NBA 2K17 - The first year reaching it's potential in the next gen era

[Dee4Three]

Hi all,

I wanted to get your thoughts on this.

Before this game, NBA 2K14 for XBOX1 and PS4 had the best gameplay. What hindered that game was weak gameplay modes (Couldn't even play a two player association), weak roster editing, and a lousy interface (To go with terrible online support). 2K15 and 2K16 were slow, sluggish, with a lot of bugs/cheese.

I feel like this is the turning point for the franchise with next gen graphics. The dribbling mechanics feel better than ever, the customization has reached a peak that nobody ever dreamed of back in the day, the lighting is better, the game is smoother. It is not a perfect game, but this game reminds me of when we all turned on NBA 2K9 for the xbox360/PS4 (which I think was also the 3rd game for that gen). 2K9 was the turning point, and it kept getting even better (or atleast not getting worse) after that.

I am thoroughly impressed with the product 2k put out this year. The gameplay (to me) is what matters the most. And this year, it's really fun.

For PC users, this is also the first year I have seen THIS MUCH participation in modding since 2k14. Rosters/CF's/Courts/Jerseys etc are all being worked on daily.

Your thoughts?

[TGsoGood]

Its a good game. I will not feel 100% comfortable until I have retro ro rosters, draft classes (real and fictional), and more accurate NBA roster with more accurate tendencies, playstyles and animations for the non-stars. I will have to depend on the community and myself for most of those things.

The base game has a very solid foundation. Just about everything I could ask for within 2K's ability. The pro am and my park stuff is not always that great in my opinion but it is good for change of pace if i need it, and fun when working correctly.

But again all the nba related stuff has been a dream and it will be even better when i finish putting my own touches on everything, as well as adding stuff from the community.

[Andrew]

I'd say it's the strongest game so far on this generation. I'm a little concerned about what's been done with the VC rewards, and putting new things behind VC paywalls with your MyPLAYER, though. That could be the start of a very unfortunate trend. However, it's definitely a strong product in most aspects across the board.

i think the next step is going to be further reduction of some of the canned moments, and tightening up of some of the controls/gameplay mechanics.

[Dee4Three]

Its a good game. I will not feel 100% comfortable until I have retro ro rosters, draft classes (real and fictional), and more accurate NBA roster with more accurate tendencies, playstyles and animations for the non-stars. I will have to depend on the community and myself for most of those things.

The base game has a very solid foundation. Just about everything I could ask for within 2K's ability. The pro am and my park stuff is not always that great in my opinion but it is good for change of pace if i need it, and fun when working correctly.

But again all the nba related stuff has been a dream and it will be even better when i finish putting my own touches on everything, as well as adding stuff from the community.

The retro rosters are so important. I know that you are working on draft classes. What I would like to do after my Classic Teams roster is completed, is to start with an 07-08 roster to see how it comes out/generates interest. We should be able to pull that one together nicely.

But yeah, a lot of the ratings/tendancies need to be tweaked. By default, some players speed with the ball is atrociously unrealistic... Like Jerome Kersey, and Dirk Nowitzki. Dirks speed with the ball is under 40 on the 02-03 Mavericks, he was very fast with the ball in that season (look at highlights), he also routinely beat smaller players up the floor in a straight line, he was actually very fast and built. Wilt Chamberlain was an Olympic sprinter, his speed should be higher. Jerome Kersey was amazing on the fast break and had great change of direction to go along with power, they made him deathly slow. Certain things just don't make sense.

This goes back to NBA 2K16 where they did things like give Shawn Marions FT to Nick Van Exel... what? Many of the shooting forms are way off, all you have to do is watch a highlight or two of the player and see that the shot they chose isn't even close. In this game, Dream Team Larry birds shot isn't remotely right, Hakeem Olajuwons shot was more over his head (they have it slow and in front of his face), Sprewells shot is so off I can't even believe it.... They have Clyde Drexlers shot in front of his face, any highlight you see of him shooting the ball is pulled back and over his head.

I can go over NUMEROUS other examples of this stuff. Like Muresan being way better rated on rebound than Bob Lanier, and other rating/tendancy/sig issues. But you get the point. We can fix some of this stuff with Retro Rosters though.

And Andrew, I agree 100%. It's not a perfect game, but it is the best in the next gen era.

[TGsoGood]

Dee4three. I agree 100% the gameplay mechanics and tools are great in my eyes.
The roster in regards to tendencies, animations, and ratings will need plenty of work if making your own roster or draft class because there is so much depth to these areas that is a bit overwhelming to edit them as one man.

[SF501]

Yes 100% agree. No game is perfect. Gameplay is really a amazing this year. Realistic Retro Rosters will make this game even more enjoyable.
I'll wait for your rosters Dee4Three..with your draft classes. I really want to play with Kobe.

[Dee4Three]

Yeah, the gameplay being the most important... this game really got me.

New rosters are the key. The UFDR is doing great, and I have 4-5 people working with me on the Classic Teams roster. Which means we have a TEAM. I think that is what was missing from the NBA 2K16 modding venture, we never put together a team.

I hope they don't patch the gameplay much, or at all. As is, the game plays far better than NBA 2K16.