads of sweat, realistic hair, more dynamic crowds, and unbelievable lighting and reflections dazzle the user as soon as it fires up. In turn, the enhanced ProPlay system ensures that stars’ actual movements are reflected on screen without seeming like canned animations. While series vets might not notice the sheer visual splendor, newcomers definitely will. In what is becoming an annual tradition, my wife was once again fooled by the game, thinking there was an actual NBA broadcast on my television.
However, visuals only tell part of the story. While it’s nice to have a realistic Jalen Brunson gracing my screen, none of it matters if there isn’t a larger sense of atmosphere, and that’s where NBA 2K25 shines brightest. The audio, visuals, timely commentary, and responsive crowds all blend to create the most authentic sports videogame environments around. The word “immersion” is overused in reviews, but it’s appropriate here.
Last year users enjoyed tighter, more responsive controls to complement the visuals. This year, 2K ups its game by introducing both an improved dribbling system and a “Rhythm Shooting” mechanic that bases shot success on more than just timing. Instead, it factors in performance, defensive matchups, team momentum, and other variables to build an unbeatable sense of ‘feel.’ Just like the actual NBA, players feed off one another, and those roof-shaking comeback rallies can change an entire game. Fans of professional basketball know these moments, and they can now recreate them like never before.
(side note — players aren’t obligated to use the new shooting mechanics, but I ask purists to give it a legitimate chance. It’s a nice change that’s well worth exploring.)
On the court, these upgrades enhance what is already the most rewarding control scheme in sports gaming. Make no mistake, the complex finger gymnastics needed to dominate rival those of fighting games, but when the controls sink in they become second nature, and the simulation becomes a lifelike representation of how players attack the basket, set up on defense, or have those clutch end-of-game moments.
When it comes to modes and features, no series in sports gaming (if not all of gaming) offers more value to fans than the NBA 2K franchise. The sheer amount of content is already overwhelming, and the regular additions and upgrades only enhance the experience. If there’s any complaints to be had, it’s that so much is dependent on leveling up, which can quickly become a lethargic grind without spending real-world money. I’ll spare everyone my annual griping about microtransactions, but suffice it to say, it will be very difficult for newcomers to achieve the top tiers of this title without spending countless hours (or dollars) on upgrades.
Despite this, there’s still plenty to do without opening a wallet, starting with a well-designed and revamped tutorial mode called Learn2K. This enhanced practice mode allows newcomers to become familiar with the controls in regular scenarios without taxing them too much on minutiae. Despite being a fan of this series since its Dreamcast debut, I still found myself revisiting the practice courts to hone some skills.
Also, kudos to 2K for listening and bringing a deeper WNBA mode to the party. I have no doubt that the international emergence of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese helped move this to the forefront, and 2K25 does a great job giving the women’s game its own feel and atmosphere. Likewise, having its own story and other modes allows everyone to enjoy the title.
MyTEAM is back, as well, with a deeper, more customizable card-collecting system. The addition of era-specific challenges that cover decades of history is a nice touch to be sure, but the mode’s biggest advancement is how it adjusted the usual reward system to give everyone a chance to earn premium upgrades, not just those who pay their way.
Speaking of eras, the ever-evolving Eras mode continues to bring enjoyable nostalgia to fans of any decade in NBA history. Users will get the Magic/Kareem Lakers, the untouchable 1990s Chicago Bulls, and even some recent Steph Curry paths to follow. However, it also includes some nice nods to other eras, like the rough and ready, defense-first early 2000s.
Of course, all of these decades are represented with period-appropriate graphics, fuzzy camera filters, and the like. Immersion is the name of the game, and this mode brings it by the carload.
Of all the modes available (and I don’t have the column inches to cover them all), none has returned to glory more than MyCareer. Unlike some of the MyPlayer modes of years past, NBA 2K25 immediateky throws users into the heart of the story. This urgency not only introduces the mode to those who might not have played in the past, it also lets users bypass the usual “draft night” nonsense and allows them to carve an ideal experience from the start.
In turn, the branching conversation trees have been largely improved, letting users make truly meaningful decisions about their avatar’s career path. Past editions have felt too linear to deliver authenticity, and while most of us will never live the life of an NBA superstar, these expanded conversations sure seem realistic, and they also make a noticeable impact on how the character develops. Team-first player or selfish hotshot? First one at practice or first in line for promotional opportunities? 2K25 lets users choose, and these impacts are felt throughout the story.
For fans of the open-world City mode, 2K25 will be a breath of fresh air. Last year, traversing the endless sprawl of the cityscape was a meaningless slog. This year’s layout is much easier to navigate, with more pickup games, side quests, and more to do at each corner. It still seems a little bloated and distracting for gamers who just want to play basketball, but at least developers are listening.
One facet of the City worth mentioning is how seamlessly the experience bridges offline and online play. When reviewing NBA 2K25, it was launch weekend, and lobbies were clogged and slow. But in the weeks that followed, the traffic was managed more quickly, and I found myself jumping in and out of online experiences with ease.
That said, the City mode highlights something users knew was coming — NBA 2K25 is the first edition to make it seem that last-gen users should upgrade their consoles. Graphics and options aside, there has never been a larger gap between current and past-gen editions of the title. Not only are there the obvious graphics and mode discrepancies, but the entire past-gen offering seems a little half-baked by comparison. I appreciate 2K continuing to deliver for Xbox One and PS4 users, but it’s clear that the sand is quickly leaving the hourglass for holdouts.
With all of that said, I won’t end this review by splitting hairs. Though it’s not a revolution as much as an evolution, NBA 2K25 easily justifies its price tag. There’s still grinding, leveling, and more side quests than Skyrim. but it all seems more accessible and approachable than in years past, while also being more realistic and beautiful than ever before.
Score: 9 out of 10
Disclosures: This game is published by 2K Games and developed by Visual Concepts. It is available on XBO/X/S, PS4/5, PC and Switch. This game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 23 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed. Approximately 3 hours of play were devoted to online multiplayer.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E. This is a basketball simulation game in which players can select teams from real NBA rosters, compete in tournaments, and play through regular seasons. Players can also manage individual franchises and the careers of their customized athletes.
Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: NBA 2K25 features subtitles, speech-to-text, and numerous tactile feedback features in all modes. The game is playable without sound and is fully accessible.The game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: There are several pre-set control schemes, but the game’s controls are not remappable.
When not writing for Gamecritics, Brad spends his days as a managing editor, handling content that is far less complicated than the RPGs haunting his dreams each and every night.
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This game is not like the games before they are to dramatic with the shot selections and the regaining of balance and foot control when yoh try to steal, and the big kicker is why are you slower to connect to your defensive player rather than offense? That’s like a cheat in itself…. game was cool until that oh and they have alotta players who shouldn’t be boosted up boosted like reeves off the lakers??? Wtf do yall think he is and Shai Gildress smdh he’s a while another story and of course the fact that Victor Wembaye is a… Read more »