NBA 2K11 Review

NBA 2K11 is the deepest sports game I’ve ever played. There’s so much on the table that I could probably go the rest of my life without another annual iteration of NBA 2K11, and that wouldn’t bother me one bit. Michael Jordon graces the cover art, user interface, and various game modes, serving as the central theme of NBA 2K11. The game opens with a bombastic tribute to MJ, and instead of initially presenting a menu to select the desired game mode, NBA 2K11 immediately drops players into one of Michael’s signature games.

This will be the first player test of the Michael Jordan Challenge Mode available in NBA 2K11. This mode puts the player in Michael’s shoes, with various objectives to complete in each game. Objectives include scoring a certain number of points before the half, completing a designated number of assists, and a host of other objectives. Completing all of Michael Jordan’s challenges allows the player to access the ‘MJ: Creating a Legend’ game mode. This puts a rookie-level Michael directly into the hands of players, allowing them to develop his career as they see fit.

Beyond Jordan’s challenges, the game offers several other quick-play modes spanning current and classic teams. There is an NBA blacktop mode with various mini-challenges such as 3-point shooting and dunk contests. Snoop Dogg, Drake and other celebrities are available to play beyond the normal NBA roster. Players have the option to take on their own custom character through ‘My Player’ mode, which allows them to manage the player’s entry into the NBA. This mode is more about the journey than the player’s actual NBA career, and it’s a long road before reaching the NBA. This mode is great and makes the player react to in-game decisions at press conferences, sponsor signings, etc. This is another long-term game mode that will keep players coming back to NBA 2K11.

The actual gameplay of NBA 2K11 is infinitely deep, being not only difficult to master, but also quite difficult to learn. This can be problematic for players new to the NBA 2K series, as there are virtually no tutorials or in-game help within the user interface. This leaves one to consult the manual for the physical game instead, which is simply blasphemous. Simple actions like shooting or passing have a multitude of variations depending on which other buttons are pressed in conjunction. More advanced players will want to engage the analog sticks for on-the-fly game changes, like dribbling behind the back to get around a defender, or making a last-minute hand swap on a layup. After taking the time to learn the system, players can make some truly eye-catching plays, driving each game’s momentum off the charts.

NBA 2K11 is truly a joy to watch. Spectators will believe they are watching a real live game if they are not told otherwise. Player animations are the most believable I’ve seen in any game, let alone a sports game, with incredible pitch textures, crowd behavior and commentators all adding to the level of immersion. The biggest madness graphically is in the player models themselves. While the animations are a sight to behold when looking down the pitch, the players’ faces are simply ridiculous and, on many occasions, look nothing like their real-life counterparts. Low textures and sub-par facial capture are likely to blame, but this probably also plays into the insanely smooth framerate of games.

There are a few issues that I have encountered in my short time with NBA 2K11. Passing can be a chore and must be handled with care. The computer will be constantly intercepting passes with ferocious tenacity. Every pass made must be deliberate and calculated to avoid a turnover. For things to work, quick passes with the left analog stick aren’t as accurate as you’d think, requiring more attention that could have been devoted to gameplay tactics. The commentators can also be off at times. When I played as the Miami Heat, my team was called the LA Lakers more than once. Other than those elements, I haven’t come across any other major hiccups with NBA 2K11.

Online play is fairly stable, although when the game demands precision, a small amount of lag can affect the effectiveness of shots, passes, and especially free kicks. I have occasionally been disconnected during online gaming. I’m not sure if the other player just lost connection or left the game, as instead of providing a brief explanation of the problem, the player gets a simple network error message. Players have the option to join teams, similar to clans or groups in other games, and it’s a nice feature to include this time around. The game is compatible with Move on PS3, but I haven’t had a chance to test it.

NBA 2K11 is a great paradise for NBA fans and players alike. The good comes pouring in, and the bad is mostly non-existent. The title has enough content to keep gamers busy until NBA 2K12, but 2K Sports has set the bar so high that it’s going to be hard to top NBA 2K11 with its next installment. Sports fans definitely need to learn this, and any gamer should give NBA 2K11 a try, as it’s more than just a way to get their attention.